Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Yangon?
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 Yangon or Phnom Penh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon or Phnom Penh, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Yangon or Phnom Penh?
Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.
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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Yangon Prices
Myanmar PricesPhnom Penh Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangon $70Phnom Penh $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $70, while the average daily cost in Phnom Penh is $50. 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 Yangon and Phnom Penh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $31Phnom Penh $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $62Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Phnom Penh
Looking for a hotel in Yangon 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: Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangon $2.38Phnom Penh $7.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $27
- Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
- Private Airport Transfer at Yangon Airport to Center of Yangon: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
- Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Private Transfer from or to Rangon International Airport (YIA): $32
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $80
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $60
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $45
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
- Private Phnom Penh Airport Transfers to your hotel in town: $20
- Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: $20
- Phnom Penh Airport Private Taxi Transfer - Hotels: $21
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $21
- Private Airport ↔ City Center Transfer: $24
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Hotels: $24
- Techo International Airport Private Transfer: $25
- PrivateTransfer: PhnomPenh Airport(PNH/KTI) to Hotel in PhnomPenh: $27
- Private Transfer: PhnomPenh's Hotel to PhnomPenh Airport(PNH/KTI): $27
- Techo International Airport Transfer to Hotel or vice versa: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Phnom Penh?
Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Yangon 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 dayYangon $17Phnom Penh $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- Morning Yangon Food Tour: $24
- Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
- Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $45
- Cooking Myanmar Food and Explore Dala: $46
- Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
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.
- Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $9.90
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with English Speaking Guide: $10
- Buffet Dinner Cruise Experience with Live Music: $12
- Nightlife three hours food tours: $27
- Evening City Tour by Tuk Tuk with 1 Dinner: $29
- Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: $31
- Phnom Penh’s Hands-On Khmer Cooking Class in the Countryside: $35
- Street Art & Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $35
- Street Art and Food Tour with Pickup and Beer: $39
- Phnom Penh Morning Market & Food Tour by Tuktuk - Includes All Food & Drinks!: $45
- Half Day - Phnom Penh Food Tour: $45
- Evening Food Tour with Drinks & Tuk Tuk Included: $49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangon -Phnom Penh $7.65
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- Yangon Cosmopolitan City Walking Tour: $22
- Morning Eat, Walk & Ride Tour: $25
- Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
- Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $35
- Yangon Breakfast and Market Tour - The must try dishes!: $35
- Yangon Full Day City Tour: $38
- Yangon Group Street Food & Walking Tour: $40
- Yangon City Tour With English Speaking Driver: $40
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
- One Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Discover Bagan Day Tour : $45
- Old Bagan Full Day Tour : $46
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
- Phnom Penh Private Tour with Luggage Storage: $7.92
- Sunset Cruise on Kanika Boat: $8.60
- Sunset Cruise-Freeflow Beers,Soft Drinks & BBQ Buffet: $9.00
- NEW Sunset Cruise! "Your cruise U Choose "-Unlimited BBQ & Drinks: $9.00
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beers & BBQ Buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise: Your Cruise You Choose, 3 wonderful options: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with freeflow beers & BBQ buffet: $9.16
- Sunset Cruise with Unlimited Beer &Fruit platter: $9.35
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket Free Mekong Cruise: $12
- Audio Guide Tour by Tuk-Tuk to Killing Field and Genocide Museum : $12
- Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangon -Phnom Penh $4.33
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 Yangon and Phnom Penh, we can see that Yangon is more expensive. And not only is Phnom Penh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Yangon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangon 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 Yangon Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangon or Phnom Penh?
Yangon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Phnom Penh. When comparing the sizes of Yangon 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.