Which place is cheaper, Kampong Cham or Siem Reap?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Siem Reap or Kampong Cham, 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.
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.
Kampong Cham is the sixth largest city in the country, located in the east of Cambodia. Just two and a half hours away from Phnom Penh is a surprisingly large province by the same name. Kampong Cham is the capital of this province, a quiet town on the west side of the Mekong River. While the town does not cater to tourists like other large cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the charm of Kampong Cham lies in the beauty and simplicity of local life. Visitors will also get a glimpse into agricultural life on the plantations of rubber trees, tobacco and cashews.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Cambodia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Cambodia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Siem Reap is $81, while the average daily cost in Kampong Cham is $31. 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 Kampong Cham in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Siem Reap or Kampong Cham? 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.
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Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Siem Reap:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siem Reap:
Prices for flights to both Kampong Cham 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Siem Reap:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siem Reap.
Here are a few typical costs in Siem Reap for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Siem Reap for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Siem Reap:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Siem Reap and Kampong Cham, we can see that Siem Reap is more expensive. And not only is Kampong Cham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kampong Cham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kampong Cham 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 Kampong Cham.
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 Kampong Cham Expensive?.
Siem Reap has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Kampong Cham. When comparing the sizes of Siem Reap and Kampong Cham, 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.