Room Sharing in Siem Reap
Visit Angkor Wat on a budget with Siem Reap room sharing. Tips for Old Market and Wat Bo stays plus temple passes, tuk-tuk prices, and Cambodian food for dollars.
Why Siem Reap?
Siem Reap exists because of Angkor Wat, and Angkor Wat is one of those places that genuinely lives up to the hype. The world's largest religious monument emerges from the jungle at sunrise in a moment that will be seared into your memory forever. But Siem Reap is more than a temple town. The Old Market area buzzes with restaurants and bars, Pub Street delivers cheap beers and backpacker camaraderie, and the surrounding countryside offers floating villages on Tonle Sap lake, cooking classes, and Cambodian circus performances. Accommodation in Siem Reap is absurdly cheap. A proper hotel room with air conditioning, a pool, and breakfast can cost as little as $15-25. This makes room sharing in Siem Reap less about survival and more about upgrading your experience. Instead of a basic $5 hostel dorm near the rowdy Pub Street, split a $20-35 boutique hotel room near the temples and wake up to a pool, a proper breakfast, and quiet mornings before your Angkor sunrise alarm. The cost difference when shared is negligible, but the comfort upgrade is dramatic.
The Accommodation Scene
Siem Reap has an oversupply of accommodation that works heavily in travelers' favor. Hostel dorms on Pub Street run $3-6 per night, while basic guesthouses offer private rooms from $8-15. The real value is in the mid-range: boutique hotels with pools, air conditioning, and breakfast buffets for $20-40 per room. These properties compete fiercely on quality, meaning a $30 hotel in Siem Reap offers amenities that would cost $80-100 in most cities. Room sharing in a $25-35 boutique hotel gives each traveler a $12-18 per night experience that includes pool access, breakfast, and a tranquil base for temple exploring. The best hotels for sharing are along Charles de Gaulle Boulevard and in the Wat Bo area, where properties are newer, quieter than Pub Street, and close to the Angkor ticket office road. Avoid the cheapest Pub Street guesthouses where noise from bars runs until 4 AM.
Best Neighborhoods
Pub Street area
Wat Bo
Sivatha Boulevard
Charles de Gaulle Boulevard
Old Market area
Budget Snapshot: Siem Reap
Getting Around
Tuk-tuks are the primary transport in Siem Reap. Negotiate prices before riding: around town costs $1-3, to the airport $5-7, and a full day of Angkor temples $15-20. Many hotels can arrange a tuk-tuk driver for your entire stay at fixed daily rates. Bicycles can be rented for $2-3 per day and work well for the flat terrain around the temples (though temple distances are long in the heat). E-bikes (electric bicycles) rent for $8-12 per day and are the sweet spot between tuk-tuk cost and cycling effort. Grab operates in Siem Reap for slightly cheaper rides than negotiated tuk-tuks. Walking is fine within the town center, especially between Pub Street, the Old Market, and the river. The Angkor temple complex requires tuk-tuk or bicycle transport.
Best Time to Visit
Siem Reap has a tropical monsoon climate. The dry season from November through April is best, with temperatures of 25-35 degrees Celsius and clear skies perfect for temple photography. December through February is the coolest and most comfortable period. March through May is extremely hot, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees making temple visits exhausting. The wet season from May through October brings daily afternoon downpours, but mornings are usually clear and the temples surrounded by lush green vegetation are arguably more photogenic. Hotel prices drop 20-40% in wet season. For the best combination of weather, price, and crowds, visit in November or February. Peak season runs from mid-December through mid-January.
Safety Tips
Room Sharing Tips for Siem Reap
Local Insider Tips
Share a Boutique Hotel Room and Upgrade Your Angkor Experience
Siem Reap hotels are so cheap that room sharing is about upgrading, not just saving. On RoomMooch, share a boutique hotel room with a pool for less than a hostel dorm elsewhere. Wake up to breakfast, cool off in the pool between temples, and experience Angkor Wat from a comfortable base.
Find Rooms on RoomMoochFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Angkor Wat?
The Angkor Pass costs $37 for 1 day, $62 for 3 days, or $72 for 7 days. The 3-day pass offers the best value, letting you spread visits across a week. Add $15-20 per day for tuk-tuk transport. Most temples are included in the pass. Budget $60-80 total for a thorough 3-day temple exploration.
How many days do I need in Siem Reap?
Three days is the sweet spot: one for the Small Circuit (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm), one for the Grand Circuit and outer temples, and one for Tonle Sap, cooking class, or relaxing by the pool. Two days is a rushed minimum. Four or five days allows for a deeper, more relaxed exploration.
Is Siem Reap cheap for travelers?
Siem Reap is one of the cheapest tourist destinations in the world. Hotel rooms with pools cost $15-35, restaurant meals run $2-5, beers are $0.50-1.50, and tuk-tuks charge $1-3 per ride. A comfortable daily budget is $20-30 with shared accommodation. The only significant expense is the Angkor temple pass.
Should I watch sunrise at Angkor Wat?
Yes, at least once. Arrive by 5:15 AM for a good spot near the reflecting pools. The sun rises behind the temple towers creating an iconic silhouette. Go on your first morning while motivation is high. Note that sunrise is only dramatic on clear days; cloudy mornings still offer a magical atmosphere but less color.
What should I wear to Angkor Wat?
Shoulders and knees must be covered at all temple sites. Lightweight long pants or a long skirt with a t-shirt work well. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are recommended for climbing steep temple stairs. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a scarf for additional sun protection and temple cover-ups.