A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Sihanoukville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dubai or Sihanoukville?

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 Dubai and Sihanoukville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dubai or Sihanoukville?

Dubai

Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.

Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville, also known by locals as Kompong Som, was named after King Sihanouk. Also Cambodia's youngest city, construction started in 1955 to build Cambodia's first and only deep water port so that ships would no longer have to go through the Mekong Delta in order to trade with Cambodia. Today, many visit Sihanoukville as a hub to visit Cambodia's islands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Bicycle Tours in Cambodia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Cambodia.


Which place is cheaper, Sihanoukville or Dubai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Dubai Prices
    UAE Prices
    Sihanoukville Prices
    Cambodia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Dubai $289
    Sihanoukville $65

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, while the average daily cost in Sihanoukville is $65. 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 Dubai and Sihanoukville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $170
    Sihanoukville $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $340
    Sihanoukville $46
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Sihanoukville

Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Sihanoukville? 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.

Hotels in Dubai


Hotels in Sihanoukville


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: Dubai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $13
    Sihanoukville $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $12
  • Airport Taxi
    $12
  • Sea Taxi
    $0.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai

Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 2 Dives for Certified Divers in Fujairah with transfer: $195
  • 4 Hour Dubai Layover Tour with Private Airport Transfers On Time: $125
  • AYA Universe Dubai Ticket with Transfer option: $33
  • AYA Universe Dubai Tickets with Transfer Option: $37
  • Abu Dhabi City Tour with Grand Mosque Including Transfers: $56
  • Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai with Sheikh Zayed Mosque & Transfers: $61
  • Afternoon Dubai City Iconic Skyline Tour including Transfers: $70
  • Afternoon High Tea at Atmosphere Burj Khalifa with Transfer: $259
  • Airport Transfers from Dubai Airport to Hotels in Dubai: $56
  • Arrival Transfer: Dubai Airport DXB to Dubai in Luxury SUV: $122
  • At The Top Burj Khalifa And Meal at The Burj Club with Transfers: $195
  • Atlantis Aquaventure And Lost Cambers Aquarium with Transfer: $169

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sihanoukville

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sihanoukville:

  • Private taxi transfer from Sihanoukville to Battambang: $290
  • Private Taxi Transfer to Kampot: $224
  • Private Transfer in Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh by VIP Alphard: $180
  • Private Transfer to/from Battambang - Sihanoukville: $115
  • Private Taxi Transfer Sihanoukville - Battambang Car - Mini-Van: $107
  • Private Transfer : Phnom Penh ↔ Sihanouk Ville: $105
  • Private Shuttle Transfer From Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh: $70
  • Sihanoukville To Phnom Penh Private Transfer Mini-Van-Car: $65
  • Private Taxi Transfer From Kampot - Phnom Penh City: $46
  • Convenient Taxi Transfers from Sihanoukville to Kampot: $36
  • Private Transfer From Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: $35
  • Sihanoukville Airport Transfers: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Sihanoukville?

Prices for flights to both Sihanoukville and Dubai 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dubai $96
    Sihanoukville $32
Typical Food Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:


  • French bread
    $0.95
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    $10
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    $4.36
  • Coffee & Cake
    $6.53
  • Smoothie
    $5.45
  • Shawarma
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dubai Desert Safari with Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $8.75
  • Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $15
  • Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Al Seef: $16
  • Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
  • Vip Red Dune Desert Safari Dubai, Camel Ride, BBQ Dinner, Shows: $18
  • Vip Desert Safari Dubai With BBQ Buffet Dinner: $19
  • VIP RED DUNE SAFARI with Pick/drop,Quad,Camel, BBQ Dinner & Shows: $19
  • Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Deira Creek: $20
  • Evening Desert Safari Dubai with Camel Ride & BBQ dinner: $21
  • Dubai Desert Safari With4x4 Pick/Drop camel ride BBQ dinner shows: $21
  • Dubai Creek Dhow Dinner Cruise with Buffet & Live Entertainment: $21
  • Vip Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ dinner&shows-Pick&Drop(Optional): $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sihanoukville

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sihanoukville.

  • Cooking class in Kampot: $20
  • Sihanoukville - Khmer Traditional Cooking Class: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $19
    Sihanoukville $5.39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Visit to the Dubai Museum
    $0.82

Tours and Activities in Dubai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.

  • Global Village Dubai Ticket with optional transport: $9.00
  • Miracle Garden and Global Village Entrance Ticket: $9.77
  • Global Village Tickets: $10
  • Global Village Skip the ticket line: $13
  • Dubai Butterfly Garden Ticket Deals: $14
  • Dubai Layover Private Tour with Choice of Duration: $15
  • Dubai Marina Yacht Tour Ain Dubai, JBR and Harbour in 1 hour: $18
  • Dubai Frame Ticket: $18
  • Old Town, Souks, Street Food, Guided Tour & Abra Ride: $18
  • Dubai Marina 2 Hour Sunset Yacht Tour with Alcoholic Drinks: $18
  • Dubai 5 Hours Magic Secret New Shopping Tour: $19
  • Dubai Frame Entry Ticket: $19

Tours and Activities in Sihanoukville

Here are a few actual costs in Sihanoukville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Best Sihanoukville Day Tours from Cruise Port: $79
  • Best of Kep, Kampot from Sihanoukville Cruise Port: $259
  • Best of Sihanoukville City Tour from Cruise Port: $75
  • Bokor Mountain Adventure - History, Sights and Waterfalls: $29
  • Day Trip from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh for Cruise Passengers: $189
  • Discovery Tour: Caving, Climbing, Via Ferrata and Abseiling in Kampot: $53
  • Exploring Bokor National Park Full-Day Tour from Sihanoukville: $99
  • Exploring Kampot: A Memorable Tour from Sihanoukville: $63
  • Exploring Shore Excursions from Cruise Ports: $59
  • Exploring the Best of Kampot and Kep in a Full-Day Tour: $55
  • From Phnom Penh Day Trip for Cruise Ship Guests: $189
  • Full Day City Tour with A Boat Trip to 2 Islands: $110

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $23
    Sihanoukville $4.43
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $42


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Sihanoukville, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Sihanoukville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Sihanoukville is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sihanoukville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sihanoukville 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Sihanoukville.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Sihanoukville Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dubai or Sihanoukville?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sihanoukville. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Sihanoukville, 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.