Cambodia on budget

--- the ultimate backpacking travel guide ---

Cambodia is a backpackers dream, because it is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia. If you stick to your low cost budget and you bargain like you should do in every country, you won't need to do anything extra for saving money. Sure, the ticket to Angkor Wat is quite expensive and they still higher the price, but you can't do anything about that. In this guide you will find everything you need to know before you travel to Cambodia. We share here the prices for accommodation, food, transport and attractions we paid in 2016.

Average cost per person: 25 USD per day
including accommodation, food, transport, entrance fees, souvenirs
excluding visa and flight tickets

Check also top things to see in Cambodia in our photo journey.

In Cambodia you will use only american dollars, so you don't need to exchange the local currency Cambodian Riel KHR. The exchange rate in 2017 is 1 USD = 4,000 KHR. Most companies oriented to tourism quote their prices in dollars as well as restaurants and supermarkets. You can pay with riel only in small shops or you get them as a change, because they don't use american coins. You get also dollars when you withdraw cash from ATM.

If you get to Cambodia by plane, make sure you save money on flight tickets. Read our tips how to find cheap flights.

The transport is quite cheap. For shorter distances you can take a very cheap public transport or a tuk-tuk. The short ride with tuk-tuk shouldn't cost you more than 2-3 USD. You must bargain. Don't get ripped off and negotiate the price in advance. For longer distances it is best to take a bus. The most destinations will cost you under 10 USD.

Prices per person (2016)

Siem ream - Sihanoukville by bus - 10 USD
Angkor Wat tuk tuk for half day - 9 USD
Renting a motorbike for half day - 4 USD
Sihanoukville - Koh Rong by boat - 6 USD
Sihanoukville - Kampot by bus - 5 USD
Kampot - Phnom Penh by bus - 7 USD

The accommodation in Cambodia is cheap and the standard is quite high comparing to for example Myanmar. We usually stayed in a double room for 8-12 USD per night depending on the location. It means an average 5 USD per person for a night. Don't forget to bargain!

Food in Cambodia is cheap and delicious with lots of choice and fresh sea food. Like in Thailand the street food is the best and the meals can cost you just a dollar or two. You can have a great lunch/dinner with drinks in a cheap restaurant for 4-6 USD per person. If you want to save money, don't go to western restaurants serving european and american cuisines. The prices are tripled there and you didn't travel that far to eat food like at home, right?

The biggest expense is, of course, the ticket to Angkor Wat temples. Otherwise the prices for attractions are quite ok. Try to travel independently if you can and don't book too many organized tours. Go organized just if there is no other option. Give yourself the freedom to explore on your own. It is so much worth it.

Prices per person in 2016.