Which place is cheaper, Canberra or Siem Reap?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Siem Reap or Canberra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Siem Reap or Canberra, 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 Canberra?
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.
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
-
Siem Reap Prices
Cambodia PricesCanberra Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySiem Reap $94Canberra $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Siem Reap is $94, while the average daily cost in Canberra is $159. 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 Canberra in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSiem Reap $51Canberra $83
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSiem Reap $102Canberra $166
Compare Hotels in Siem Reap and Canberra
Looking for a hotel in Siem Reap or Canberra? 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 Canberra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Siem Reap $8.79Canberra $24
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
- Canberra Int'l Airport (CBR) to Canberra Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Canberra to Canberra Airport (CBR) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Siem Reap or Canberra?
Prices for flights to both Canberra 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
-
Food Meals for one daySiem Reap $28Canberra $60
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
Typical Food Prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch$16
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Siem Reap $30Canberra $17
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:
- 3 Days Tour(Small Circuit+Grand Circuit & Banteay Srei+Beng Mealea & Koh Ker): $296
- Kulen National Park Ticket: $19
- Phnom Kulen National Park Tours and Tickets: $65
- Phnom Kulen Waterfall 1000 Linga National Park Tour: $95
- Private Kulen 1000 Shiva Lingas waterfall Private Tour: $103
- Private Tour Kampong Pluk village and boat cruise on Tonle Sap: $99
- Tours and Tickets to Experience Phnom Kulen National Park: $65
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- National Portrait Gallery Guided Tour: $9.89
- Museum Highlights Tour | 1pm Daily: $13
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- First Australians Tour | 3pm Daily: $13
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Personalised Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing in Canberra, with John: $40
- Ultimate Museum Experience | Tour + Dine + Shop (10am daily): $42
- Ultimate Museum Experience | Dine + Tour + Shop (1pm daily): $42
- Spies in the Capital: Women in Espionage Walking Tour: $43
- The Women Behind Inspiring Tour with Local Guide: $43
- Guided Tree Ropes Course Experience in Majura Pines: $46
- Canberra Glassblowing Experience: Make Your Own Bird: $79
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySiem Reap $11Canberra $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
-
Drinks at a Bar$9.16
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Canberra Bar Crawl Can I Get a Drink Canberra: $15
- Wine Tour From Canberra to Murrumbateman - Hop on Hop Off: $60
- 2 People - Indulgence Wine Tasting with Matched Elements Canberra: $87
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $114
- Canberra Wine Tour: $161
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $174
- 2 People - Premium Wine Tasting Experience and 2-Course Lunch: $181
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Siem Reap and Canberra, we can see that Canberra 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 Canberra 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra 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 Canberra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Siem Reap or Canberra?
Canberra has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Siem Reap and Canberra, 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.