Should you visit Hong Kong or Siem Reap?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hong Kong or Siem Reap, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.
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 city is cheaper, Siem Reap or Hong Kong?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Hong Kong is $128, while the average daily cost in Siem Reap is $64. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Hong Kong and Siem Reap in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Hong Kong can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $60, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $120.
A hotel room in Siem Reap is about $82 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
In Hong Kong travelers spend around $26 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
In Siem Reap travelers spend around $12 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Hong Kong $26
Siem Reap $12
Typical Food prices in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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E-Ticket: Symphony of Lights Dinner Cruise and Free Transfer:
$64
-
2-Hour Dinner & Shows on Victoria Harbour Night Cruise:
$81
-
Hong Kong Market Tour and Cantonese Cooking Class with a Local Chef:
$154
-
Private Food Tour: The Best Bites of Mongkok:
$204
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Private Food Tour: The Best Bites of Hong Kong Island:
$204
-
Private Romantic Dinner for 2 on Luxury Yacht:
$1,549
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.
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Apsara Dinner Show at Amazon Angkor (Free Hotel Pick Up):
$14
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Khmer Gourmet Cooking Class:
$19
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Khmer Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking Class:
$19
-
Apsara Dance Performance - Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pickup:
$25
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Khmer Cooking Class at a Local's Home in Krong Siem Reap:
$25
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Apsara Dance Performance - Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pickup:
$25
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Apsara Dance Performance - Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pickup:
$25
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Cooking Class at Local Village:
$26
-
Amazing Apsara Dance Show with Buffet Dinner & Hotel Transfers:
$27
-
Cooking Class Menu C:
$28
-
Cooking Class Menu A:
$28
-
Khmer Culinary Cooking Class:
$28
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Hong Kong than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $7.01 on transportation in Hong Kong on average per day.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $6.95 per day to get around in Siem Reap.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hong Kong
Also for Hong Kong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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3-Day Private Hong Kong Tour with Hotel and Round-trip Airport Transfer:
$919
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3-Night Regal HongKong Hotel Package with Airport Transfer, Tours and E-Tickets:
$598
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3-Night Regal Kowloon Hotel Package with Airport Transfer and Tours:
$695
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3-Night West Hotel Hong Kong Package with Airport Transfer and Tours:
$485
-
5 Seater Mercedes Benz Van Airport Transfer:
$110
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Hong Kong Airport HKG to Hong Kong City in Business Van:
$77
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Hong Kong Cruise Port to City by Business Van:
$74
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Combo: Disneyland Ticket Plus Free Hotel to Disneyland Transfer:
$117
-
Combo: Disneyland Ticket with Round Trip Transfer:
$129
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Daily Group Tour: Disneyland Admission With Hotel 2-Way Transfer from Hong Kong Island:
$134
-
Departure Private Transfer Hong Kong City to Cruise Port by Business Car:
$74
-
Departure Private Transfer: Hong Kong City to Cruise Port by Minivan:
$74
Typical Local Transportation prices in Siem Reap
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Siem Reap:
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Tuk Tuk Ride
$13
-
Bike Rentals
$1.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siem Reap
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siem Reap:
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Smile of Angkor Show with Roundtrip Transfer:
$48
-
Small Group Overland Transfer Siem Reap to Phnom Penh:
$43
-
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh Private Transfer with Touring:
$210
-
Siem Reap Private One-Way Airport Transfer:
$20
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Siem Reap Private Airport Transfer:
$14
-
Siem Reap Airport or Hotel Transfer (VIP:Starex, H1):
$16
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Siem Reap Airport or Hotel Transfer:
$14
-
Siem Reap Airport Transfer US$8 Only:
$5.34
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Siem Reap Airport Pickup/Transfer:
$12
-
Siem Reap Airport Pickup Transfer Services:
$15
-
Siem Reap Airport - Hotels Arrival Taxi Transfer by Cambodia Taxi Driver:
$22
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Private taxi transfer Siem Reap to Phnom Penh:
$129
Is it cheaper to fly into Hong Kong or Siem Reap?
Prices for flights to both Siem Reap and Hong Kong 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Hong Kong, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $76 per day, per person.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $24 per person, per day in Siem Reap. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Typical Entertainment prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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A Food Adventure in Hong Kong with a Local Foodie:
$2.64
-
Peak Tram Sky Pass: Tram Ticket, Hong Kong Sky Tour and Sky Terrace 428 Entry:
$13
-
E-Ticket: Peak Tram Round Trip and Sky Terrace:
$17
-
sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck Admission Ticket:
$19
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Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ticket on Lantau Island:
$21
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Skip the line: E-Tickets in Macau:
$23
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Victoria Peak Hong Kong (Tai Ping Shan) Ticket:
$24
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Hong Kong Sky100 Admission Ticket:
$24
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Victoria Harbour Cruise by Aqua Luna:
$28
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Central Street Art Walking Tour:
$28
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sky100 Admission Ticket for Two Person with One Free Café 100 Dining Voucher:
$31
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Skip The Line: Ngong Ping Cable Car Round Trip Voucher:
$31
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:
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(Join Tour) Angkor Temples Sunrise Tour:
$18
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(Private Tour) Angkor Temples Sunrise Tour:
$56
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-1Day Discover Angkor Wat Sunrise Private Tours:
$97
-
1 Day Countryside Tour:
$19
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1 Day-Preah Vihear+Koh Ker temple Tour:
$187
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1 day special Tour: Angkor Wat,Bayon,Ta Prohm, Bantey srei and Beng Mealea:
$162
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1 day tour: Adventure Big Circle and Banteaysrey:
$46
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1 day-Amazing Temple Tour + Sunrise:
$99
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1- D adventure tour: Beng Mealea, Peung Komnou & English class:
$87
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1-D adventure tour to Preah Vihear and Koh Ker temple:
$169
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1-D bicycle tour:
$97
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1-Day Amazing Angkor Wat Small Circuit Tour with Sunrise:
$47
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Hong Kong spend on average $17 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Siem Reap may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.73 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hong Kong and Siem Reap, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. And not only is Siem Reap much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong than you might in Siem Reap.
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