How Much Does Siem Reap Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Siem Reap offers a wide financial spectrum, from extremely low-cost backpacker experiences to world-class luxury near the Angkor Archaeological Park. While daily solo budgets can start as low as $33 / ៛134,511, those seeking high-end boutiques and private tours may spend up to $309 / ៛1,245,266 per day. The primary expenses are the mandatory temple passes and transportation to remote sites, while local dining and city transport remain very affordable. Compared to regional hubs, Siem Reap provides a more rural and budget-friendly gateway to ancient history. Visitors find the most value by balancing local market eats with well-timed temple visits to maximize their entry fees.
Is Siem Reap expensive to visit?
Siem Reap is highly affordable—expect to spend between $33 / ៛134,511 and $309 / ៛1,245,266 per day depending on whether you choose local guesthouses or luxury boutique stays.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Siem Reap
$33
per person /day
$111
per person /day
$309
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $100 | $334 | $926 |
| 5-Day Trip | $166 | $556 | $1,543 |
| 7-Day Trip | $233 | $778 | $2,162 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is advisable to maintain a 15% budget buffer to cover the $5.97 / ៛24,087 visa processing fee and international ATM fees which range from $4.92 / ៛19,837 to $6.21 / ៛25,032 per transaction. This also ensures you can provide customary temple guide gratuities, which typically run between $5.04 / ៛20,309 and $10 / ៛40,618 for a full day of service.
How Does It Compare?
See how Siem Reap stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Siem Reap
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant Typical for local Khmer dishes like Amok or Bai Sach Chrouk. | $2.53 ៛10,202 |
| Mid-Range Three-Course Dinner for Two Based on a high-quality tourist-facing restaurant in the French Quarter. | $23 ៛93,940 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5L) Commonly Angkor or Cambodia Beer. Happy hour prices on Pub Street can be as low as ~$0.53 / ៛2,125. | $1.01 ៛4,062 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Official Airport Shuttle Bus (SAI to Town) The most affordable way to reach town from the new airport. Journey takes ~60 minutes. | $8.1 ៛32,683 |
| Private Airport Taxi (SAI to City Center) Fixed price for a sedan. Local taxis at the rank may offer slightly lower rates (~$27 / ៛108,629). | $46 ៛184,197 |
| Grab Tuk-Tuk (Short City Trip) Using the app avoids bargaining. A typical 2km ride costs ~$1.46 / ៛5,904. | $1.49 ៛5,998 |
| Full Day Private Tuk-Tuk (Small Circuit) Includes sunrise and water. Prices for the Grand Circuit or Banteay Srei are higher (~$26–$33 / ៛103,906–៛132,244). | $18 ៛73,537 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Viroth's Hotel - Luxury Boutique Award-winning boutique hotel in the Wat Bo area. Includes breakfast and airport transfers. High season rates reach ~$217 / ៛873,755. | $197 ៛796,487 |
| Koulen Central Hotel - Mid-range Excellent central location near the King's Road area. Modern rooms with a large pool. | $65 ៛261,418 |
| Harmony Indochine d'Angkor - Budget Highly rated economy hotel. Exceptional value for private rooms in the city center. | $21 ៛85,770 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Angkor Archaeological Park 1-Day Pass Standard 1-day pass for international visitors. Non-residents must pay in USD or by card. Valid for one day of entry. | $37 ៛151,136 |
| Phare, The Cambodian Circus (Section B) Section B offers central open seating. The highest tier (Section A) is ~$39 / ៛155,859. | $28 ៛114,344 |
| Angkor National Museum Entrance Standard adult entry. An audio guide is available for an extra ~$4.92 / ៛19,837. | $15 ៛61,257 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local SIM Card (Metfone Tourist Plan) Available at the airport. Includes ~20GB of data valid for 15 days. | $7.08 ៛28,574 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Local Khmer dishes such as Amok or Bai Sach Chrouk are very budget-friendly, with meals at inexpensive restaurants costing approximately $2.53 / ៛10,202. For those seeking a more refined experience, a mid-range three-course dinner for two in the French Quarter averages $23 / ៛93,940, while a domestic draft beer remains affordable at $1.01 / ៛4,062.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Sister Srey Cafe
$4.57–$8.1 / ៛18,420–៛32,683Old Market Riverside · Bakery
Great for breakfast; they support local education initiatives.
Marum
$6.08–$12 / ៛24,512–៛49,025Wat Bo · Local chain
A training restaurant for underprivileged youth; try the red ant beef salad.
Genevieve's Restaurant
$5.06–$10 / ៛20,403–៛40,854High Street / Central · Local chain
Reservations are essential as it's small and very popular for dinner.
The Little Red Fox Espresso
$3.03–$7.08 / ៛12,233–៛28,574Kandal Village · Bakery
Best coffee in town; located in the trendy Kandal Village neighborhood.
Street 08 (Pub Street Stalls)
$1.01–$3.03 / ៛4,062–៛12,233Pub Street · Street food area
Perfect for a cheap late-night snack like ~$1.11 / ៛4,487 banana pancakes.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Moving around the city center is inexpensive using the Grab app, with short 2km tuk-tuk rides costing roughly $1.49 / ៛5,998. For extensive temple exploration, a full-day private tuk-tuk for the Small Circuit costs $18 / ៛73,537, while the Official Airport Shuttle Bus provides a cost-effective connection from the airport for $8.1 / ៛32,683.
