A Travel Price Comparison for Cambodia Phnom Penh vs. Sihanoukville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville?

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 Sihanoukville. 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 Sihanoukville?

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.

Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville, also known by locals as Kompong Som, was named after King Sihanouk. Also Cambodia's youngest city, construction started in 1955 to build Cambodia's first and only deep water port so that ships would no longer have to go through the Mekong Delta in order to trade with Cambodia. Today, many visit Sihanoukville as a hub to visit Cambodia's islands.

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 Bicycle Tours in Cambodia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Cambodia.


Which place is cheaper, Sihanoukville 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 Sihanoukville is $64. 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 Sihanoukville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phnom Penh $12
    Sihanoukville $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phnom Penh $24
    Sihanoukville $46
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville

Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville? 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 Sihanoukville


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.84
    Sihanoukville $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:

  • Airport Transfer with Killing Fields and Toul Sleng Museum: $65
  • Airport transfer and Shihanouk ville: $25
  • Daily Transfer from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: $65
  • From Private Transfer To/From Siem Reap: $58
  • From Sihanoukville: Private Taxi Transfer to Phnom Penh City: $73
  • From: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Private Transfer: $120
  • Fully Private Phnom Penh International Airport Transfers: $30
  • Ground Transfer/SUV/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $110
  • Intercity Transfer Siem Reap-Phnom Penh/Phnom Penh-Siem Reap: $95
  • One Way Inter City Private Transfer Phnom Penh or Siem Reap: $115
  • Phnom Penh - Battambang Road Transfer With Stops Sightseeing: $118
  • Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Road Transfer Plus Sightseeing: $99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sihanoukville

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sihanoukville:

  • Private Shuttle Transfer From Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh: $57
  • Private Taxi Transfer From Kampot - Phnom Penh City: $46
  • Private Taxi Transfer Kampot - Sihanoukville: $75
  • Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $116
  • Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $145
  • Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $145
  • Private Transfer From Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: $35
  • Private Transfer between Sihanoukville Airport and Hotels or Port: $25
  • Private Transfer in Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh by Alphard 2010: $180
  • Private Transfer to/from Battambang - Sihanoukville: $115
  • Private taxi transfer from Sihanoukville to Battambang: $290
  • Sihanouk Ville Airport (KOS) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville?

Prices for flights to both Sihanoukville 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 $22
    Sihanoukville $32
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
    $4.82

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 Available: $9.90
  • Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $9.90
  • Dinner Cruise 1h45 on the Mekong including 4 courses + 1 drink: $23
  • Street Art & Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
  • Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
  • Phnom Penh Local Market & Morning Food Tour Include Drinks: $49
  • Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive over 10 Local Tastings: $49
  • Evening Food Tour with Drinks & Tuk Tuk Included: $49
  • Phnom Penh Food Tour By Night With Hotel Pickup: $59
  • Phnom Penh's experience: cooking class and stay over : $60
  • Phnom Penh Authentic Evening Food Tour 100% By Local: $69
  • Ultimate PP Food Tour by Tuk Tuk - 20 tastings & drinks included: $69

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sihanoukville

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

  • Cooking class in Kampot: $20
  • Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
  • Sihanoukville - Khmer Traditional Cooking Class: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phnom Penh $7.62
    Sihanoukville $5.35

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: $7.20
  • Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Riverside Walking Tour : $7.20
  • Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
  • NEW Sunset Cruise! "Your cruise U Choose "-Unlimited BBQ & Drinks: $9.75
  • Sunset Cruise - Three Packages to Choose From!: $9.96
  • Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.96
  • Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer & Soft Drinks: $10
  • Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $12
  • Sunset Cruise: Best view on 3 floors boat & English speak guide: $12
  • Sunset Cruise with commentary from Tour Guide: $12
  • Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) and Choeung Ek Killing Fields Tour: $15
  • Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour: $15

Tours and Activities in Sihanoukville

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

  • La Plantation tour (discovering Kampot Pepper) + Lunch: $21
  • Half day tour with countryside include Pepper farm Kampot : $22
  • Kampot Countryside Tour - Pepper Farm, Salt Lake, Caves, and more: $25
  • Half-Day Adventure to the Pepper Farm by Scooter: $25
  • Koh Rong Island Speed Ferry Round-Trip Ticket: $25
  • Koh Rong: Round-Trip Speed Ferry Tickets: $25
  • Pepper Farm Guided Tour, Salt Field, Secret Lake and Kep: $25
  • Kampot Tour Pepper Plantation, Salt Field, Cave, Secret Lake: $25
  • Full day Tour, Countryside, Pepper farm & Kep, crab market...: $28
  • Bokor Mountain Adventure - History, Sights and Waterfalls: $29
  • Kampot Day Tour "Bokor National Park": $29
  • Private tours, Pepper Farm, Salt Field, Cave and Secret Lake : $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phnom Penh $4.31
    Sihanoukville $4.40

Sample the Local Flavors in Phnom Penh

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Phnom Penh:

  • Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $12
  • Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Pub Crawl: $12


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


Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville?

Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sihanoukville. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, 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.