Comparison · Bangkok vs Phnom Penh · Thailand / Cambodia
Bangkok vs Phnom Penh
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Bangkok for Grand Palace and Street food; choose Phnom Penh for Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and lower day-to-day costs. Phnom Penh is generally less expensive, and the two are about 539 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 539 km
- Less expensive
- Phnom Penh
- Best time for Bangkok
- November–February
- Best time for Phnom Penh
- November–February
Side by side
| Bangkok | Phnom Penh | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Thailand | Cambodia |
| Known for | Grand Palace, Street food and Buddhist temples | Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Tuol Sleng |
| Best time to visit | November–February | November–February |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$180 | $60–$130 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Very affordable |
| Warmest month | April, 35°C (95°F) | March, 35°C (95°F) |
| Coldest month | December, 31°C (88°F) | December, 30°C (86°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BKK, DMK | KTI |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Bangkok for…
Grand Palace and Street food. Bangkok is a sprawling, humid megacity on the Chao Phraya River where gilded temples, canals and street-food stalls sit beside glass malls and rooftop bars. The old royal island of Rattanakosin holds the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, with Wat Arun across the…
Choose Phnom Penh for…
Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and lower day-to-day costs. Cambodia's capital sits where the Tonle Sap river meets the Mekong and the Bassac, and its riverside Sisowath Quay faces the gold roofs of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. The National Museum holds the country's finest Angkorian sculpture, while Tuol…
Top sights compared
| # | Bangkok | Phnom Penh |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew | Royal Palace |
| 2 | Wat Pho | Silver Pagoda |
| 3 | Wat Arun | National Museum of Cambodia |
| 4 | Chatuchak Weekend Market | Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) |
| 5 | Chao Phraya Express Boat | Choeung Ek Genocidal Center |
Food compared
| Bangkok | Phnom Penh |
|---|---|
| Pad thai | Phnom Penh noodle soup |
| Tom yum goong | Khmer rice noodles with fish curry |
| Som tam | Grilled pork and broken rice |
| Khao man gai | Stir-fried short noodles |
Which is cheaper?
Phnom Penh is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $60–$130 per person there, against $90–$180 in Bangkok (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Phnom Penh on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Bangkok and Phnom Penh are about 539 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Bangkok and 3 in Phnom Penh.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Bangkok or Phnom Penh cheaper?
Phnom Penh is usually less expensive: about $60–$130 a day mid-range against $90–$180 (estimates).
+Is Bangkok or Phnom Penh better for a first trip?
Pick Bangkok for Grand Palace and Street food, or Phnom Penh for Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Bangkok from Phnom Penh?
About 539 km in a straight line.