Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Sihanoukville?
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 Sihanoukville or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sihanoukville or Seoul? 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: Sihanoukville or Seoul?
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.
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Cambodia, The Best Adventure Tours to Cambodia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Sihanoukville Prices
Cambodia PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySihanoukville $65Seoul $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Sihanoukville is $65, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $118. 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 Sihanoukville and Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSihanoukville $23Seoul $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSihanoukville $46Seoul $100
Compare Hotels in Sihanoukville and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Sihanoukville or Seoul? 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: Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sihanoukville $14Seoul $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sihanoukville
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sihanoukville:
- Transfer: Between Airport and Shihanouk ville: $20
- Sihanoukville International Airport Transfers: $23
- Sihanoukville Airport Transfers: $25
- Private Transfer From Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: $35
- Convenient Taxi Transfers from Sihanoukville to Kampot: $36
- Private Taxi Transfer From Kampot - Phnom Penh City: $46
- Sihanoukville To Phnom Penh Private Transfer Mini-Van-Car: $65
- Private Shuttle Transfer From Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh: $70
- Private Transfer : Phnom Penh ↔ Sihanouk Ville: $105
- Private Taxi Transfer Sihanoukville - Battambang Car - Mini-Van: $107
- Private Transfer to/from Battambang - Sihanoukville: $115
- Private Transfer in Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh by VIP Alphard: $180
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.32
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Short Taxi Ride$4.64
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Metro Ride$0.90
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Seoul City Pass Plus$6.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $50
- Gimpo Airport GMP Private Transfer To From Seoul Hotels: $108
- Gimpo Airport to Seoul /Seoul to GMP Private Transfer (1-7pax): $70
- Incheon Airport (ICN): Private Transfer To/From Seoul Hotels: $104
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $113
- Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $95
- Lotte World 1Day Pass+Obesrvatoy+Private round transfer(Seoul): $115
- Lotte World Theme Park Private Transfer: $214
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $105
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport Seoul (1-5 people): $90
- Private Airport Transfer - Incheon Airport ⇔ Seoul (Up to 7 or 11 people): $130
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Sihanoukville or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul and Sihanoukville 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 daySihanoukville $32Seoul $47
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
- Sihanoukville - Khmer Traditional Cooking Class: $110
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$3.98
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Waffle$0.66
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Dippin' Dots$1.33
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.65
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Chicken Stick$1.33
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.26
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Lunch Buffet$3.98
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Donut$0.66
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Mushroom Burger$3.45
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.19
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Udon & Sushi$4.64
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Fresh Burger$3.18
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Soba Noodles Lunch$2.98
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.32
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Fried Rice$3.65
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.30
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.30
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Donut$1.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Korean Grandma Cooking Class l Gimbap & Kimchi Pancake l Seoul: $52
- Kimchi Cooking Class in Hanok House & Donate Kimchi: $57
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Sunset Walking Tour in Naksan Park with Dinner: $58
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $58
- Hidden Market Food Tour with 12+ Tasters & Drinking Games: $59
- Dinner at a Local's Hanok & Seoul's Night Life: $60
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sihanoukville $5.39Seoul $24
Tours and Activities in Sihanoukville
Here are a few actual costs in Sihanoukville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kampot Pepper Tour, Salt Field, Cave Temple, Secret Lake: $20
- Full day Tour, Countryside, Pepper farm & Kep, crab market...: $24
- Kampot Countryside Tour - Pepper Farm, Salt Lake, Caves, and more: $25
- La Plantation tour (discovering Kampot Pepper) + Lunch: $27
- Kampot Day Tour "Bokor National Park": $29
- Bokor Mountain Adventure - History, Sights and Waterfalls: $29
- Bokor Mountain : Scenic Tour with Sunset: $33
- Discovery Tour: Caving, Climbing, Via Ferrata and Abseiling in Kampot: $53
- Private Kampot Countryside Tour & Pepper farm, Kep/Crab Market: $55
- Exploring the Best of Kampot and Kep in a Full-Day Tour: $55
- Sihanoukville Small-Group City Tour for Cruise Passengers: $59
- Exploring Shore Excursions from Cruise Ports: $59
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.30
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Movie Ticket$5.30
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Kimchi Museum$1.99
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- K-Culture Adventure in Seoul Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.54
- Seoul Ghost Tour: Self-Guided Haunted Walk: $5.91
- Seoul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Seoul Walking Tour 3h30 and 19 audio reviews: $6.69
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Web Guide and Room Escape Tour Ticket: $7.30
- Gwanghwamun Tour l 120 Minutes to Understand South Korea: $10
- Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $10
- Rabbithole Drag Show Entry Ticket: $10
- [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
- Seoul Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid (내국인 불가): $13
- Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySihanoukville $4.43Seoul $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $41
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $73
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
- From Yeongdong Day Trip with Wine Tasting and Janggu: $91
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sihanoukville and Seoul, we can see that Seoul 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 Seoul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seoul 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 Sihanoukville Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sihanoukville or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Sihanoukville. When comparing the sizes of Sihanoukville and Seoul, 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.