Cambodia — Travel Advice, Tips, and Itinerary

Welcome to our Cambodia itinerary! If you are looking for well-crafted tips for an unforgettable journey, you are in the right place. Please feel free to get inspired!

Do you enjoy getting to know a country in depth? Would you like to stay longer than a week? Then check out our “Cambodia — Travel Advice, Tips, and Itinerary”, which will guide you through 21 days in the beautiful country of Cambodia.

When to go

The year can be divided into two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.

The dry season runs from October to May. This period brings the least rainfall, although the monsoon may linger into early October and the rainy season can begin toward the end of May. May is the hottest month, with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (95°F). If I had to choose the very best time to visit, it would be from November to February. Temperatures are pleasant then, but you will also encounter the most tourists and higher prices.

The rainy season runs from June through September. Roads can become flooded because river levels are higher and flooding is possible. The heaviest rainfall usually occurs in August.

Visa

Cambodia

Slovak citizens need a visa to enter Cambodia. You can obtain a Cambodian tourist visa very easily at the border for a fee of USD 30. There is no need to arrange a visa in advance, as it is more expensive. Electronic visas are also available, but obtaining a visa at the border is still slightly cheaper. To apply, you only need one passport-size photo and to complete a form provided directly at the border.

Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months when you return home. Border officials check this carefully.

Safety

Cambodia is generally one of the safer countries, where you are unlikely to face any major danger. Although your first impression may feel unsettling because of the visible poverty, there is no need to worry.

How to Behave in Buddhist Temples

• Do not take photos of yourself with Buddha statues.
• Remove your shoes before entering the temple.
• If you are entering a temple, do not wear shorts or sleeveless tops.
• Do not touch Buddha statues.
• Do not hold hands with your boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Keep quiet in temples.

A brief history

Most Cambodians consider themselves Khmer, descendants of the Angkor Empire, which once extended across much of Southeast Asia and reached its peak between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by Thai and Cham peoples, from what is now Vietnam, weakened the empire and ushered in a long period of decline. In 1863, the king placed the country under French protection, and in 1887 Cambodia became part of French Indochina.

After the Japanese occupation during World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after seven years of fighting, the communist Khmer Rouge captured the capital, Phnom Penh, and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from executions, forced labor, or starvation under the Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot. The Vietnamese invasion of December 1978 pushed the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, beginning nearly 10 years of Vietnamese occupation and triggering almost 13 years of civil war.

The 1991 Paris Peace Agreements called for democratic elections and disarmament, but the Khmer Rouge did not fully comply. The UN-sponsored 1993 elections helped restore at least some order under a coalition government. Fighting between rival factions in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of nationwide elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and restored political stability.

The last remaining Khmer Rouge forces surrendered in early 1999. Some surviving Khmer Rouge leaders have been convicted, while others face trial for crimes against humanity before a hybrid court involving the United Nations and Cambodian authorities, with international assistance.

The July 2003 elections were relatively peaceful, but forming a coalition government required a year of negotiations among competing political parties. In October 2004, King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated, and his son, Prince Norodom Sihamoni, succeeded him. Cambodia’s most recent local elections at that time took place in 2012, with limited pre-election violence. National elections held in July 2013 were disputed by the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which announced a boycott of the National Assembly.

The political deadlock was broken nearly a year later when the CNRP agreed to take its seats in parliament in exchange for promises from the ruling party regarding electoral and legislative reforms. The CNRP gained additional seats in the local elections in June 2017, accelerating efforts by the incumbent prime minister, Hun Sen, to marginalize the CNRP ahead of the national elections in 2018.

Hun Sen had CNRP president Kem Sokha arrested in September 2017 and subsequently dissolved the CNRP in November 2017, banning its senior leaders from participating in political activities for at least five years. The CNRP’s seats in the National Assembly were then redistributed among smaller, more compliant opposition parties.

