A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kampong Cham vs. Paihia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kampong Cham or Paihia?

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 Kampong Cham and Paihia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Kampong Cham or Paihia?

Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is the sixth largest city in the country, located in the east of Cambodia. Just two and a half hours away from Phnom Penh is a surprisingly large province by the same name. Kampong Cham is the capital of this province, a quiet town on the west side of the Mekong River. While the town does not cater to tourists like other large cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the charm of Kampong Cham lies in the beauty and simplicity of local life. Visitors will also get a glimpse into agricultural life on the plantations of rubber trees, tobacco and cashews.

Paihia

Paihia is a town on the North Island of New Zealand in the Bay of Islands region. It is about a three hours north of Auckland by car. For those visiting the Bay of Islands, it is the main town in the area and is located near the town of Russell and Kerikeri. There is a wharf in town where most ships depart from if you are planning on going out to explore the Bay of Islands. Paihia is a very small town with a population of about 1800 people. There is a fair climate all year round with temperatures ranging from sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Paihia or Kampong Cham?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kampong Cham is $36, while the average daily cost in Paihia is $99. 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 Kampong Cham and Paihia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kampong Cham $20
    Paihia $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kampong Cham $40
    Paihia $66
Compare Hotels in Kampong Cham and Paihia

Looking for a hotel in Kampong Cham or Paihia? 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 Kampong Cham


Hotels in Paihia


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: Paihia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kampong Cham $7.67
    Paihia $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paihia

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

  • Bay Of Islands - Airport Transfers: $24

Is it cheaper to fly into Kampong Cham or Paihia?

Prices for flights to both Paihia and Kampong Cham 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
    Kampong Cham $11
    Paihia $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kampong Cham $5.76
    Paihia $34

Tours and Activities in Paihia

For Paihia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Adrenalin Junkie Tour - 60 mins (min 2): $140
  • *Popular Tour* - Bay of Islands: Nature Adventure - 4hrs: $143
  • 1 Hour Scenic Bay of Islands Tour: $30
  • 3 Hours // Hole in the Rock Cruise & Bay of Islands Tour: $87
  • Bay Combo Tour - 60 mins (min 2): $140
  • Bay of Islands - Explorer Tour: $136
  • Bay of Islands - Mini Tour (75-90 mins): $38
  • Bay of Islands - Mini Tour: (75-90mins): $45
  • Bay of Islands 2-Hour Sundowner Evening Sailing Cruise: $55
  • Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel, Hike,Swim,Wildlife: $95
  • Bay of Islands Scenic Tour : $65
  • Bay of Islands Waterfall Explorer Kayaking Tour: $58

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kampong Cham $5.47
    Paihia $22


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kampong Cham and Paihia, we can see that Paihia is more expensive. And not only is Kampong Cham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kampong Cham is in Asia and Paihia is in Pacific, 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 Kampong Cham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kampong Cham 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 Paihia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paihia than you might in Kampong Cham.

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


Which is Bigger, Kampong Cham or Paihia?

Kampong Cham has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Kampong Cham and Paihia, 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.