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

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

Where Should I go: Manila or Siem Reap?

Manila

A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.

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 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, 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 Manila?

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 Manila is $106, 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 Manila and Siem Reap in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manila $54
    Siem Reap $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manila $108
    Siem Reap $102
Compare Hotels in Manila and Siem Reap

Looking for a hotel in Manila 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 Manila


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: Manila Hotel Prices and Siem Reap Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manila $14
    Siem Reap $8.79

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:

  • Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
  • Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
  • Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
  • METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $65
  • Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
  • Manila Airport Transfer: $38
  • Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
  • Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
  • Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
  • Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
  • Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
  • Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $39

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Siem Reap?

Prices for flights to both Siem Reap and Manila 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
    Manila $31
    Siem Reap $28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila

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

  • Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
  • ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $64
  • Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
  • Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
  • Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
  • Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $68
  • Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
  • Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $73
  • Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
  • Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
  • Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
  • Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175

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.
    Manila $19
    Siem Reap $30

Tours and Activities in Manila

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:

  • Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
  • A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $24
  • Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
  • Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
  • Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
  • The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
  • Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $31
  • Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $31
  • Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $33
  • Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
  • Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $35
  • Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37

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 National Park Ticket: $19
  • Tours and Tickets to Experience Phnom Kulen National Park: $65
  • Phnom Kulen National Park Tours and Tickets: $65
  • Phnom Kulen Waterfall 1000 Linga National Park Tour: $95
  • Private Tour Kampong Pluk village and boat cruise on Tonle Sap: $99
  • Private Kulen 1000 Shiva Lingas waterfall Private Tour: $103
  • 3 Days Tour(Small Circuit+Grand Circuit & Banteay Srei+Beng Mealea & Koh Ker): $296

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manila $9.90
    Siem Reap $11


When comparing the travel costs between Manila and Siem Reap, we can see that Manila is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Manila or Siem Reap?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Manila 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.