Cambodia is one of the best countries in Southeast Asia for travelers who want unforgettable cultural experiences on a limited budget. It offers ancient temples, tropical islands, historic cities and a relaxed backpacker atmosphere while remaining one of the cheapest countries in the region.
Many travelers group Cambodia together with Thailand and Vietnam, but daily spending here is usually lower. Accommodation, food and transport are especially affordable, and long trips are possible without spending a lot of money.
The biggest cost surprises in Cambodia are usually flights and the Angkor Wat temple pass, which is the country’s most famous attraction and the highlight of most trips.
If you already read our how much does a trip to Southeast Asia cost guide, this article breaks down Cambodia specifically so you can plan a realistic budget for 2026.
Cambodia is especially attractive for backpackers, long-term travelers and anyone trying to stretch a travel budget as far as possible.
Cambodia continues to grow as a tourism destination thanks to its temples, beaches and culture according to international tourism statistics.
Quick answer: daily travel budget in Cambodia
| Travel style | Daily budget per person |
|---|---|
| Backpacker | $25–$35 |
| Budget traveler | $35–$55 |
| Mid-range traveler | $55–$95 |
| Luxury traveler | $150+ |
Travelers staying in hostels and eating local food can spend very little per day. Even mid-range travelers staying in boutique hotels usually spend far less than they would in Europe.
Cambodia is typically cheaper than Thailand and Malaysia, and similar to Vietnam or Laos.
Typical daily prices in Cambodia
Everyday travel costs in Cambodia are extremely low compared with Western countries.
| Item | Average price |
|---|---|
| Street food meal | $1–3 |
| Local restaurant | $3–6 |
| Hostel dorm | $6–12 |
| Budget hotel | $15–35 |
| Bus between cities | $10–20 |
The biggest single expense for many travelers is the entrance ticket to Angkor Wat, which costs about $37 for one day.
Vietnam is another popular budget destination nearby. If you’re deciding between the two countries, see our breakdown of how much a trip to Vietnam costs.
Flight cost to Cambodia
Flights are the largest expense for most travelers visiting Cambodia.
| Departure region | Typical round-trip price |
|---|---|
| Europe | $700–$1100 |
| UK | $700–$1000 |
| USA West Coast | $800–$1300 |
| USA East Coast | $950–$1400 |
| Australia | $400–$700 |
Most travelers fly into Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Flights to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City are sometimes cheaper, and many travelers combine Cambodia with neighboring countries to reduce airfare costs.
Booking flights 3–5 months in advance often gives the best prices.
Visa and travel insurance costs
Cambodia offers one of the simplest visa processes in Southeast Asia.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa | $30 |
| Travel insurance (2 weeks) | $30–$60 |
Tourist visas are easy to obtain online or on arrival.
Accommodation cost breakdown
Accommodation is one of Cambodia’s biggest budget advantages.
| Accommodation type | Average price per night |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | $6–$12 |
| Guesthouse | $15–$25 |
| Budget hotel | $25–$40 |
| Mid-range hotel | $40–$80 |
| Luxury hotel | $120–$200 |
Cambodia offers some of the best hotel value in Southeast Asia. Boutique hotels and small resorts are especially affordable compared to Western countries.
Food cost breakdown
Food is cheap, filling and widely available.
| Food type | Average price |
|---|---|
| Street food meal | $2–$3 |
| Local restaurant | $3–$5 |
| Western restaurant | $6–$10 |
| Coffee | $2–$3 |
Eating local food is one of the easiest ways to keep daily costs low.
Cash, USD and budgeting tip
Cambodia operates largely on US dollars. Most prices are quoted in USD, and ATMs dispense dollars.
This makes budgeting easier for travelers but means cash is still essential. Card payments are becoming more common in cities, but smaller towns and islands rely heavily on cash.
ATM fees and small USD bill tips
One practical downside of Cambodia’s USD-heavy system is ATM fees. Foreign cards often get charged around $4–6 per withdrawal, which can quietly add up if you keep taking out small amounts of cash.
