Which place is cheaper, London 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 London?
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 London. 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 London?
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.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
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 Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom.
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Phnom Penh Prices
Cambodia PricesLondon Prices
UK Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhnom Penh $51London $287
The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $51, while the average daily cost in London is $287. 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 London in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhnom Penh $12London $166
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhnom Penh $24London $332
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and London
Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or London? 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 London Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phnom Penh $7.90London $34
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 London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride$19
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Heathrow Express$24
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Luggage Storage$11
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London Map$1.71
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Oyster Card$47
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)$29
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Oyster Card$36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 8 Seater Transfer: Heathrow Airport to Central London: $235
- 8 Seater Transfer: Heathrow Airport to/from Central London: $229
- A1 Van Heathrow Airport to Central London Transfer: $134
- Affordable All London Airports Round-trip: Private Transfer to South-West London: $288
- Affordable All London Airports Round-trip: Private Transfers to London Hotels: $177
- Airport - hotel - airport transfers for Heathrow groups.: $532
- Airport 2 Airport Transfer London Heathrow to all London Airports: $191
- Airport Transfer: Gatwick Airport LGW to London by Luxury Car: $282
- Airport Transfer: Heathrow Airport LHR to London by Luxury Car: $173
- Airport Transfer: London to Gatwick Airport LGW by Luxury Car: $282
- Airport Transfer: London to Heathrow Airport LHR by Luxury Car: $173
- Airport Transfer: London to Heathrow Airport LHR by Luxury Van: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or London?
Prices for flights to both London 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 $23London $79
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 London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks$17
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Tea$7.94
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason$52
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Morning Tea$8.40
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Pastry$6.62
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Sushi Dinner for One$24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- London Food Tour of Soho & Covent Garden: $19
- Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $43
- Italian Pizza Dinner & Comedy Show Experience, Covent Garden: $70
- French Cuisine Dinner & Comedy Show Experience, Covent Garden: $86
- Peruvian Fusion Dinner & Comedy Show Experience, Covent Garden: $87
- Authentic Japanese Cooking Class in North London Home: $92
- 2 Hour Soho and Chinatown Food Tour with 4 Tastings in London: $101
- The Original Soho and Chinatown Food Tour with Authentic Dishes: $101
- London Soho & Covent Garden Full Meal Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $103
- London Foodie Adventure with Sherpa Food Tour: $109
- Private South Indian Home Cooking Class in London with a Local: $109
- Japanese Izakaya Dinner & Comedy Show Experience, Covent Garden: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phnom Penh $7.68London $43
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 London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert$110
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London Symphony Orchestra$46
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London Pass$62
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Comedy Show$11
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- A Camp Self-Guided Tour of London with Paul Baker: $5.00
- London Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.79
- London British Empire Walking Tour: Hidden History: $5.79
- Thomas Cubitt’s Pimlico: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.99
- Soho's Contribution to Health Care History Walking Audio Tour: $5.99
- Tales from the Thames Riverbank: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Southwark Pirates of the Thames Quest Experience in London: $6.25
- London Bridge: Troll Hunt Puzzle Adventure: $6.25
- Brixton Self-Guided Music Walking Tour - Guided By Historian: $6.69
- Kew Gardens, Richmond - Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.69
- "Covent Garden" Scavenger Hunt - Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.71
- Soho Instagram Self-Guided Walking Tour - Top Photo Spots: $6.86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhnom Penh $4.35London $20
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 London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- 1 Big Night Out Weekday Pub Crawl: $25
- The Jack the Ripper Pub Tour - Taverns and Dark Tales: $27
- London Pub Crawl: $28
- The Great East London Pub Crawl!: $34
- London PUB CRAWL Shots Pints & Good Times: $34
- The Great British Pub Walking Tour: London: $39
- Sipsmith Distillery Tour and Complimentary Tasting: $40
- Historic London Pub Tour: $54
- Pub Crawl and Sing along London Experience: $79
- London Historical Pub Tour with Pilgrims and Pirates: $79
- Soho Rock and Roll Pub Tour: $79
- Historic Pub Crawl in Wapping: $87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phnom Penh and London, we can see that London 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 London 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or London?
London has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and London, 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.