Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi?
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 Koh Phi Phi. 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 Koh Phi Phi?
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.
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
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Phnom Penh Prices
Cambodia PricesKoh Phi Phi Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhnom Penh $51Koh Phi Phi $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $51, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $92. 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 Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhnom Penh $12Koh Phi Phi $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhnom Penh $24Koh Phi Phi $96
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Koh Phi Phi
Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phnom Penh $7.90Koh Phi Phi $7.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh City to Can Tho City: $375
- Siem Reap: Private Transfer to or from Phnom Penh: $239
- Private Transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by VIP Alphard 2010: $190
- Private Transfer/ Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by VIP Alphard 2010: $180
- Private Taxi Transfer Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: $160
- Siem Reap or Private One-Way Transfer: $158
- Phnom Penh To Mondulkiri Private Transfer Mini Van And Car: $151
- Ground Transfer/ Minivan/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $150
- Private taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville city: $145
- Private Taxi Transfer from/to Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville: $145
- Private taxi transfer from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh city: $145
- Private taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $145
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
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Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$16
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Longboat Taxi$3.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Easy Island Transfer from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao: $69
- Koh Phi Phi to Krabi VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $46
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $46
- Krabi to Phi Phi Island Scenic Round Trip Ferry Transfer Service: $37
- Phi Phi Island to Phuket Speedboat Transfer: $31
- Phi Phi to Koh Samui Smooth Transfer by Speedboat Bus Catamaran: $56
- Phuket Phi phi Maya Bay Khai Island Diving Transfer & Buffet: $87
- Smooth Round Trip Ferry Transfer from Krabi to Phi Phi Island: $37
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Koh Phi Phi?
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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 $23Koh Phi Phi $22
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 Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
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Crepe$1.82
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Sit Down Lunch$10
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Casual Lunch$6.38
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Coconut Donut$0.30
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Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$12
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Sit Down Dinner$15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phnom Penh $7.68Koh Phi Phi $51
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ( Free eSim) Phnom Penh Historical Full Day Tour: $40
- 2 Day-Phnom Penh by Private Tours: $155
- 2 Days Phnom Penh Siem Reap Private Tour, Cambodia Road Tour: $25
- 4 Hours Private Phnom Penh National Museum and Royal Palace Tour: $155
- 5-Hour Biking Tour in Mekong Island: $49
- 6-8 Hours Phnom Penh Private Guided Tour: $15
- A Day Hiking Adventure to Chonlos Waterfalls: $189
- A Day Trip Sightseeing of Phnom Penh With Private Tour Guide: $65
- A Full Day Tour for Royal Palace, S21, Killing Fields & More: $35
- A day Trip Sightseeing Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Private English Speaking Driver: $105
- Adventure Cambodia: A 12-Day Guided Tour off the Beaten Path: $1,525
- All Inclusive Half Day Phnom Penh Discovery Tour: $55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental$9.12
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $14
- Phuket Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Phi Phi Tour with Maya Bay By Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $17
- Phi Phi Half Day Longtail Boat Tour to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $19
- Phi Phi Sunset Longtail Boat Cruise to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $20
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $21
- Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $21
- Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $22
- Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $22
- Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $25
- Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $31
- Phuket Evening Tour Sunset Viewpoints and Night Market Experience: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhnom Penh $4.35Koh Phi Phi $6.30
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 Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
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Mojito Bucket$15
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Banana Daiquiri$6.08
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phnom Penh and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Koh Phi Phi?
Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 1570 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Koh Phi Phi, 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.