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

Should you visit Phnom Penh or Amsterdam?

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 Amsterdam. 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 Amsterdam?

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.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.

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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.


Which place is cheaper, Amsterdam 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 $50, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $240. 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 Amsterdam in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phnom Penh $12
    Amsterdam $116
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phnom Penh $24
    Amsterdam $232
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Amsterdam

Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Amsterdam? 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 Amsterdam


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 Amsterdam Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.87
    Amsterdam $23

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
  • 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
  • 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 - Battambang Transfer Sightseeing Day Trip: $89
  • Phnom Penh - Siem Reap One-Way Private Transfer: $120
  • Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Oudongk Sambor Prei Kuk Transfer Day Trip: $105

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:


  • Ride on Tram
    $3.65
  • Renting a Bike
    $17
  • One Hour Canal Cruise
    $11
  • Single Day Transit Pass
    $2.97
  • Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport
    $3.88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:

  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Zaandam: $113
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam in Amsterdam City: $112
  • 1-23 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Amsterdam: $147
  • 1-23 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $294
  • Airport Transfer: Schiphol Airport AMS to Amsterdam by Luxury Car: $122
  • Airport Transfer: Schiphol Airport AMS to Amsterdam by Luxury Van: $99
  • Airport or Port transfer First Class (private car service): $264
  • Airport transfer [Schiphol airport - Hotel in Amsterdam]: $115
  • Amsterdam & Schiphol Airport to Den Bosch Private Transfer: $154
  • Amsterdam & Schiphol Airport to Nijmegen Private Transfer: $236
  • Amsterdam Airport & Non-Airport Private Transfer to City Center: $54
  • Amsterdam Airport (AMS) Transfer to Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Keukenhof: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Amsterdam?

Prices for flights to both Amsterdam 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
    Amsterdam $91
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
    $4.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh

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

  • 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
  • Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 5 stops local Tastings: $35
  • Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
  • Street Art and Food Tour with Pickup and Beer: $39
  • Small Group Phnom Penh Food Tour and Local Market Experience: $39

Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam

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


  • Afternoon Tea
    $6.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam

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

  • Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $11
  • Food Tour Amsterdam | Taste The Best of Dutch Flavors: $14
  • Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $37
  • Romantic Dinner in the Dark Amsterdam: $49
  • Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $60
  • 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $70
  • Taste Your Way Around Amsterdam Food Tour: $75
  • Amsterdam Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $88
  • Top 10 Tastes of Guided Walking Food Tour: $90
  • Dutch Food Tour with local guide: $92
  • Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner: $94
  • NEW Amsterdam Breakfast Food Tour with Stroopwafel Workshop: $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.65
    Amsterdam $41

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
  • Phnom Penh Private Tour with Luggage Storage: $7.96
  • 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: 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
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket Free Mekong Cruise: $12
  • Cambodia experience shooting range outdoor: $12
  • Phnom Penh Shooting Range Experience: $12

Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam

Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum
    $6.84
  • Entry for two to the Anne Frank House
    $19

Tours and Activities in Amsterdam

Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $3.51
  • Self-Guided Tours Amsterdam With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.51
  • Amsterdam Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.51
  • Amsterdam Introductory Walking Tour with a Local: $3.51
  • Alternative Tour Amsterdam | Drugs Story, Street Art & More: $3.51
  • Two-hour walking tour of Amsterdam with storyteller: $3.52
  • Walking Tour of Haunted Amsterdam: $3.52
  • Bill's Bike Tour - Rent a Flower Bike in Amsterdam: $5.00
  • Self Guided Space Tourist Exploration of Amsterdam's Cosmic Side: $5.00
  • Self Guided Tour of A City of Trade and Tolerance: $5.24
  • Amsterdam Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.28
  • Amsterdam Free tour World War II and Anne Frank: $5.87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phnom Penh $4.33
    Amsterdam $27

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam

Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Red Light District Bar Crawl: $21
  • Amsterdam Red Light Pub Crawl with Beer Hostess and 4 Shots: $28
  • Amsterdam Craft Beer Brewery Tour by Bus with Tastings: $76
  • New Year's Eve Pub Crawl With Optional Club Entrance: $88
  • Halloween Bar Crawl in Central Amsterdam: $100
  • Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $140


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phnom Penh and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Phnom Penh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phnom Penh is in Asia and Amsterdam is in Europe, 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam 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 Phnom Penh Expensive? and Is Amsterdam Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Amsterdam?

Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Amsterdam, 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.