A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Siem Reap for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dubai 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 Dubai and Siem Reap can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dubai or Siem Reap?

Dubai

Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.

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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, 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 Dubai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, while the average daily cost in Siem Reap is $94. 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 Dubai and Siem Reap in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $170
    Siem Reap $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $340
    Siem Reap $102
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Siem Reap

Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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.

Hotels in Dubai


Hotels in Siem Reap


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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Siem Reap Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $13
    Siem Reap $8.79
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $12
  • Airport Taxi
    $12
  • Sea Taxi
    $0.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai

Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • "Airport Transfers to or from Dubai with SUV Car": $95
  • 1 Day 1 Park (Motiongate or Legoland) with Private Transfer: $185
  • 1 Hour Marina Yacht Tour with Optional Transfer: $45
  • 1-Hour Quad Biking Tour with Transfer from Dubai: $140
  • 12 Minute Helicopter Ride in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $255
  • 3-Hour Ice Skating Experience in Dubai with optional Transfer: $70
  • 4 Hour Dubai Layover Tour with Private Airport Transfers On Time: $126
  • A Guided Tour To Quranic Park and Jumeirah Mosque With Transfer: $95
  • AYA Universe Dubai Entry with Optional Round Trip Hotel Transfers: $55
  • AYA Universe Dubai Ticket with Transfer option: $33
  • AYA Universe Dubai with Transfer Option: $42
  • AYA Universe Light and Sound Park in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $65

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
    $1.93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siem Reap

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siem Reap:

  • From Private Transfer to Mondulkiri: $395
  • Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Koh Chang: $368
  • Taxi Transfer Siem Reap to Kratie - English Speaking Driver: $360
  • Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Pattaya: $285
  • Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Bangkok: $258
  • 3-Day Easy Angkor Tour with Airport Transfers: $249
  • Siem Reap to Kampot Taxi, Private Car Transfer & Vice Versa: $235
  • Transfer Siem Reap to Sihanoukville Safe Private Taxi Driver: $224
  • Private Taxi Transfer to/from Battambang: $190
  • Private Transfer Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: $145
  • Private Transfer to/from Sihanoukville: $137
  • Private Transfer Cross Boarder to/from Siem Reap - Koh Chang: $127

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Siem Reap?

Prices for flights to both Siem Reap and Dubai 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
    Dubai $96
    Siem Reap $28
Typical Food Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:


  • French bread
    $0.95
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    $10
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    $4.36
  • Coffee & Cake
    $6.54
  • Smoothie
    $5.45
  • Shawarma
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dubai Self Drive Desert Safari Experience with BBQ dinner: $10
  • Dubai Red Dunes Desert Safari with Dinner, Camel, Shows & Pickup: $11
  • Dune Bashing Red Dunes 4x4 Pick & Drop Shows Dinner Camel: $15
  • VIP Red Dune Safari Dubai,Pick/Drop,Camel Ride, Quad & BBQ Dinner: $15
  • VIP Red Dune Safari with Pick/Drop BBQ Dinner Camelride sandbord: $15
  • Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
  • VIP Red Dune Safari with Pick/Drop BBQ/Dinner Camelride Sandbord: $15
  • VIP Red Dune Safari, Pick/Drop, Camel Ride,BBQ Dinner & Quad Bike: $15
  • Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Al Seef: $16
  • Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $16
  • Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Creek with pickup drop option: $16
  • Dinner Dhow Cruise with Live Entertainment Al Seef: $16

Typical Food Prices in Siem Reap

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Siem Reap:


  • Breakfast for Two
    $5.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siem Reap

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siem Reap.

  • A Spectacular Show with Optional Dinner: $18
  • Apsara Dance Show with Dinner by Tuk-Tuk Roundtrip Transfer: $19
  • Apsara Performance with Dinner include Pick up & Drop off: $22
  • Apsara Performance Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pick up: $22
  • Buffet Dinner Apsara Show with hotel transfers: $22
  • Apsara Dance Show and Dinner with Hotel Pickup: $22
  • Apsara Show Including Dinner & Hotel Pickup: $23
  • Dinner and Traditional Show with Hotel Transfer: $24
  • Apsara Dance Show with Buffet Dinner & Tuk-Tuk...: $26
  • A Night To Remember: Apsara Dance Show with Buffet Dinner: $27
  • Dinner Show Apsara Dance, Pickup round trip included: $27
  • Apsara Theatre Performance include Dinner & hotel pick up: $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $19
    Siem Reap $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Visit to the Dubai Museum
    $0.82

Tours and Activities in Dubai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.

  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Dubai: $5.85
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
  • Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.80
  • Dubai Fountain Boardwalk Entry Ticket: $6.81
  • Global Village Dubai Ticket with optional transport: $9.00
  • The Palm Monorail Ticket Dubai: $9.21
  • Maze Mirror Inside Creek Park Entry Ticket: $9.77
  • Dubai Butterfly Garden Ticket Deals: $10
  • Dubai Butterfly Garden Tickets: $13
  • Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
  • Al Shindagha Museum Tickets: $13
  • Authentic Old Town, Souks, Tastings & Abra Boat Tour: $14

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:


  • Angkor Tour Guide
    $8.24

Tours and Activities in Siem Reap

Here are a few actual costs in Siem Reap for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 03 Hours Countryside tours: $88
  • 1 Day Private of Angkor Wat Tour with Tuk Tuk: $15
  • 1-Day Angkor Wat Private Tour with Spanish Tour Guide.: $125
  • 1-Day private Angkor Temple Tour from Siem Reap: $27
  • 2 Day Angkor Wat Private Tour: $245
  • 2 Day Cambodia Private Guided Tour in Angkor Temples: $119
  • 2-Day Angkor Tour with Sunrise, Sunset & Banteay Srei temple: $160
  • 2-Day Angkor Wat With Small, Big Circuit & Banteay Srei Tour: $123
  • 2-Days Angkor & Banteay Srei & Kulen Mountian Waterfall Tour: $126
  • 2-Days Angkor Sunrise & Banteay Srei Tour: $105
  • 2-Days Angkor Wat with Sunrise and Sunset-Siem Reap Tour: $46
  • 3 Day Siem Reap Tour Phnom Penh Shooting Experience Video: $128

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $23
    Siem Reap $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $62

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: $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Siem Reap, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Siem Reap much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Siem Reap is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Siem Reap would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Siem Reap and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Siem Reap.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Siem Reap Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dubai or Siem Reap?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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.