What services do you need to book for Cambodia?
For most trips to Cambodia you need: accommodation (use Agoda or Booking.com), a travel insurance policy (SafetyWing or World Nomads), an eSIM or local SIM card, and a way to access USD (Wise card recommended). Book tours locally in Siem Reap for best prices. Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to find cheap flights.
- Accommodation: Agoda (best Asia deals) or Booking.com (free cancellation)
- Insurance: SafetyWing ($42/mo) or World Nomads (adventure sports)
- Internet: Airalo eSIM or local Smart SIM ($1-5 for 10-30GB)
- Money: Wise card for ATM withdrawals in USD
- Flights: Skyscanner or Google Flights for route comparison
Overview
This page lists the services and platforms we genuinely recommend for planning a trip to Cambodia. These are not affiliate links or paid partnerships — just honest recommendations based on years of traveling in and writing about Cambodia. We have tested these services ourselves and regularly update this page as the landscape changes.
Cambodia is an increasingly easy country to travel in, but a few smart choices before departure can save you significant money and hassle. The recommendations below are organized by category, with Cambodia-specific tips that you will not find in generic travel guides.
Hotels & Accommodation
Cambodia has accommodation for every budget, from $3/night dorm beds to $500/night luxury resorts. The booking platform you use matters, especially for mid-range properties where prices vary significantly between platforms.
Recommended Booking Platforms
- Agoda — Best for Cambodia and Southeast Asia. Agoda consistently has the lowest prices for Asian hotels because it is owned by Booking Holdings but focuses on the Asian market. Many Cambodia-based hotels list Agoda-exclusive deals. Use the “Secret Deals” feature for extra discounts of 10-30%.
- Booking.com — Best for free cancellation and flexible booking. Larger inventory than Agoda for guesthouses and boutique hotels. The “Genius” loyalty program offers 10-15% discounts once you have a few bookings. Good map-based search for finding accommodation near specific areas.
- Hostelworld — Best for hostels and budget backpacker accommodation. If you are looking for dorm beds or social hostels in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville, Hostelworld has the best selection with verified reviews from fellow backpackers.
Cambodia-specific tip: For guesthouses and small family-run hotels (under $30/night), you often get a better rate by booking directly. Walk in or message them on Facebook — many small properties in Siem Reap and Kampot prefer direct bookings to avoid platform commissions and will offer you a discount of 10-20%.
Accommodation Tips by City
- Phnom Penh: Stay in BKK1 or Riverside for walkability. Tonle Bassac is a quieter upscale alternative. Budget: $8-15/night. Mid-range: $25-60. Luxury: $80-200+.
- Siem Reap: Book near Pub Street for nightlife or closer to the river for a quieter stay. Many boutique hotels offer free airport pickup and pool access at mid-range prices ($30-60).
- Kampot: Riverside guesthouses are the charm of Kampot. Book early for peak season as the best properties are small and fill up fast.
- Koh Rong / Koh Rong Sanloem: Book well in advance for island accommodation, especially bungalows. Options are limited and ferries can strand you without a bed.
Tours & Activities
Cambodia's top experiences — Angkor Wat sunrise, Tonle Sap lake tours, Phnom Penh food walks, Kampot pepper farm visits — can be booked through international platforms or arranged locally. Each approach has its advantages.
Online Booking Platforms
- GetYourGuide — Best curated selection of Cambodia tours. Good quality control and easy cancellation. Particularly strong for Angkor Wat tours with knowledgeable English-speaking guides. Prices are higher than booking locally but include insurance and guaranteed quality.
- Klook — Best for deals and combo packages. Strong in Southeast Asia with competitive pricing. Good for Angkor passes, cooking classes, and transport combos. The app frequently runs flash sales.
- Viator — Largest selection overall. Owned by TripAdvisor, so reviews are extensive. Good for finding niche experiences and small-group tours. Price varies widely between operators.