Accommodation Overview
Budget travelers can secure high-quality private rooms at establishments like Harmony Indochine d'Angkor for just $21 / ៛85,770 per night. Mid-range options like Koulen Central Hotel offer central convenience for $65 / ៛261,418, while luxury stays at award-winning boutique hotels like Viroth's Hotel average $197 / ៛796,487.
Accommodation Budget in Siem Reap
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use the Grab or PassApp mobile applications for tuk-tuks to lock in fixed rates like $1.49 / ៛5,998 for city trips and avoid the need for bargaining.
- 2 Purchase the Angkor Archaeological Park pass after 16:45 the day before you intend to use it; this allows for a free sunset viewing without consuming your 1-day $37 / ៛151,136 pass.
- 3 Take the Official Airport Shuttle Bus from the new SAI airport for $8.1 / ៛32,683 instead of a private taxi, which costs approximately $46 / ៛184,197.
- 4 Look for 'Refill Not Landfill' aluminum bottles and water stations at cafes like The Little Red Fox Espresso to save on daily bottled water costs.
- 5 Visit Pub Street (Street 08) during happy hour (typically 17:00–21:00) when domestic draft beers can be found for as low as $0.53 / ៛2,125.
- 6 Eat at the local food stalls on the perimeter of the Old Market (Phsar Chas) where traditional Khmer meals are often half the price of tourist-facing restaurants.
- 7 Buy a local Metfone SIM card at the airport for $7.08 / ៛28,574; the 15-day tourist plan includes 20GB of data for easy navigation and ride-hailing.
- 8 Opt for the 'Small Circuit' tuk-tuk tour at $18 / ៛73,537 rather than the Grand Circuit if you are short on time, as it covers the most iconic temples including Angkor Wat.
- 9 Carry a physical credit card for the Angkor Pass to avoid the high ATM fees of $4.92–$6.21 / ៛19,837–៛25,032 when withdrawing cash for the $37 / ៛151,136 ticket.
- 10 Bargain respectfully at the Art Center Night Market, as initial prices for souvenirs are often inflated by 30–50%.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
+30-50%
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
-40%
Mar, Apr, Oct
Peak season (Nov–Feb) offers the best weather (25–30°C (77–86°F)) but temple crowds are intense. The 'Green Season' (May–Oct) has daily rain but brings lush landscapes and hotel discounts of ~$35–$59 / ៛141,690–៛236,150 per night.
Events to Watch
- ● Cambodian New Year (April 14–16): +50% accommodation
- ● Water Festival (November): Crowds and higher hotel rates
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Royal Independence Gardens (a manicured park home to a large colony of fruit bats).
- 2 Wat Preah Prom Rath (a colorful and centrally located modern Buddhist temple).
- 3 Wat Thmey (a memorial site and pagoda dedicated to the victims of the Killing Fields).
- 4 Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chom (a sacred shrine located near the Royal Residence).
- 5 Walking the Siem Reap Riverside (shady paths with local exercise equipment and scenery).
- 6 Made in Cambodia Market (browsing high-quality artisanal goods with occasional free live music).
- 7 T-Galleria by DFS (browsing the art installations and cultural exhibits in the lounge).
- 8 West Baray (relaxing by the ancient 8km-long man-made reservoir).
- 9 Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (free guided tours showing traditional soap and incense making).
- 10 Wat Bo (one of the oldest pagodas in the city featuring unique 19th-century murals).
- 11 Phsar Chas (Old Market).
- 12 Angkor Kyung Yu (a local night market and fairground popular with Cambodian families).
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Helicopter Flight over Angkor Wat (8 mins)
Unbeatable aerial view of the temple layout and the massive moat. Costs ~$96 / ៛387,286 per person.
Private Sunset Gondola at Angkor Thom
A peaceful way to escape the crowds while sipping a drink on the ancient moat. Costs ~$26 / ៛103,906.
Dining at Amansara
The ultimate luxury dining experience in a former royal guesthouse. A 4-course menu is ~$87 / ៛349,502.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Siem Reap
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Siem Reap and what they cost
Phnom Kulen National Park
$51 / ៛204,223 by private car
$20 / ៛81,708
$81 / ៛326,737
Koh Ker & Beng Mealea
$91 / ៛367,591 by private car
$15 / ៛61,257
$127 / ៛510,556
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Cambodian Riel (KHR)
1 $ ≈ 4,033 ៛
Yes
Widely accepted in hotels and upscale restaurants; cash essential for markets, tuk-tuks, and small cafés.
Rounding up at local eateries is appreciated. In upscale restaurants, a 10% tip is standard if no service charge is added. Tuk-tuk drivers appreciate ~$1.05–$2.11 / ៛4,251–៛8,501 extra for excellent service.
ATMs dispense USD. Ensure your bills are pristine (no tears or marks) or they will be rejected. ABA Bank and Canadia Bank are the most reliable. Fees are ~$5.04–$6.21 / ៛20,309–៛25,032 per use.
Expected in markets (Old Market, Night Market) and with street tuk-tuks. Aim for 30-40% off the first price. Do not bargain for food or in fixed-price boutiques.
Connectivity
eSIM: $11–$14 for 10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $7.03–$9.37 / ៛28,338–៛37,784 at SAI Airport for 20GB
WiFi: Excellent in most hotels and cafés in town; nonexistent once inside the Temple Park.
Get a local Smart or Metfone SIM at the airport for the best coverage and lowest price (~$7.61 / ៛30,700).
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Siem Reap.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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