Backpacking Guide
Cambodia
History of Cambodia
Before you visit Cambodia it is really important to educate yourself on the country’s history. Less than 50 years ago, a devastating genocide was carried out by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime, killing 3 million Cambodians (1/3rd of its population). Pol Pots’ idea was to wipe the country of education, religion, arts, and money to create a one-dimensional society where everyone was at the same standard. Anyone deemed as an intellectual (anyone who wore glasses!) or anyone related to someone classified as intellectual was killed.
These horrifying events lasted 3 years (1975-79) and has left a deep dark wound which the country is still today recovering from. Significant reminders of this can be viewed in places like the Genocide Museum and The Killing Fields in Phnom Penh and The Killing Cave in Battambang. I would highly recommend visiting these places to further enrich your knowledge about Cambodian history. Remember to be respectful and kind to the locals - the majority will have lived through this tragedy.
If you have time before you arrive in Cambodia I would suggest watching the 1984 film ‘The Killing Fields’. This is a sad film that follows the story of a Cambodian and American photographer during the Khmer Rouge regime. I watched it before I travelled to Cambodia and it really helped me to better understand what the country had recently been through.
Cambodia Travel Guides
Click on an area of Cambodia that interests you for a more detailed overview
Things To Do in Cambodia
There is always something exciting to do when backpacking Cambodia. To get you inspired, I have provided some suggestions below.
Getting Around Cambodia
Bus
Getting a bus in Cambodia is a popular way of getting between major cities and thankfully, is one of the cheapest methods of transport. Buses are relatively comfortable with air con and reclining seats and cost anywhere between 36’500 - 80’000KHR (£7-16). This is a popular choice for journeys such as Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.
You can now also book a bus from Cambodia into neighbouring countries like Thailand and Vietnam.
Plane
Hopping on a plane is the quickest option for travelling around Cambodia if you are in a rush, however it is also the most expensive. Flights between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are usually with Cambodia Angkor Air and start at £70 and often go by infrequent schedules. Prices also tend to increase if you book last minute!
Taxi
Train
Trains in Cambodia are not very popular due to the lack of railway upkeep. Departures are infrequent and journeys often get cancelled last minute so it is not a reliable way of travelling across Cambodia. I would stick to getting a bus!
Local Transport
Tuk Tuks, whilst often uncomfortable, can be the cheapest way of making shorter journeys. Phnom Penh is also the only place to have a local network of 17 bus routes costing only 50p per journey. If you fancy an authentic travel method then give this a try!
Taxis are often 2-3x more expensive than getting local transport and therefore you often have to negotiate a price with the driver. Most hostels and hotels can organise a taxi for you or give you an idea of how much a journey should cost.
Alternatively, I would recommend downloading the app ‘Grab’ which is essentially Asia’s version of Uber. I have found this to be way more reliable and cheaper, with the option of paying through the app rather than cash. I regularly use it when travelling around Asia and would encourage other backpackers to do so!
Boat
An alternative mode of transport in Cambodia is boat. A ferry from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap takes 6 hours and costs around £15. It is not the fastest way to get there, however it is definitely scenic and makes for a great story!
Of course, If you want to visit the island of Koh Rong, you will also need to take a ferry. This departs from Sihanoukville every 4 hours and costs about £30, taking 45 minutes to get there. Prepare yourself for chaos and delays as the ferries here are rarely on time.
Best Time To Visit Cambodia
Cambodia is considered to be a ‘tropical’ country and experiences three distinct seasons; cool, hot and rainy.
Generally, the best time to visit Cambodia is during its dry season - from November to March. This is when temperatures are coolest averaging between 20 to 25 degrees. This is a great time to explore the country, however it is also the most touristy time of the year to visit so prices may be higher.
Cambodias hot season is between March to May. If you visit during these months make sure you pack plenty of sun cream as temperatures soar to a whopping 40 degrees. Accommodation and tour companies can start offering discounts towards mid May as monsoon season begins.
The rainy season occurs between June and October and often means that places are less busy and cheaper to explore. Some activities like jungle trekking may be off the cards due to bad weather, however you can still see and do a lot in this season as rainfall often comes in short heavy bursts in the afternoon.
