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

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.


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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $50, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $110. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phnom Penh $12
    Osaka $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phnom Penh $24
    Osaka $96
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.

Hotels in Phnom Penh


Hotels in Osaka


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.87
    Osaka $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Phnom Penh HTL-APT (PNH): $200
  • Techo International Airport Private Transfer: $25
  • PrivateTransfer: PhnomPenh Airport(PNH/KTI) to Hotel in PhnomPenh: $27
  • Private taxi transfer Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $129
  • Private intercity transfer ! From Phnom Penh to any cities in Cambodia (One Way): $55
  • Private Van Transfer From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $50
  • Private Transfer: PhnomPenh's Hotel to PhnomPenh Airport(PNH/KTI): $27
  • Private Transfer/ Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by VIP Alphard 2010: $180
  • Private Transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by VIP Alphard 2010: $190
  • Private Transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by VIP Alphard 2005: $165
  • Private Transfer from Phnom Penh To Sihanoukville : $65
  • Private Transfer From or to Phnom Penh <=> Sihanoukville: $56

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:


  • Subway
    $8.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $72
  • Airport Transfer!Hotel in center of Osaka to Kansai Airport (KIX): $192
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $209
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $258
  • Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer from/to Osaka or Kyoto: $42
  • Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Shin Osaka Station to Osaka City: $71
  • Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka to Shin Osaka Station: $70
  • Kansai Airport Osaka City Private Taxi Transfers: $282
  • Kansai Airport(KIX) to or from Osaka Kyoto Private Transfer: $62
  • Kansai Area City to City Transfer: $102
  • Kansai Intl. Airport (KIX) Private Transfer to/from Osaka: $80
  • Osaka : Private One-way Transfers to/from Kansai Airport(KIX): $59

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Phnom Penh $23
    Osaka $45
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
    $4.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh

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

  • Buffet Dinner Cruise Experience with Live Music: $12
  • Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: $31
  • 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
  • Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 5 stops local Tastings: $49
  • Evening Food Tour By Tuk-Tuk in Phnom Penh: $59
  • Phnom Penh Food Tour By Night With Hotel Pickup: $59
  • Evening Cambodian Food Tour: $60
  • Phnom Penh Authentic Evening Food Tour 100% By Local: $69
  • Ultimate Phnom Penh Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: 20 Tastings and Drinks: $69
  • Cambodia Food Tour: $79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
  • Takoyaki DIY Cooking in the Heart of Osaka: $30
  • 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $34
  • Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $41
  • Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $45
  • Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $45
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $51
  • Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $52
  • Family Friendly Osaka Tempura Cooking Class: $54
  • Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $55
  • Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $55
  • Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.65
    Osaka $21

Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh

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

  • Killing field and Toul Sleng genocide museum Tour: $19
  • Phnom Penh Full Day Private Tours: $155
  • Phnom Penh Private Tour with Luggage Storage: $7.92
  • ( Free eSim) Classic Phnom Penh Full Day Tour : $45
  • 2 Day SUV and Minivan Tour Phnom Penh and Siem Reap: $145
  • 2 Days Phnom Penh Cyclo and Cycling Tour: $128
  • 2 Days Private Guide Tour Phnom Penh Heritage: $282
  • 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
  • A day Trip Sightseeing Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Private English Speaking Driver : $105

Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $31

Tours and Activities in Osaka

For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Osaka Shinsaibashi: AMMONA Nightclub Entry Ticket (For Foreign): $6.83
  • PICCADILLY PREMIUM Live Show & Nightclub Admission Tickets: $6.88
  • Osaka Umeda: OWL Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.88
  • Osaka Dotonbori: GIRAFFE Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.88
  • Osaka Food Quest: Self-Guided Culinary & History Adventure: $7.16
  • HEP Ferris Wheel Osaka Entry Ticket: $11
  • Osaka Castle Entry Ticket: $13
  • Osaka Castle Admission Ticket: $13
  • Osaka Hidden Gems Tour: Tennoji & Oldest Temple with Audio Guide: $14
  • Osaka Oracle GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
  • Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $14
  • Osaka Tsutenkaku Tower Ticket: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phnom Penh $4.33
    Osaka $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:

  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $24
  • Nada Gogo Sake Brewery Tour in Kobe from Osaka: $259


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.