Money and payments

Cambodia uses two currencies: the US dollar (USD) and the Cambodian riel (KHR). The exchange rate is 1 USD to 4,400 KHR. It does not matter which currency you use for payments locally. However, it is better to exchange euros for dollars in Slovakia, as the euro exchange rate is worse here. During our stay, the rate was 1 EUR = 1.05 USD. There are no ATMs on the island, but on the mainland you can find ATMs that dispense US dollars. Keep in mind that Cambodian banks charge an additional ATM withdrawal fee of at least USD 5 per transaction.

One more important warning: US dollar bills must not be torn, damaged, written on, or otherwise marked. They need to look as if they are new. If a USD banknote is even slightly damaged, no one here will accept it. Therefore, be very careful when exchanging euros for US dollars.

Transportation

Air travel

Cambodia’s international airports are

• Phnom Penh
• Siem Reap
• Sihanukville

The best and busiest airports are Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Buses

Despite roads that are not always of high quality, Cambodia has very good bus transportation. It is based on a simple system: several buses depart every day from each bus station to various destinations. It is probably best to buy a ticket directly at the station rather than through intermediary travel agencies, which usually charge an additional USD 1. However, if the bus station is far away, it is better to book directly through a travel agency, which can also arrange transport to the station.

Bus (road) transportation

• Siem Reap – Phnom Penh – 6 hours – USD 10 (A night sleeper bus also operates on this route.)
• Siem Reap – Sihanoukville – 11 to 12 hours – USD 18 (A night sleeper bus also operates on this route.)
• Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville – 6 hours – USD 10
• Phnom Penh – Battambang – 8 hours – approximately USD 8
• Phnom Penh – Kampot – 5 hours – approximately USD 7

If you want to travel between Sihanoukville and Battambang, the only option is to go via Phnom Penh.

It is best to travel early in the morning, when there is less traffic congestion and you are more likely to arrive roughly on time. Still, do not expect buses to reach their final destination punctually. The average delay is around one hour. Buses stop at local restaurants along the way for 10–20 minutes. You can buy drinks, food—mostly street food—and use the toilet there. If you are sensitive about hygiene, bring your own toilet paper or wet wipes.

Motorbike rental

Probably the best way to explore individual cities and their surrounding areas is to rent a motorbike or moped.

A one-day rental costs approximately USD 5–10, depending on the city and location. A helmet is included in the price, and the motorbike can accommodate two people. What do I need to rent a motorbike?

• Passport — they will usually keep it until you return the motorbike.
• Driver’s license — for some rental providers, an EU license is sufficient; others require an International Driving Permit (which you can obtain at any police office in Slovakia for approximately EUR 6.50), while some do not require anything.
• The advantage of renting a motorbike is that you are completely mobile and do not have to pay for tuk-tuks, taxis, or other transport. You are fully in control of your own schedule. We definitely recommend renting a fully automatic one, as it is very easy to ride.

Traffic on the streets is chaotic and requires you to anticipate what others will do, but you will get used to it within an hour. If I managed it with my minimal experience, you can too.

Train

Another option for travelling around Cambodia as part of the itinerary “Cambodia – travel advice, tips and itinerary” is by train. It operates on the following route:

• Sihanoukville – Kampot – Phnom Penh, and vice versa.
• Phnom Penh – Battambang – Poipet (the border with Thailand)
• Phnom Penh Airport – Phnom Penh city centre

Other than the airport train, trains do not run every day. They are the slowest mode of transport, but they are also the most memorable and offer plenty of legroom. If you would like to see what it looks like, watch the video.

You can check ticket prices and timetables, and make a purchase, on the official website. It is very simple and transparent. You can find the link here.

Warning! Trains can be delayed by as much as two hours.

Boat travel

Fast boats also operate in Cambodia on the following route:

• Phnom Penh – Siem Reap and vice versa (8 hours – approximately USD 35).
• Battambang – Siem Reap and vice versa (6 hours – approximately USD 25).

This type of transport is among the most memorable because the boats pass floating villages, and sometimes you can even sit on the roof. The disadvantage is that the ports are quite far from the city, so you need to factor in additional transportation costs.

