A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yogyakarta vs. Phnom Penh for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yogyakarta or Phnom Penh?

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

Should I visit Yogyakarta 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: Yogyakarta or Phnom Penh?

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.

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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.


Which place is cheaper, Phnom Penh or Yogyakarta?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $59, 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 Yogyakarta and Phnom Penh in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yogyakarta $32
    Phnom Penh $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yogyakarta $64
    Phnom Penh $24
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Phnom Penh

Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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.

Hotels in Yogyakarta


Hotels in Phnom Penh


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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and Phnom Penh Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yogyakarta $1.18
    Phnom Penh $7.78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta

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

  • From Roundtrip Transfer to Borobudur Temple: $15
  • From/To Yogyakarta Airport Private Transfer: $36
  • Indonesia: Yogyakarta Airport Transfer: $14
  • Jepara & One Way Private Transfer: $110
  • Jomblang Cave Tour from Yogyakarta with Hotel Transfer: $60
  • Private Transfer Airport Jogyakarta ( Adisucipto ): $25
  • Private Transfer Airport Yogyakarta (JOG) to All City Destination: $7.00
  • Private Transfer from Borobudur to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $76
  • Private Transfer from Bumijo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $35
  • Private Transfer from Cokrodiningratan to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $35
  • Private Transfer from Condong Catur to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $68
  • Private Transfer from Maguwoharjo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phnom Penh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phnom Penh:

  • Transfer with tour-sightseeing Phnom Penh to Battambang: $119
  • Transfer Phnom Penh to Battambang, Private Taxi Driver: $125
  • Techo Phnom Penh Airport KTI to Kampot Private Transfer: $75
  • Techo International Airport to Siem Reap Private Transfer: $160
  • Techo International Airport Transfer to Phnom Penh Hotel: $30
  • Techo International Airport Transfer to Hotel or vice versa: $30
  • Taxi Transfer Phnom Penh To Siem Reap, Friendly Taxi Driver: $135
  • Taxi Transfer From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: $90
  • Siem Reap: Private Transfer to or from Phnom Penh: $239
  • Siem Reap: Private Transfer to Phnom Penh: $115
  • Siem Reap: Private Transfer From/to Siem Reap - Phnom Penh: $71
  • Siem Reap or Private One-Way Transfer: $158

Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Phnom Penh?

Prices for flights to both Phnom Penh and Yogyakarta 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
    Yogyakarta $18
    Phnom Penh $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta

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

  • Ramayana Show with Transfer, Entry Fee & Dinner: $13
  • Night Walking & Street Food Tour: $21
  • Morning Food Tour in Yogyakarta: $21
  • Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $23
  • Prambanan Temple Sunset Tour All Inclusive With Dinner: $23
  • Morning Walk and Food Tour: $23
  • Ramayana Ballet Performance with Optional Dinner: $28
  • Nighttime Walk and Food Tour: $32
  • Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $33
  • Cooking Class with Market Visit and Hotel Pickup: $33
  • Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour: $35
  • 3-hour Cooking Class with Market Tour: $35

Typical Food Prices in Phnom Penh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phnom Penh:


  • Dinner for Two
    $10
  • Breakfast for Two
    $4.78

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 Cruise with BBQ Buffet Dinner, Unlimited Beer & Tour Guide: $9.90
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise with English Speaking Guide: $10
  • 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
  • Khmer Cooking Class Half Day (AM or PM): $36
  • Penh Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $36
  • Street Art and Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $39
  • Street Art and Food Tour with Pickup and Beer: $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yogyakarta $14
    Phnom Penh $7.56

Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta

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

  • Obelix Hills Entry Ticket: $2.18
  • Chicken Church at Karangrejo Village Admission Ticket: $3.11
  • Indonesia: Ratu Boko Temple Entrance ticket: $4.00
  • YOGYAKARTA CITY TOUR,SULTAN PALACE,WATER CASTLE AND CRAFTS.: $6.23
  • Tour Option for Yogyakarta Airport, Borobudur, Dieng, Bromo, Ijen: $11
  • Airport Handling Service - Admission Ticket: $12
  • Prambanan Temple Afternoon Tour: $12
  • Half Day Keraton and Taman Sari Tour: $13
  • Indonesia: Borobudur Temple Entrance Ticket: $14
  • Prambanan Temple: Half-Day Guided Tour From Yogyakarta: $14
  • Borobudur(Guarantee Climb up) Shared Guide Tour: $15
  • Jomblang Cave & Pindul Cave Adventur Tour: $15

Tours and Activities in Phnom Penh

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

  • 10 Stop Phnom Penh Tour by Tuk-Tuk, includes S21 & Killing Fields: $33
  • 2-Day Mekong Delta Tour: Phu Quoc to Phnom Penh via Chau Doc: $488
  • 2hours Private Sunset Cruise with unlimited beer, soft drinks and Tour guide: $66
  • 3 Day Cambodia Private Tours: $80
  • 3 Days Local Life Experience, Nature view, Waterfall: $199
  • 4 Hours Private Phnom Penh National Museum and Royal Palace Tour: $155
  • 5-Hour Biking Tour in Mekong Island: $49
  • 6-8 Hours Phnom Penh Private Guided Tour: $15
  • A Day Hiking Adventure to Chonlos Waterfalls: $189
  • A Day Trip Sightseeing of Phnom Penh With Private Tour Guide: $65
  • A Full Day Tour for Royal Palace S21 Killing Fields and More: $35
  • A day Trip Sightseeing Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Private English Speaking Driver: $105

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yogyakarta $4.38
    Phnom Penh $4.28

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 Yogyakarta and Phnom Penh, we can see that Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Phnom Penh Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Phnom Penh?

Phnom Penh has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Yogyakarta. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta 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.