Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Phnom Penh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Phnom Penh or Harbin?
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 Harbin. 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 Harbin?
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.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
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 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhnom Penh $41Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $41, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhnom Penh $12Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhnom Penh $24Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Harbin? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phnom Penh $7.87Harbin $1.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Vip Taxi Transfer from Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk: $450
- Vip Taxi Private Transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $450
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Phnom Penh APT-HTL (PNH): $16
- Transfer Stop Sightseeing Phnom Penh - Siem Reap, English Speaking Driver: $107
- Transfer Private Car Siemreap to Phnom Penh/PHN to Province.: $110
- Private taxi transfer from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh city: $145
- Private taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville city: $145
- Private taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $145
- Private taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Kompot or Kep: $145
- Private taxi transfer Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $129
- Private taxi transfer Phnom Penh to Pursat or Battambang: $155
- Private intercity transfer ! From Phnom Penh to any cities in Cambodia (One Way): $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin 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 $13Harbin $14
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.
- Sunset Dinner Cruises w/Live Music, 5&7pm; Free Pickup Available: $9.90
- Sunset Dinner Cruises w/Live Music, 5&7pm; Free Pickup Avail: $9.90
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour Drinks & Tuk Tuk included: $36
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive over 10 Local Tastings: $44
- 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
- Evening Cambodian Food Tour: $60
- Ultimate PP Food Tour by Tuk Tuk - 20 tastings & drinks included: $69
- Phnom Penh Authentic Food Tour 100% By Local: $69
- Phnom Penh's Ultimate Street Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phnom Penh $7.65Harbin $52
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day tour Genocide Museum and Killing Field : $130
- Killing field and Toul Sleng genocide museum Tour: $20
- Phnom Penh Full Day Private Tours: $155
- 10 Tastings of Phnom Penh Foodie Tour: $39
- 2 Day-Phnom Penh by Private Tours: $155
- 2 Days Phnom Penh Cyclo and Cycling Tour: $128
- 2 Days of Phnom Penh City Tour: $199
- 3 Hours Private Morning Market and Art Tour in Phnom Penh: $45
- 9 Days Cambodia Highlights Guided Motorcycle Tour: $1,952
- A 10-day ethical animals tour of Cambodia: $1,699
- A Day Trip From Phnom Penh - Historical Sites Tours : $35
- A Day Trip Sightseeing of Phnom Penh With Private Tour Guide : $65
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Small Group Tour to Harbin Siberian Park Tiger: $200
- Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
- Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhnom Penh $4.33Harbin $7.83
Sample the Local Flavors in Phnom Penh
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Phnom Penh:
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $10
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Pub Crawl: $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phnom Penh and Harbin, we can see that Harbin 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 Harbin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Harbin 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 Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Harbin, 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.