Which place is cheaper, Singapore 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 Singapore?
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 Singapore. 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 Singapore?
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.
Singapore
Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.
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 Budget Tours to Singapore, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore.
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Phnom Penh Prices
Cambodia PricesSingapore Prices
Singapore Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhnom Penh $51Singapore $173
The average daily cost (per person) in Phnom Penh is $51, while the average daily cost in Singapore is $173. 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 Singapore in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhnom Penh $13Singapore $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhnom Penh $26Singapore $198
Compare Hotels in Phnom Penh and Singapore
Looking for a hotel in Phnom Penh or Singapore? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phnom Penh $7.97Singapore $10
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: $9.50
- Airport (PNH) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $12
- Phnom Penh International Airport Transfers by Car: $12
- Phnom Penh Airport or Hotel Private Transfer: $15
- Phnom Penh Airport Transfers: $15
- Airport Transfer To Phnom Penh City By Electric Tuk: $15
- Private Transfer: Phnom Penh's Hotel to Phnom Penh Airport: $18
- Phnom Penh International Airport Transfer (PNH): $20
- Phnom Penh Airport Private Taxi Transfer - Hotels: $21
- Private Taxi Transfer From/To Phnom Penh Airport - Hotels: $22
- Private Arrival Transfer: Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) to Hotel: $22
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Hotels: $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:
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Taxi to Airport$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:
- Marina Bay Sands Sky Park(observation deck ticket) with Transfer: $55
- Private Car Transfer: Singapore to Johor Bahru: $85
- 7 Seater Airport / City Transfer Singapore: $66
- Airport Transfer: $83
- Airport Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore by Business Car: $103
- Airport Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore by Luxury Car: $161
- Airport Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore by Luxury Van: $122
- Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Business Car: $103
- Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Luxury Van: $122
- City Experience + Roundtrip Transfers: $29
- City Tour with Transfer : Garden By The Bay, Marina Bay, Sentosa: $58
- Gardens By the Bay with One Way Transfer (2 Domes): $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh or Singapore?
Prices for flights to both Singapore 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 $23Singapore $48
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$4.89
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
- Buffet Dinner Cruise Experience with Live Music: $12
- Sunset &City Lights Dinner Cruise with LIVE BAND: $12
- Nightlife three hours food tours: $27
- Street Art & Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
- Half Day - Phnom Penh Food Tour: $45
- Khmer Cooking Class Full Day: $46
- Phnom Penh Local Market & Morning Food Tour Include Drinks: $49
- Evening Food Tour with Drinks & Tuk Tuk Included: $49
- Evening Food Tour By Tuk-Tuk in Phnom Penh: $59
Typical Food Prices in Singapore
Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:
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Breakfast$4.53
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Sugarcane Juice$1.49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Singapore.
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $48
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $49
- Singapore Food Tours - Chinatown Complex Hawker: $57
- Guided Street Food Tour at Night: $61
- Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $61
- Hawker Culture Food Tour and Sightseeing: $68
- Hands-on Cooking Class with Cultural Immersion: $73
- Eat Snap Katong Walking Food Tour: $74
- Private Korean Cooking Class in Balmoral Road: $76
- Little India Hawker Street Food Tour: $83
- Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour: $85
- Local Food Tour: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phnom Penh $7.74Singapore $33
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $8.10
- Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
- NEW Sunset Cruise! "Your cruise U Choose "-Unlimited BBQ & Drinks: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.20
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer &Fruit platter: $9.35
- Sunset Cruise with freeflow beers & BBQ buffet: $10
- Riverside Walking Tour with Snack, Drinks & Local Ferry Ride: $12
- Kun Khmer boxing tour: $15
- Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour: $15
- Phnom Penh Killing Field Toul Sleng Prison Tour: $15
- Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour: $15
Tours and Activities in Singapore
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:
- Artoholic A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
- Big Little India: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Kampong Glam: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Singapore's Malay Culture: $5.20
- The Civic District: Hear stories about Singapore's past on an audio tour: $5.20
- Singapore's History of Trade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Indian Heritage Centre Admission Ticket: $5.48
- Indian Heritage Centre Entrance Ticket: $6.06
- Peranakan Museum Admission Ticket: $6.37
- Singapore Street Art Hunting in Kampong Glam: Self-Guided Tour: $6.99
- Singapore's Stories and Histories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Science Center E-Ticket: $7.28
- National Museum of Singapore Entry Ticket: $7.58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhnom Penh $4.38Singapore $27
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 Singapore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $19
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $30
- Singapore Pub Crawl: $35
- Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $38
- Brass Lion Gin Distillery Tour Ticket: $40
- LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour & Craft Beer Tasting: $75
- LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge Package: $188
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phnom Penh and Singapore, we can see that Singapore 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 Singapore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Singapore 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 Singapore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phnom Penh or Singapore?
Singapore has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Phnom Penh and Singapore, 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.