Travel Tips
Long bus journeys are a popular way to get between major cities in Cambodia and the AC on these can get super cold! Pack a jumper to keep you cosy on these journeys.
The Buddhist New Year in Cambodia takes place in April attracting busy crowds and a rise in prices. ‘Chaul Chnam Thmey‘ Festival involves ‘water blessings’ where people sprinkle holy water on each other’s faces in the morning, the chest at noon and the feet in the evening.
Best time to visit for…
WEATHER
SMALLER BUDGET
FESTIVALS
November
December
January
February
March
June
July
August
September
October
April
October
November
DIVING
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
Visa Requirements (updated 2025)
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU CHECK VISA REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY. THE FOLLOWING ADVICE IS FOR UK CITIZENS
Visa On Arrival
Most nationalities will receive a 30 day visa when arriving in the country. All you need is a passport with at least 6 months validity and two blank pages. This visa costs around £20.
eVisa
You can now apply for an e-visa before you arrive in the country. This costs a little bit more at £28, however makes entering Cambodia much easier and faster. You will need a digital photo of yourself to upload, and processing takes up to 3 days.
Stays longer than 30 days
If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, you will need to gain a visa extension at the immigration office in Phnom Penh. Tourist visas can be extended for another 30 days and cost around £35.
Electronic Arrival Card
If you are entering Cambodia by air at either Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville international airports, you must complete and submit an electronic e-Arrival Card within 7 days prior to your arrival. There is no charge for this.
More Information on Cambodia Visa:
Travel Vaccinations
Before setting off on your backpacking adventure, I would highly recommend speaking to your GP or visiting a travel vaccine clinic to get the latest information on what vaccines to get. Make sure to leave plenty of time as some vaccines require multiple jabs over a certain period of time. If you plan on doing certain activities that may increase the risk of disease, such as jungle trekking, make sure to mention this to your health advisor. Remember to check your vaccination record as you may have had some as an infant or during secondary school.
Recommended Vaccinations:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio
Typhoid
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Rabies (recommended but not essential)
Japanese Encephalitis (recommended but not essential)
A Yellow Fever vaccine is not essential for travelling Cambodia. However, if you are planning on traveling to South or Central America, Africa or the Caribbean, be sure to get this vaccine. Click here for the Yellow Fever Map
Dengue Fever
A common illness contracted by backpackers is dengue fever. Dengue fever is contracted through mosquito bites and I can assure you now, there are ALOT of mosquitos in Cambodia, especially in the southern regions and islands. Whilst most people who contract the illness don’t know they have it, symptoms can include a high fever (hence the name dengue fever), severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting, a rash and swollen glands.
Make sure you pack a bottle of insect repellent before you arrive in Malaysia along with some longer layers to cover your legs and arms in the evening. The best products are chemical based repellents like DEET, Picaridin and Permethrin. I have also used natural repellents such as lemongrass, which to my surprise did work, however its effectiveness was not as good as the chemical products.
Malaria Tablets
The malaria risk in Cambodia is present all year round, however there remains a low risk in major cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The risk is higher in north eastern areas such as places like Stung Treng. Some travel clinics would argue that if you are travelling to Cambodia, it would be sensible to get extra protection by taking antimalarial tablets before you go. It is also important to take precautions whilst there, to avoid mosquito bites. Take a good insect repellent, cover up in the evenings and sleep under a mosquito net. Click here for the Malaria Risk Map in Vietnam
The decision becomes more of a personal choice, and as someone who has backpacked all over Southeast Asia I am yet to take a malaria tablet (or get malaria). The tablets are often quite expensive and the side effects are uncomfortable, therefore given the low risk, many avid travellers don’t bother. However, like I said, it is still worth doing some research and speaking to a medical professional so that you are happy with whatever decision you make.
More Travel Vaccination Information:
Costs and Budgets (updated 2024)
As a backpackers myself, I know how important it is to keep costs low while still having an amazing travel experience. I have provided a rough idea of what costs look like per day so that you can plan your trip according to your budget. Whilst I have included the basics, try to also factor in a separate budget for emergencies (e.g. unexpected medical costs) and any bucket list activities that may cost a little more.
