Should you visit Bali or Siem Reap?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Siem Reap can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bali or Siem Reap?
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
Siem Reap
Located in northern Cambodia, Siem Reap is the closest town to Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat. It is a comfortable and laid back town and most visitors use it as a base to explore the country's most visited destination. Although Siem Reap was once a quaint village, it has continued to grow and change to meet the needs of the many tourists who visit every year. Siem Reap has become a very touristy town with easy access to restaurants, hotels, and shops. It also has a large expatriate community and the western influences are unavoidable. Although prices remain quite low, they are higher than you might find elsewhere in Cambodia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phnom Penh, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Siem Reap.
Which place is cheaper, Siem Reap or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $76, while the average daily cost in Siem Reap is $81. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bali and Siem Reap in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Bali or Siem Reap? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here:
Bali Hotel Prices and
Siem Reap Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
-
BALI PARAGLIDING Fly, Swing and Soaring above the sea with private transfer:
$103
-
Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Nusa Dua:
$23
-
Bali Parasailing Adventure with Including Hotel Transfer:
$45
-
Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers:
$59
-
Bali Quad and Buggy Discovery Tour, Including Round-Trip Transfer:
$76
-
Bali Spa Treatment with Airport Transfers (Departure):
$56
-
Bali Spiritual: Blessing Ceremony, Pristine Nature and Transfer:
$109
-
Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.:
$21
-
Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers:
$64
-
Bali and Trawangan: Fastboat with Optional Bali Transfer:
$51
-
Bali to/from Gili Air: Fast Boat with Optional Bali Transfer:
$51
-
Bali to/from Gili Gede: Fast Boat (Optional Bali Transfer):
$66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Siem Reap
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Siem Reap:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride
$13
-
Bike Rentals
$1.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siem Reap
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siem Reap:
-
Siem Reap Airport (SAI): Transfer to/from Siem Reap Hotel:
$8.00
-
Round-Trip Transfer: Between Airport and Siem Reap City:
$8.45
-
Angkor Airport (SAI) Private or Shared Transfers:
$9.00
-
Angkor Airport (SAI) Private or Shared Transfers:
$10
-
Siem Reap Airport Transfer to/from Siem Reap by Private Car:
$20
-
The Circus Performance Ticket 2 ways transfer:
$22
-
Siem Reap International Airport Transfer (SIA):
$22
-
Tonle Sap Sunset Boat Cruise with Transfers:
$23
-
Private One-Way Hotel or Airport Transfer:
$25
-
Siem Reap Angkor: Airport Transfer or Pick-Up:
$25
-
Private Airport Transfer:
$25
-
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport private transfer:
$25
Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Siem Reap?
Prices for flights to both Siem Reap and Bali change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food
Meals for one day
Bali $21
Siem Reap $16
Typical Food Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
-
Coffee
$1.30
-
Lunch for Two
$14
-
Bali Cafe for Two
$28
-
Lunch for Two
$8.45
-
Lunch for 2
$9.36
-
Dinner for 2
$10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
-
Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach:
$30
-
The Balinesia Lu'au - 'A Kampung Bali Experience & Dinner Show':
$30
-
Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran:
$31
-
Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran:
$32
-
Amazing Private Tour-Uluwatu Kecak Dance and Romantic Seafood Dinner:
$33
-
Traditional Dinner with visit to Ubud Night Market:
$34
-
From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village:
$35
-
Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm:
$35
-
Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran:
$38
-
Padang-Padang Beach+ Uluwatu Sunset and Kecak Dance + Dinner:
$45
-
Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour:
$45
-
Bali Street Food Tour:
$45
Typical Food Prices in Siem Reap
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Siem Reap:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siem Reap
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siem Reap.
-
Apsara Performance Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pick up:
$12
-
Creative Insect-Based Dinner:
$14
-
Apsara Dinner Show with Hotel Transfer:
$15
-
Dinner Show Apsara Dance Round Pick-up included:
$17
-
Apsara show Including Buffet Dinner/Hotel Pick up:
$18
-
Apsara Show and Dinner with Free Shared Round Trip Transfer:
$19
-
Apsara Dance Show with Dinner by Tuk-Tuk Roundtrip Transfer:
$19
-
Buffet Dinner Apsara Show with hotel transfers:
$22
-
Apsara Dinner Performance with Buffet Dinner:
$25
-
Apsara Dance Show & Dinner with Tuk-Tuk Transfers:
$26
-
Dinner Show Apsara Dance, Pickup round trip included:
$27
-
Cooking Class and Market Shopping:
$29
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
-
Spa for Two
$57
-
Snorkelling Trip
$13
-
Cooking School
$29
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
-
Bali Water Sports Adventure:
$7.89
-
Bali Bird Park 1-Day Admission Ticket:
$9.63
-
Bali Bird Park: 1-Day Admission Ticket:
$9.90
-
Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour:
$11
-
Private Tour to New Indonesia Urban Destination:
$14
-
Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple:
$14
-
Uluwatu Kecak Tickets A Spectacular Show:
$15
-
Uluwatu Temple Tour with Optional Kecak Dance Ticket:
$16
-
Private Kintamani Sunrise Jeep Tour with Breakfast:
$17
-
Watersport activity Ocean walker, Parasailing Adventure & Banana Boat:
$18
-
Tanah Lot Temple Guided Tour:
$18
-
Gili Islands: Private Snorkeling Boat Tour with Local Guide:
$19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Siem Reap
Here are a few typical costs in Siem Reap for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Siem Reap
Here are a few actual costs in Siem Reap for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Angkor Wat Imaginary Experience:
$3.35
-
App self-guided: Tour Angkor Thom - Cambodia:
$4.47
-
Unique Guided Tour at Lotus Silk Farm:
$5.00
-
City Walking Tour:
$6.00
-
Angkor Wat Big Circuit a Self-Guided Audio Tour in English:
$8.22
-
War Museum included Ticket and Pickup Drop Off:
$9.00
-
Angkor Wat Tour by Tuk-Tuk with English Speaking Driver:
$9.00
-
Angkor Wat: Highlights Sunrise Group Tour in Angkor complex:
$12
-
Angkor Eye Standard Ride Ticket:
$12
-
Sunrise at Angkor Wat and Small Tour with Tours Guide:
$12
-
Siem Reap Motorbike Rental - Temple and City Tours own drive:
$12
-
Angkor Wat Sunrise Main Temple Guided Tour:
$13
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Siem Reap
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Siem Reap:
-
Mad Monkey Siem Reap Pub Crawl:
$10
When comparing the travel costs between Bali and Siem Reap, we can see that Siem Reap is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Siem Reap Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bali or Siem Reap?
Bali has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Siem Reap, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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