Which place is cheaper, Siem Reap or Pokhara?
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 Pokhara 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 Pokhara and Siem Reap can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Siem Reap?
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, 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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Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesSiem Reap Prices
Cambodia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $22Siem Reap $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $22, 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 Pokhara and Siem Reap in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.43Siem Reap $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.86Siem Reap $104
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Siem Reap
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara 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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Siem Reap Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.70Siem Reap $8.82
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Comfortable Private Transfer from Pokhara to Chitwan: $66
- From 4-Day Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $130
- From Private Car Transfer To Chitwan: $59
- Pokhara ↔️ Kathmandu: VIP Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer (Rainbow): $16
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $295
- Airport Transfer by Private Car: $11
- Annapurna Foothills Day Hike with Transfers: $38
- Kusma Swing Jumping Experience with Transfer: $150
- One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $73
- Paragliding Experience with Hotel Transfers: $139
- Paragliding and Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $129
- Transfer To Kathmandu (VIP Sofa Tourist Bus) & Back: $12
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$1.94
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 Pokhara or Siem Reap?
Prices for flights to both Siem Reap and Pokhara 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 dayPokhara $12Siem Reap $28
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
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Dinner for Two$3.95
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Dessert (for 2)$2.63
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Pastries$1.32
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Dinner$5.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali Nights: Dinner & Cultural Dance Delight in Pokhara: $26
- MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $29
- Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $29
- 3 Hour MoMo cooking class: $31
- Nepali Cooking Class and Momo Making Workshop: $42
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$5.61
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.Pokhara $6.38Siem Reap $30
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sarangkot Sunrise with Half or Full-Day City Tour: $7.47
- From Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $7.84
- Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas: Tour 3 hour private tour: $9.16
- Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $9.52
- Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $9.52
- Paragliding, Bungy Jump and Zipline Combo Adventure: $10
- City Sightseeing Group Budget Bus Tour: $10
- City Sightseeing Group Bus Tour: $10
- Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Group Joining Tour: $10
- Peace Pagoda Sunset, Annapurna Mountain Views Tour: $11
- Full-Day Sharing Bus Tour on 7 Iconic Destination: $11
- Chitwan: to Kathmandu/Pokhara/ Bandipur Tourist Bus: $12
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$8.27
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
- Angkor Wat: Full-Day Guided Sunset Tour: $10
- Siem Reap Lotus Silk Farm Tour with Pick Up downtown: $10
- Small-Group Full Day Angkor wat Guide tour with Sun set: $11
- Angkor Wat Sunrise for Group or Private Tours: $12
- Angkor Wat 1 Day with Sunrise Combined tour with (Tuk Tuk): $12
- Sunrise at Angkor Wat and Small Tour with Tours Guide: $12
- Angkor Wat Sunrise and Full-Day Sightseeing Tour: $13
- Angkor Wat: Small-Group Sunrise Tour: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.76Siem 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 Pokhara and Siem Reap, we can see that Siem Reap is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Siem Reap Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Siem Reap?
Pokhara has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara 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.