Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Phnom Penh? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Dalian or Phnom Penh?
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking 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 dayDalian $106Phnom Penh $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $106, 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 Dalian and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $56Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $112Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Dalian 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.Dalian $42Phnom Penh $7.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Vip Taxi Private Transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $450
- Vip Taxi Transfer from Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk: $450
- Private Taxi transfer from Bangkok to Phnom Penh City: $449
- Private Taxi transfer from Pattaya to Phnom Penh (Cambodia): $435
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Pattaya (Thailand): $435
- Private Transfer Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Hotel or Airport: $420
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Bangkok: $408
- 3-Days Sightseeing Tour include Airport Transfer: $300
- Phnom Penh to Mondulkiri Private Transfer: $215
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Koh Kong Province: $172
- Private taxi transfer Phnom Penh to Pursat or Battambang: $155
- Private Transfer VIP Vehicle Phnom Penh - Siem Reap: $155
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Dalian 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 dayDalian $28Phnom Penh $13
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.Dalian $4.91Phnom Penh $7.59
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $250
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: $18
- Phnom Penh Full Day Private Tours: $155
- Phnom Penh boating sunset Tour: $87
- 10 Stop Phnom Penh Tour by Tuk-Tuk, includes S21 & Killing Fields: $34
- 2 Days Private Guide Tour Phnom Penh Heritage: $282
- 2 days Tour Cambodia shooting Range Phnom Penh Experience + video: $120
- 2 days tour in Phnom Penh City Tour: $80
- 2hours Private Sunset Cruise with unlimited beer, soft drinks and Tour guide: $67
- 4 Hours Private Phnom Penh National Museum and Royal Palace Tour: $155
- 5-Hour Biking Tour in Mekong Island: $49
- 9 Days Cambodia Highlights Guided Motorcycle Tour: $2,003
- 9-Day Cambodia Tour with Angkor Wat: $1,199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.48Phnom 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 Dalian and Phnom Penh, we can see that Dalian 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian 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 Dalian Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Phnom Penh?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Dalian 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.