Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Phuket?
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 Phuket or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Phnom Penh, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Phuket or Phnom Penh?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesPhnom Penh Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $139Phnom Penh $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $139, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is $50. 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 Phuket and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $64Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $128Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Phnom Penh? 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: Phuket Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Phnom Penh $7.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$9.42
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Hanuman World Phuket Round Trip Transfer Extra Zone: $96
- Lion Land Phuket Entry Ticket with Private Hotel Transfer: $69
- Ziplines 28 platforms with Free Transfer RoundTrips: $81
- (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $11
- ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer : $162
- ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $135
- Andamanda Phuket Water Park Tickets with Transfers: $116
- Arrival Phuket Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Phuket: $43
- Arrival Private Transfers from Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City: $131
- Best ATV Bike and Ziplines Adventure with Transfer : $42
- Best Ziplines Adventure 30 platforms with free transfer : $130
- Departure Transfer : Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport (Private): $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- A day trip transfer sightseeing Phnom Penh Siem Reap: $99
- Comfortable Private Transfer Phnom Penh To Siem Reap: $125
- Ground Transfer/ Minivan/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $150
- Ground Transfer/SUV/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $110
- Phnom Penh Airport Private Pick up or Transfer : $25
- Phnom Penh Airport Private Taxi Transfer - Hotels: $21
- Phnom Penh To Battambang Private Transfer Mini-Van-Car: $65
- Phnom Penh To Siem Reap Private Transfer Mini-Van-Car: $65
- Phnom Penh to Kampot One Way Drop Off Transfer: $55
- Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Private Car Transfer: $65
- Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville Taxi - Safe & Private Car Transfer: $62
- KTI Techo Airport Pickup or Transfer Private Car: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $43Phnom Penh $23
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$9.08
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.34
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.83
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Bananas$0.79
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Pizza (for Two)$9.42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes : $44
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $53
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $54
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour and Hotel Pickup: $58
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $58
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $58
- Flavours of the South Food Tour: $59
- Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Carnival Entertainment and Dinner Experience in Phuket: $60
- Choose Your Own Dishes: Half-Day Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $64
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $64
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$4.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
- Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: $31
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $49Phnom Penh $7.65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$28
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$79
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Thai Oil Massage$20
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Surfboard Rental$9.42
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $8.05
- Aquarium Phuket Admission Ticket: $14
- Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $17
- Aquaria Phuket Tickets and 4D Trickeye Museum Combo Deal: $17
- Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $21
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $21
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $21
- Patong Beach Parasailing and Jet Skiing Experience Shared: $22
- Simon Cabaret Show Ticket: $26
- Athena Cabaret Show Admission Ticket in Phuket: $26
- Simon Cabaret Show Tickets in Patong Phuket: $26
- Phuket Splash Jungle Water Park Entry Ticket: $26
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sunset Cruise-Freeflow Beers,Soft Drinks & BBQ Buffet: $9.00
- Phnom Penh Hop-on Hop-off Bus with Free Boat Cruise 1 Day Pass: $13
- Phnom Penh Private Guided Tour Killing Field and Tuol Sleng: $15
- Cambodia Private Taxi and Tour, from Phnom Penh<->Siem Reap: $15
- Road Tour Phnom Penh Battambang Bamboo Train Bat Cave->Siem Reap: $15
- Sunset Cruise with unlimited beer & soft drinks -English speaking guide on board: $17
- The killing field and Toul Sleng Genocide museum (S21) Tour: $18
- Half Day Tour and Explore Genocide History : $19
- Killing field and Toul Sleng genocide museum Tour: $19
- Half-Day Tour of the Killing Field and S21 : $19
- The Killing Field and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) Tour: $19
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) and Choeung Ek Killing Fields Tour: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.32Phnom Penh $4.33
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$6.28
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Beer$2.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $42
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $55
- Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $113
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Phnom Penh, we can see that Phuket 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Phnom Penh, 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.