Cambodia on a Budget
Cambodia is one of the world's best destinations for budget travelers. A comfortable trip costs $20–30/day, and determined backpackers can manage $10–15/day. Here's exactly how to stretch every dollar without missing the best experiences.
Overview
Cambodia's low costs are its superpower for budget travelers. A filling street food meal costs $1–2, a private guesthouse room $8–15, and a bus between major cities $8–12. Even Angkor Wat—arguably the world's most impressive archaeological site—has a reasonable $37 day pass.
The key to budget travel in Cambodia isn't deprivation—it's knowing where the value is. Street food is often better than restaurants. Guesthouses beat hotels on charm. Local transport gets you there just as well. This guide shows you how.
Daily Budget Breakdown
| Level | Daily | Sleep | Eat | Move | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoestring | $10–15 | Dorm bed ($3–5) | Street food only ($3–5) | Walk + local buses | Very doable in smaller cities. Tight in Siem Reap. |
| Budget | $20–30 | Guesthouse ($8–15) | Street food + local restaurants ($5–8) | Tuk-tuk + buses | Comfortable budget travel. The sweet spot for most. |
| Mid-Range | $40–60 | Boutique hotel ($20–40) | Mix of local + Western ($10–15) | Private tuk-tuk + flights | Very comfortable. AC rooms, good restaurants. |
| Comfort | $80–150 | Nice hotel/resort ($50–100) | Fine dining available ($15–25) | Private car + flights | Luxury by local standards. Exceptional value. |
Cheapest Accommodation by City
| City | Dorm | Private | Budget Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siem Reap | $3–6 | $8–15 | Sok San Road area has the cheapest hostels. Avoid Pub Street—noisy and overpriced. |
| Phnom Penh | $4–7 | $10–20 | BKK3 and Tuol Tom Poung are cheaper than BKK1. Still walkable to everything. |
| Kampot | $3–5 | $7–12 | Riverside guesthouses offer the best value. Some include breakfast. |
| Battambang | $3–5 | $6–10 | Cheapest city for accommodation. Most guesthouses are family-run and friendly. |
| Koh Rong | $5–8 | $12–25 | Islands are pricier. Long Beach bungalows are cheaper than Koh Touch area. |
Eating on $5/Day
- Breakfast ($0.50–1): Baguette with pâté or egg from a street cart. Coffee from a local shop ($0.50)
- Lunch ($1–2): Rice with grilled meat and vegetables from a market stall. Lok lak, amok, or fried rice
- Dinner ($1.50–2.50): Noodle soup or BBQ from a street vendor. Night markets have the best variety
- Snacks ($0.50): Fresh fruit ($0.25–0.50), num pang (Cambodian sandwich, $0.50–1)
- Water ($0.25): 1.5L bottle from any shop
Budget Food Strategy
Rule of thumb: If the restaurant has an English menu, it costs 2–3x more than the place next door with a Khmer sign. Street stalls and market vendors offer the best value and often the best food. Follow the locals.
Cheap Transport
- Walking: Cambodian cities are compact. Siem Reap's center is easily walkable. Phnom Penh's BKK area covers most tourist needs on foot
- Grab: $1–2 for short trips in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Cheaper and safer than negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers
- Buses: Giant Ibis: Phnom Penh → Siem Reap $15, Phnom Penh → Kampot $8–10, Phnom Penh → Sihanoukville $12–14
- Shared minivans: $5–8 between cities. Cheaper but less comfortable. Book at bus stations, not through hotels
- Bicycle rental: $1–2/day in Siem Reap (great for nearby temples), $1/day in Kampot and Battambang
Free Activities
Requires Angkor pass ($37/day), but sunrise itself is free with your pass
Sisowath Quay at sunset—stunning views, street food, people-watching
Art Deco architecture, free to wander. Morning light through the dome is magical
Beautiful beach, no entrance fee. Bring your own water and snacks
Free street performances near the main venue. The paid show ($18) is worth it too
Walk along the river, watch the sun set behind Bokor Mountain
Active Buddhist temples are free to visit. Dress modestly, remove shoes
Free to browse. Street food from $0.50. Great people-watching
Cheapest Cities to Visit
- Battambang — Cambodia's cheapest tourist city. $6 guesthouses, $1 meals, $2 bamboo train ride
- Kampot — Almost as cheap as Battambang with better food and a beautiful river setting
- Kratie — Off the beaten path. Extremely cheap. Irrawaddy dolphin watching is the highlight
- Phnom Penh — Mid-range but great street food value and free cultural sites
- Siem Reap — The Angkor pass adds cost, but accommodation and food are very cheap
Money-Saving Tips
- Visit in rainy season (May–Oct): 30–50% lower prices on accommodation. Fewer tourists. Mornings are usually dry
- Book buses directly: Giant Ibis website is cheaper than hotel bookings. Avoid middlemen
- Use ATMs wisely: Withdraw maximum amounts ($400–500) to minimize the $4–5 per-transaction fee
- Drink local beer: Angkor and Cambodia Beer cost $0.50–1. Imported beer costs $2–3
- Cook occasionally: Some hostels have kitchens. Market ingredients are extremely cheap
- 3-day Angkor pass: The 3-day pass ($62) is better value per day than the 1-day ($37)
- Share tuk-tuks: Split a day-hire tuk-tuk with hostel mates. $15–20 split 2–4 ways is excellent value
$15/Day Sample Itinerary (14 Days)
- Days 1–4: Siem Reap — Dorm ($4), street food ($4), 3-day Angkor pass ($21/day amortized = $7). Total: ~$15/day
- Days 5–6: Battambang — Bus from SR ($5 one-time), guesthouse ($6), food ($3), bamboo train ($2). Total: ~$11/day
- Days 7–8: Phnom Penh — Bus ($8 one-time), dorm ($5), food ($4), walking tours ($0). Total: ~$13/day
- Days 9–11: Kampot — Bus ($8 one-time), guesthouse ($7), food ($4), cycling ($1). Total: ~$14/day
- Days 12–14: Koh Rong — Ferry ($10 one-time), dorm ($6), food ($5), beach ($0). Total: ~$17/day
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