Which place is cheaper, Siem Reap or Malang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Malang or Siem Reap?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Malang or Siem Reap? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Malang or Siem Reap?
Malang
Malang is a city in East Java, Indonesia. It's a cultured city with several important universities, and is home to a large student population. Prized by the Dutch for its mild highland climate, the city retains much of its colonial architecture. Established by the Dutch in the closing decades of the 18th century, Malang earned its first fortunes from coffee, which flourished on the surrounding hillsides. Today, the city's colonial grandeur is quickly disappearing behind the homogenous facades of more modern developments, but there's still much to admire. The Balai Kota building blends Indonesian and Dutch styles, and grand mansions line the main boulevard, Jalan Besar Ijen. To the east is Mt. Bromo, a volcano with hiking trails. The central area is not too large and quite walkable. And with a number of Hindu temples and sights outside the city, Malang makes an ideal base to explore this intriguing corner of east Java.
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 Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phnom Penh, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Siem Reap.
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Malang Prices
Indonesia PricesSiem Reap Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalang $76Siem Reap $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Malang is $76, 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 Malang and Siem Reap in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalang $43Siem Reap $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalang $86Siem Reap $102
Compare Hotels in Malang and Siem Reap
Looking for a hotel in Malang 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: Malang Hotel Prices and Siem Reap Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malang $1.36Siem Reap $8.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:
- FROM YOGYAKARTA TRANSFER TO BROMO/SURABAYA/MALANG CITY.: $50
- Private Transfer - Malang To Surabaya International Airport: $38
- Yogyakarta ;Transfer Service From Yogyakarta to Bromo/Malang: $109
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
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Bike Rentals$1.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siem Reap
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siem Reap:
- Airport pick up and Transfer (SIA): $35
- Angkor Airport (SAI) Private or Shared Transfers :Siem Reap: $10
- Angkor International Airport (SAI) Private/Shared Transfers: $9.00
- Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium with Private Transfer: $45
- From Siem Reap Airport: Tuk Tuk Transfer to Your Hotel: $38
- From Elephant Sanctuary Experience with Transfers: $99
- From Private Transfer to Mondulkiri: $395
- Kulen Elephant Forest & Tonlesap Lake Include boat /Transfer: $124
- Phnom Penh: Private Taxi Transfer to Siem Reap: $121
- Phnom Penh: To/From Siem Reap Private Transfer: $72
- Private One-Way Arrival/Departure Transfer: $50
- Private Overland Transfer Siem Reap - Bangkok: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Malang or Siem Reap?
Prices for flights to both Siem Reap and Malang 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
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Food Meals for one dayMalang $29Siem Reap $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malang.
- Malang Cooking Class by Mam Warti: $20
Typical Food Prices in Siem Reap
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Siem Reap:
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malang $8.53Siem Reap $30
Tours and Activities in Malang
Here are a few actual costs in Malang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $32
- 1 Day Mount Bromo Sharing Tour Package from Malang: $34
- 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing or Private Jeep): $39
- Waterfalls Tour: $40
- 1 Day Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour from Malang Surabaya 7 spots: $41
- Bromo Adventure: $50
- 1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30: $52
- 1Day - Malang Cycling Village Tour: $60
- Private Tour in Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls from Malang or Surabaya: $64
- East Java Dirt Bike Tours: $65
- 1 Day - Tumpak Sewu, Kapas Biru Waterfall, Goa Tetes cave* Tour // 07:30 - 17:00: $75
- 1Day - Bromo Non Sunrise Tour via Malang (to avoid crowd): $79
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:
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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:
- FREE Market & Local Temple Tour: $1.00
- Satcha: Workshop Tour Guide incl. Free Soft Drink: $5.50
- City Walking Tour: $6.00
- Siem Reap Motorbike Rental - Temple and City Tours own drive: $9.00
- Siem Reap Lotus Silk Farm Tour with Pick Up downtown: $10
- Angkor Wat: Full-Day Guided Sunset Tour: $10
- Small-Group Full Day Angkor wat Guide tour with Sun set: $11
- Sunrise at Angkor Wat and Small Tour with Tours Guide: $12
- Angkor Wat 1 Day with Sunrise Combined tour with (Tuk Tuk): $12
- Angkor Wat Sunrise for Group or Private Tours: $12
- Angkor Wat Sunrise and Full-Day Sightseeing Tour: $13
- Angkor Wat Private Tour by Tuk Tuk: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalang -Siem Reap $11
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 Malang and Siem Reap, we can see that Siem Reap is more expensive. And not only is Malang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malang 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 Malang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malang Expensive? and Is Siem Reap Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malang or Siem Reap?
Malang has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Malang 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.