Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Chongqing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chongqing or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chongqing and Phnom Penh. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Chongqing or Phnom Penh?
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
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 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChongqing $89Phnom Penh $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Chongqing is $89, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is $41. 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 Chongqing and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChongqing $50Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChongqing $100Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Chongqing and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Chongqing 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: Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chongqing $19Phnom Penh $7.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG): $22
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $25
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $60
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $128
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $168
- Dazu Rock Carvings Private Transfer or Tour: $278
- Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Hotel: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $22
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) to Hotel: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chongqing: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- 1 Way Transfer Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville/Sihanoukville-Phnom Penh: $88
- Airport transfer and Shihanouk ville: $25
- Daily Transfer from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: $65
- From Private Transfer To/From Siem Reap: $58
- From Private Transfer to Siem Reap: $61
- From Sihanoukville: Private Taxi Transfer to Phnom Penh City: $73
- Ground Transfer/SUV/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $110
- Phnom Penh - Battambang Road Transfer With Stops Sightseeing: $118
- Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Road Transfer Plus Sightseeing: $89
- Phnom Penh Airport (PNH) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $25
- Phnom Penh Airport (PNH) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $25
- Phnom Penh Airport Private Pick up or Transfer : $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Chongqing or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Chongqing 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 dayChongqing $25Phnom Penh $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- Chongqing Local Flavors Walking Food Tour: $98
- 4 Hour Walking Historical Local Food Tour: $110
- CHONGQING:Strolling through the city(Include dinner): $127
- Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $183
- Private Chongqing Night View Tour with Hot Pot or Local Dinner: $199
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$4.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
- Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $9.90
- Sunset Dinner Cruises w/Live Music, 5&7pm; Free Pickup Available: $9.90
- Dinner Cruise 1h45 on the Mekong including 4 courses + 1 drink: $23
- Street Art & Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
- Evening Food Tour with Drinks & Tuk Tuk Included: $40
- Phnom Penh Morning Market & Food Tour by Tuktuk - Includes All Food & Drinks!: $45
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive over 10 Local Tastings: $49
- Evening Cambodian Food Tour: $60
- Phnom Penh's experience: cooking class and stay over : $60
- Phnom Penh Authentic Evening Food Tour 100% By Local: $69
- Ultimate PP Food Tour by Tuk Tuk - 20 tastings & drinks included: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chongqing $14Phnom Penh $7.59
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Walking Tour of Chongqing Shancheng (Mountain City) Lane: $65
- One-day CityTour and Cuisine (no car, citywalk): $79
- Private Chongqing Day Tour: Panda, E'ling Park, Three Gorges Museum: $99
- city tour of Chongqing : $130
- Private Chongqing Illuminated Night Tour : $138
- 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
- From Full-Day Private Tour Dazu Rock Carvings: $148
- All-in-one Chongqing Night view private tour: $150
- 1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch: $157
- Chongqing private city tour: Must-sees All in One: $157
- Best of Chongqing One Day Tour: Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Eling Park, Panda: $157
- Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise and Illuminated Night Tour: $158
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Riverside Walking Tour : $6.00
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Riverside Walking Tour: $6.00
- Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.60
- Sunset Cruise with commentary from Tour Guide: $10
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer & Soft Drinks: $11
- NEW Sunset Cruise! "Your cruise U Choose" - BBQ, Drinks or Cruise: $11
- Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $12
- Sunset Cruise - Three Packages to Choose From!: $13
- The best Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers and Soft Drinks: $15
- Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour: $15
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) and Choeung Ek Killing Fields Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChongqing $7.09Phnom Penh $4.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Phnom Penh
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Phnom Penh:
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Pub Crawl: $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chongqing and Phnom Penh, we can see that Chongqing 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing 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 Chongqing Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chongqing or Phnom Penh?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Chongqing 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.