Cambodia’s local currency is Cambodian Riel (KHR), however US Dollars are widely accepted so having either of these in cash is useful.
Low Range Budget
Accommodation: ~£8 ($10) for a dorm bed in a hostel.
Food: ~£12 ($15) for street food and a few drinks.
Activities: ~£8-12 ($10-15) for cheap activities.
Transport: ~£8 ($10) for public transport.
Average Daily Spend:
£33 - £50 ($45 - $60)
Mid Range Budget
Accommodation: £16 ($20) for a private room in a hostel or budget hotel/homestay.
Food: £12 ($15)for restaurant meals and alcohol.
Activities: £30-40 ($40-50) for paid activities like entry to Angkor Wat or a cooking class.
Transport: £15 ($20) for a bus or grab..
Average Daily Spend:
£75 - 83 ($95 - 105)
High Range Budget
Accommodation: £30 - £50 ($40 - 60) for a private room in a luxury accommodation.
Food: £20 - £30 ($40 - 50) for any restaurant food and drink.
Activities: ~£40 ($50) for packaged tours.
Transport: £20 ($30) for private transfers/taxis.
Average Daily Spend:
£110 - £140 ($160)
Sim Cards / Wifi
The three carriers in Cambodia are: Metfone, Cellcard and Smart. Each carrier offers similar coverage and packages. However, If you want a reliable one, I would recommend Metfone - I have used it when visiting Cambodia and it has never failed me.
Option 1: Buy an eSIM
Purchasing an eSIM is a great way to access the internet whilst overseas. Personally, this is the easiest option and the option I choose whenever I am travelling outside of my home country. It is simple, affordable and hassle-free. Instead of finding a store and physically swapping out your home SIM for a travel SIM, you can download a data plan to your phone and instantly connect to a mobile network when you land in the country!
The app I use for buying an eSIM is called Airalo. After downloading the app and choosing the SIM you want, it will walk you through how to install and activate the eSIM.
Option 2: Buy a physical SIM in store
There are numerous stores dotted around Cambodia where you can pick up a SIM card, however the best place to get one is at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airport. You will be asked to show your passport which they will scan and link it to your SIM. Make sure to ask for a 4G or 5G SIM, some places will automatically give you a 3G SIM.
Plug Type
The common plug types are A, C and G. Therefore, an invaluable item to pack is a universal travel adaptor that can offer conversion to multiple plug types. If you plan on taking any styling tools (hairdryer/curling tong) a converter is worth taking to avoid power surges.
Pack an extension lead! That way you can plug in one adapter for this and still have multiple plugs available!
DOWNLOAD A VPN!
A VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and offers a safer, freer and more secure online experience.
What does a VPN do?
1. It keeps your personal data like passwords, search history, account details and credit card details private.
2. It allows access to home content abroad as well as content from other countries. This is great when you want to watch Netflix shows only available in certain countries.
3. It can be cheaper to book flights and accommodation when connected to a different country.
Click here to give the Surfshark VPN 30 day free trial a go!
Language
The official language in Cambodia is Khmer. Here are some useful phrases to impress the locals with when backpacking Cambodia.
Hello - Sua s’dei
Thank you - Aw kohn (tran)
Please - Saum
How are you? - Niak sok sabai te?
Yes - Bat
No - Te
How much? - Bonman?
I don’t understand - Khnhom min yl te
I don’t know - Khnkom mindoeng te
Religion
Buddhism is the predominant religion in Cambodia, practiced by approximately 97% of the population.
When visiting places of worship, men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Whilst it’s not as important for men to cover their shoulders, they’re still encouraged to wear a top with sleeves. Shoes, hats and sunglasses should be removed before entering the temple and phones should be silenced.
Staying Safe
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
POLICE: 117
FIRE: 118
AMBULANCE: 119
SCAMS
Whilst Cambodia is considered a safe country to travel, quite often tuk tuk drivers will take advantage of tourists by taking them somewhere different to their destination and then pressuring them to stay and pay for something to eat/drink. In this scenario, firmly refuse and insist they take you to the agreed destination, or find a different driver. Another scam can come from bike rental places, where on returning your bike they insist you have caused damage that you must pay for. To avoid this, take a full 360 video of the bike on collection to prove that any damage was there before you drove it.