A better strategy is to withdraw larger amounts less often and carry enough smaller USD notes for everyday spending. Small guesthouses, tuk-tuks, markets, and local restaurants often handle cash more smoothly when you have exact or near-exact amounts.
Cambodia is easy to budget in because prices are often shown in US dollars, but it still pays to think ahead about cash access, especially outside the biggest city and temple zones.
Transport cost breakdown
Travel between cities is simple and affordable.
| Transport type | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuk-tuk ride | $2–$5 |
| Bus between cities | $10–$18 |
| Domestic flight | $40–$80 |
Tuk-tuks are the main local transport option and are usually very affordable, but using the right app matters. In 2026, PassApp and Grab are often the easiest ways to book tuk-tuks in places like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap without dealing with inflated tourist pricing.
That does not completely change your Cambodia budget, but it makes short-distance transport more predictable and helps avoid overpaying on frequent local rides. Cambodia is cheap on the ground, but repeated small transport costs can still add up if you rely on negotiated fares for everything.
Attraction and activity prices
The Angkor Wat temple complex is Cambodia’s biggest travel highlight and one of the most famous attractions in the world.
| Activity | Price |
|---|---|
| Angkor Wat 1-day pass | $37 |
| Angkor Wat 3-day pass | $62 |
| Angkor Wat 7-day pass | $72 |
| Killing Fields tour | $15–$25 |
| Island snorkeling | $20–$35 |
The Angkor pass is the single biggest activity cost for most travelers.
Angkor Wat value tip
The 3-day pass is usually the best value. It allows time to explore major temples without rushing and is the option most travelers choose.
What’s getting more expensive in Cambodia in 2026
Cambodia is still one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia overall, but a few cost categories are more likely to stretch a trip budget than others.
The first is domestic transport. Everyday local travel is cheap, but longer bus journeys, private transfers, and repeated movement between cities or islands can push totals higher than many first-time visitors expect. The second is accommodation near major tourist zones, especially around Siem Reap and peak-demand island areas, where better-located hotels can rise noticeably in busy periods.
Tours and guided experiences can also increase costs faster than Cambodia’s low food and guesthouse prices might suggest. On a simple slow-travel route, Cambodia feels very cheap. On a more activity-heavy trip with temple touring, island days, and multiple transfers, the budget rises much faster.
1-week Cambodia trip cost breakdown
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights | $850 |
| Accommodation | $250 |
| Food | $140 |
| Transport | $140 |
| Activities | $180 |
| Total | $1560 |
A one-week trip usually focuses on Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
2-week Cambodia trip cost breakdown
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights | $850 |
| Accommodation | $500 |
| Food | $280 |
| Transport | $240 |
| Activities | $280 |
| Total | $2150 |
Two weeks is where Cambodia starts to feel especially good value, because you have enough time to combine temples, cities, and one slower beach or countryside stop without turning the trip into a rush.
That matters because Cambodia is cheap day to day, but a fast itinerary with too many moves can still raise the total through transport, tours, and activity costs. A 2-week trip lets you spread those costs across more days and usually gives much better overall value than trying to squeeze everything into one week.
Cost of popular destinations in Cambodia
| Destination | Daily budget |
|---|---|
| Siem Reap | $30–$60 |
| Phnom Penh | $35–$65 |
| Kampot | $30–$55 |
| Koh Rong | $45–$90 |
Island destinations are slightly more expensive, but the reasons depend on where you go.
Siem Reap often feels like strong value because it has a huge range of hostels, guesthouses, and hotels, even though Angkor Wat raises the activity budget. Phnom Penh can be similarly affordable for food and accommodation, but city transport and sightseeing can push daily totals a little higher.
Kampot usually works well for slower budget travel, especially for travelers who want a relaxed stop with low everyday costs. Koh Rong is where Cambodia starts to feel less ultra-cheap, because transport to the island, beachfront stays, and tourism-focused pricing can all raise the daily total compared with mainland destinations.
