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Is Phnom Penh expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Phnom Penh is cheap by international standards and similar to other Southeast Asian capitals, though a little pricier than Vietnam for hotels and drinks because prices are set in US dollars. Expect about US$36 a day per person on a budget, about US$85 mid-range and US$215 or more for comfort. Beds and restaurant meals take most of the money; street food and tuk-tuks cost very little.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$12 | US$35 | US$100 |
| Food & drink | US$12 | US$25 | US$60 |
| Sights & tickets | US$8 | US$15 | US$30 |
| Local transport | US$4 | US$10 | US$25 |
| Per person, per day | US$36 | US$85 | US$215 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Phnom Penh day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Bowl of kuy teav noodle soup | about US$1.50–3 |
| Bai sach chrouk (pork and rice) breakfast | US$1.50–2.50 |
| Iced coffee or sugar-cane juice | about US$0.75–2 |
| Fish amok in a restaurant | US$4–9 |
| Cocktail in a bar | about US$4–7 |
| App-booked tuk-tuk ride in the centre | US$1.50–4 |
| Royal Palace ticket | about US$10 |
| Choeung Ek with audio guide | about US$6 |
| Tuk-tuk to Choeung Ek and back with waiting | about US$15–20 |
| Mid-range hotel in BKK1 | US$40–90 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the main cost: guesthouses and hostels around the Riverside and Wat Phnom cost about US$15–30, mid-range hotels in BKK1 or on Sisowath Quay US$40–90, and heritage or rooftop-pool hotels US$120–300. Restaurant meals add up faster than street food — a restaurant main is US$5–12 against US$2–4 at a stall — and drinks and cocktails are priced like those of many Western cities' happy hours. Sights are modest at US$5–10 each, and transport is cheap if you use app-booked tuk-tuks.
When it is cheaper
During the wet season (June to October), hotel rates are often lower and promotions more common than in the November–February high season. The trade-off is afternoon storms and some flooded streets; prices can also rise around Khmer New Year when many people travel.
How to spend less
- Book tuk-tuks through PassApp or Grab to avoid haggling and tourist prices.
- Eat breakfast at street stalls — noodle soup or pork and rice for US$1.50–3.
- Eat lunch in the market food sections at Psar Thmei or the Russian Market.
- Carry small riel notes for street food and check dollar notes you receive, as torn bills are often refused.
- Give drivers the address of your chosen restaurant to avoid commission stops.
- Bargain politely at markets, settling around 60–70% of the first price.
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Common questions
Is Phnom Penh expensive?
No. Plan on about US$36 a day on a budget, US$85 mid-range and US$215 for comfort. Street food costs about US$1.50–3 a meal.
Do I need riel in Phnom Penh?
Not much. Prices are often in US dollars; change under a dollar comes in riel, at about 4,000 riel to US$1.
How much is a tuk-tuk in Phnom Penh?
Usually US$1.50–4 for a ride in the centre when booked through PassApp or Grab.