Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Siem Reap
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $30-88 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Siem Reap
Accommodation
$8-25 per night
Dorm beds in hostels, basic guesthouses, fan rooms with shared bathrooms
Food & Dining
$5-15 per day
Street food stalls, local markets, basic Khmer restaurants, self-prepared meals
Transportation
$2-8 per day
Bicycle rentals, walking, local buses, shared tuk-tuks
Activities
$15-40 per day
Angkor temple passes, free walking tours, local markets, temple hopping by bike
Currency: USD US Dollar (widely accepted) and KHR Cambodian Riel
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Siem Reap
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local markets and street stalls instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)
Rent a bicycle for temple touring instead of hiring tuk-tuks (saves $15-25 per day)
Buy multi-day Angkor passes for better per-day value (20-30% savings over single-day passes)
Stay in accommodations outside the main tourist zones (typically 30-50% cheaper)
Travel during low season months for significant accommodation discounts (40-60% savings)
Book direct with guesthouses instead of through booking platforms (often 10-20% cheaper)
Share tuk-tuk rides with other travelers when possible (50% cost reduction per person)
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Only eating in tourist-focused restaurants near major attractions (typically 100-200% markup over local prices)
Taking private tuk-tuks for every journey instead of walking or cycling short distances (3-5x more expensive)
Booking accommodation last-minute during peak season (often 50-100% higher rates)
Not negotiating tuk-tuk fares in advance (can result in 200-300% overcharging)