Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay or Siem Reap?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Siem Reap or Byron Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Siem Reap or Byron Bay, 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: Siem Reap or Byron Bay?
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.
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phnom Penh, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Siem Reap, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySiem Reap $81Byron Bay $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Siem Reap is $81, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $139. 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 Siem Reap and Byron Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSiem Reap $51Byron Bay $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSiem Reap $102Byron Bay $132
Compare Hotels in Siem Reap and Byron Bay
Looking for a hotel in Siem Reap or Byron Bay? 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: Siem Reap Hotel Prices and Byron Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Siem Reap $8.79Byron Bay $32
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:
- Siem Reap Airport (SAI): Transfer to/from Siem Reap Hotel: $7.50
- Angkor Airport (SAI) Private or Shared Transfers: $9.00
- Angkor Airport (SAI) Private or Shared Transfers: $10
- Tonle Sap Sunset Boat Cruise with Transfers: $23
- Private Transfer from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: $24
- Siem Reap Angkor Airport Transfer or Pick-up: $25
- Private Transfers Siem Reap Angkor Airport (SAI): $26
- Phare, Cambodian Circus with Tuk-Tuk Transfers: $27
- Private Transfers Siem Reap New Airport/ Angkor Wat Tour: $29
- Private Transfers Siem Reap New Airport/ Angkor Wat Tour: $29
- Private One-Way Arrival/Departure Transfer: $30
- Siem Reap Angkor International Airport private transfer: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:
- Byron Bay Tandem Skydive with Transfer Options: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Siem Reap or Byron Bay?
Prices for flights to both Byron Bay and Siem Reap 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 daySiem Reap $16Byron Bay $47
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
Typical Food Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)$58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Siem Reap $30Byron Bay $35
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:
- City Walking Tour: $6.00
- Angkor Wat Tour by Tuk-Tuk with English Speaking Driver: $9.00
- Angkor Temples Sunrise Tour with tours guide at only 9$/pax: $12
- Angkor Eye Standard Ride Ticket: $12
- Angkor Temples Tour - Shared Tours tours guide: $12
- Angkor Wat Sunrise Small Tour: $13
- Small Tour Group + Sun Rise 12$ / 1pax: $13
- Angkor Wat Sunrise Small-Groups with Guide tour: $13
- Sunset Small Groups with Massive Temples & Guide tour: $14
- Angkor Wat Sunrise Small-Group Guided Day Tour: $15
- Angkor Eye Cocktail Experience: $15
- Angkor Sunrise Temple Tour with Angkor Wat, Bayon & Ta Prohm: $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)$123
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Surf Lesson$42
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens Admission Ticket: $32
- LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL Guided Sunrise Tours to Cape Byron Lighthouse: $32
- Brunswick River Scenic Kayak Tour: $39
- Cape Byron Aboriginal Tour: $45
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $45
- Cape Byron Aboriginal Tour: $46
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $46
- Sunset Brunswick River Nature Kayak Tour: $46
- Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay: $46
- From Byron: Half Day Learn to Surf Tour: $52
- Experience The Thrill Half Day Surf School in Byron Bay: $52
- Group 2.5 Hour Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour: $56
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySiem Reap $11Byron Bay $14
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $97
- Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $99
- Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $127
- Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Siem Reap and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay is more expensive. And not only is Siem Reap much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Siem Reap is in Asia and Byron Bay is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Siem Reap would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Siem Reap 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay than you might in Siem Reap.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Siem Reap Expensive? and Is Byron Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Siem Reap or Byron Bay?
Siem Reap has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Siem Reap and Byron Bay, 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.