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

Should you visit Hanoi or Siem Reap?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Siem Reap can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Hanoi or Siem Reap?

Hanoi

Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Siem Reap or Hanoi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $49, 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 Hanoi and Siem Reap in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hanoi $25
    Siem Reap $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hanoi $50
    Siem Reap $102
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Siem Reap

Looking for a hotel in Hanoi 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 Hanoi


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: Hanoi Hotel Prices and Siem Reap Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hanoi $7.00
    Siem Reap $8.75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:


  • Taxi to Bus Station
    $1.22
  • Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)
    $3.24
  • Local Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.41
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.38
  • Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)
    $0.81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:

  • Luxury Halong Bay Day Tour - 6 hours cruising - Limousine transfers: $119
  • ( Deluxe & Small Group ) Bai Dinh Trang An Mua Cave Tour with Limousine Transfer: $54
  • 1-Way Transfer between Hanoi and Ha Long via Limousine Bus: $22
  • 2 Days 1 night Ba Be Lake BEST ADVENTURE: transfer,homestay,boat,kayak,swim,cave: $153
  • 2 Days Halong Bay With Budget Cruise - Including Transfer From Hanoi: $148
  • 2 days Halong Calypso All Inclusive Cruise with Transfer: $155
  • 2-Day Adenture Pu Luong Motorbike Tour with Transfer from HANOI : $125
  • 2-Day Halong Bay Tou & Ninh binh Tour With Transfer: $120
  • 2-Day Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay With Transfer: $190
  • 2-Day In Halong Bay Cruise With Transfer From Hanoi: $180
  • 2-Day Ninh Binh & Halong Bay With Transfer: $210
  • 2-Day Trekking Tour to Sapa from Hanoi by EXPRESSWAY TRANSFER Luxury Limousine: $122

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:

  • Border Transfer (Siem Reap to Laos or Laos to Siem Reap ): $400
  • Intercity Transfer(Siem Reap-Sihanouk/Sihanouk-Siem Reap): $300
  • Phnom Penh: Private Taxi Transfer to Siem Reap: $121
  • Private Airport Transfer - Pick up/Drop off from hotel: $35
  • Private One-Way Arrival/Departure Transfer: $27
  • Private Siem Reap Angkor Airport Transfers: $37
  • Private Taxi Transfer Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: $121
  • Private Taxi transfer from Bangkok to Siem Reap: $299
  • Private Taxi transfer from Koh Chang to Siem Reap: $368
  • Private Taxi transfer from Pattaya to Siem Reap: $330
  • Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Bangkok: $258
  • Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Koh Chang: $368

Is it cheaper to fly into Hanoi or Siem Reap?

Prices for flights to both Siem Reap and Hanoi 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
    Hanoi $13
    Siem Reap $16
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi

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


  • High End Dinner (for Two)
    $12
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.46
  • Bowl of Pho
    $0.81
  • Italian Dinner (for Food)
    $6.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi

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

  • Private Traditional Vietnamese Food Cooking Class in Hanoi : $5.00
  • Hanoi free food tour - Old Quarter food walking tour: $5.00
  • (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR : $5.13
  • Street Food Tour with Free Private Tour Guide: $5.26
  • Hanoi Best Local Food Tour Visit Train Street Old Quarter: $19
  • Hanoi food tour - Local street food walking tour: $19
  • Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour: $20
  • Hanoi local street food tour: $20
  • Hanoi street food tour small group tour: $22
  • Walking Street Food Tour Small Group with Local Guide: $22
  • Ngon ngon & Authentic Hanoi Food Tour: $23
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23

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
    $5.57

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siem Reap

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

  • Apsara Dance Show with Dinner by Tuk-Tuk Roundtrip Transfer: $17
  • Apsara Dinner Show with Free transfer from to your hotel: $20
  • Apsara Dance Show & Dinner with Tuk-Tuk Transfers: $27
  • Apsara Performance Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pick up: $27
  • Cooking Class and Market Shopping: $29
  • Khmer Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $29
  • Morning Cooking Class & Market Tour: $29
  • Cambodian Desserts Cooking Lesson with Tastings: $32
  • Cambodian Cooking Class from Siem Reap: $32
  • Half-Day Cambodian Cooking Class: $32
  • Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 10 Local Tastings: $35
  • Cambodian Cooking Class: $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hanoi $8.64
    Siem Reap $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi

Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Puppet Theater
    $1.62
  • The Hanoi Hilton Entrance
    $1.62
  • National History Museum
    $1.62
  • Puppet Theater Ticket
    $2.84

Tours and Activities in Hanoi

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

  • Skip the Line: Thang Long Water Puppet Theater Entrance Tickets: $4.90
  • Private Walking Tour of Hanoi City: $5.00
  • Half Day Hanoi Old Quarter Private Walking Tour: $5.00
  • (Evening) HANOI CUSTOMIZED Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Hanoi Old Quarter Free walking tour: $5.00
  • Half-day Private Walking Tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter: $5.00
  • Hanoi half day city tour.: $5.00
  • Street Food Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
  • Private Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Skip the line: Thang Long Water Puppet Theater Entrance Tickets: $5.00
  • Hanoi Old Quarter Private Walking Tour with Student Guide: $5.13
  • Hanoi War Sites Walking Tour: $5.13

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
    $8.21

Tours and Activities in Siem Reap

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

  • City Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Angkor Wat Tour by Tuk-Tuk with English Speaking Driver: $8.55
  • Angkor Temples Sunrise Tour with tours guide at only 9$/pax: $9.00
  • Sunset Small Groups with Massive Temples & Guide tour: $12
  • Angkor Temples Tour - Shared Tours tours guide: $12
  • Angkor Eye Standard Ride Ticket: $12
  • Angkor Wat Sunrise and Full-Day Sightseeing Tour: $13
  • Angkor Wat Sunrise Small Tour: $14
  • Angkor Eye Cocktail Experience: $15
  • Mad Monkey Siem Reap Sunrise Angkor Wat Temple Tour: $15
  • Trekking, Hiking to Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei Private Tour: $15
  • Angkor Sunrise Temple Tour with Angkor Wat, Bayon & Ta Prohm: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hanoi $7.82
    Siem Reap $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Hanoi

Also in Hanoi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Hanoi Beer and Brewery Tour: $48
  • Half-Day Guided Tour Australian Beef with Wine Tasting & Rickshaw in Hanoi: $107

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hanoi and Siem Reap, we can see that Siem Reap is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Siem Reap would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siem Reap than you might in Hanoi.

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


Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Siem Reap?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi 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.