CRIME
Unfortunately, theft is common in Cambodia, especially on busy streets and beaches. It is important to keep your valuables concealed and to keep your wits about you when walking around cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Thieves are known to snatch bags/phones/cameras right out of tourists hand as they race past on a motorbike, so to avoid this from happening wear a money belt or a bag that is securely fastened around you.
INSURANCE
Accidents can and do happen when backpacking and as someone who has crashed their motorbike, I can say that it’s not pretty, especially when you’re in shorts and a Tshirt. Therefore, make sure you have all the correct protective gear when taking part in any hazardous activities AND most importantly, get yourself covered with travel insurance. I recommend SafteyWing as the best backpacker travel insurance. You will also need to get yourself an International Driving Permit in order to legally drive here. Insurance will not cover you if you crash and don’t have this.
FOOD AND WATER
Street food in Camb is generally safe to eat. However, backpackers can become sick due to the change in diet or because of poorly prepared/cooked food. It is up to you what you decide to eat, however if you’re handed pink chicken on a stick, I suggest you don’t eat it. Tap water is NOT SAFE to drink. I would advise drinking bottled water or taking a filter water bottle with you. When drinking water in restaurants always check that the bottle is sealed (some places will refill bottles with tap water).
DRUGS AND PROSTITUTION
Unfortunately, drugs and prostitution is common in areas like Sihanoukville. I would avoid any involvement with drugs in Cambodia as those who dabble in drug/sex tourism here are often those who get into trouble.
LGBTQ+ BACKPACKERS
Whilst same-sex activity in Cambodia is legal, same-sex marriages are not. Nonetheless, Cambodia is considered a safe country to travel to for LGBTQ+ tourists. However, as Cambodia is a more conservative country, travellers should be cautious with public displays of affection. For more information check your local government travel advice.
UK Government LGBTQ+ Travel Advice
For Up to Date UK Government Safety Advice: Click Here
Insider Tips
A great way to save money when backpacking is to eat local food. Street food in Cambodia is a great alternative to a restaurant meal. You can find delicious food including their national dish of Fish Amok, a creamy coconut curry. Other less appealing foods but considered delicious to locals include deep fried insects and barbecued rats and snakes! I was hesitant to try food from street stalls at stalls, however, don’t always judge a book by its cover! Some of these places sell some of the best food in Cambodia!
If you are going to Cambodia for a ‘backpacking’ experience, then make sure to do it properly! Book into hostels instead of hotels - this is a much better way to meet likeminded travellers and keeps to a lower budget. Not all hostels are party party party - if you want some down time to chill out, there are tons of more relaxed hostels to stay in. If you want more privacy but also want to socialise, booking a private room in a hostel is a good option!
When packing for Cambodia you will need less than you think. Don’t bother buying multiple long skirts, baggy trousers and expensive swimwear; you can get these and more in Cambodia for as little as £2. Save your money for cool adventures like learning to dive or jungle trekking!
Whilst it is a great idea to have a plan of the kinds of activities you want to do, don’t tie yourself down to anything. With this I mean try not to book anything in advance - as a backpacker plans change ALL THE TIME. Travel agencies and tour companies are dotted all over Cambodia so wait until you arrive to book anything. Activities are often cheaper when booking in person.
Whilst Cambodia is safe to travel for tourists, there is still a higher risk of theft in this country. Make sure to be aware of your surroundings and wear a money belt under your clothing. Whilst getting drunk and having fun is a given when backpacking, try to do this with other backpackers that you can walk back to the hostel with. The streets here can be less safe at night time.
Whilst having a phone full of photos is a great way to remember your time backpacking, I would highly reccommend packing a notepad and pen. Writing as little as a sentence a day is really good way of noting down what you got up too, how you felt, any friends you made etc. Putting the photos together with the diary makes an invaluable book to look back on years down the line.
Cambodia Travel Videos
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