A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shenzhen vs. Sihanoukville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shenzhen or Sihanoukville?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenzhen and Sihanoukville can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Shenzhen or Sihanoukville?

Shenzhen

Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions.  It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.

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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Bicycle Tours in Cambodia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Cambodia.


Which place is cheaper, Sihanoukville or Shenzhen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Shenzhen Prices
    China Prices
    Sihanoukville Prices
    Cambodia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Shenzhen $140
    Sihanoukville $65

The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $140, while the average daily cost in Sihanoukville is $65. 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 Shenzhen and Sihanoukville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shenzhen $91
    Sihanoukville $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shenzhen $182
    Sihanoukville $46
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Sihanoukville

Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Shenzhen $15
    Sihanoukville $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
  • A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Disneyland: $36
  • HK Airport to Cruise Terminal Rounded-Trip Private Transfer by Lexus Luxury Car: $141
  • HK Local Transfer in City, Cruise Terminal and Train Station: $88
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
  • Hong Kong Airport Transfer: $119
  • Hong Kong Airport Transfer Sevice With Classic Car : $66
  • Hong Kong City to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal - Departure Private Transfer : $62
  • Hong Kong Hassle free Airport Transfers in Tesla or Benz: $138
  • Hong Kong Private Transfer — Victoria Peak ⇄ Tian Tan Big Buddha: $148
  • Hong Kong Private Transfer from Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Airport to Hong Kong: $84

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sihanoukville

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sihanoukville:

  • Sihanoukville To Phnom Penh Private Transfer Mini-Van-Car: $65
  • Sihanoukville Airport Transfers: $25
  • Private Transfer in Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh by Alphard 2010: $180
  • Private Taxi Transfer Sihanoukville - Battambang Car - Mini-Van: $107
  • Private Taxi Transfer From Kampot - Phnom Penh City: $46
  • Private Shuttle Transfer From Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Sihanoukville?

Prices for flights to both Sihanoukville and Shenzhen 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
    Shenzhen $35
    Sihanoukville $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $53
  • Shekou Food Tour with 4 Tastings: $79
  • Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $98
  • Explore Hong Kong: Mid-Autumn Festival Food Tour: $103
  • Discover Hong Kong’s Hidden Eats on a Tin Hau Food Tour: $109
  • Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $116
  • Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
  • Private Food Tour in Hong Kong: $148
  • Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $149
  • The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $176
  • Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $177
  • Asian Favorites Cooking Class in Hong Kong (4-Course Meal): $184

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shenzhen $17
    Sihanoukville $5.37

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Introduction to Hong Kong: Central Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
  • Day in the life of a Hong Konger: Kowloon Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
  • Between Two Systems: Hong Kong's Living History Tip Based Tour: $2.64
  • Hong kong City Tour w/ Entry Fees & Lunch (2024) | 150+ booked: $2.64
  • Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket: $5.45
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $10
  • Hong Kong Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Tickets (Optional): $13
  • Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong Entry Ticket: $13
  • Double-decker Sightseeing Bus 24-hour E PASSTicket: $15
  • Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $15
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
  • The Victoria Peak Tram Ticket | Hong Kong: $15

Tours and Activities in Sihanoukville

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

  • Small Group Sihanoukville City Tour: $59
  • Best Sihanoukville Day Tours from Cruise Port : $79
  • Best of Kep, Kampot from Sihanoukville Cruise Port: $259
  • Best of Sihanoukville City Tour from Cruise Port: $75
  • Bokor Mountain Adventure - History, Sights and Waterfalls: $29
  • Day trip from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh for Cruise Ship: $180
  • Discovery Tour: Caving, Climbing, Via Ferrata and Abseiling in Kampot: $53
  • Exploring Bokor National Park Full-Day Tour from Sihanoukville: $99
  • Exploring Kampot: A Memorable Tour from Sihanoukville: $63
  • Exploring the Best of Kampot and Kep in a Full-Day Tour: $55
  • From Phnom Penh Day Trip for Cruise Ship Guests: $189
  • Full Day Pepper Farm Adventure by Scooter: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shenzhen $19
    Sihanoukville $4.42

Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:

  • Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $46


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Sihanoukville, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Sihanoukville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sihanoukville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sihanoukville 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Sihanoukville.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Sihanoukville Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Sihanoukville?

Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sihanoukville. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen 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.