A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Siem Reap vs. Tauranga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Siem Reap or Tauranga?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Siem Reap or Tauranga, 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 Tauranga?

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.

Tauranga

Tauranga is a city on the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the western side of the Bay of Plenty, which is on the east coast of the island. Its population of 130,000 makes it the fifth largest city in the country. Tauranga is a Maori word translated roughly to 'a sheltered anchorage'. This makes sense as the town is located near a very large harbor and protected by Matakana Island. Mount Maunganui is at the headland of the town and regarded as a suburb of Tauranga. The beach at Mt Maunganui is a surfing hot spot. The climate is mostly warm and dry because of the town's sheltered position.

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 Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Tauranga or Siem Reap?

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 Tauranga is $103. 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 Tauranga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Siem Reap $51
    Tauranga $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Siem Reap $102
    Tauranga $148
Compare Hotels in Siem Reap and Tauranga

Looking for a hotel in Siem Reap or Tauranga? 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.

Hotels in Siem Reap


Hotels in Tauranga


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 Tauranga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Siem Reap $8.79
    Tauranga $6.78
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 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 Tauranga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tauranga:

  • Roundtrip Transfer from Port of Tauranga Omanu Golf Club: $73

Is it cheaper to fly into Siem Reap or Tauranga?

Prices for flights to both Tauranga 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 day
    Siem Reap $16
    Tauranga $22
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

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Siem Reap $30
    Tauranga $10
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:

  • 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

Tours and Activities in Tauranga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tauranga are as follows:

  • Tauranga Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Mount Maunganui Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Tauranga Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Tauranga Harbour Scenic One Hour Historical Boat Cruise : $24
  • Waimarino Adventure Park Supreme Pass Entry Ticket: $29
  • Waimarino Adventure Park: $30
  • 2-Hour Tauranga & Mount Maunganui City & Scenic Local Tour: $45
  • 3hr Tauranga Sun-downer History Tour COMPLIMENTARY Wine or Beer: $54
  • 4hr Tauranga Scenic History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Tasting: $57
  • 4hr Shore Excursion - History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Tasting: $57
  • Tauranga Shore Excursion: Small-Group Bay of Plenty and Tauranga Tour: $59
  • Tauranga Shore Excursion: Omanawa Falls & Great Sights Tour: $72

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Siem Reap $11
    Tauranga $10

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 Siem Reap and Tauranga, we can see that Tauranga 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 Tauranga 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 Tauranga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tauranga 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 Tauranga Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Siem Reap or Tauranga?

Tauranga has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Siem Reap and Tauranga, 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.