Cambodia is one of the more affordable countries in Southeast Asia, but a useful budget separates daily comfort from the larger items worth planning for separately: your Angkor Pass, long transfers, guides and the extra night that protects a flight. Use the ranges below as a planning starting point, then check real prices for your dates.
Figures are per person in US dollars, sharing a room where relevant, and were checked on 21 September 2026. Prices vary by season, city and exchange rate, and festival dates and the November–February high season push room rates up.
Estimate your trip
Choose your trip and see a planning range based on the prices on this page. It is an estimate, not a quote, and it leaves out international flights and insurance.
These figures are planning estimates based on the prices on this page, checked on 21 September 2026. Real prices vary by season, place and exchange rate, and we make no promise that they are complete or current. Check prices for your own dates before you book or budget.
Daily budgets by travel style
| Shoestring | Mid-range | Comfortable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you sleep | Dorm or simple fan room, US$5–15 | Air-conditioned guesthouse or 3-star hotel, US$25–60 per room | Boutique hotel or resort, US$100+ per room |
| How you eat | Markets and street food, US$6–10 | Local restaurants plus some cafés, US$15–25 | Contemporary Khmer and hotel dining, US$40+ |
| Getting around town | Walking, shared tuk-tuks, app rides, US$2–5 | App rides and a hired tuk-tuk, US$5–15 | Private car and driver, US$30+ |
| Typical day | US$20–35 | US$45–90 | US$120+ |
Prices last checked: 21 September 2026. Daily totals exclude the Angkor Pass, flights and long-distance transport, which are listed separately below.
What things cost
Food and drink
Everyday prices
- Noodle soup or rice and pork breakfast: US$1–2.50
- Meal in a local restaurant: US$3–6
- Iced coffee or fruit shake: US$1–2.50
- Local draught beer: US$0.75–2
- Large bottle of water: under US$1
Getting around
Town and intercity
- Short app-booked tuk-tuk (PassApp or Grab): US$1–3
- Tuk-tuk for a day at Angkor: US$20–30
- Bus Phnom Penh–Siem Reap: US$10–15
- Bus Phnom Penh–Kampot: US$6–10
- Ferry to Koh Rong, return: about US$20–25
Tickets and essentials
Plan these separately
- Tourist visa: US$30 on arrival (the online e-visa adds a processing fee; see the official e-Visa portal)
- Angkor Pass: US$37 / 62 / 72 for 1 / 3 / 7 days, supporting conservation of the site
- Museums and palaces: typically a few dollars to about US$10, paid at the entrance
- Tourist SIM with data: US$5–10
- Licensed temple guide: from about US$35–50 a day
For more detail, see the visa and entry guide, the Angkor Wat guide for passes, and SIM cards and internet.
Three sample budgets
7 days · shoestring
About US$250–350
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap by bus, hostel dorms or fan rooms, local food, a 1-day Angkor Pass and shared transport to the temples.
10 days · mid-range
About US$700–1,100
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Kampot, air-conditioned rooms, a 3-day Angkor Pass, a tuk-tuk driver at Angkor and a mix of local and café meals.
14 days · comfortable
About US$2,000+
Boutique hotels, a guided Angkor visit, private transfers, an island or coastal stay and dining out most evenings.
These exclude international flights and insurance. They follow the routes in the 7–10 day itinerary and two weeks in Cambodia.
Costs people forget
Airport transfersBoth main airports are well outside the city centers. Budget for the official taxi or shuttle, and check your arrival time.
Card and cash-machine feesLocal ATMs usually charge a fee per withdrawal on top of your own bank’s charges, and card payments can carry a surcharge.
Guides, tips and small extrasTipping is not compulsory but is appreciated for guides and drivers. Laundry, drinking water and sunscreen add up over a long trip.
Islands and remote areasEverything costs more to supply, and payment options can be limited. Carry enough cash before you go.
The buffer nightAn extra night near your departure airport protects an international flight from a delayed bus or boat.
Paying: dollars, riel and QR
US dollars are used for most prices above a few dollars, and Cambodian riel is used for small change (around 4,000 riel to the dollar, though check the current rate). Bring clean, untorn dollar notes, since damaged notes are often refused. Cards are accepted in many hotels and restaurants, and QR payments through the national KHQR system are everywhere locally. Carry a second payment method separately and never rely on a single cash machine. See money and payments for more.
Ways to save without missing out
- Eat breakfast and lunch where local people eat, and spend more on one or two dinners.
- Use app-booked rides in cities to avoid negotiating every fare.
- Choose the 3-day Angkor Pass rather than two 1-day passes. It costs less per day and lets you see the temples at an unhurried pace.
- Travel in the green season (about June to October) for lower room rates and fewer crowds.
- Stay longer in fewer places. Every move costs transport, time and often a more expensive first night.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cambodia expensive to visit?
No. Most travelers spend less per day than in Thailand or Vietnam. Plan separately for private transport and your Angkor Pass, which directly supports the temples you are visiting.
Why does the Angkor Pass cost more than other tickets?
Angkor is a World Heritage Site covering hundreds of temples, and the pass pays for their protection. Ticket revenue helps fund the conservation and upkeep of the monuments, and when prices were revised in 2017 it was reported that US$2 from every pass would go to the Kantha Bopha children’s hospitals, which provide free treatment to Cambodian children. Seen that way, it is one of the best-value contributions a visitor can make to Cambodia’s heritage.
Should I bring US dollars or riel?
Bring some clean US dollars for arrival and larger payments. You will receive riel as change and can use it for small purchases.
How much cash should I carry?
Enough for a day or two plus a reserve for transport, stored in more than one place. ATMs are easy to find in cities and larger towns.
Sources for prices and fees: visa fees from the official Cambodia e-Visa portal; Angkor Pass prices from Angkor Enterprise; everyday prices and fares are indicative ranges compiled from operator price lists and published 2026 traveler budgets. They are not official tariffs. Prices last checked 21 September 2026; operators and authorities set the final price.