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

Should you visit Phnom Penh or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

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 Buenos Aires, Argentina. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?

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.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Buenos Aires, Argentina 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.

  • Phnom Penh Prices
    Cambodia Prices
    Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Phnom Penh $50
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $55

The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $50, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $55. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phnom Penh $12
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phnom Penh $24
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $78
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Buenos Aires, Argentina

Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.78
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:

  • 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
  • Intercity Transfer Siem Reap-Phnom Penh/Phnom Penh-Siem Reap: $95
  • PHN Airport Transfer Plus Killing Field, Toul Sleng Museum: $65
  • Phnom Penh - Battambang Transfer Plus Stop Sightseeing: $118
  • Phnom Penh - Siem Reap One-Way Private Transfer: $120
  • Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Oudongk Sambor Prei Kuk Transfer Day Trip: $105
  • Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Road Transfer Plus Sightseeing: $99
  • Phnom Penh Airport Transfers: $30
  • Phnom Penh International Airport Transfers: $65
  • Phnom Penh to Battambang Private Transfer: $65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

  • Airport Transfer (EZEIZA o AEP) + Private Buenos Aires City Tour: $219
  • Airport Transfer: Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $114
  • Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Airport EZE by Business Car: $107
  • Aljibe Tango Earlier Show With Private Transfers From Port & Hotels Buenos Aires: $115
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Car: $124
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Van: $140
  • Arrival Transfer Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires City by Sedan: $68
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport AEP to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $114
  • Best Tango Show with Private Transfer: $111
  • Buenos Aires : Aljibe, Tango and folklore show with Transfers.: $126
  • Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer: $71
  • Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires - Round -Trip Transfer: $103

Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Prices for flights to both Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 $22
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.37
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
    $4.78

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 Cruise with BBQ Buffet Dinner, Unlimited Beer & Tour Guide: $9.90
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise with English Speaking Guide: $10
  • 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
  • Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
  • Penh Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $36
  • Street Art and Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $39
  • Street Art and Food Tour with Pickup and Beer: $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $26
  • Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $36
  • Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $37
  • Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $39
  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
  • Madero Tango Dinner Show: $40
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $43
  • BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $43
  • BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
  • Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $44
  • Early Tango Dinner Show in Buenos Aires: $46
  • BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.56
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $30

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
  • Phnom Penh Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer & BBQ Buffet: $8.00
  • Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
  • Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.16
  • Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $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
  • Silk Island Tour: $12
  • Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour: $15

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • Self Guided Walking Tour of Buenos Aires with Audio Guide: $5.70
  • Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina: $6.72
  • Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
  • Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.97
  • The Women Behind Puerto Madero’s Streets: A Self Guided Tour: $9.99
  • Small Group Buenos Aires Walking Tour: $10
  • Private Shopping Tour with Matu Salcedo: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
  • Private Tour of San Telmo, Old Town: $12
  • Palermo Graffiti Tour: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phnom Penh $4.28
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $8.99

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 Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • Argentine Wine Tasting in Caminito with Appetizers Included: $45
  • Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
  • Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
  • Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $56
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
  • Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
  • Classic Tiger Delta Navigation, City Tour and Wine Tasting: $69
  • Empanadas & Argentine wine tour: $74
  • BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
  • Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
  • Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $99


When comparing the travel costs between Phnom Penh and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina is in South America, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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.