Save money by booking locally: In Siem Reap, tuk-tuk drivers offer full-day Angkor tours for $15-20 (you pay temple admission separately). Your guesthouse can arrange reliable guides for $25-40/day. In Phnom Penh, local food tour operators on Street 240 and around BKK1 charge 30-50% less than international platforms. The trade-off is less cancellation protection and variable quality.
Must-Book Experiences
- Angkor Wat guided tour: Worth paying for a knowledgeable guide ($30-60/day). The history and symbolism is impossible to appreciate without context.
- Phnom Penh food tour: Walking food tours ($15-30) are the best introduction to Cambodian cuisine. Usually includes 8-10 dishes.
- Tonle Sap floating village: Book through a reputable operator to ensure the community benefits. Avoid the cheapest options as they often exploit communities.
- Kampot pepper farm: Most farms offer free or cheap tours ($5-10). La Plantation and Sothy's are the most popular.
- Cooking classes: Available in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Battambang ($15-30). A highlight for many visitors.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for Cambodia. The country's best hospitals are in Phnom Penh, but serious medical cases often require evacuation to Bangkok. Without insurance, a medical evacuation costs $10,000-25,000+. Good travel insurance costs just $1-4 per day.
| Provider | Price | Coverage | Adventure Sports | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SafetyWing | $42/month | $250,000 medical | Limited (no scuba below 30m) | Digital nomads & long-term travelers |
| World Nomads | $50–120/trip | $100,000–$300,000 | Excellent (150+ activities) | Adventure travelers & backpackers |
| Allianz Travel | $30–90/trip | $50,000–$500,000 | Moderate | Short-term tourists & families |
Important for Cambodia: Make sure your policy covers motorbike accidents — this is the most common cause of tourist injury in Cambodia. Many basic policies exclude motorbike riding unless you have a valid license. World Nomads is one of the few that covers motorbike riding as standard.
eSIM & Internet
Staying connected in Cambodia is easy and cheap. You have two main options: buy an international eSIM before departure for instant connectivity, or pick up a local SIM card at the airport for the cheapest data rates. Cambodia has decent 4G coverage in cities and tourist areas, though rural areas can be spotty.
| Provider | Data Plans | Price | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 1GB–20GB | $4.50–$26 | 7–30 days | Largest eSIM marketplace. Cambodia-specific plans available. Easy app setup. Data-only (no calls). |
| Holafly | Unlimited | $19–$47 | 5–30 days | Unlimited data plans. Slightly slower speeds after heavy usage. No need to worry about data limits. |
| Smart (local SIM) | 6GB–60GB | $1–$10 | 7–30 days | Best coverage nationwide. Cheap data. Available at airport on arrival. Requires passport. Physical SIM. |
| Cellcard (local SIM) | 5GB–50GB | $1–$8 | 7–30 days | Good 4G in cities. Extensive top-up options. Tourist SIM packages at airport. Physical SIM. |
| Metfone (local SIM) | 4GB–40GB | $1–$7 | 7–30 days | Cheapest option. Best rural coverage. Owned by Viettel. Physical SIM available everywhere. |
Our recommendation: If your phone supports eSIM, install Airalo before your flight so you land with data. Then buy a local Smart SIM at the airport ($2-3 for 15-30GB) as your primary data source. Use the eSIM as backup. If your phone does not support eSIM, head straight to the SIM card counters after immigration — setup takes 5 minutes and just requires your passport.
Airport Transfers
Getting from the airport to your hotel is one of the first challenges in Cambodia. Knowing your options and rough prices prevents overcharging and stress after a long flight.
Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH)
- Metered taxi: Official taxis are available at the arrivals exit. Fixed rate of $12-15 to city center. Reliable and air-conditioned.
- PassApp / Grab: Cambodia's ride-hailing apps. $7-10 to city center. Download PassApp before arrival (it is more popular than Grab in Cambodia). Requires mobile data or airport WiFi.
- Hotel pickup: Most mid-range and luxury hotels offer airport transfers for $15-25. Often the easiest option for first-time visitors. Ask when booking.
- Tuk-tuk: Available outside the terminal. $7-9 to city center. Fun but hot and dusty. Negotiate before getting in.
