# Cambodia

> 2 cities in Cambodia (Asia) with cost-of-living, internet and suitability scores for budget travelers and digital nomads. Costs in USD/day; scores and safety on a 0-10 scale.

## Is Cambodia Expensive?

Is Cambodia expensive? No. For a typical backpacker, the country costs about $20 per day, or $600 per month, while digital nomads budget around $40 per day ($1,200 per month). For those who want luxury, expect to spend $200 a day. These low figures hinge on Cambodia's modest local wages and a well-worn tourism infrastructure that keeps guesthouse rooms at $5-10 and street meals at $1-2. The main costs that can spike are imported western goods, cold beer in tourist bars, and air-conditioned taxis; even then, you'd have to try hard to exceed $20 a day if you eat where locals eat.

What pushes the price up is tourism demand in peak season, particularly around Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and the riverside in Phnom Penh. During December and January, guesthouses often double their rates, though still affordable relative to neighboring Thailand. Flights into Phnom Penh are reasonably priced from major Asian hubs, but domestically the airport taxes are included in ticket prices. The Cambodian riel runs alongside the US dollar, and dollars are accepted everywhere, which eliminates exchange-rate worry for US visitors, though other currencies get hit with conversion charges. Overall, Cambodia remains one of the cheapest travel destinations in the region.

## How Much Does It Cost to Travel in Cambodia?

On this site, both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap show the same $20-per-day backpacker average, so the cheapest and the most expensive destination both happen to be Phnom Penh. That's a data quirk rather than a real price gap. In practice, Siem Reap's Old Market area and the tourist strip near Pub Street can run a few dollars higher for a fan room and a beer, especially during high season from November to February. Phnom Penh's backpacker district, around 2 51st Street, has guesthouse beds for $4-6 and $1 noodle soups, making it marginally cheaper.

For a realistic daily budget, a budget traveller should plan on $20-25 per day if you stick to hostels, street food and occasional bus tickets. A mid-range traveller spending $40-60 a day gets a private room in a mid-class guesthouse, restaurant meals and a few cocktails. If you want comfort — air-conditioning, a pool, and sit-down restaurants nightly — expect to pay around $100-200 per day, roughly matching the site's luxury figure of $200. The gap between the two cities is minimal, so your choice should be about itineraries, not budgets.

## Best Time to Visit Cambodia

The cheapest months to travel Cambodia are June through September, when the wet monsoon keeps room rates low. But the real value window is the shoulder season of March-May and October. In March and April, the weather is brutally hot and dry, yet accommodation prices drop by 30-50% compared with the December peak. October sees the end of the rains, lush countryside and the start of the Angkor Wat pass-discount period.

The high season runs from November through February, with December and January the most expensive because of European and Australian holidays, plus the cool dry weather. Khmer New Year in mid-April spikes room prices for a week, and during the water festival in November in Phnom Penh, hotels near the river sell out quickly. If you're flexible, aim for March or October, when you get decent weather without the peak-season surcharge. Note that the Angkor Wat temple complex gets especially crowded in December with sunrise tours, and guide prices rise accordingly. A bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap stays under $15 even in peak months, but flights can double to $120 during the Christmas-New Year window.

## Getting Around Cambodia

To move between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the most common choices are a 6-7 hour bus ride or a 50-minute flight. Buses cost $10-15 one-way and run frequent departures; Giant Ibis and Mekong Express are the most reliable operators. Flights cost $80-120 one-way if booked in advance, and are worth it if your time is tight.

Within the cities, tuk-tuks are the standard, with short rides starting around $1-2; agree on the price before you get in. For the Angkor temple circuit, you'll hire a tuk-tuk for the day, typically $15-20, or rent a bicycle for $2-3. The domestic train network is limited, but there is a day train between Phnom Penh and Kampot that is scenic and cheap. There's no practical ferry between the two main cities, and while a private car costs $50-60, it's not worth the price for most. You can also hire a motorbike for $10-15 per day in either city, though Phnom Penh's traffic is not for the faint-hearted.

## Visas, Money and Entry Rules for Cambodia

Most nationalities get a 30-day tourist e-visa or visa-on-arrival for $30-36; check the latest rules as they can change. The US dollar is the de facto currency; the Cambodian riel is used for small change. Cards are accepted in mid-range hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is king at markets and for transport. ATMs give dollars if you ask, but fees and withdrawal limits can be steep, so carry some cash from home or a low-fee travel card.

Tipping isn't expected but is appreciated: rounding up a fare or leaving a dollar at a restaurant is standard. One trap: many ATMs dispense riel by default, and the exchange rate is poor, so always request US dollars. Entry requirements include a passport valid for six months and an e-visa printed in advance if you choose that route. Overland borders from Thailand and Vietnam are straightforward, and Cambodia doesn't require proof of onward travel for standard tourist visits, though airlines may occasionally ask.

## Cities

| City | Backpacker | Nomad | Luxury | Nomad score | Safety | Pages |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Phnom Penh | $20 | $40 | $200 | 7.2 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/cambodia/phnom-penh) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/cambodia/phnom-penh.md) |
| Siem Reap | $20 | $40 | $200 | 7 | 8 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/cambodia/siem-reap) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/cambodia/siem-reap.md) |

## Links

- [Cambodia page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/cambodia)
- [All destinations](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/destinations)