Planning a trip to Cambodia requires solid financial planning. The cost varies depending on the length of stay, lifestyle, and planned activities. The average daily budget ranges from 24 to 122 euros, with a cost of living lower than in France. For a stay of 2 weeks to 1 month, the budget could range from 500 to 1360 euros per person. Let's not forget that local purchasing power is significantly lower. So, how much should you budget for a trip to Cambodia?

Good to Know About Your Cambodia Trip Budget

Is Life Expensive in Cambodia?

In Cambodia, the cost of living is generally low, making it an ideal destination for travelers on a tight budget. However, prices vary depending on the city, services, and activities you choose.

• For accommodation, for example, you can find youth hostels from 2 euros per night, while luxury hotels can cost up to 50 euros per night.

• Meals in local restaurants are generally affordable, with an average cost of about 3 euros per meal, while meals in upscale restaurants can cost up to 20 euros.

• The cost of transport also varies: a tuk-tuk ride costs an average of 1 to 2 euros, and renting a bike for a day is usually less than 2 euros.

It's also worth noting that Cambodia uses two currencies: the Cambodian Riel and the US Dollar, which can influence the cost of living.

What Budget for a France-Cambodia Flight?

Price of a Paris to Phnom Penh Flight

There are no direct flights from France, Belgium, or Switzerland to Cambodia; you'll need at least one stopover. The two main international airports in the country are Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Asian airlines such as Air China, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and Singapore Airlines primarily operate these flights. The average price of a round-trip flight to Cambodia is approximately 890.00 €.

When Should I Book My Flight to Cambodia?

The price of flights depends first on when you book your flight. Ideally, you'll save by booking your ticket 4 to 6 months in advance of your planned trip. Bookings between 0 and 1 month before travel are the most expensive.

There are price variations depending on the period when you purchase your ticket, March being the most favorable month (-120€ compared to the average price) and August being the worst period (+260€ compared to the average price).

Budget to Plan "Before Departure" to Cambodia

Cambodian Visa

There are two options for obtaining your visa:

- The e-visa, which can be obtained online for 36$ per person at [https://www.evisa.gov.kh/](https://www.evisa.gov.kh/).

- The visa on arrival, which can be obtained upon landing by simply presenting your passport for 30$ per person.

Travel Insurance

For any trip, travel and repatriation insurance is strongly recommended. Before purchasing insurance, remember to check your credit card contract terms. These often offer comprehensive insurance and cover you for up to 90 days of travel.

Insurance for a 14-day stay in Cambodia or supplementary insurance should cost you between 18€ and 35€ approximately.

Recommended Vaccinations

While vaccination for traveling to Cambodia is not mandatory, we recommend following the guidelines from the Pasteur Institute.

- Hepatitis A: approximately 25€ (65% reimbursed by Social Security).

- Japanese Encephalitis: approximately 105€.

- Hepatitis B: approximately 6.50€ for children and 12.60€ for adults.

- Rabies: approximately 60€.

- Typhoid: approximately 36€.

Average Daily Budget Per Day During a Stay in Cambodia

Food Expenses: How Much to Budget?

A wide range of choices awaits you in town, both in terms of price and diversity, between local restaurants and "western" or "asian" establishments. For small budgets, count 7€ per person per meal, 15€ for mid-range budgets, and 21€ for high budgets.

How Much Do Transportation Costs in Cambodia?

Tuk-tuks

The tuk-tuk is widely used in cities. However, you should distinguish between the traditional 4-seater tuk-tuk called "tuk-tuk trailer" and the Indian 3-wheeled model also called "rickshaw". The latter, with a capacity of 3 people, is the most commonly used in town and represents the most economical and fastest tuk-tuk option. Expect to pay between 2 and 8 dollars per trip depending on the duration and distance planned. Drivers are open to negotiation. In recent years, apps like Passap, Grab, and Tada, which are Cambodia's equivalents of Uber, allow you to avoid haggling by displaying the fare upfront. Each of these apps offers different types of tuk-tuks with some platform-specific differences; for example, Grab offers motorbike taxis (or "motodop" in Cambodia) while the others don't, and Tada specializes in electric tuk-tuks.

Taxis

Sedan or SUV taxis are also accessible through these apps. Expect to pay approximately 0.50€ per kilometer with this mode of transport. Private taxis are a more expensive alternative, with rates ranging from 20 to 50 euros depending on the distance.

Buses for Short and Long Trips

For inter-city travel, several options are available to you. The bus is the most economical solution, with fares starting at 5 euros for short distances, up to 15 euros for longer trips.

Internal Flights

For air travel, the cost of a domestic flight starts at 100$. Rates can vary depending on the season and demand.

Two-Wheelers

Finally, renting a scooter or bike can be an interesting option for local travel, with rates ranging from 5 to 10 euros per day.

It's worth noting that rates can vary depending on the season and demand. It's therefore best to book in advance, especially during peak tourist season.

Cost of Tourist Activities: What to Expect?