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI)
- Tuk-tuk: The classic Siem Reap transport. $8-10 to town center. Drivers will offer multi-day temple tour packages — negotiate but do not commit immediately.
- Taxi: Air-conditioned cars for $12-15. Better for families or those with heavy luggage.
- Hotel pickup: Many Siem Reap hotels offer free airport pickup, especially boutique hotels. Always ask when booking — this is very common.
- PassApp: Available in Siem Reap. Usually $6-8 to town. Requires data connection.
Avoid scams: Do not accept rides from anyone approaching you inside the terminal before you exit. Use only official taxi stands, ride-hailing apps, or pre-arranged hotel transfers. Always agree on a price before getting into a tuk-tuk. If a driver quotes an unreasonable price, simply walk to the next one.
Money & Banking
Cambodia uses a dual-currency system: US dollars for most transactions and Cambodian riel (KHR) for amounts under $1. Understanding this system and having the right tools saves significant money on fees and exchange rates.
Recommended Money Tools
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) — Best overall for Cambodia. The Wise debit card gives you the real mid-market exchange rate with a small transparent fee. Withdraw USD from Cambodian ATMs. Also excellent for transferring money internationally if you are paying for accommodation or services in advance.
- Revolut — Similar to Wise with free ATM withdrawals up to a monthly limit (varies by plan). Good exchange rates. The app is useful for tracking spending. Free plan has a $200/month free ATM withdrawal limit.
ATM Tips for Cambodia
- Best ATMs: ACLEDA Bank and ABA Bank ATMs are the most reliable and widely available. Both dispense USD. ABA ATMs have lower fees ($4 vs $5 at most others).
- Withdrawal limits: Most ATMs allow $400-500 per transaction. ACLEDA allows up to $1,000.
- Fees: All Cambodian ATMs charge a local fee ($4-5). Use Wise or Revolut to avoid your home bank adding a second fee on top.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion: When the ATM asks if you want to be charged in your home currency, always say NO. Choose to be charged in USD for a better rate.
Cash is king: While Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are increasingly card-friendly (restaurants, hotels, shops), much of Cambodia is still cash-based. Always carry USD in small bills ($1, $5, $10). Crisp, clean bills are preferred — torn, marked, or old-style small-head US bills may be refused. Do not bring $100 bills for everyday spending.
Flights
Finding affordable flights to Cambodia requires flexibility and the right search tools. Cambodia has three international airports: Phnom Penh (PNH), Siem Reap (SAI), and Sihanoukville (KOS), though most international flights arrive through Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
Flight Search Platforms
- Google Flights — Best for route exploration and price tracking. The “Explore” feature shows the cheapest destinations from your origin. Price tracking alerts notify you when fares drop. Clean interface with good filtering.
- Skyscanner — Best for finding the cheapest fares. The “Everywhere” search and flexible date grid help find the absolute lowest prices. Good at surfacing budget airlines that Google Flights sometimes misses.
- Momondo — Good alternative that sometimes finds fares the others miss. Particularly useful for multi-city itineraries through Southeast Asia.
Tips for Cheap Flights to Cambodia
- Hub airports: Bangkok (BKK), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), and Singapore (SIN) are the main gateways. Flying to a hub and connecting is often cheaper than a direct flight.
- Budget airlines: AirAsia, VietJet, and Cambodia Angkor Air offer cheap regional flights. Book directly on their websites for the best prices. Bags are extra.
- Best time to book: Book 6-12 weeks before departure for the best prices. Avoid booking during Khmer New Year (April) and Christmas/New Year when prices spike 50-100%.
- Open-jaw flights: Fly into Siem Reap and out of Phnom Penh (or vice versa) to avoid backtracking. Often costs the same as a round trip to one city.
Domestic flights: Cambodia Angkor Air and several small carriers fly Phnom Penh to Siem Reap ($60-120 one way, 45 minutes). Worth considering if your time is limited, though the bus ($10-15, 6 hours) is the budget choice and passes through interesting countryside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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