Travel advice for Cambodia
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Cambodia
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Cambodia is a small country by Asian standards, but you’ll still need at least a month to really see everything it has to offer. The rapidly improving road network means that it has never been easier to explore, making many formerly remote destinations much more accessible. Obviously, not everyone can afford to spend a month exploring, so we've done our best to put together Cambodia itineraries that will allow you to see the country in a shorter time, but without sacrificing the experience.
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To fully experience the richness of Cambodia, it is important to have a well-structured itinerary to suit the duration of your trip. Here's an overview of Cambodia itineraries to help inspire your adventure:
Align your trip with Cambodia's diverse offerings for a rich travelling experience tailored to your interests and the unique character of the different regions and seasons.
The 7-day itinerary offers the perfect blend of historical exploration, cultural immersion and natural beauty, allowing you to see highlights of Cambodia's rich heritage and breathtaking scenery without rushing.
Experience the best of Cambodia with a 10-day itinerary that takes you beyond the usual tourist destinations, offering a combination of adventure, relaxation and cultural immersion.
Explore Cambodia in great detail with a 14-day itinerary that passes through historic sites, unspoilt natural landscapes and vibrant urban areas, providing a comprehensive introduction to Cambodia's diverse offerings.
Day 1 - Arrival in Phnom Penh: Arrive in Phnom Penh, check into your hotel and spend your first day relaxing or exploring the surrounding streets.
Day 2 - Phnom Penh City Tour: Explore the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum to learn about Khmer culture and history.
Day 3 - Phnom Penh History tour: Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeng Ek Killing Fields to understand Cambodia's recent turbulent history.
Day 4 - Travelling to Kratie: Depart for Kratie, a small town on the banks of the Mekong. Enjoy a sunset cruise to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins.
Day 5 - Kratie - Mondulkiri: Depart for Mondulkiri, known for its rolling hills and ethnic minority villages. Settle in an eco-lodge and get ready for the next day's adventure.
Day 6 - Elephant Encounter in Mondulkiri: Spend the day at an elephant sanctuary where you can interact with these majestic creatures and learn about their conservation.
Day 7 - Explore the nature of Mondulkiri:
Hike through the lush jungle and visit local waterfalls such as Bu Sraa. Learn about the indigenous culture of the area.
Day 8 - Journey to Siem Reap: Transfer to the bus to Siem Reap. Spend the evening at your leisure, perhaps exploring the lively night markets.
Day 9 - Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom: Visit the iconic temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. Don't miss the sunset with Phnom Bakheng.
Day 10 - More temples and craftsmen: Explore the temples of Ta Prohm and Preah Khan. In the afternoon, visit Artisans Angkor to see silk making and traditional handicrafts.
Day 11 - Siem Reap - Battambang: Depart for Battambang. Upon arrival, take a tuk-tuk tour of the city's colonial architecture and visit the local market.
Day 12 - Bat caves and countryside in Battambang: Cycle through the countryside and visit Phnom Sampov Bat Caves to see thousands of bats at dusk.
Day 13 - Travelling back to Phnom Penh: Return to Phnom Penh. Spend your last full day shopping at the Central Market and exploring all the sights you missed.
Day 14 - Depart Phnom Penh: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take care of last-minute errands before heading to the airport for your departure.
Planning your Cambodia travel itinerary involves a few key steps that will ensure you have an unforgettable experience. Firstly, decide on the length of your trip: Cambodia offers a wealth of experiences whether you have a week or a fortnight. Think about what interests you most: exploring ancient temples, vibrant city life, relaxing on the beaches or immersing yourself in the dense jungle.
Choose regions according to these interests. For short trips, focus on one or two regions; for longer trips, combine places such as the majestic temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, the bustling city life of Phnom Penh, the serene beaches of Sihanoukville or the tranquil town of Kampot.
Weather conditions are also crucial as they can have a significant impact on your holiday (more on this later). The rainy season from May to October has lush landscapes and few tourists, while the dry season from November to April is ideal for temple tours and beach visits.
Also, book your accommodation and transport in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, for a better experience. Cambodia's developing infrastructure, including buses, domestic flights and private transfers, makes travelling between different regions increasingly accessible.
