A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Varanasi vs. Kampong Cham for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Varanasi or Kampong Cham?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Varanasi and Kampong Cham 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: Varanasi or Kampong Cham?

Varanasi

Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.

Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is the sixth largest city in the country, located in the east of Cambodia. Just two and a half hours away from Phnom Penh is a surprisingly large province by the same name. Kampong Cham is the capital of this province, a quiet town on the west side of the Mekong River. While the town does not cater to tourists like other large cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the charm of Kampong Cham lies in the beauty and simplicity of local life. Visitors will also get a glimpse into agricultural life on the plantations of rubber trees, tobacco and cashews.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.


Which place is cheaper, Kampong Cham or Varanasi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Kampong Cham is $31. 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 Varanasi and Kampong Cham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varanasi $16
    Kampong Cham $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varanasi $32
    Kampong Cham $40
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Kampong Cham

Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Kampong Cham? 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 Varanasi


Hotels in Kampong Cham


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: Varanasi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varanasi $4.94
    Kampong Cham $7.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:


  • Tuk Tuk Through Town
    $0.96
  • Rickshaw Ride
    $0.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi

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

  • Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $18
  • Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
  • Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
  • Varanasi Airport Transfer: $30
  • Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
  • Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $108
  • Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
  • Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
  • Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $12
  • Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $112
  • Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
  • Private Departure Transfer to Airport from Hotel in Delhi By Car: $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Kampong Cham?

Prices for flights to both Kampong Cham and Varanasi 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
    Varanasi $7.14
    Kampong Cham $6.46
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner In Town
    $4.13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi

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

  • Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
  • Taste of Varanasi (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour): $22
  • Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
  • From Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $42
  • Private Evening Rooftop Dinner: $44
  • 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $46
  • Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $50
  • Afternoon tour of Varanasi with Boat ride over Ganges & Dinner on a tuk-tuk : $59
  • Night Boat Ride, Aarati Ceremony and Dinner: $62
  • Private Evening Street Food Tour: $63
  • India: Evening Ganga Aarti With Dinner and Private Transfer: $65
  • Private Evening Handicraft Market Tour with Dinner: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varanasi $10
    Kampong Cham $5.76
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Boat Ride
    $0.84

Tours and Activities in Varanasi

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

  • Varanasi Experience 01 Night -02 Days Tour: $85
  • 01 Day Private Taj Mahal Tour (Delhi- Agra - Delhi): $140
  • 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
  • 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur : $120
  • 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi Airport: $82
  • 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
  • 12 Days Buddhist Tour From The Birth To Death: $1,439
  • 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $49
  • 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
  • 2 Days : Varanasi Private Guided Tour With Airport Pickup: $162
  • 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $132

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varanasi $7.85
    Kampong Cham $5.47


When comparing the travel costs between Varanasi and Kampong Cham, we can see that Kampong Cham is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Kampong Cham?

Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kampong Cham. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Kampong Cham, 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.