Siem Reap is one of Southeast Asia’s most magnificent destinations — and one of its most manageable when it comes to budget. Almost everything here runs on US dollars, which makes planning straightforward, and the overall cost for a family trip is more reasonable than most people expect.
Here is our complete Siem Reap budget guide, with real numbers from our family of three.
The Currency Situation
Cambodia operates primarily in USD. Most hotels, restaurants, ticket offices and shops quote prices in US dollars and prefer payment in cash. Always carry small denomination USD bills — $1, $5 and $10 notes are your best friends in Siem Reap.
The Cambodian Riel exists and circulates, but for most tourists the experience is entirely dollar-based. When you receive change, it may sometimes come in Riel — just accept it and use it for small purchases.
The Biggest Cost — Angkor Archaeological Park Pass
This is non-negotiable and it is the heart of why you are in Siem Reap.
| Pass Type | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 Day Pass | $37 |
| 3 Day Pass | $62 |
| 7 Day Pass | $72 |
For a trip like ours — one full day covering Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei — the 1 day pass at $37 is the right choice. If you are spending 2-3 days on the temples, the 3 day pass at $62 is excellent value.
For a family of 3: approximately $111 (₹9,200) for 1-day passes.
Buy your pass at the official Angkor Enterprise ticketing office near the temples. Carry your passport — it is required for the photo pass. Do not buy from touts or unofficial sellers. If you book an activity in advance on Klook, you do not have to spend on pick up drop, guide or the ticket itself.
Getting Around — Tuk Tuk
The tuk tuk is the primary way to get around Siem Reap and the temple complex. You will use it for everything — hotel to temples, temples to lunch, evening transfers.
| Tuk Tuk Use | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Full day temple circuit | $15–25 |
| One way city transfer | $3–5 |
| Airport to hotel | $8–12 |
| Included with Apsara show ticket | Free (often bundled) |
Our experience: Our Apsara dance show ticket included tuk tuk pick up and drop from our hotel — a genuinely useful inclusion that saved us the hassle of arranging separate transfers for the evening.
Tip: Always agree on the price before getting in. Most tuk tuk drivers are honest but confirm the rate upfront to avoid misunderstandings.
Food
Siem Reap has something for every budget, from street food stalls to gourmet hotel restaurants.
At our hotel (Embassy Angkor Wat): Both our lunches were at the hotel restaurant — a beautifully presented, lavish gourmet spread at around ₹600 per person per meal. For the quality on offer, this was exceptional value.
Breakfast during the temple tour: We bought breakfast near the temples after the Angkor Wat sunrise — simple, filling food at around ₹300 per person.
Dinner: Included in our Apsara dance show buffet — a very generous spread covering Cambodian and international dishes.
| Meal Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Hotel restaurant (gourmet) | ₹500–700 |
| Local restaurant near Pub Street | ₹300–500 |
| Street food / breakfast stalls near temples | ₹150–300 |
| Apsara dinner buffet (included in show ticket) | Included |
Pub Street is Siem Reap’s main food and nightlife hub — great for people watching and casual dining. Restaurants here range from local Cambodian to international, with most main courses between $5–15.
Find the best hotels in Siem Reap – >
The Apsara Dance Show
This was one of the highlights of our Siem Reap visit and deserves its own line in the budget.
The show runs for 3 hours, includes a very generous dinner buffet and features traditional Apsara dance — a classical Cambodian art form rooted in Hindu mythology that will feel deeply familiar to Indian eyes. The graceful movements, the costumes and the stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata are remarkable to witness in a Cambodian setting.
| Apsara Dance Show | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per adult (approx.) | $30–40 |
| Includes | Dinner buffet + tuk tuk transfer |
| Duration | 3 hours |
Hotel
As covered in our hotel guide, accommodation in Siem Reap ranges widely.
| Hotel Type | Approximate Cost Per Night |
|---|---|
| Budget / guesthouse | $10–25 |
| Mid-range (Saem Siem Reap, etc.) | $30–60 |
| 4-star (Angkor Breeze Hotel & Spa) | $60–120 |
| Luxury (Embassy Angkor Wat, Shinta Mani, Raffles) | $100–300+ |
Complete Budget Estimate — Family of 3, 1 Night + 1 Full Day
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Hotel (1 night, mid-luxury) | ₹8,000–15,000 |
| Angkor Pass x3 ($37 each) | ₹9,200 |
| Tuk tuk full day | ₹1,500–2,500 |
| Breakfast near temples x3 | ₹900 |
| Lunch x3 (hotel restaurant) | ₹1,800 |
| Apsara show x3 (incl. dinner) | ₹7,500–10,000 |
| Miscellaneous / souvenirs | ₹1,000–2,000 |
| Total (excluding flights) | ₹29,900–41,400 |
If you are adding flights from India, expect to add ₹15,000–40,000 per person depending on your routing and how far in advance you book. We flew via Vientiane, Laos, as part of our larger Southeast Asia trip.
Money Saving Tips for Siem Reap
- Buy the right pass: If you are only doing one full day of temples, the $37 one-day pass is correct. Don’t buy a 3-day pass you won’t use.
- Negotiate tuk tuk rates in advance and confirm the price includes waiting time between temples.
- Look for show-inclusive packages: Many Apsara shows bundle the dinner buffet and tuk tuk transfer. This saves you organising separate transport for the evening.
- Drink bottled water — always. Buy in bulk from convenience stores rather than individual bottles at tourist spots.
- Use ATMs in the city centre rather than at the airport, where fees are typically higher.
Siem Reap is one of those places that delivers an extraordinary experience without extraordinary expense. The temples alone are worth the entire trip — and everything around them, from the food to the evening entertainment, is eminently affordable.
Also read: Where to Stay in Siem Reap | 2 Days in Siem Reap — Complete Itinerary | Angkor Wat Sunrise Guide
