Which place is cheaper, Lisbon 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 Lisbon?
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 Lisbon. 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 Lisbon?
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.
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.
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Phnom Penh Prices
Cambodia PricesLisbon Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhnom Penh $50Lisbon $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $50, while the average daily cost in Lisbon 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 Lisbon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhnom Penh $12Lisbon $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhnom Penh $24Lisbon $144
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Lisbon
Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Lisbon? 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 Lisbon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phnom Penh $7.87Lisbon $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Transfer Phnom Penh to Battambang, Private Taxi Driver: $125
- Techo Phnom Penh Airport KTI to Kampot Private Transfer: $75
- Techo International Airport to Siem Reap Private Transfer: $160
- Techo International Airport Transfer to Phnom Penh Hotel: $30
- Techo International Airport Transfer to Hotel or vice versa: $30
- Techo International Airport Transfer: $15
- Taxi Transfer Phnom Penh To Siem Reap, Friendly Taxi Driver: $135
- Taxi Transfer From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $90
- Siem Reap: Private Transfer to or from Phnom Penh: $239
- Siem Reap: Private Transfer to Phnom Penh: $115
- Siem Reap: Private Transfer From/to Siem Reap - Phnom Penh: $71
- Siem Reap or Private One-Way Transfer: $158
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride$7.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Private Transfer to Costa da Caparica | Almada | Aroeira: $50
- Airport Transfer Service in Lisbon: $141
- Airport Transfer | Cruise Port - Estoril | Cascais | Sintra: $88
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS by Business Car: $75
- Airport transfer to Lisbon (metropolitan area).: $65
- Arrival Transfer by Sedan from Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon City: $47
- Cascais Aerodrome (CAT) to Lisbon city - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Comfortable and Affordable Airport transfer for Groups Families: $84
- Costa da Caparica Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $35
- Intercity Transfers In and Out from Lisbon: $50
- Jardim do Tabaco Quay Cruise Port to Lisbon - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Lisbon - Coimbra, Private Transfer & up to 3 Cities visits: $640
Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Lisbon?
Prices for flights to both Lisbon 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 $23Lisbon $83
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.
- Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $9.90
- Sunset & Evening Dinner Cruise With One Way Free Pick Up: $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
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Portuguese Wine & Pizza Cruise with Open Bar: $29
- Lisbon Sunset Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $31
- Lisbon Luxury Cruise Experience with Sangria & Pizza: $31
- Lisbon Luxury Cozy Cruise with Drinks & Pizza: $31
- Lisbon Premium Cozy Boat with Pizza & Open Bar: $35
- Lisbon Sunset Cozy Boat Cruise with Open Bar & Pizza: $38
- Lisbon Sunset DJ Party Cruise with Pizza & Drinks: $41
- Lisbon Flavors and Traditions Small Group Food Tour: $55
- Castle Skip-the-Line & Old Town (add-on Fado Dinner): $62
- Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $64
- Dinner with Rising Stars of Fado at Canto do Poeta: $65
- Private Dinner in a Local Home Mediterranean Table in Lisbon: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phnom Penh $7.65Lisbon $27
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
- 10 Stop Phnom Penh Tour by Tuk-Tuk, includes S21 & Killing Fields: $33
- 2 Day-Phnom Penh by Private Tours: $155
- 2 Days Phnom Penh Cyclo and Cycling Tour: $128
- 2 Days Phnom Penh Siem Reap Private Tour, Cambodia Road Tour: $25
- 2 Days Private Guide Tour Phnom Penh Heritage: $282
- 2-Day Mekong Delta Tour: Phu Quoc to Phnom Penh via Chau Doc: $488
- 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
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lisbon City Center Tour - The Unmissable Lisbon: $1.76
- Lisbon Alfama Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.17
- Bairro Alto + Downtown Walking Tour: $3.51
- Self-Guided Tours in Lisbon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.51
- Discover Complete Walking Tour with Belém & Sintra: $3.51
- Historic Walking Tour Through Lisbon’s Oldest Neighborhood: $3.51
- The Moorish Beyond the Tourist Trail Quarter Free Walking Tour: $3.51
- Chiado Baixa Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.91
- Óbidos Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.28
- Lisbon Walking Tour & Local Market Experience: $5.81
- Alfama & Old Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.87
- Lisbon Secrets: Iconic Photo Adventure Exploration Game and Tour: $5.97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhnom Penh $4.33Lisbon $21
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 Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Lisbon Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience Bars Games and Club Entry: $22
- Private Pub Crawl in Lisbon: $23
- Lisbon Rooftop Bar Crawl Private Group Experience: $23
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $23
- Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif at Portuguese Wine Bar: $28
- Halloween Haunts: Lisbon Pub Crawl Experience: $29
- A Taste of Wine Tasting Experience: $41
- Carcavelos Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $53
- Wine Tasting with Cheeses Charcutaria and Bread Table: $76
- From Family Winery Tour, Historic Cellars & Wine Tasting: $76
- Lisbon Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour: $77
- Lisbon Small-Group Food & Wine Tour with a Full Meal: $93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phnom Penh and Lisbon, we can see that Lisbon 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 Lisbon 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Lisbon?
Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Lisbon, 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.