Open Travel Guide
Budget travel in Cambodia

Cambodia Travel Budget 2026

Daily costs in Cambodia from backpacker to comfort level, built from current prices rather than guesses.

Cambodia captivates visitors with the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex, French colonial architecture, and pristine tropical beaches. From the bustling capital of Phnom Penh to the serene countryside, Cambodia offers an unforgettable blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality.

Local currency: Cambodian Riel (KHR) and US Dollar (USD).

Daily budget by traveller style

Typical per-person daily spend in Cambodia.

Backpacker $30-50
Mid-range $50-100
Luxury $200-400+
Family of 4 $200-400

Cost breakdown

Typical price ranges across major spending categories.

Accommodation

Hostel
$7-15
Budget
$25-45
Midrange
$70-130
Luxury
$200+

Food

Street
$1-3
Local
$4-8
Midrange
$12-25
Fine
$50+

Transport

Bus
$0.25-1
Tuk Tuk
$2-5
Airport
$8-35
Daytrip
$15-25

Activities

Museum
$3-12
Sites
$37 (Angkor Pass)
Tour
$25-50
Excursion
$60-120

Trip budgets by length

What a typical trip to Cambodia costs end-to-end.

Budget

Budget traveller

$140-245/week

Midrange

Midrange traveller

$350-700/week

Luxury

Luxury traveller

$1400-2800+/week

Money-saving tips

Practical ways to stretch your budget further.

Save

Buy a 3-day Angkor Pass ($62) rather than consecutive 1-day passes ($37 each) if visiting more than two days

Save

Eat where Cambodians eat — rice and curry plates at local restaurants cost $2-4 vs $8-15 at tourist restaurants

Save

Use Grab or PassApp apps for tuk-tuks and taxis to get fixed prices and avoid overcharging

Save

Travel by Giant Ibis or Mekong Express buses between cities — comfortable and far cheaper than private taxis

Save

Visit in low season (May-October) when accommodation prices drop 30-50% and crowds thin dramatically

Free things to do

Memorable experiences that cost nothing.

Free

Royal Palace Grounds

Walk the beautiful riverside gardens and riverfront promenade along Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh. The Tonlé Sap River view at sunset is spectacular.

Free

Wat Phnom Temple

Phnom Penh's founding hilltop temple is free to approach and the surrounding park is popular with locals. Small entry fee to reach the hilltop.

Free

Phnom Penh Riverfront

Stroll the Sisowath Quay riverside promenade at any hour — free public space with views of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap junction.

Free

Siem Reap Old Market Browse

Explore the atmospheric covered Old Market (Psar Chas) with no obligation to buy — the sights, smells, and local color are free.

Free

Pub Street Evening Stroll

Walk Siem Reap's famous neon-lit Pub Street and Night Market area in the evening — the atmosphere and people watching are free.

Free

Bamboo Train Countryside Cycle

Rent a bicycle ($2-3/day) and cycle through Battambang's rice paddies and villages independently — no guide needed on flat rural roads.

Free

Angkor Outer Temple Views

Some minor outer temples in the Angkor area can be viewed from outside the park boundary for free — viewable from the access road.

Free

Mekong Islands at Kampong Cham

A short ferry ride ($0.50) reaches the Mekong River islands with free cycling paths, rural villages, and bamboo bridge crossing.

Free

Kampot Riverside Evening

Kampot's riverfront is beautiful at sunset — free walking along the river promenade past French colonial buildings and fishing boats.

Free

Buddhist Temple Morning Visit

Local pagodas across Cambodia welcome respectful visitors for free outside of major festivals. Morning prayers from 5-7AM are an authentic cultural experience.

Hidden costs to watch for

Charges that catch travellers by surprise.

Heads up

Angkor Pass ($37-72) is the largest single expense — budget this in advance

Heads up

Island ferry transfers ($25-35 each way) add up for coastal travel

Heads up

Tourist visas on arrival cost $30 for 30 days — get an e-visa online beforehand at the same price to avoid queues

Heads up

Overstaying a visa incurs $10/day fine payable at the airport

Heads up

SIM card and data plan $5-15 for a month of decent data coverage