Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Izmir?
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 Izmir 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 Izmir 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: Izmir or Phnom Penh?
Izmir
Izmir is a metropolitan city of Turkey and the second most populous city on the Aegean Sea after Athens, Greece. Known as Smyrna in antiquity, it was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans, and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Most remnants of this past are gone; however, there are a few archaeological sites in addition to beaches, bustling city streets, and colorful markets.
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 G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Izmir Prices
Turkey PricesPhnom Penh Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIzmir $86Phnom Penh $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Izmir is $86, 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 Izmir and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIzmir $43Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIzmir $86Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Izmir and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Izmir 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: Izmir Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Izmir $21Phnom Penh $7.90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:
- Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels: $248
- Arrival Transfer Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport ADB to Izmir by Van: $66
- Arrival Transfer Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Izmir by Minibus: $91
- Ayvalık to Izmir Airport (ADB) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Ayvalık to Izmir International Airport (ADB) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Balikesir Edremit Hotels to Balikesir Airport Transfers: $112
- Bodrum Airport Private Minivan By Meet Transfer: $42
- Bodrum Airport Transfer Luxury Vito or Minibus ( Meet Transfer): $45
- Canakkale Airport Transfers to Lapseki Hotels: $112
- Dalaman Airport - Marmaris - Fethiye Meet Transfer: $48
- Dalaman Airport Transfer Private and Comfortable Meet Transfer: $45
- Dalaman Airport Transfer: Travel in Comfort to Fethiye: $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- A Day Trip Transfer Sightseeing Phnom Penh Battambang: $99
- A Day Trip Transfer Sightseeing Phnom Penh Siem Reap: $99
- Battambang: Transfer From/To Sihanoukville & Hidden Gems: $50
- From Private Transfer To/From Siem Reap: $58
- From Sihanouk: Private Taxi Transfer to Phnom Penh City: $73
- Ground Transfer/ Minivan/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $150
- Ground Transfer/SUV/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $110
- Intercity Transfer Siem Reap-Phnom Penh/Phnom Penh-Siem Reap: $95
- Overland Taxi Transfer From Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville: $59
- PHN Airport Transfer Plus Killing Field, Toul Sleng Museum: $65
- Phnom Penh - Battambang Transfer Plus Stop Sightseeing: $118
- Phnom Penh - Siem Reap One-Way Private Transfer: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Izmir or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Izmir 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 dayIzmir $30Phnom Penh $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Izmir
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Izmir.
- Authentic Turkish Home Cooking Class with Locals: $76
- Authentic Dinner Cooking with a Local Family in İzmir: $90
- Private Food tour in Europe and Asian Side of Istanbul: $295
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
- Small Group Phnom Penh Food Tour and Local Market Experience: $39
- Street Art and Food Tour with Pickup and Beer: $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Izmir $14Phnom Penh $7.68
Tours and Activities in Izmir
Here are a few actual costs in Izmir for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Budget - Friendly Ephesus Tour from Izmir: $41
- Marmaris Turtle Beach Dalyan River Cruise and Mud Bath Adventure: $47
- Izmir : Ephesus and Sirince Guided Tour: $53
- Ephesus Ancient City with Best Guides Only For Cruise Guests: $59
- Ephesus Tour: $65
- Marmaris Pirate Themed Family Boat Cruise with Lunch: $65
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
- Cesme-Alacati Tour from Izmir: $71
- Pamukkale Tour from Izmir to Hierapolis and Travertines: $77
- PRIVATE EPHESUS & MARY'S HOUSE TOUR from Izmir Cruise Port: $79
- Izmir City Tour: $84
- From Ephesus, Artemis Temple Tour with Tickets/Lunch: $84
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-Unlimited BBQ Buffet-Beers, Sodas & Fruit Platter**: $7.45
- Sunset Cruise on the Mekong with Kanika Boat: $8.00
- Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
- Phnom Penh Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer & BBQ Buffet: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise-Unlimited Beers-Sodas-BBQ buffet-Fruit platter: $9.00
- Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Angkor Optional Mekong Cruise: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with freeflow beers & BBQ buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer &Fruit platter: $9.35
- Phnom Penh Bus with Free Boat Cruise 1 Day Pass: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIzmir $6.26Phnom Penh $4.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Izmir
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Izmir:
- Wine Tour with Metropolis Ancient City: $124
- Wine Tasting Tour at Two Wineries in Urla Turkey: $277
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 Izmir and Phnom Penh, we can see that Izmir is more expensive. And not only is Phnom Penh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Izmir 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 Izmir would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Izmir 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 Izmir Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Izmir or Phnom Penh?
Izmir has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Izmir 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.