The number of days you'll need in Cambodia depends largely on your interests, the pace of your trip, and the regions you want to explore. Here's a general guide to help you decide:
Travelling around Cambodia is becoming increasingly convenient with a variety of travel options to suit different preferences and budgets:
The best time to visit Cambodia depends largely on your interests, particularly whether you prefer to explore the country during the cool dry season or the rainy season.
The Cambodian capital, is an attractive riverside city of broad boulevards and numerous sights. Until relatively recently rather shabby and run-down owing to the long years of war and four years of Khmer Rouge abandonment, the future now looks bright, with new shopping centres, luxury residence complexes, enormous hotels, and fine-dining restaurants opening often. Most of the important attractions for the tourist are located beside or within walking distance of the Phnom Penh riverside, and this area also contains many of the best restaurants and cafés.
There are many interesting places within easy reach of Phnom Penh. Make a day-trip to see fine examples of classical Khmer temple architecture or gain an introduction to the Cambodian countryside.
Although the most important classical Khmer antiquities are either clustered at Angkor or scattered around the still relatively inaccessible fringes of the country, there are worthwhile historical sites within a short driving distance of Phnom Penh at Tonlé Bati and Angkor Borei to the south of the city, and at Udong, a former capital, to the north.
The inland towns of Siem Reap and Battambang are strikingly different from one other, but both have a lot to offer. Once a minor market centre, Siem Reap’s proximity to the great temples at Angkor has transformed it into a boom town, replete with tourist facilities. In contrast, Battambang remains a working Cambodian city, with relatively quiet streets, fine French colonial architecture, little-visited Angkor-era temples and an emerging arts scene. It is possible to travel between the two towns by boat across Tonlé Sap lake in rainy season.
This ancient capital of the Khmer kingdom is the cultural and spiritual heart of Cambodia. Although monumental in scale, it offers intimate glimpses into lives lived in a distant past.
Angkor is one of the wonders of the world. Perhaps nowhere else on earth, except in the Valley of the Nile in Egypt, are the relics of antiquity found in such overwhelming grandeur. Dating from the golden years of the Khmer civilisation between around AD 800 and 1300, Angkor is a unique repository of incredible craftsmanship on a staggering scale. The sense of a mysterious “lost world” is heightened by the jungle setting, with some of the temples (notably Ta Prohm and Preah Khan) surrounded by writhing roots, lianas and giant forest trees.
The temple of Preah Vihear is one of the most impressive Khmer historical sites, perched on an elevated promontory and offering sweeping views into neighbouring Thailand
Set high on a cliff on the edge of the Dangrek Mountains overlooking Cambodia, Preah Vihear (known to the Thais as Khao Phra Viharn) is remarkable both for its interesting Khmer architecture and for its stunning location. Long claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia, the temple complex was finally awarded to the latter by the World Court in 1963, though the question of ownership still rankles with many Thais.
This has led to periodic military skirmishes, resulting in the occasional temporary closure of the site to visitors. The most recent flare-up was in 2013, after which the International Court of Justice ruled that the area on the east and west of the temple belongs to Cambodia. Thailand was ordered to withdraw all military personal, but provisions were made to allow easier access to the area from across the border – a compromise which appears, for the time being, to have greatly eased tensions. The temple is open for visitors once more, though it pays to check the current situation.
A visa is required for most travellers planning to visit Cambodia. ASEAN nationals can enter Cambodia without a visa for up to 30 days, but travellers from many other countries, including the US, UK, EU and Australia, need to obtain a visa.
Cambodia offers several convenient options for obtaining a tourist visa: you can apply for an e-visa online before travelling, or obtain a visa on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports and major land borders.
A tourist visa is valid for single entry and allows you to stay in the country for 30 days, which can be extended for a further 30 days through local immigration offices.
To enter Cambodia, you will need a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Along with your visa or visa approval letter, you will also need to have proof of onward travel, such as a return ticket or an itinerary showing further plans.
In some cases you may be asked to provide proof of sufficient funds for accommodation and details of where you are staying.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is best to consult the official website of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation or contact your nearest Cambodian embassy or consulate before travelling.
You can find even more useful information in our Cambodia travel tips.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Cambodia
written by
Olga Sitnitsa
updated 22.05.2024
Online editor at Rough Guides, specialising in travel content. Passionate about creating compelling stories and inspiring others to explore the world.