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

Should you visit Siem Reap or Picton?

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

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

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.

Picton

Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.

The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!

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, Picton or Siem Reap?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Siem Reap is $94, while the average daily cost in Picton is $101. 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 Picton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Siem Reap $51
    Picton $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Siem Reap $102
    Picton $74
Compare Hotels in Siem Reap and Picton

Looking for a hotel in Siem Reap or Picton? 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 Picton


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 Picton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Siem Reap $8.79
    Picton -
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 Picton

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:

  • Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $133
  • Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $120
  • Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $121
  • Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $134

Is it cheaper to fly into Siem Reap or Picton?

Prices for flights to both Picton 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 $28
    Picton $34
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 Picton

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Picton.

  • CRUISE SHIP DAYS - HOP ON HOP OFF - Wine, Beer, Food Tour: $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Siem Reap $30
    Picton $109
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:

  • Kulen National Park Ticket: $19
  • Tours and Tickets to Experience Phnom Kulen National Park: $65
  • Phnom Kulen National Park Tours and Tickets: $65
  • Phnom Kulen Waterfall 1000 Linga National Park Tour: $95
  • Private Tour Kampong Pluk village and boat cruise on Tonle Sap: $99
  • Private Kulen 1000 Shiva Lingas waterfall Private Tour: $103
  • 3 Days Tour(Small Circuit+Grand Circuit & Banteay Srei+Beng Mealea & Koh Ker): $296

Tours and Activities in Picton

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

  • Skip the Line: Dangerous Skies WWII Exhibition - Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $15
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Hinterland Cycling Tour, Havelock: $23
  • Skip the Line:WWI & WWII Combo Exhibitions at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $29
  • Kalapathar Sunrise, Birdwatching and Village Tour: $35
  • Picton Shore Excursion: Queen Charlotte Sounds Cruise: $49
  • Picton Shore Excursion Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise: $51
  • Kayaking Mangrove Adventure at Havelock: $56
  • Queen Charlotte Sound: Lochmara Cruise and Explore Day Trip: $57
  • Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton: $63
  • Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $64
  • Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $66

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Siem Reap $11
    Picton $34

Sample the Local Flavors in Picton

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:

  • Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.: $39
  • Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg : $41
  • Marlborough: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $75
  • Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $77
  • Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $77
  • CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours: $77
  • Marlborough Half Day Wine Tour From Picton: $92
  • Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.: $95
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $95
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $95
  • Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $101
  • Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $101


When comparing the travel costs between Siem Reap and Picton, we can see that Picton is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Siem Reap is in Asia and Picton is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Picton Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Siem Reap or Picton?

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