Cambodia Daily Budget
How much does it cost to travel in Cambodia? Complete breakdown of daily expenses for every travel style, from backpackers to luxury travelers.
What's a realistic daily travel budget for Cambodia?
Cambodia is generally cheaper than Thailand (about 20–30% less for budget travelers) and similar to Vietnam, though attractions like the Angkor Pass ($37–72) add up. Bring US Dollars — widely accepted and dispensed by ATMs (which charge $4–6 per withdrawal); Riel is used for small change (~4,000 KHR = $1). Many local businesses are cash-only, so carry crisp, undamaged USD bills.
- ~20–30% cheaper than Thailand for budget travelers; similar to Vietnam
- Bring USD (crisp bills) — widely accepted; Riel for small change (~4,000 KHR = $1)
- ATMs dispense USD but charge $4–6 per withdrawal; many places are cash-only
- Budget extra for the Angkor Pass ($37 / $62 / $72)
Budget Overview
Cambodia remains one of Southeast Asia's most affordable destinations. Travelers can experience the country comfortably on almost any budget, from backpackers spending $20-30 per day to luxury travelers spending $300+ per day.
The currency situation is unique: US Dollars (USD) are widely used alongside the local Cambodian Riel (KHR). Most transactions over $1 are conducted in dollars, while riel is used for small purchases and as change. This dual-currency system means you don't need to exchange money—just bring clean USD bills.
Price Tip
Daily Budget Breakdown
Daily Costs by Travel Style
| Backpacker | Mid-Range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $5-15 | $25-60 | $80-300+ |
| Food (3 meals) | $5-10 | $15-30 | $40-100 |
| Transport | $3-8 | $10-20 | $30-80 |
| Activities | $5-15 | $20-40 | $50-150 |
| Drinks/Entertainment | $2-10 | $10-25 | $30-80 |
| Daily Total | $20-50 | $80-175 | $230-700+ |
Backpacker Budget ($20-50/day)
Budget travelers can explore Cambodia comfortably for $25-35 per day, or as low as $20 with careful planning. This includes:
- Accommodation: Dorm beds ($3-8) or basic guesthouses ($10-15)
- Food: Street food, local restaurants, markets ($5-10/day)
- Transport: Shared shuttles, local buses, walking ($3-8/day)
- Activities: Free temples, beaches, walking tours ($0-15/day)
Note: The Angkor Pass ($37-72) is a significant expense that will temporarily increase daily costs. Spread this over multiple days when budgeting.
Mid-Range Budget ($80-175/day)
Mid-range travelers enjoy more comfort while still getting excellent value:
- Accommodation: Boutique hotels, nice guesthouses with pool ($30-70)
- Food: Mix of local and tourist restaurants, some upscale dining ($20-40/day)
- Transport: Private tuk-tuks, occasional taxis, domestic flights ($15-30/day)
- Activities: Guided tours, cooking classes, spa treatments ($25-50/day)
Luxury Budget ($200+/day)
Cambodia offers exceptional luxury value compared to neighboring countries:
- Accommodation: 5-star resorts, heritage hotels ($100-400+)
- Food: Fine dining, hotel restaurants, private dining experiences ($50-100+/day)
- Transport: Private car with driver, helicopter tours ($50-200/day)
- Activities: Private temple tours, luxury cruises, exclusive experiences ($100+/day)
Costs by Category
Accommodation
Cambodia offers excellent accommodation value across all categories:
- Dorm beds: $3-8 per night (hostels in major cities)
- Budget guesthouses: $8-15 (basic room, fan or AC)
- Mid-range hotels: $25-60 (AC, pool, breakfast included)
- Boutique hotels: $60-120 (unique character, quality amenities)
- Luxury resorts: $120-400+ (5-star service, premium locations)
Prices vary by city: Siem Reap has the most competition and best value; Phnom Penh is slightly higher; island destinations like Koh Rong are more expensive.
