Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Manila?
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 Manila or Phnom Penh?
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 Manila and Phnom Penh can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Phnom Penh?
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
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 Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesPhnom Penh Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Phnom Penh $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is $50. 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 Manila and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Manila and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Manila 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: Manila Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Phnom Penh $7.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $65
- Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Phnom Penh Airport Private Taxi Transfer - Hotels: $21
- Private Airport ↔ City Center Transfer: $24
- Techo International Airport Private Transfer: $25
- PrivateTransfer: PhnomPenh Airport(PNH/KTI) to Hotel in PhnomPenh: $27
- Private Transfer: PhnomPenh's Hotel to PhnomPenh Airport(PNH/KTI): $27
- Fully Private Phnom Penh International Airport Transfers: $30
- Airport Transfer Techo International Airport (KTI) to/from Hotel: $30
- Private Van Transfer From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $50
- Private Taxi From Phnom Penh to Kep Overland Transfer : $51
- Private intercity transfer ! From Phnom Penh to any cities in Cambodia (One Way): $55
- Private Transfer From or to Phnom Penh <=> Sihanoukville: $56
- Private Taxi Transfer Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville Car - Minivan: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Manila 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 dayManila $31Phnom Penh $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $64
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
- Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $68
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $73
- Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175
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$4.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
- Buffet Dinner Cruise Experience with Live Music: $12
- Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: $31
- Phnom Penh Morning Market & Food Tour by Tuktuk - Includes All Food & Drinks!: $45
- Half Day - Phnom Penh Food Tour: $45
- Phnom Penh Local Market & Morning Food Tour Include Drinks: $49
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 5 stops local Tastings: $49
- Evening Food Tour By Tuk-Tuk in Phnom Penh: $59
- Phnom Penh Food Tour By Night With Hotel Pickup: $59
- Evening Cambodian Food Tour: $60
- Phnom Penh Authentic Evening Food Tour 100% By Local: $69
- Ultimate Phnom Penh Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: 20 Tastings and Drinks: $69
- Cambodia Food Tour: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Phnom Penh $7.65
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $24
- Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
- The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $31
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $31
- Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $33
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $35
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phnom Penh Private Tour with Luggage Storage: $7.92
- Sunset Cruise-Freeflow Beers,Soft Drinks & BBQ Buffet: $9.00
- NEW Sunset Cruise! "Your cruise U Choose "-Unlimited BBQ & Drinks: $9.00
- Audio Guide Tour by Tuk-Tuk to Killing Field and Genocide Museum : $12
- Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour: $15
- Phnom Penh Full Day Private Tour By Tuk Tuk or Taxi Car: $15
- Private Guided Full-Day Tour in Phnom Penh: $15
- Phnom Penh Private Guided Tour Killing Field and Tuol Sleng: $15
- Road Tour Phnom Penh Battambang Bamboo Train Bat Cave->Siem Reap: $15
- 6-8 Hours Phnom Penh Private Guided Tour : $15
- Phnom Penh City Tour & Cambodia Fire Range, Video Services: $15
- Cambodia Tour, Phnom Penh Shooting Club: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Phnom Penh $4.33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Phnom Penh, we can see that Manila 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila 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 Manila Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Phnom Penh?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Manila 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.