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.
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
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