Which place is cheaper, Brussels 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.
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Should you visit Phnom Penh or Brussels?
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 Brussels. 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 Brussels?
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.
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
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 Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium.
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Phnom Penh Prices
Cambodia PricesBrussels Prices
Belgium Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhnom Penh $51Brussels $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $51, while the average daily cost in Brussels is $191. 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 Brussels in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhnom Penh $12Brussels $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhnom Penh $24Brussels $170
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Brussels
Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Brussels? 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: Phnom Penh Hotel Prices and Brussels Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phnom Penh $7.90Brussels $19
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
- 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 - Battambang Transfer Sightseeing Day Trip: $89
- Phnom Penh - Siem Reap One-Way Private Transfer: $120
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass$5.22
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Atomium train ticket (2)$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- BRU Airport Transfer to Brussels City Center for 3 Pax: $163
- BRU Airport Transfer to Brussels City Center for 7 Pax: $151
- Brussels transfer from or to Brussels Airport (BRU) by Van: $138
- Brussels & Atomium: Private Tour with Transfer and Tasting: $813
- Brussels Airport (CRL) Private Transfer to Brussels City/Hotels: $139
- Brussels Airport Shuttle Transfer Maastricht (1 to 8 PLACES): $166
- Brussels Airport Transfer (BRU) to or from Brussels (Sedan): $110
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to Brussels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $188
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to Brussels hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $73
- Brussels City Center to BRU Airport Transfer for 3 Pax: $128
- Brussels City Center to BRU Airport Transfer for 3 Pax: $163
- Brussels City Center to BRU Airport Transfer for 7 Pax: $151
Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Brussels?
Prices for flights to both Brussels 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
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Food Meals for one dayPhnom Penh $23Brussels $77
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
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 5 stops local Tastings: $35
- Street Art and Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons$5.34
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)$5.51
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Cheese$6.50
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Olives and Snacks$8.10
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Waffle$3.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Chocolate and Beer Food Tour of Brussels: $45
- City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $74
- Brussels Food Tour: Main Dish, Beer, Waffle & Chocolate: $93
- Brussels Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $99
- Walking Food Tour with Chocolate, Beer, & Waffles: $111
- Brussels Food Tour: 10 Tastings of Waffles, Beers, Fries & More: $125
- Food Tour of 10 Tastings - Waffles, Beers & More: $147
- Brussels Private Food Tour: Waffles, Fries, Beer & Local History: $149
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $179
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $183
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phnom Penh $7.68Brussels $27
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
- 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
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket Free Mekong Cruise: $12
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tasting Tour: A Taste of Brussels - by Legends: $2.33
- The Most Complete Tour Of Brussels: $3.46
- Gastronomic Tour: A Taste of Brussels: $3.46
- Free tour of Brussels in Italian ( with booking fee): $3.46
- Brussels Walking Tour with Guide plus PDF: $3.46
- Where Comics, Culture & Quirk Collide Walking Tour: $4.65
- Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.68
- Audio Guided Walking Tour of Brussels: $5.79
- Brussels Essential : Self-Guided Tour created by local Official Guide: $5.79
- 600 Years of History and Heritage: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Leuven: $5.99
- Brussels Audioguided walking tour 2h40 and 25 reviews: $6.84
- Self-Guided Walking Tour Along Brussels Comic Book Route: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhnom Penh $4.35Brussels $15
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$12
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Beer$6.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Mario Kart Championship at Micro Brewery & Distillery: $5.21
- BBQ night at Tipsy Tribe Brewery & Distillery: $15
- Immersive Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings - Brussels Area: $18
- Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $20
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $23
- micro brewery & distillery tour + beer tasting: $29
- Beer & Chocolate Tasting in a Micro Brewery-Distillery: $52
- Sip the Unexpected at a Hidden Leuven Brewery: $58
- Gin Cocktail Workshop at a Brussels Brewery & Distillery: $66
- Private tasting: Beer & Chocolate in a Micro Brewery-Distillery: $75
- Beer Pong in a Micro Brewery and Distillery: $76
- Brewing Workshop at Tipsy Tribe Brewery & Distillery: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phnom Penh and Brussels, we can see that Brussels 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 Brussels 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 Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels 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 Brussels Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Brussels?
Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Brussels. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Brussels, 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.