Backpacking vs mid-range vs luxury budgets
| Style | 2 weeks total |
|---|---|
| Backpacker | $1300–$1600 |
| Budget | $1600–$2000 |
| Mid-range | $2100–$2700 |
| Luxury | $4000+ |
Cambodia is one of the best destinations in Asia for long-term travel.
Sample 10-day itinerary budget
Phnom Penh → Siem Reap → Koh Rong
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights | $850 |
| Hotels | $450 |
| Food | $200 |
| Transport | $200 |
| Activities | $220 |
| Total | $1920 |
Sample 2-week backpacker itinerary budget
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights | $700 |
| Hostels | $180 |
| Food | $250 |
| Transport | $220 |
| Activities | $180 |
| Total | $1530 |
Best time to visit for cheap travel
Cheapest months:
May–June
September–November
Peak season:
December–February
Traveling outside peak season usually lowers accommodation prices the most, especially in Siem Reap and island destinations. For many travelers, the shoulder periods around May to June and September to November offer the best balance between lower prices and manageable travel conditions.
December to February is usually the most comfortable period for sightseeing, but it is also when demand is strongest and budget bargains are harder to find.
Cambodia vs nearby countries cost comparison
| Country | Daily budget |
|---|---|
| Cambodia | $35–$65 |
| Thailand | $55–$95 |
| Vietnam | $40–$75 |
| Malaysia | $50–$90 |
If you’re deciding between the two, read Thailand vs Cambodia travel cost. For the Vietnam side, read how much does a trip to Vietnam cost.
Decision table
| Traveler type | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Backpackers | Excellent value |
| Couples | Great budget destination |
| Families | Affordable cultural trip |
| Luxury travelers | High value luxury |
Expanded money-saving tips
- Travel slowly between destinations. Cambodia is cheap on the ground, but repeated city-to-city moves and island transfers can raise your total faster than many travelers expect.
- Buy the 3-day Angkor pass if temple visiting is a major part of your trip. For most travelers, it offers much better value than trying to cram everything into one day.
- Eat local food daily. Cambodia is one of the easiest countries in the region for keeping food costs low if you rely on street food, markets, and simple local restaurants.
- Use buses instead of domestic flights when the route makes sense and your schedule is flexible.
- Book tuk-tuks through PassApp or Grab when available instead of relying only on street negotiation.
- Withdraw larger cash amounts less often, since ATM fees can quietly eat into a budget.
- Carry smaller USD bills for smooth day-to-day spending in markets, transport, and local businesses.
Travelers often visit Cambodia together with Thailand during a Southeast Asia trip. See our detailed guide to how much a trip to Thailand costs.
FAQ
Is Cambodia cheap to visit?
Yes. Cambodia is still one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia, especially for travelers who keep accommodation simple, eat local food, and travel slowly between major stops.
What is the biggest cost in Cambodia?
For most travelers, the biggest costs are international flights and the Angkor Wat entrance pass. Day-to-day spending inside Cambodia is usually low, but those larger trip-defining costs raise the total.
How much spending money per day?
Most travelers spend around $35–$65 per day once international flights are excluded. Budget travelers can stay lower, while travelers adding more tours, island time, or mid-range hotels will usually spend more.
Is Cambodia cheaper than Thailand?
Yes, Cambodia is usually cheaper than Thailand overall, especially for accommodation, beer, and day-to-day travel costs. Thailand often has easier infrastructure, but Cambodia usually wins on pure budget.
Do you need cash?
Yes. Cash is still important in Cambodia, even though cards are becoming more common in larger cities and tourist businesses. US dollars are widely used, and carrying smaller notes makes everyday spending easier.
Is Cambodia cheaper than Vietnam?
Cambodia and Vietnam are both very affordable, but Vietnam is usually a little cheaper for everyday transport and daily travel friction. Cambodia stays competitive on accommodation and food, but the Angkor Wat pass is one of the main reasons a total Cambodia budget can end up higher.