If you travel by fast boat—which can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h—and want to sit on the roof for the best view, do not forget to apply plenty of sunscreen. Many people end up with very unpleasant sunburns.

Itinerary:

In the article “Cambodia – Travel Advice, Tips and Itinerary,” we focus on helping travelers explore Cambodia in the best possible way. Of course, everything can be modified.

Day 1: Arrival in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. From the airport, you can get to the city centre.

• By taxi — prices from USD 15.
• By tuk-tuk — prices from USD 7, but if you walk 300 metres from the airport to the main road, prices start from USD 5.
• By train — USD 2.50 per person to the city centre; see the link.

The distance from the city centre is approximately 14 kilometres. If you arrive during working hours, the journey can take up to 45 minutes.

Days 2–3: Full-day sightseeing in the city. Phnom Penh may strike many people as “dirty and unkempt,” and some compare it strongly to Bangkok. Give the city a chance, and you will see that it will win you over. Many buildings appear “run-down,” partly because the Khmer Rouge period only ended relatively recently.

What to see:

• Royal Palace: 08:00–11:00 and 14:00–17:00. To enter the palace, you must wear either long trousers or a skirt, and you may not wear a sleeveless top or regular flip-flops (information from June 2020). Admission is USD 7. Photography is not allowed inside.
• Wat Phnom — admission: USD 1.
• Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison): 08:00–17:00. This is a prison where 20,000 people were killed during the Khmer Rouge regime. It is best to read about this period beforehand so that you can understand it better. Admission: USD 5.
• The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek — about 18 km from the city centre, there are mass graves dating from the Khmer Rouge era. Admission: USD 3.
• Central Market or the Russian Market, 08:00–18:00 — a covered market where you can find virtually anything. There is also great street food here.
• Riverfront — bars, restaurants… it really comes alive here in the evening.

Days 4–6: Depart for Sihanoukville by morning bus (leaving near the Russian Market), then transfer to a boat bound for the beaches of Koh Rong. The ferry journey takes around 70 minutes.
Relax on the beaches of Koh Rong, a relatively lesser-known island destination. Expect snow-white beaches, turquoise water, and very few tourists—a little paradise. You can snorkel, swim with bioluminescent plankton, or go fishing.

Days 7–9: Take a boat to Koh Rong Samloem—about a 20-minute journey. This is another island with beautiful beaches.

If you only want to visit one island and can’t decide which one, here is a short summary:

• For those who want to spend their time simply relaxing on the beach—ideally the most beautiful one—choose Koh Rong Samloem.
• For anyone looking for activities, choose Koh Rong.
• For those on a budget who want to spend as little as possible, choose Koh Rong.
• For those seeking the most turquoise sea, choose Koh Rong Samloem. Koh Rong also has beautiful turquoise water, but if you have to pick one, Samloem is the better choice.

Day 10: Travel back to Sihanoukville, then take a bus to Kampot. The journey takes around 2.5 hours, and the bus ticket costs approximately USD 7. The last bus usually leaves at around 4:00 PM—confirm the current timetable through your accommodation on the island.

Kampot is a beautiful historic colonial town with many attractions in the surrounding area. It attracts far fewer tourists than Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.

Day 11: Spend the day exploring Kampot: its colonial buildings, pleasant restaurants, market, and evening market. If you are feeling particularly active, rent a motorbike in the afternoon and head about 6 km south of town to see the salt fields—best visited around sunset.

Day 12: Take a rented motorbike (from USD 5) or join an organised tour (from USD 18) to Bokor National Park. It is around 90 minutes from Kampot and was once the site of French colonial summer residences. Today, many of these buildings stand in ruins, but the area offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
This half-day trip is ideal for anyone interested in nature and history.

In the evening, take an overnight bus to Battambang. The journey takes around 17 hours.
If you would prefer to travel by train—provided trains are running—stay one more night in Kampot. The following day, travel to Phnom Penh, then take an afternoon bus to Battambang. The choice is yours.

