Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Can Tho?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Can Tho or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Phnom Penh can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Can Tho or Phnom Penh?
Can Tho
Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city in the country of Cambodia. It is located at the edge of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap rivers and is the nation's center of economics and industry. The metropolitan area has a population of about 2.2 million.
Phnom Penh was once called the "Pearl of Asia." In the 1920s it was one of the most impressive French built cities in the region and was an important tourist destination. During the Vietnam War, refugees fled to the city and by 1975 the city's population was between 2 and 3 million, most of them being refugees. The city fell to the Khmer Rouge in 1975 and they cut off supplies to the population for over a year. Journalists reported torture and mutilation of the trapped civilians and the Khmer Rouge forcibly evacuated the city in what is known as the death march. The Khmer Rouge was driven from the city by the Vietnamese in 1979 and reconstruction began.
Today, tourism continues to grow in the city and those who visit are greeted by a welcoming and friendly population, a rich culture, and truly rewarding travel experience.
Phnom Penh has a tropical wet and dry climate. It is hot year around with very little temperature variation. Lows are usually in the low 70s Fahrenheit and highs are in the mid to high 90s Fahrenheit. The southwest monsoon brings rains between May and October and the northeast monsoon brings the dry season from November to March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Can Tho Prices
Vietnam PricesPhnom Penh Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCan Tho $66Phnom Penh $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Can Tho is $66, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is $50. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Can Tho and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCan Tho $26Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCan Tho $52Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Can Tho and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Can Tho or Phnom Penh? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Can Tho Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Can Tho $12Phnom Penh $7.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho
Also for Can Tho, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Can Tho To Ho Chi Minh Private Car Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Can Tho Airport to Hotel: $30
- From 3-Day Nam Du Archipelago Tour with Transfers: $278
- PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $135
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $51
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $123
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport - Can Tho City Center: $35
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Private Taxi transfer from Can Tho City to Phnom Penh city: $375
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Phnom Penh HTL-APT (PNH): $200
- Private Transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by VIP Alphard 2010: $190
- Private Transfer/ Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by VIP Alphard 2010: $180
- Private Transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by VIP Alphard 2005: $165
- Ground Transfer/ Minivan/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $150
- Private taxi transfer Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $129
- Ground Transfer/SUV/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $110
- A day trip transfer sightseeing Phnom Penh Siem Reap: $99
- Phnom Penh To Kratie Private Transfer Mini-Van-Car: $93
- Private Taxi Transfer From Phnom Penh - Kratie City : $83
- Private Taxi Transfer From Phnom Penh - Koh Kong: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Can Tho or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Can Tho change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCan Tho $28Phnom Penh $23
Typical Food Prices in Can Tho
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:
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Restaurant Dinner (for Two)$4.93
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Coconut$0.27
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Mango$1.02
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Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)$6.60
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Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees$0.61
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Casual Lunch (for One)$2.65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Floating Market, Canals, Garden & Cooking Class: $24
- Premium Can Tho Food Tour – “Wrap & Roll”: $29
- Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
- Biking and Cooking Class in Can Tho Rural: $32
- Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
- Biking and cooking class in the rural tour at Can Tho: $36
- Can Tho food tour voted by local - Vegan option is available: $38
- Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
- Authentic Vietnamese Cooking Class in Can Tho: $39
- Walking street food tour designed by local chef: $41
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Lunch: $48
- Cooking Class - Flavors of the Delta: $52
Typical Food Prices in Phnom Penh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phnom Penh:
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Dinner for Two$10
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Breakfast for Two$4.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
- Buffet Dinner Cruise Experience with Live Music: $12
- Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: $31
- Phnom Penh Morning Market & Food Tour by Tuktuk - Includes All Food & Drinks!: $45
- Half Day - Phnom Penh Food Tour: $45
- Phnom Penh Local Market & Morning Food Tour Include Drinks: $49
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 5 stops local Tastings: $49
- Evening Food Tour By Tuk-Tuk in Phnom Penh: $59
- Phnom Penh Food Tour By Night With Hotel Pickup: $59
- Evening Cambodian Food Tour: $60
- Phnom Penh Authentic Evening Food Tour 100% By Local: $69
- Ultimate Phnom Penh Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: 20 Tastings and Drinks: $69
- Cambodia Food Tour: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Can Tho $16Phnom Penh $7.65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sunset Boat Ride$1.90
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Half Day Floating Market Tour$7.96
Tours and Activities in Can Tho
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.
- Immersed in Fruit Garden 2-hour Tour: $9.52
- Evening Walking Tour with Night Market Visit: $12
- Cai Rang Floating Market and Bike Tour: $23
- University Tour with Tasting & Sightseeing in CT: $24
- A Real Mekong Tour, Floating Market, Cacao & Life's: $24
- Cai Rang Floating Market Sunrise Tour: $25
- Floating Market & Hidden Canals – Small Group Morning Boat Tour: $25
- Can Tho Countryside Bike Tour with Fruit Garden Visit: $30
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $30
- Victoria Sunset Cruise on Hau River: $35
- Group Tour: Floating Market, Rice Noodle Factory & Cacao …: $35
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market Tour: $36
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Killing field and Toul Sleng genocide museum Tour: $19
- Phnom Penh Full Day Private Tours: $155
- Phnom Penh Private Tour with Luggage Storage: $7.92
- ( Free eSim) Classic Phnom Penh Full Day Tour : $45
- 2 Day SUV and Minivan Tour Phnom Penh and Siem Reap: $145
- 2 Days Phnom Penh Cyclo and Cycling Tour: $128
- 2 Days Private Guide Tour Phnom Penh Heritage: $282
- 5-Hour Biking Tour in Mekong Island: $49
- 6-8 Hours Phnom Penh Private Guided Tour : $15
- A Day Trip Sightseeing of Phnom Penh With Private Tour Guide : $65
- A Full Day Tour for Royal Palace, S21, Killing Fields & More : $35
- A day Trip Sightseeing Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Private English Speaking Driver : $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCan Tho $6.26Phnom Penh $4.33
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:
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Beer$3.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Can Tho and Phnom Penh, we can see that Can Tho is more expensive. And not only is Phnom Penh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phnom Penh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phnom Penh and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Can Tho would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Can Tho than you might in Phnom Penh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Can Tho Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho and Phnom Penh, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.