Backpacking Cambodia on $30/Day
Before Cambodia, I'd been burning through my travel budget in Thailand and Vietnam. Cambodia was the reset button I needed. In 30 days, I spent a total of about $900 — and I wasn't even trying to be frugal for most of it.
Accommodation was the biggest saving. Dorm beds in clean, social hostels averaged $4-6 per night. In Kampot, I found a riverside guesthouse with a private room for $8. Even in touristy Siem Reap, you can find decent rooms for under $10. The key is booking directly at the hostel rather than through apps — many places offer walk-in discounts.
Street food is where Cambodia really shines for budget travelers. A plate of lok lak (stir-fried beef with rice) costs $1.50-2 at local restaurants. Morning baguettes filled with pâté and pickled vegetables are 50 cents. Fresh fruit shakes are a dollar. I ate like a king for $5-8 per day.
Transport was surprisingly affordable too. Long-distance buses between major cities cost $6-12. In town, tuk-tuks are the standard — $1-2 for short trips, $15-20 for a full day at Angkor. I used Grab in Phnom Penh which was even cheaper.
The Angkor temple pass was my biggest single expense at $62 for three days. But I offset it by packing my own water and snacks (vendors inside charge tourist prices) and joining a small group tour to split the guide cost.
Kampot was the budget traveler's paradise. Cheap accommodation, incredible food, free activities like cycling along the river and swimming at the pepper farms. Sihanoukville was more expensive due to Chinese development, but Otres Beach still had budget options.
My daily breakdown averaged: $5 accommodation, $7 food, $5 transport, $8 activities, $5 misc. Some days I spent $15, others $50 — but it always balanced out. Cambodia proves that incredible travel doesn't require a big budget.
Trip Highlights
- ✦$1.50 lok lak that rivals any restaurant meal
- ✦Finding a $8/night riverside room in Kampot
- ✦Full day at Angkor temples for under $20 including tuk-tuk and lunch
- ✦Spending 30 days in a beautiful country for under $1000
Tips from Jake R.
- 1.Use USD for everything — it's widely accepted and avoids bad exchange rates
- 2.Eat where locals eat — if it's full of Cambodians, the food is good AND cheap
- 3.Negotiate tuk-tuk prices before getting in — agree on a round trip price
- 4.Buy a local SIM card ($2-3) for data — don't rely on hostel WiFi
- 5.Carry small bills — breaking a $50 at a street stall is nearly impossible
- 6.The $62 Angkor 3-day pass is non-negotiable — don't try to sneak in
- 7.Kampot is the best value destination in Cambodia — stay longer than planned
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