Which place is cheaper, Osaka 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 Osaka?
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 Osaka. 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 Osaka?
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.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
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 Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Phnom Penh Prices
Cambodia PricesOsaka Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhnom Penh $51Osaka $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $51, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $103. 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 Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhnom Penh $12Osaka $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhnom Penh $24Osaka $88
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Osaka? 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 Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phnom Penh $7.90Osaka $13
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 Transfer to Hotel or vice versa: $30
- Techo International Airport Transfer by Car or Minivan: $22
- 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
- Siem Reap To Battambang Private Transfer Mini-Van-Car: $65
- Scenic Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Transfer with Sightseeing: $119
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport-to-City Transfer, from Kansai Airport to Each City: $201
- Awa Dance Festival Ticket with Car Transfer from Osaka: $35
- City-to-City Transfer, from Central Osaka to Each City in Kansai: $115
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $206
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer from/to Osaka or Kyoto: $42
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer to/from Osaka or Kyoto city: $122
- Kansai Airport (KIX) Private Airport Transfer to Osaka/Kyoto: $143
- Kansai Airport (KIX) Transfer to Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto/Nara/Wakayama: $59
- Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto city Arrival Private Transfer: $137
- Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $140
- Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $280
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private Transfer To/From Kyoto City Hotels: $230
Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka 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 $23Osaka $42
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
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
- Small Group Phnom Penh Food Tour and Local Market Experience: $39
- Street Art and Food Tour with Pickup and Beer: $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka Cooking Class 17 Tastes Takoyaki Making: $21
- Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $32
- Welcome to Osaka Matrix and Local food tour with Ninja Guide: $36
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon: $38
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $41
- (1 Group Only) Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour Wagyu & Ramen Takoyaki: $45
- Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $48
- Deep Osaka Night Walking Tour with Optional Dinner: $51
- Osaka 2 Hour Local Street Food Tour in Dotonbori and Namba: $57
- Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $63
- Osaka Japanese Cooking And Matcha Class near Osaka Castle: $64
- Osaka Takoyaki Okonomi Experience Tour and cooking class: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phnom Penh $7.68Osaka $19
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 Mt. Aural Hiking Adventure Cambodia's Peak Challenge: $249
- 2 Day-Phnom Penh by Private Tours: $155
- 2 Days Phnom Penh Siem Reap Private Tour, Cambodia Road Tour: $25
- 2 Days Private Guide Tour Phnom Penh Heritage: $282
- 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 Trip Sightseeing of Phnom Penh With Private Tour Guide: $65
- A Full Day Tour for Royal Palace, S21, Killing Fields & More: $35
- Adventure Cambodia: A 12-Day Guided Tour off the Beaten Path: $1,525
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$29
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Dotonbori: CHEVAL Nightclub Ticket & Drinks (Foreign Only): $5.10
- Osaka Shinsaibashi: AMMONA Nightclub Entry Ticket (For Foreign): $6.38
- Osaka Farplane Parco Bar Admission Ticket with Drink for Foreign: $6.38
- Osaka Dotonbori: GIRAFFE Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.38
- Osaka Umeda: OWL Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.38
- Osaka Food Quest: Self-Guided Culinary & History Adventure: $6.71
- Osaka Katsuo-ji Temple Natural Attraction Ticket: $8.00
- Osaka Dotonbori River Cruise with Glico Sign: $13
- Osaka Dotonbori River Cruise with Glico Sign & Neon Lights View: $13
- Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $13
- Osaka Castle Admission Ticket: $13
- Osaka Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory ETicket: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhnom Penh $4.35Osaka $11
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 Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $33
- Osaka Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $41
- 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $51
- Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phnom Penh and Osaka, we can see that Osaka 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Osaka?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Osaka, 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.