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

Should you visit Luang Prabang or Siem Reap?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Siem Reap, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Luang Prabang or Siem Reap?

Luang Prabang

Southeast Asia is a region full of mystical wonders and cultural charm, but nowhere is as charming as the city of Luang Prabang. As the former capital of Laos, Luang Prabang was reopened to tourism in 1989. With that move the city experienced an upswing in revenue and was able to restore and rebuild the beautiful colonial mansions to serve as guesthouses and hotels for the new swarm of tourists.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, 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 Luang Prabang?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, 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 Luang Prabang and Siem Reap in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luang Prabang $5.81
    Siem Reap $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luang Prabang $12
    Siem Reap $102
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Siem Reap

Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang


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: Luang Prabang Hotel Prices and Siem Reap Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luang Prabang $2.14
    Siem Reap $8.79
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $2.39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang

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

  • LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
  • Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
  • Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $82

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:

  • Private Taxi transfer from Koh Chang to Siem Reap: $368
  • Private Taxi transfer from Pattaya to Siem Reap: $330
  • Private Taxi transfer from Bangkok to Siem Reap: $299
  • Phnom Penh: Private Taxi Transfer to Siem Reap: $121

Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Siem Reap?

Prices for flights to both Siem Reap and Luang Prabang 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
    Luang Prabang $5.55
    Siem Reap $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luang Prabang

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

  • Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
  • Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
  • Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
  • Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $50
  • Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $51
  • Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
  • Laos Cooking Class in Luang Prabang: $55
  • Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk : $58
  • Full Day bamboo experience with cooking class & Kuang si waterfalls: $59
  • Luang Prabang Evening food tour by Tuktuk: $70
  • Tribal Cooking Class in Luang Prabang Forest: $72
  • Camping and Cooking Classes in Primary Forest in Luang Prabang: $149

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luang Prabang $2.76
    Siem Reap $30

Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang

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

  • Shuttle Bus ticket to Kuang Si Waterfalls: $8.00
  • Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
  • UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $32
  • Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
  • Luang Prabang Mountain Bike Cycling Tour: $39
  • Guided Meditation Experience in Luang Prabang: $40
  • Luang Prabang Foodie Walking Tour and Monk Blessing: $40
  • Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
  • Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls: $42
  • From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
  • Kayak Tour to Pak Ou Caves: $43
  • Foodie Walking Tour & Monk Blessing: $45

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:

  • Kulen Mountain Entrance Ticket and Explore the Holy Mountain : $45
  • 3 Days Tour(Small Circuit+Grand Circuit & Banteay Srei+Beng Mealea & Koh Ker): $296
  • 4 Days Private Tour Phnom Penh & Siem Reap include flight: $1,012
  • 8 Days Private Tour Highlights of Cambodia: $1,760
  • Amazing Cambodia 5 Days Private Tour Phnom Penh & Siem Reap: $1,097
  • Essential Cambodia 3 Days Private Tour Phnom Penh & Siem Rep: $899
  • Kulen National Park Ticket: $19
  • Phnom Kulen Waterfall, 1000 Linga National Park Tour: $85
  • Private Kulen 1000 Shiva Lingas waterfall Private Tour: $103

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luang Prabang $1.85
    Siem Reap $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Siem Reap, we can see that Siem Reap is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Luang Prabang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang.

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


Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Siem Reap?

Siem Reap has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang 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.