Which place is cheaper, Siem Reap or Nakhon Ratchasima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Siem Reap?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima 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: Nakhon Ratchasima or Siem Reap?
Nakhon Ratchasima
If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.
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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, 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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNakhon Ratchasima $40Siem Reap $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima and Siem Reap in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNakhon Ratchasima $19Siem Reap $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNakhon Ratchasima $38Siem Reap $102
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Siem Reap
Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima 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: Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices and Siem Reap Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50Siem Reap $8.79
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.36
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Bus to Vientiane$1.36
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:
- Tonle Sap Sunset Boat Cruise with Transfers: $23
- Phare, Cambodian Circus with Tuk-Tuk Transfers: $27
- Kampong Phluk Floating Village Tour with Transfer: $75
- Kampong Phluk Floating Village Tour with Transfer: $75
- Angkor Airport (SAI) Private or Shared Transfers: $10
- Angkor Airport (SAI) Private or Shared Transfers: $9.00
- Airport Arrivals Private Transfer to Siem Reap: $45
- Siem Reap Transfer airport to Hotel: $58
- Siem Reap Taxi Transfer from Town to Airport: $35
- Siem Reap International Airport Transfer: $58
- Siem Reap Angkor International Airport private transfer: $30
- Siem Reap Angkor Airport Transfer or Pick-up: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Nakhon Ratchasima or Siem Reap?
Prices for flights to both Siem Reap and Nakhon Ratchasima 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 dayNakhon Ratchasima $15Siem Reap $16
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.
- Pupulars Apsara show Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pick up: $15
- Apsara Dance Show with Dinner by Tuk-Tuk Roundtrip Transfer: $17
- Apsara Performance Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pick up: $19
- Apsara Dinner Show with Hotel Transfer: $20
- Apsara Dance Show & Dinner with Tuk-Tuk Transfers: $26
- Apsara Performance Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pick up: $26
- 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
- Half-Day Cambodian Cooking Class: $32
- Cambodian Cooking Class from Siem Reap: $32
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81Siem Reap $30
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:
- Kulen Mountain Entrance Ticket and Explore the Holy Mountain : $45
- 03 Hours Countryside tours: $88
- 1 Day Angkor Wat Tour from Siem Reap,Cambodia: $50
- 1 Day Angkor Wat Tour with Tour Guide: $60
- 1 Day Private Group of Angkor Wat Tour with Tuk Tuk only: $33
- 1-Day Small Circuit Tour: Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm: $65
- 1-Day private Angkor Temple Tour from Siem Reap: $27
- 2 Day Angkor Wat Private Tour: $245
- 2 Day Private Guided Tour in Angkor Temples, Cambodia: $35
- 2 Days Angkor Wat Sunrise and Sunset Private Tour: $134
- 2-Day Angkor Small-Group Tour & Banteay Srei from Siem Reap: $69
- 2-Day Angkor Temple Tour With Kbal Spean: $285
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $10Siem 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: $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nakhon Ratchasima and Siem Reap, we can see that Siem Reap is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive? and Is Siem Reap Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Siem Reap?
Siem Reap has a larger population, and is about 85000 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima 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.