Tourist activities represent a significant portion of your Cambodia travel budget. Entry to Angkor Wat temples, for example, costs around 20$ for one day. For water activities, such as boat trips, budget between 10 and 30 euros per day.

If you plan to visit multiple sites, it may be worthwhile to opt for multi-site or multi-day passes. For example, the Angkor temples pass is available for 1, 3, or 7 days.

For Cambodian cuisine enthusiasts, cooking classes are also offered, with rates varying from 15 to 25 euros per person.

For outdoor activities, such as trekking or biking, costs vary depending on the duration and difficulty of the itinerary.

There are also free activities such as visiting certain temples or monuments, or discovering local markets.

The cost of activities can vary depending on the season, the popularity of the site, and the type of service (private guide, group, etc.). It's therefore recommended to inquire in advance and budget accordingly.

Budget for Accommodation: Which Options to Choose?

Choosing accommodation is an integral part of planning your travel budget. In Cambodia, you have a variety of options, from economical youth hostels to luxury hotels.

• Youth hostels are the most affordable option, with rates often under 10€ per night.
• Mid-range hotels offer good value for money, with rates ranging from 15 to 50€ per night.
• Luxury hotels and resorts can cost much more, but offer upscale services and facilities.

There are also more rustic and environmentally friendly accommodation options outside major cities, such as beachside bungalows or jungle lodges. These establishments can cost between 20 and 100€ per night.

Location can also influence accommodation costs. Hotels in tourist areas may be more expensive, but you'll save on transportation costs to major attractions. Accommodations outside tourist areas are generally more affordable but require accounting for transport costs to the city center.

Be sure to consider your personal needs and preferences when choosing your accommodation.

Our Tips for Optimizing Your Budget During a Trip to Cambodia

To optimize your budget during a trip to Cambodia, several tricks can be applied.

1. Prefer local food: Eating in local restaurants or street stalls can be much cheaper than Western restaurants. Typical dishes, like Amok, are not only delicious but also very economical.

2. Use public transportation: If you're staying in town, opting for local bus rides or tuk-tuks can save you on transportation costs.

3. Stay outside tourist areas: Accommodations outside tourist areas are generally cheaper. However, you'll need to account for transportation costs to reach major attractions.

4. Plan your activities in advance: Booking your tourist activities in advance could allow you to benefit from reduced rates.

5. Choose the right period: Avoiding peak season could allow you to enjoy lower accommodation and activity rates.

6. Watch out for banking fees: Some banks charge fees for withdrawals or payments abroad. It's therefore important to inquire before your departure.

Traveler Reviews on Budget Needed for Cambodia

Experience Report from a 3-Week Trip

My three-week stay in Cambodia was incredible and managed on a reasonable budget. For a similar experience, plan an average budget of 22.5€ per day per person. This budget includes everything, from meals to tourist activities, including accommodation and transportation.

• Food: Meals in local restaurants or street stalls are very economical and tasty. Street food costs about 2€ per meal.
• Transportation: Travel by tuk-tuk or bus is inexpensive. Renting a scooter is another economical option for local travel, with an average cost of 10€ per day.
• Activities: Entry to the Angkor temples is a must-see, with a pass costing between 30€ and 60€ depending on the duration chosen (1, 3, or 7 days). Other activities, like cooking workshops, cost about 15€ per person.
• Accommodation: Accommodation options in Cambodia are varied and suited to all budgets. I opted for mid-range accommodations, which cost between 20€ and 30€ per night.

I recommend planning well and booking in advance to get the best rates.

Cost of a Family Trip to Cambodia

Taking a family trip to Cambodia requires specific financial planning. Knowing that the average daily budget for a family with 2 children is around 96€, which includes meals, accommodations, transportation, and activities.

• Meals: For a family of 4, budget approximately 28€ to 84€ per day if you eat in local restaurants.

• Accommodation: Depending on the desired comfort level, hotel room prices for 4 people vary between 20€ and 100€ per night.

• Transportation: Internal transportation costs an average of 10€ to 50€ per day, depending on the mode of transport chosen (tuk-tuk, taxi, bus, domestic flight, bike or scooter rental).

• Activities: The budget to plan for site entries, activities, and guided tours depends on your interests.

Of course, you also need to add the cost of airline tickets to reach Cambodia. For a family of 4, budget around 2000€ to 3500€ for round-trip flights.

What's the Best Month to Travel to Cambodia? Impact on Budget

The choice of month can significantly impact your Cambodia travel budget. Indeed, the country experiences seasonal variations with a high tourist season from November to February, when the climate is more pleasant.

However, this period also corresponds to higher fares for flights, accommodations, and certain tourist activities. For example, airline ticket prices can increase by 10 to 20% compared to the low season.

Conversely, the rainy season, from June to October, is generally less crowded by tourists. Prices are then lower, which can help you save money, but the more unstable weather can limit access to certain activities.

It's therefore crucial to plan well in advance and take these seasonal variations into account when planning your trip.