Phnom Penh Travel Cost: $5–$22/Day — 2026 Prices & Budget Guide
Based on 4 price checks·Prices in USD (≈ USD)·Updated August 2026
Phnom Penh is one of Southeast Asia's most affordable capitals—and unlike Siem Reap, it hasn't been rebuilt around tourism. The city runs on a dual-currency system (USD and Khmer Riel) where local street food costs $1–2 and a riverside cocktail costs $5–8. The gap between tourist and local pricing is smaller here than in most Asian capitals.
Popular in Phnom Penh: everyday prices
Daily Budget by Traveler Type — Phnom Penh (2026)
Estimated daily spend for food, drinks, and local transport. Excludes accommodation and flights.
≈ USD 35 for a 7-day trip
Street food, public transport, budget accommodation. Eats where locals eat, walks when possible.
≈ USD 154 for a 7-day trip
Mix of local restaurants and tourist spots, occasional taxi rides, comfortable guesthouses.
≈ USD 217 for a 7-day trip
Kid-friendly restaurants, taxi for convenience, family rooms. Budget includes snacks and activities.
≈ USD 28 for a 7-day trip
Minimal eating out, cooking when possible, free activities, coworking day passes.
Average Travel Costs in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh uses USD for most transactions above $1, with Khmer Riel (KHR) for small change. Prices in tourist areas (Riverside, BKK1) are 30–50 % higher than local neighbourhoods (Tuol Tompong, Russian Market area). Tuk-tuks should be negotiated or booked via PassApp/Grab. Restaurant prices are transparent; market prices require gentle haggling.
How Pricing Works in Phnom Penh
We track 4 everyday purchases in Phnom Penh, across 4 categories (drinks, activities, food, transport). Averaged across all of them, visitor-facing prices run about 100% above what residents pay, based on figures last reviewed in August 2026.
The widest gap in Phnom Penh is beer: USD 0.5–1 at local prices against USD 1.5–3 in the visitor zone. The most consistent is royal palace entry at USD 10, which is priced much the same wherever you buy it.
Read down the tables below in that order: the items with the widest spread are where a few minutes of care in Phnom Penh are worth the most, and the tight ones need no thought at all.
Cost of Food, Transport & Activities
Drinks
Activities
Transport
Phnom Penh Price List — All Items (2026)
Local prices vs tourist-area prices. Tap any row for a detailed breakdown.
| Item | Local Price | Tourist Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drinks | ||||
| Beer | USD 0.50–1 | USD 1.50–3 | ||
| Activities | ||||
| Royal Palace Entry | USD 10–10 | USD 10–10 | ||
| Food | ||||
| Street Food Meal | USD 1–2 | USD 2.50–4 | ||
| Transport | ||||
| Tuk-Tuk Ride | USD 1.50–2.50 | USD 3–5 | ||
All prices in USD. Ranges reflect neighborhood and venue variation.
How Much Does a 7-Day Trip to Phnom Penh Cost? (2026)
Estimated total vacation cost for 7 nights in Phnom Penh, including food, drinks, transport, and accommodation.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food (3 meals/day) | USD 3 | USD 7 | USD 12 |
| Drinks & coffee | USD 1 | USD 1 | USD 3 |
| Local transport | USD 2 | USD 3 | USD 10 |
| Accommodation | USD 8 | USD 45 | USD 140 |
| Daily total | USD 13 | USD 56 | USD 165 |
| 7-day total | USD 91 | USD 390 | USD 1,155 |
Budget = local prices, street food, hostels. Mid-range = mix of local and tourist spots, 3-star hotels. Comfort = tourist-area dining, 4-star hotels. Excludes flights and activities.
Hidden Costs in Phnom Penh Most Travelers Miss
These overlooked expenses can add 10–25% to your daily budget. Plan ahead to avoid surprises.
Currency Exchange & ATM Fees
2–5% per transaction
Use a multi-currency card (Wise, Revolut) to avoid markups.
Tourist Taxes & Entry Fees
Varies by destination
Research city taxes and attraction entry fees before you go.
SIM Card / Data Costs
$5–$20 for a tourist plan
eSIMs (Airalo) are often cheaper and more convenient than physical SIMs.
Tipping Expectations
0–20% depending on culture
Research local customs. Over-tipping can be as awkward as under-tipping.
Transport Surcharges
Airport taxis, baggage fees
Pre-book airport transfers or use public transport to avoid inflated taxi fares.
Tips for Phnom Penh
- 1PassApp and Grab eliminate tuk-tuk haggling—fares are typically $1–3 within the city
- 2Russian Market (Tuol Tompong) has better prices and more variety than Central Market for souvenirs
- 3Street food meals cost $1–2; local restaurants (bai sach chrouk shops) serve breakfast for $1.50
- 4Tuol Sleng and Killing Fields combined entry is $11—among the most important and affordable historical sites in Asia
- 5ATMs dispense USD; avoid airport exchange counters
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- •Riverside restaurants charge 2–3x local prices for identical Khmer dishes
- •Tuk-tuk drivers at tourist sites quote $5+ for $1.50 rides—use apps
- •Some bars in BKK1 charge Bangkok prices ($5–8 cocktails) in a $2-beer city
- •Boat trips on the Mekong are scenic but overpriced if arranged through hotels
- •Don't accept torn or heavily worn USD bills—they're rejected everywhere in Cambodia
