Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Riga?
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 Riga or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Phnom Penh? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Phnom Penh?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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 Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesPhnom Penh Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Phnom Penh €44
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is €44. 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 Riga and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Phnom Penh €11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Phnom Penh €22
Compare Hotels in Riga and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Phnom Penh €6.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minibus: $122
- Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minibus: $122
- Departure Transfer from Riga to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $71
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $164
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $563
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $503
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $468
- One way Riga to Vilnius Sightseeing Transfer: $145
- Private Transfer Riga International Airport RIX to Jurmala City: $51
- Private Transfer from Riga International Airport RIX to Riga City: $38
- Private Transfer: Ryga to Klaipeda via Hill of Crosses & Rundale Palace: $260
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $133
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:
- PNH Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $7.00
- Techo Airport (KTI) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $16
- KTI Techo Airport Pickup or Transfer Private Car: $18
- Private Phnom Penh Airport Transfers to your hotel in town: $20
- Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: $20
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $21
- Private Transfer From Phnom Penh International Airport To Phnom Penh City Center: $21
- Private Transfer Techo International Airport From/To Hotels: $22
- Techo International Airport Transfer by Car or Minivan: $22
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Hotels: $24
- Phnom Penh Techo International Airport Transfer/Pick-up/Drop-off: $24
- Private Transfer: Techo Airport (KTI) to Hotel in Phnom Penh: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Riga 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 dayRiga €57Phnom Penh €20
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $125
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $126
- Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252
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€8.82
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Breakfast for Two€4.19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phnom Penh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phnom Penh.
- Sunset & Evening Dinner Cruise With One Way Free Pick Up: $9.90
- Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $9.90
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with English Speaking Guide: $10
- Dinner 4-course Mekong River cruise with Kanika Boat: $27
- Nightlife three hours food tours: $27
- Evening City Tour by Tuk Tuk with 1 Dinner: $29
- Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: $31
- Street Art & Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Phnom Penh’s Hands-On Khmer Cooking Class in the Countryside: $35
- Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 5 stops local Tastings: $35
- Street Art and Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Phnom Penh €6.63
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $5.79
- Medieval Quest Experience: $8.10
- Canal Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $8.21
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $8.21
- Old Town Electrobus Tour + Audio Guide & Drink: $9.38
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.38
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Welcome Drink: $10
- Rowing boats and Pedal boat rental - River Cruises Latvia: $11
- Riga Panorama trip – Golden Autumn | River Cruises Latvia: $11
- Riga Golden Autumn Canal & River Cruise | River Cruises LV: $11
- Riga Old Town Walking Tour: Stories and Legends: $12
- Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh
Here are a few actual costs in Phnom Penh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Riverside Walking Tour with Snack, Drinks & Local Ferry Ride: $7.20
- Sunset Cruise-Unlimited BBQ Buffet-Beers, Sodas & Fruit Platter**: $7.45
- Sunset Cruise on the Mekong with Kanika Boat: $8.00
- Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
- Phnom Penh Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer & BBQ Buffet: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise-Unlimited Beers-Sodas-BBQ buffet-Fruit platter: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with freeflow beers & BBQ buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer &Fruit platter: $9.35
- Phnom Penh Bus with Free Boat Cruise 1 Day Pass: $10
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket Free Mekong Cruise: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Phnom Penh €3.76
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $21
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $37
- Riga Pub Crawl: $41
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
- Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
- Riga Brewery Tour: $74
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94
- Riga Sip and Paint Experience with Latvian Wine Tasting: $99
- Shooting Range and Old Town Pub Crawl: $106
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Phnom Penh, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Phnom Penh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe and Phnom Penh is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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.