Asia
Cambodia
Sunrise at Angkor Wat, riverside towns and quiet islands off the south coast.
Most people come for the temples of Angkor, and they are worth several days. But Cambodia is more than Siem Reap: cycle the countryside around Battambang, learn the country’s hard recent history in Phnom Penh, and slow down in the riverside town of Kampot.
It is cheap and easy to travel. US dollars are used alongside the riel, tuk-tuks wait on every corner, and the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem have beach bungalows at hostel prices.
Good to know
- Time zone
- GMT+7
- Plugs
- Types A, C and G, 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 117 police, 119 ambulance, 118 fire
- Tap water
- Drink bottled or filtered
- Traffic drives on the
- Right
- Tipping
- Not expected, but a dollar or two for a tuk-tuk driver who has spent the day with you at Angkor goes a long way.
- SIM cards
- Smart and Cellcard tourist SIMs with plenty of data cost $5–10 at the airport; bring your passport to register.
When to go to Cambodia
Best months to go: November to February. Pick a month to see what it’s like.
Bars show rainfall; numbers are the average daytime high. Amber marks the best months to go.
September
Heavy rain. The moats and ponds around Angkor are full and lush.
- Daytime high
- 32°C
- Rainfall
- 250 mm
- Crowds
- Quiet
| Month | Daytime high | Rainfall | Crowds | Best time to go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C | 10 mm | Peak season | Yes |
| February | 33°C | 10 mm | Busy | Yes |
| March | 34°C | 40 mm | Busy | No |
| April | 35°C | 80 mm | Busy | No |
| May | 34°C | 150 mm | Quiet | No |
| June | 33°C | 150 mm | Quiet | No |
| July | 32°C | 170 mm | Quiet | No |
| August | 32°C | 180 mm | Quiet | No |
| September | 32°C | 250 mm | Quiet | No |
| October | 31°C | 250 mm | Quiet | No |
| November | 31°C | 110 mm | Busy | Yes |
| December | 30°C | 30 mm | Peak season | Yes |
What Cambodia costs
Work out a budget for your trip, then check what everyday things cost.
$406for 14 days, about $29 a day (៛1,640,000 in total)
| Cost | Per day | For the trip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | $7 | $98 | |
| Food and drink | $8 | $112 | |
| Getting around | $5 | $70 | |
| Things to do | $6 | $84 | |
| Everything else | $3 | $42 |
Per person, in US dollars. Flights and insurance not included.
What things cost
- Plate of fried rice or noodles៛8,000, about $1.98
- Draught beer at happy hour៛2,000, about $0.49
- Iced coffee with condensed milk៛6,000, about $1.48
- Hostel dorm bed៛24,000, about $5.93
- Tuk-tuk across town៛8,000, about $1.98
- Angkor one-day pass ($37)៛150,000, about $37
- Bus, Phnom Penh to Siem Reap៛50,000, about $12
Routes through Cambodia
Where to go and how long to stay, for the time you’ve got.
14 nights, 5 stops
The temples, the capital and the south coast, finishing on an island.
Siem Reap
4 nights
Three days at Angkor on a bike or by tuk-tuk, and Pub Street at night.
Battambang
2 nights
The bamboo train, countryside bike rides and the bat caves at dusk.
Phnom Penh
3 nights
The Royal Palace, riverside bars and the Tuol Sleng museum.
Kampot
2 nights
Paddle the river at sunset and ride up Bokor Mountain.
Koh Rong Samloem
3 nights
White sand, jungle walks and glowing plankton at night.
Getting around
Bus
$8–15 for a long trip
Giant Ibis and other operators link Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and the coast. Night buses save a bed.
Minibus
$8–12 for a long trip
Faster than the big buses but more cramped. Common for Kampot and Kratie.
Tuk-tuk
$2–5 for a short ride
PassApp and Grab give fixed fares. Hire a driver for about $20 a day at Angkor.
Ferry
$15–25 return
Speedboats run from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem several times a day.
Motorbike
$5–10 a day to hire
Handy in Kampot and Mondulkiri. Roads are rough, so only ride if you are experienced and licensed.
What to eat and drink
Fish amok
Fish steamed in coconut curry inside a banana leaf. The national dish.
៛16,000, about $3.95
Lok lak
Stir-fried beef with a lime and Kampot pepper dipping sauce.
៛16,000, about $3.95
Bai sach chrouk
Grilled pork and broken rice with pickles. The classic street breakfast.
៛8,000, about $1.98
Nom banh chok
Rice noodles with a green fish curry and fresh herbs, sold in the morning.
៛6,000, about $1.48
Kampot pepper crab
Crab stir-fried with fresh green peppercorns, best in Kep.
៛40,000, about $9.88
Tuk kalok
Fruit shakes blended with ice and condensed milk.
៛6,000, about $1.48
Say it like a local
A few words go a long way. Tap “Hear it” to listen, where your browser can.
Hello
ជំរាបសួរ
Say it like: chum-reap suor
Thank you
អរគុណ
Say it like: aw-kohn
How much?
ថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន?
Say it like: tlai pohn-mahn
Too expensive
ថ្លៃពេក
Say it like: tlai pek
Not spicy, please
កុំហឹរ
Say it like: kom heu
Delicious
ឆ្ងាញ់
Say it like: chnganh
No problem
អត់អីទេ
Say it like: awt ei tay
Cheers!
ជល់មួយ!
Say it like: chul muoy
Questions travellers ask
Should I pay in dollars or riel?
Both work. Prices for tourists are usually in US dollars, and change under a dollar comes back in riel. Bring clean, untorn dollar notes, as damaged ones are often refused.
How long do I need at Angkor?
The three-day pass ($62) is the sweet spot. Use it on any three days within a week, and start before dawn to beat the heat and the crowds.
What should I wear to the temples?
Cover your shoulders and knees, or you will be turned away from the upper level of Angkor Wat and some other temples.
Is it safe?
Generally yes. Bag snatching from passing motorbikes happens in Phnom Penh, so keep your phone away from the road side and bags on your lap in tuk-tuks.
Can I cross overland from Thailand or Vietnam?
Yes. Poipet, Bavet and the Mekong crossing to Chau Doc are the common routes. Get your visa online first to avoid border touts.