Days 13–16: Battambang. If you are looking for what may be Cambodia’s finest colonial architecture, this is the place to visit—even though it lies outside the main tourist route. The town centre holds countless gems for architecture lovers.
Here, you have to discover the treasures yourself; nothing simply comes to you. Look out for old staircases, balconies, rooms, and other evocative details.

One day for exploring the city:

• The Governor’s Residence, dating from 1900.
• The city centre, with its colonial-era buildings.
• The market in the city centre.
• The riverside promenade at night.

The surrounding area of Battambang.

Najlepšie je si prenajať moped

• Wat Banan — admission is approximately USD 3. It is a temple dating from the Angkor period, located around 20 km from the city centre.
• Wat Baydamram — admission is approximately USD 3. It is not only a Buddhist temple with beautiful views, but also a spectacle that begins at around 5:30 PM, when more than a million bats gradually emerge from a nearby cave.
• Bamboo Train — approximately 3 km from the city centre. A 7 km return journey costs around USD 5 per person: 3.5 km each way.

If you would like stylish accommodation in a beautiful colonial boutique hotel, we recommend La Villa. http://www.lavilla-battambang.com/

Be sure to read the travel article here to discover everything this city has to offer.

Day 17: Travel to Siem Reap either by bus (4 hours, USD 6) or by boat (3 hours, from USD 10). The boat operates only outside the dry season, so check availability with your hotel. Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor.

Days 18-19: Angkor

The entrance to the Angkor Archaeological Park is about 4.5 km from the centre of Siem Reap. You can buy your ticket at the visitor centre, which is open daily from 5:30 AM. Prices:

• 1-day pass — USD 37
• 3-day pass — USD 62
• 7-day pass — USD 72

For this “Cambodia: Travel Advice, Tips and Itinerary” itinerary, we recommend the 3-day pass.

You can pay only in US dollars or by credit card. If you want to pay with a larger banknote, such as USD 100, they can exchange it without any problem—but it must not be damaged, torn, or marked.

Each person must purchase their own ticket in person, as every visitor is photographed at the time of purchase and their electronic photo appears on the ticket. Do not lose your ticket under any circumstances, as it is checked at the entrance to every monument. Take particular care with multi-day passes.

How to get around the complex?

The complex is enormous, and exploring it on foot is exhausting—especially in the intense heat.

The most convenient way to get around the complex is probably by tuk-tuk. A tuk-tuk can accommodate up to four people and costs around USD 20–25 for a full day.
You can easily find one on the streets of Siem Reap—drivers will often approach you and offer transport themselves. Prices may start at around USD 30, but you can usually negotiate them down to USD 20–25 per day.

Another popular option is a bicycle, but in the intense heat and humidity, we recommend using tuk-tuks or renting a motorbike in Siem Reap from USD 10 per day.

Buy your ticket based on how much time you want to spend in the complex. We recommend at least two days.

Day 20: Take a full-day trip to Phnom Kulen National Park, with stops at Angkor monuments along the way—another reason why the 3-day pass is worthwhile.

Set off early in the morning (around 6:00 AM) by motorbike to Bakong Temple, approximately 15 km from Siem Reap. It is a little-visited temple dating from the Angkor period. Then continue to Banteay Srei, about 25 km away—one of the most beautiful temples, renowned for its exquisite carvings.

At Banteay Srei, there is also a petrol station—fill up your tank before continuing around 25 km to the Phnom Kulen waterfalls. Note: After entering the national park (admission USD 20), the road is more or less completely broken up, with steep climbs in some sections. Make sure you have a more powerful motorbike.

Return the same way. Download the offline map on Maps.me, and it will guide you accurately.

Day 21: Fly home from Siem Reap.

For anyone who would like to stay at least two days longer, here is an additional alternative itinerary.

Do you have any questions about “Cambodia: Travel Advice, Tips and Itinerary”? Leave a comment, and we’ll be happy to answer.