Comparison · Phnom Penh vs Siem Reap · Cambodia
Phnom Penh vs Siem Reap
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Looppty, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Phnom Penh for Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and free sights; choose Siem Reap for Angkor Wat and Bayon faces. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 232 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 232 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Phnom Penh
- November–February
- Best time for Siem Reap
- November–February
Side by side
| Phnom Penh | Siem Reap | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Cambodia | Cambodia |
| Known for | Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Tuol Sleng | Angkor Wat, Bayon faces and Ta Prohm tree roots |
| Best time to visit | November–February | November–February |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $60–$130 | $60–$130 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Very affordable |
| Warmest month | March, 35°C (95°F) | April, 36°C (97°F) |
| Coldest month | December, 30°C (86°F) | December, 30°C (86°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | KTI | SAI |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Phnom Penh for…
Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and free sights. 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…
Choose Siem Reap for…
Angkor Wat and Bayon faces. Siem Reap is the small riverside town that serves the Angkor Archaeological Park, whose temples — Angkor Wat, the faces of the Bayon, the tree-gripped Ta Prohm — begin about 6 km north of the centre. Most visitors spend two to four days touring the temples…
Top sights compared
| # | Phnom Penh | Siem Reap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Palace | Angkor Wat |
| 2 | Silver Pagoda | Bayon and Angkor Thom |
| 3 | National Museum of Cambodia | Ta Prohm |
| 4 | Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) | Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King |
| 5 | Choeung Ek Genocidal Center | Baphuon |
Food compared
| Phnom Penh | Siem Reap |
|---|---|
| Phnom Penh noodle soup | Fish amok |
| Khmer rice noodles with fish curry | Lok lak |
| Grilled pork and broken rice | Khmer noodles |
| Stir-fried short noodles | Pork and rice |
Which is cheaper?
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $60–$130 in Phnom Penh and $60–$130 in Siem Reap (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Phnom Penh on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are about 232 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Phnom Penh and 3 in Siem Reap.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Phnom Penh or Siem Reap cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $60–$130 in Phnom Penh and $60–$130 in Siem Reap (estimates).
+Is Phnom Penh or Siem Reap better for a first trip?
Pick Phnom Penh for Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and free sights, or Siem Reap for Angkor Wat and Bayon faces.
+How far is Phnom Penh from Siem Reap?
About 232 km in a straight line.