Siem Reap on $35 a Day
Siem Reap is one of the cheapest places in Southeast Asia to stay and eat. Here's how to budget $35 a day for a hostel, Khmer meals and tuk-tuks, with the Angkor Pass spread over several days.
Siem Reap is one of the best-value destinations in Southeast Asia. A hostel bed costs a few dollars, a bowl of noodles costs one or two, beer is under a dollar at happy hour and a tuk-tuk across town costs a couple of dollars. The one big expense is the Angkor Pass, the ticket to the temples, which costs a fixed price for foreigners and is the same for everyone, but it is the main reason to visit and is worth every dollar. If you spread the cost of the pass over three days, with a hostel bed, local meals and shared tuk-tuks, $35 a day is realistic and comfortable.
Daily Budget Breakdown
🏨 Where to Sleep for Under $12 a Night
Siem Reap has some of the best hostels in Southeast Asia, many with pools, bars, free breakfast and organized tours. A dorm bed typically costs about $6 to $12 a night, and private rooms in guesthouses and small hotels cost about $15 to $35, often with air conditioning and a pool. Most budget accommodation is concentrated around Pub Street, the Old Market and the streets just east of the river. For a quieter stay, look near Wat Bo Road, where guesthouses are friendlier and the nights are calmer. Prices are lowest from May to October, in the rainy season.
| Option | Avg. Price/Night | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel Dorm Bed | $6–$12 | The cheapest option, with a pool, social events and often breakfast |
| Guesthouse Private Room | $15–$35 | Couples and solo travelers who want privacy and air conditioning |
| Boutique Hotel with Pool | $35–$80 | Travelers who want comfort and a pool for the hot afternoons |
| Apartment Rental | $25–$60 | Groups and longer stays with a kitchen |
Agoda
Compare hostels, guesthouses and boutique hotels across Siem Reap, with excellent rates in the rainy season.
Search Hotels on Agoda →Booking.com
Useful for filtering by neighborhood, free cancellation and guest scores for hostels and small hotels.
Search Hotels on Booking.com →🍽️ Eating Well for Under $12 a Day
Eating in Siem Reap is cheap and delicious. A bowl of nom banh chok or noodle soup at a market stall costs about $1 to $2, a plate of fried rice or stir-fried vegetables costs $2 to $3, and a Khmer curry or fish amok at a local restaurant costs $3 to $6. Pub Street restaurants charge a little more, but offer good value with happy hour deals, and most dinners cost $4 to $8. Fresh fruit shakes cost about a dollar, and a cup of Cambodian iced coffee about 75 cents. Local markets are the cheapest option.
Nom Banh Chok
Fresh rice noodles with green curry and herbs, eaten for breakfast. Avg. $1–$2. See our guide.
Read the guide →Fish Amok
The national dish, steamed in banana leaf with coconut and spices. Avg. $4–$7. See our guide.
Read the guide →Beef Lok Lak
Marinated beef stir-fry with lime-and-pepper dip and rice. Avg. $3–$6. See our guide.
Read the guide →Khmer Barbecue
Grilled meat and vegetables cooked at the table in the evening. Avg. $5–$9.
🛺 Getting Around Cheaply
Siem Reap is small, and you can walk or cycle around the center, with bicycles available for $2 to $4 a day. Tuk-tuks cost about $2 to $4 for a trip across town, and the ride-hailing app PassApp provides set prices. For the temples, a tuk-tuk driver costs about $15 to $25 for a day, depending on the route, and the cost is split if you share with other travelers. Some visitors rent electric bikes, which are cheap and fun for the shorter routes, and the short circuit around Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm is easy by bicycle in the cooler months.
⚖️ $35 vs. $110 a Day: What Actually Changes
At $35 a day you will stay in a hostel, eat at local restaurants and markets, share tuk-tuks and buy a three-day Angkor Pass, which spreads the cost to about $20 a day. You will still see Angkor Wat at sunrise, the Bayon, Ta Prohm and the town. At $110 a day, you add a boutique hotel with a pool, restaurant dinners, a private guide at the temples and day trips to Banteay Srei or the Tonle Sap floating villages. The difference is mainly comfort, since the temples are the same for everyone.
🌅 Free and Cheap Things to Do
Riverside Walks
Stroll or cycle along the Siem Reap River and through the Royal Gardens for free.
Read the guide →Sunset at Phnom Bakheng
A hilltop temple in Angkor with sunset views, included in your pass.
Read the guide →🧾 Sample $35 Day Budget
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed | $8 |
| Breakfast (nom banh chok and coffee) | $2 |
| Lunch (fried rice or noodles) | $3 |
| Dinner (Khmer curry and a beer) | $5 |
| Tuk-tuk (shared) | $4 |
| Angkor Pass (three-day, spread over three days) | $20 |
| Daily Total (rounded) | ~$35 |
Buying the Angkor Pass from a tout instead of the official ticket center, paying for expensive guided tours at the gate, eating at restaurants with inflated tourist menus and taking taxis without agreeing on the price are the quickest ways to blow a budget. Always agree on prices first.
📱 Useful Apps and Tools for Budget Travel
PassApp and Grab are the best ride-hailing apps, with set prices that are easier than negotiating. Google Maps works well in town, and Maps.me is useful offline at the temples. ATMs dispense US dollars, but charge fees, so withdraw larger amounts less often. Carry small dollar bills and a few riel notes, since change under a dollar is given in riel. A scarf and a refillable water bottle are essential, and many hostels and cafes offer free refills. A local SIM card with data costs a few dollars and is easy to buy at the airport.