Food & Dining
- Street food: $0.50-2 per dish (noodles, rice dishes, snacks)
- Local restaurants: $2-5 per meal (Khmer cuisine)
- Tourist restaurants: $6-15 per meal (Western and Asian options)
- Mid-range dining: $15-30 per meal (nice atmosphere, quality food)
- Fine dining: $30-60+ per person (tasting menus, premium experience)
- Draft beer: $0.50-1 (happy hour specials common)
- Coffee: $1-3 (local iced coffee to specialty cafes)
- Bottled water: $0.25-0.50 (buy large bottles)
Transport
- Tuk-tuk (short trip): $1-3
- Tuk-tuk (full day temples): $15-25
- Motorbike taxi: $1-2 (short trips)
- Bus (intercity): $5-15 (Phnom Penh to Siem Reap)
- Shared minivan: $10-20 (popular routes)
- Private car with driver: $50-100/day
- Domestic flights: $50-100 one-way
- Bicycle rental: $2-5/day
- Motorbike rental: $8-15/day
Activities & Entertainment
- Angkor Pass (1 day): $37 — full pricing & tips guide
- Angkor Pass (3 day): $62
- Angkor Pass (7 day): $72
- Temple guide: $35-50/day
- Cooking class: $15-35
- Spa/massage: $10-30 (basic to mid-range)
- Boat trip (Tonle Sap): $25-40
- Pub crawl: $15-25
- Museum entrance: $3-10
City Price Comparison
Prices vary across Cambodia's main destinations:
| Phnom Penh | Siem Reap | Sihanoukville | Kampot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Hotel | $15-25 | $10-20 | $15-30 | $8-15 |
| Local Meal | $2-4 | $2-3 | $3-5 | $2-3 |
| Beer (draft) | $0.75 | $0.50 | $1.00 | $0.50 |
| Tuk-tuk (short) | $2-3 | $1-2 | $2-3 | $1-2 |
| Coffee | $1.50-3 | $1-2 | $2-3 | $1-2 |
Generally, Kampot and Battambang are cheapest; Siem Reap offers good value due to tourism competition; Phnom Penh is slightly higher as the capital; islands and beaches are most expensive.
Money-Saving Tips
- Eat local: Street food and local restaurants cost 60-80% less than tourist spots
- Negotiate transport: Always agree on price before getting in tuk-tuks
- Happy hours: Many bars offer 50-cent beers during happy hour
- Book direct: Hotels often offer better rates than booking sites
- Travel slow: Fewer intercity trips means lower transport costs
- Get Angkor multi-day pass: 3-day pass offers better value than single days
- Share tours: Group tours cost less than private
- Carry USD cash: Avoid ATM fees ($4-6 per withdrawal)
- Drink local beer: Angkor and Cambodia beers are cheapest
- Visit during shoulder season: May and October offer lower prices
Scam Alert
Frequently Asked Questions
What Things Cost
Item-by-item prices for food, drink, transport, accommodation and activities:
- Hotel Room pricesA mid-range hotel in Cambodia costs $25–$60 per night. Budget rooms start at $8–$15.
- Hostel Bed pricesA hostel dorm bed in Cambodia costs $3–$8 per night.
- Street Food pricesA plate of street food in Cambodia costs $0.50–$2.00.
- Restaurant Meal pricesA restaurant meal in Cambodia costs $2–$5 at local restaurants and $5–$15 at tourist-oriented spots.
- Coffee pricesAn iced coffee in Cambodia costs $0.50–$1 at street stalls, $2–$4 at cafes.
- Beer pricesA draft beer in Cambodia costs $0.50–$1.50 at most bars and restaurants.
- Cocktail pricesA cocktail in Cambodia costs $2–$4 at local bars and $4–$8 at upscale venues.
- Bottled Water pricesA 1.5L bottle of water costs $0.25–$0.50 in Cambodia.
- Tuk-Tuk Ride pricesA short tuk-tuk ride in Cambodia costs $1–$3. Full-day hire runs $15–$25.
- Taxi pricesA short taxi ride in Cambodia costs $2–$5 via Grab or PassApp.
- Bus Ticket pricesAn intercity bus ticket in Cambodia costs $8–$15 for major routes.
- Domestic Flight pricesA domestic flight in Cambodia costs $60–$120 one-way.
- Private Car Hire pricesA private car with driver costs $40–$80 per day in Cambodia.
- Motorbike Rental pricesMotorbike rental in Cambodia costs $5–$10/day for an automatic scooter.
- Angkor Pass pricesThe Angkor Pass costs $37 for 1 day, $62 for 3 days, or $72 for 7 days.
- Temple Entry Fees pricesAn Angkor Wat 1-day pass costs $37. A 3-day pass costs $62.
- Guided Tour pricesA guided tour in Cambodia costs $15–$50 per person for group tours.
- Cooking Class pricesA Cambodian cooking class costs $15–$35 per person including market tour and meal.
- Massage pricesA 1-hour massage in Cambodia costs $5–$10 at local shops and $15–$30 at hotel spas.
- Daily Costs by City pricesA mid-range traveler spends $50–$100 per day in Cambodia depending on the city.
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