Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Istanbul?
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 Istanbul or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Phnom Penh, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Istanbul or Phnom Penh?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesPhnom Penh Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $161Phnom Penh $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $161, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is $51. 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 Istanbul and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $75Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $150Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $35Phnom Penh $7.90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Airport Transfer: $63
- Airport Transfer 1 to 6 Passengers: $59
- Airport Transfer Hotel Transfer Istanbul Transfer: $71
- Airport Transfer to Istanbul City with Minivan: $70
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Business Car: $71
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Luxury Van: $77
- Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Business Car: $71
- Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul by Business Car: $70
- Airport transfer Istanbul: $59
- Arrival Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Business Car: $70
- Best Istanbul Sultanahmet Old City Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $47
- Bosphorus Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise with Guide and Transfers: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- PNH Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $7.00
- Techo Airport (KTI) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $16
- KTI Techo Airport Pickup or Transfer Private Car: $18
- Private Phnom Penh Airport Transfers to your hotel in town: $20
- Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: $20
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $21
- Phnom Penh Airport Private Taxi Transfer - Hotels: $21
- Private Transfer From Phnom Penh International Airport To Phnom Penh City Center: $21
- Techo International Airport Transfer by Car or Minivan: $22
- Private Transfer Techo International Airport From/To Hotels: $22
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Hotels: $24
- Private Transfer: Techo Airport (KTI) to Hotel in Phnom Penh: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $59Phnom Penh $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $24
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $24
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Night Cruise: Dinner, Drinks & Hotel Pickup: $30
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $30
- Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show with Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show in Istanbul: $31
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $31
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $32
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $32
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
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$4.86
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
- Sunset & Evening Dinner Cruise With One Way Free Pick Up: $9.90
- Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $9.90
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with English Speaking Guide: $10
- Dinner 4-course Mekong River cruise with Kanika Boat: $27
- Nightlife three hours food tours: $27
- Evening City Tour by Tuk Tuk with 1 Dinner: $29
- Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: $31
- Street Art & Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Phnom Penh’s Hands-On Khmer Cooking Class in the Countryside: $35
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 5 stops local Tastings: $39
- Street Art and Food Tour with Pickup and Beer: $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $39Phnom Penh $7.68
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Istanbul Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.53
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour: $6.31
- Istanbul Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and Walking Tour: $8.27
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide: $8.29
- Istanbul Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- Constantinople Siege 1453 GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $12
- Bursa and Uludag Tour from Istanbul: $12
- Bosphorus Cruise 2-3 Hour Cruises with Optional Asia Stop & Meal: $12
- 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $12
- Enjoy Istanbul’s Bosphorus:2-Hour Daytime, Sunset & Night Cruises: $12
- Bosphorus Night Lights: Guided Cruise With Tea and Cookies: $12
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Riverside Walking Tour with Snack, Drinks & Local Ferry Ride: $7.20
- Sunset Cruise on the Mekong with Kanika Boat: $8.00
- Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
- Sunset Cruise-Unlimited Beers-Sodas-BBQ buffet-Fruit platter: $9.00
- Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Angkor Optional Mekong Cruise: $9.00
- Phnom Penh Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer & BBQ Buffet: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with freeflow beers & BBQ buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer &Fruit platter: $9.35
- Phnom Penh Bus with Free Boat Cruise 1 Day Pass: $10
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket Free Mekong Cruise: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $11Phnom Penh $4.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $31
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
Sample the Local Flavors in Phnom Penh
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Phnom Penh:
- Phnom Penh Pub Crawl with Free Mad Monkey Singlet: $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Phnom Penh, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Phnom Penh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Phnom Penh 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 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Phnom Penh?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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.