A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phnom Penh vs. Accra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Phnom Penh or Accra?

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 Phnom Penh and Accra. 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: Phnom Penh or Accra?

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.

Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia, The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana, and The Best Safaris in Ghana.


Which place is cheaper, Accra or Phnom Penh?

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 Phnom Penh is $51, while the average daily cost in Accra is $53. 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 Phnom Penh and Accra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phnom Penh $12
    Accra $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phnom Penh $24
    Accra $46
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Accra

Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Accra? 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 Phnom Penh


Hotels in Accra


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: Phnom Penh Hotel Prices and Accra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.90
    Accra $20

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
  • Techo International Airport Transfer by Car or Minivan: $22
  • Private Airport Transfer From/To Hotels: $24
  • Private Transfer: Phnom Penh's Hotel to Techo Airport(KTI): $27
  • Private Transfer: Techo Airport (KTI) to Hotel in Phnom Penh: $27
  • Private Transfer : Techo Inter Airport (KTI) ↔ Phnom Penh City: $30
  • Techo International Airport Transfer to Hotel or vice versa: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:

  • Aburi Gardens Transfers: $187
  • Accra Private Airport Transfer: Zero-Stress Meet & Greet: $80
  • Airport & City Transfers: $100
  • Arrival & Departure Airport Hotel Transfers: $70
  • From Private Airport Transfer, Pickup & Drop-off Services: $35
  • Private Accra Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet: $39
  • Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $76

Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Accra?

Prices for flights to both Accra and Phnom Penh 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
    Phnom Penh $23
    Accra $20
Typical Food Prices in Phnom Penh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phnom Penh:


  • Dinner for Two
    $10
  • 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
  • Phnom Penh’s Hands-On Khmer Cooking Class in the Countryside: $35
  • Street Art & Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
  • Street Art and Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
  • Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 5 stops local Tastings: $35
  • Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra

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

  • Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
  • Accra Osu Night Market Food Tour with Akosua Serwaa: $80
  • Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
  • Private Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $90
  • Private 1 to 2 Hours Street Food Tour in Ghana: $100
  • Accra, Ghana: Private Home-Style Ghanaian Cooking Class: $130
  • 12-Course Heritage Tasting Dinner & Optional Nightlife Experience: $130
  • Private Ghanaian Cooking Class at Accra's Premier Food Hub: $200
  • Food Tour in Accra: $292

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.68
    Accra $4.05

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
  • 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-Unlimited Beers-Sodas-BBQ buffet-Fruit platter: $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

Tours and Activities in Accra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:

  • Accra Guided City Tour Cultural and Historical Experience: $40
  • Makola Market Walking Tour: $41
  • Accra City Day Tour Experience.: $43
  • Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day: $45
  • African Alcoholic Drinks Tasting Experience: $50
  • 1 Day Accra City Tour: $51
  • Ghanaian Food Tasting Experience with Music and Drinks: $54
  • Ticket to Legacy Rhythm and Fire Show in Ghana: $60
  • Accra Textiles and Fashion Tour: $60
  • Accra Nightlife Tour: Experience Great Vibes & 2 Free drinks: $60
  • Half-Day Private Tour of Nima Market with Pick Up: $65
  • Accra Guided City Tour: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phnom Penh $4.35
    Accra $5.80

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 comparing the travel costs between Phnom Penh and Accra, we can see that Accra is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Phnom Penh is in Asia and Accra is in Africa, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Accra?

Accra has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Accra, 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.