Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Pokhara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pokhara or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pokhara and Phnom Penh can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Phnom Penh?
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $19Phnom Penh $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $19, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is $41. 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 Pokhara and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.92Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $7.84Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara 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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $7.65Phnom Penh $7.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Comfortable One-Way Car Transfer from Pokhara to Lumbini: $78
- Direct Transfers Your Private Ride Between Pokhara & Chitwan: $219
- From Kathmandu: Luxury Sofa Seater Bus Transfer to Pokhara: $23
- From Bungee Jumping with Hotel Transfers: $94
- From Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $249
- Kathmandu to 1-Way Car Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu: Private Transfer From or To Pokhara: $117
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- Pokhara Airport To Lakeside Transfer Service: $27
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $170
- Ayurvedic Spa Retreat with Transfers: $48
- One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- Daily Transfer from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: $115
- From Private Transfer to Siem Reap: $61
- Ground Transfer/SUV/ Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $110
- Intercity Transfer Siem Reap-Phnom Penh/Phnom Penh-Siem Reap: $110
- Overland Taxi Transfer From Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville : $59
- Phnom Penh Airport (PNH) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $23
- Phnom Penh Airport Pickup/Transfer: $25
- Phnom Penh Airport Private Taxi Transfer - Hotels: $21
- Phnom Penh Airport Transfers: $19
- Phnom Penh Airport or Hotel Private Transfer: $28
- Phnom Penh City to Kampot City Private Transfer : $65
- Phnom Penh International Airport Transfer (PNH): $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Pokhara 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 dayPokhara $8.11Phnom Penh $13
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
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Dinner for Two$4.51
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Dessert (for 2)$3.01
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Pastries$1.50
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Dinner$6.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
- Nepalese Momos/ Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- Nepali Cooking Class Experience and Momo Making: $28
- Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $39
- Nepalese Kitchen in Pokhara Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $40
- MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $41
- 3 Hour Authentic Nepali Thakali Dish Cooking Class: $45
- From Pokhara:3 Hour authentic fish curry cooking class: $51
- Typical Nepali Snack set cooking class in Pokhara: $74
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River : $98
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
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.
- Sunset Dinner Cruises w/Live Music, 5&7pm; Free Pickup Available: $9.90
- Sunset Dinner Cruises w/Live Music, 5&7pm; Free Pickup Avail: $9.90
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour Drinks & Tuk Tuk included: $36
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive over 10 Local Tastings: $44
- 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
- Evening Cambodian Food Tour: $60
- Ultimate PP Food Tour by Tuk Tuk - 20 tastings & drinks included: $69
- Phnom Penh Authentic Food Tour 100% By Local: $69
- Phnom Penh's Ultimate Street Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $7.28Phnom Penh $7.65
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tourist Bus Ticket (From Kathmandu Sofa Bus ): $0.12
- Full Day Pokhara City Sightseeing by Sharing Bus Group Tour: $6.71
- Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $8.12
- Sightseeing tour (Unguided) in Sharing Bus: $9.26
- Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $10
- Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Tour : 3-Hour From Pokhara: $10
- Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $11
- Pokhara/Baidam: Himalayas Sunrise Views from Sarangkot Tour: $12
- Sarangkot Sunrise Spectacle: Unforgettable Tour from Pokhara: $12
- Budget Unguided Tour By Sharing Bus: $12
- City Tour in Sharing Bus : $12
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket : $13
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 : $6.00
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Riverside Walking Tour: $6.00
- One Hour City Light Cruise-Foods & Drinks available for purchase: $8.00
- Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
- Private Phnom Penh Day Tour : Explore All Highlights Sites: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise in Phnom Penh - One and a Half Hours: $12
- Phnom Penh Sunset Cruise - Your Cruise, You Choose 3 Options: $12
- Silk Island Tuk Tuk Tour : $15
- The killing field and Toul Sleng Genocide museum (S21) Tour: $15
- From Killing Fields and Prison S21 Tour: $15
- Sunset Cruise with unlimited beer & soft drinks -English speaking guide on board: $16
- killing field and Toul Sleng genocide museum tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $6.57Phnom Penh $4.33
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: $10
- Mad Monkey Phnom Penh Pub Crawl: $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Phnom Penh, we can see that Phnom Penh is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Phnom Penh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phnom Penh than you might in Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara 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.