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

Should you visit Phnom Penh or Nice?

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 Nice. 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 Nice?

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.

Nice

Nice, in the French Riviera, is one of the most popular destinations in France. It's located on the southeast coast along the Mediterranean Sea and is the second largest French city on the Mediterranean. It is an energetic city that attracts all types of vacationers from every age group and demographic. It's the 5th largest city in the country and is the capital of the Alpes Maritimes departement. The metropolitan area has a population of about 1 million.

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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Nice or Phnom Penh?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $41, while the average daily cost in Nice is $141. 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 Nice in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phnom Penh $12
    Nice $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phnom Penh $24
    Nice $126
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Nice

Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Nice? 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 Nice


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 Nice Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.81
    Nice $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:

  • Private Phnom Penh Airport Transfers to your hotel in town: $10
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Phnom Penh APT-HTL (PNH): $16
  • Private Transfer: Phnom Penh's Hotel to Phnom Penh Airport: $18
  • Phnom Penh Airport Transfers: $19
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH): $22
  • Phnom Penh Airport (PNH) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $23
  • Phnom Penh International Airport Transfer (PNH): $23
  • Phnom Penh Airport Pickup/Transfer: $25
  • Private Transfer to International Airport: $25
  • Private Transfer From Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: $25
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) to Hotel : $25
  • Phnom Penh International Airport Transfers: $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nice

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nice:

  • Airport Transfer: Nice Airport NCE to Nice City in Luxury Van: $82
  • Arrival Transfer from Côte d'Azur Airport NCE to Nice City in Private Car: $44
  • Arrival Transfer from Nice Airport NCE to Nice city by Sedan: $59
  • Arrival Transfer: Nice Airport NCE to Cannes in Luxury Van: $116
  • Arrival Transfer: Nice Airport NCE to Monaco in Luxury Van: $130
  • Cannes Private Transfer from Nice Airport to central Cannes: $296
  • Cruise Port Hercule to Monaco hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
  • Day Trip / transfer to and from aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur: $93
  • Departure Transfer: Monaco to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $110
  • Departure Transfer: Monaco to Nice Airport NCE in Luxury Van: $131
  • Departure Transfer: Nice to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $69
  • Departure Transfer: Villefranche Port to Nice Airport: $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Nice?

Prices for flights to both Nice 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 $13
    Nice $53
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
    $4.80

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 Avail: $9.90
  • Sunset Dinner Cruises w/Live Music, 5&7pm; Free Pickup Available: $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

Typical Food Prices in Nice

Some typical examples of dining costs in Nice are as follows:


  • Slushee
    $2.68
  • Strawberries
    $4.29
  • Loaf of Bread
    $3.43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nice

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nice.

  • Nice Small-Group Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties & Wine Tasting: $84
  • Viator Exclusive: Organic French Dinner in the Garden of Nice: $95
  • The Flavors of Nice Food Tour: $103
  • Old Nice Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Nice Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Viator Exclusive: Local Cooking Class & Dinner with View of Nice: $107
  • 3.5-Hour Original Old Town Food Tour: $108
  • Private French Cooking Class with a Fun Local Noel: $108
  • Half-Day Walking Food Tour in Nice with Lunch: $115
  • Food Tour + Wine Pairing Lunch with a local Sommelier: $134
  • Half Day Afternoon Walking Food Tour with Dinner: $148
  • Dinner in the vineyard French Riviera: $193

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.59
    Nice $13

Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh

Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Riverside Walking Tour: $6.00
  • One Hour City Light Cruise-Foods & Drinks available for purchase: $8.00
  • Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
  • Private Phnom Penh Day Tour : Explore All Highlights Sites: $9.00
  • Sunset River Cruise with Drink and BBQ Options: $12
  • Sunset Cruise in Phnom Penh - One and a Half Hours: $12
  • Phnom Penh Killing Fields and Prison S21 Join Tour: $15
  • The killing field and Toul Sleng Genocide museum (S21) Tour: $15
  • From Killing Fields and Prison S21 Tour: $15
  • Sunset Cruise with unlimited beer & soft drinks -English speaking guide on board: $16
  • killing field and Toul Sleng genocide museum Tour: $16
  • Mekong River Sunset Cruise Tour: $17

Tours and Activities in Nice

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nice are as follows:

  • Vieux Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.14
  • Nice : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.14
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • Ticket to Musée National du Sport: $6.46
  • Nice Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Monaco Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
  • Navigating A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Nice's Old Town Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $7.00
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $7.00
  • Nice city tour: audio guide app in your smartphone: $7.53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phnom Penh $4.30
    Nice $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Phnom Penh

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Phnom Penh:

  • Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Pub Crawl: $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Nice

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

  • Nice Bar Crawl | Best Bars In 1 Night! VIP + FREE SHOTS: $6.03
  • Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entry and Free Shots: $16
  • Nice : International Party Pub / Bar Crawl Unlimited Ticket: $17
  • International Party Bar and Pub Crawl in Nice: $17
  • Pub Crawl Nice with Drinking Games and Optional Drink special: $22
  • Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $25
  • Nice Bar Crawl | Infamous International Party!: $27
  • Nice Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $45
  • New Year's Eve Pub Crawl with Shots and VIP Club Entry: $53
  • New Years Eve Pub Crawl in Nice: $54
  • New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl Nice France: $54
  • Provence Organic Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Nice: $66


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phnom Penh and Nice, we can see that Nice 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 Nice 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 Nice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nice 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 Nice Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Nice?

Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Nice, 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.