How Much Money Do You Need for a Self-Guided Trip to Cambodia?
Self-guided travel in Cambodia is the ideal choice for those who want to explore the land of temples in their own way, both cost-effective and flexible. With prominent destinations like Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, or Koh Rong beach, the most common question from travelers is: “How much money do I need for self-guided travel in Cambodia?” NVK Travel will help you plan a detailed budget for a complete and affordable trip.
Answer: How much money do you need for self-guided travel in Cambodia?
The cost of a self-guided trip to Cambodia depends on the duration, destination, and your travel style. On average, a 4-5 day trip ranges from 5-10 million VND/person (about 200-400 USD), including major expenses such as transportation, accommodation, meals, entrance fees, and other incidental costs. Below is a detailed breakdown of expenses to help you easily plan.
The cost of self-guided travel in Cambodia varies for each person
Transportation costs
Traveling from Vietnam to Cambodia
Airplane: Airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Cambodia Angkor Air operate flights from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi to Phnom Penh/Siem Reap. Round-trip ticket prices average from 2.5-5 million VND (100-200 USD), depending on the time of booking.
Bus: From Ho Chi Minh City, reputable bus companies like Kumho Samco, Mekong Express, Giant Ibis have ticket prices ranging from 300,000-600,000 VND/one way (12-25 USD) to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Travel time is about 6-8 hours.
Tuk-tuk: A popular means of transportation for sightseeing, costing about 15-20 USD/day in Siem Reap (especially when exploring Angkor Wat).
Motorbike rental: Rental prices range from 5-10 USD/day, suitable for free exploration.
Domestic buses: Routes connecting Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville cost from 5-15 USD/trip depending on the company and distance.
Estimated transportation costs: About 2.5-6 million VND/person for round-trip tickets and domestic travel over 4-5 days.
Taking a tuk-tuk saves money
Accommodation costs in Cambodia
Cambodia offers many accommodation options suitable for all budgets:
3-5 star hotels: Hotels like Sokha Hotel, Raffles Hotel in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap have prices ranging from 50-150 USD/night (1.2-3.6 million VND).
Guesthouses, hostels: Suitable for independent travelers, prices range from 5-15 USD/night (120,000-360,000 VND) in central areas like Pub Street (Siem Reap) or BKK1 (Phnom Penh). Suggestions: Mad Monkey Hostel, Onederz Hostel.
Homestays: Experience local culture with prices from 10-20 USD/night (240,000-480,000 VND) in rural areas or near Angkor.
Estimated accommodation costs: About 600,000-2.4 million VND/person for 4 nights, depending on the type of accommodation.
Cambodian cuisine is attractive with affordable prices:
Local eateries: A meal at budget places like night markets or Pub Street costs from 2-5 USD/meal (50,000-120,000 VND). Must-try dishes: Amok fish, Khmer noodle soup, fried insects.
Mid-range restaurants: At restaurants like Khmer Kitchen (Siem Reap) or Romdeng (Phnom Penh), the price per meal ranges from 5-10 USD (120,000-240,000 VND).
Drinks: Fruit juices, Angkor beer cost from 1-3 USD (25,000-75,000 VND).
Estimated food costs: About 10-20 USD/day/person (240,000-480,000 VND), equivalent to 1-2 million VND for 4-5 days.
Dining in Pub Street
Entrance fees in Cambodia
Prominent destinations in Cambodia often have entrance fees:
Angkor Complex (Siem Reap): Entrance fees for Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm are 37 USD (1 day), 62 USD (3 days), 72 USD (7 days).
Royal Palace (Phnom Penh): Entrance fee is about 10 USD.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Entrance fee is about 5 USD.
Other places: Some places like night markets, Koh Rong beach have no entrance fees.
Estimated sightseeing costs: About 40-70 USD/person (1-1.7 million VND) for a 4-5 day trip.
Other incidental costs
4G SIM: Buy a SIM from Cellcard or Metfone for internet access, prices range from 5-10 USD (120,000-240,000 VND) for a 3-5GB package.
Travel insurance: About 100,000-300,000 VND for a 4-5 day trip, ensuring peace of mind in case of incidents.
Shopping, souvenirs: Handicrafts, Khmer scarves, spices at markets like Siem Reap Night Market or Russian Market (Phnom Penh) cost from 2-10 USD/item.
Estimated incidental costs: About 500,000-1 million VND/person.
Sample budget reference for 5 days 4 nights
Below is an estimated budget for a 5-day 4-night trip to Cambodia:
Items
Low cost (VND)
Medium cost (VND)
High cost (VND)
Transportation (round trip)
2,500,000
4,000,000
6,000,000
Accommodation (4 nights)
600,000
1,200,000
2,400,000
Food and drink
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
Entrance tickets
1,000,000
1,500,000
1,700,000
Additional expenses
500,000
800,000
1,000,000
Total
5,600,000
8,500,000
13,100,000
Tips for saving costs on self-guided travel in Cambodia
Book early: Hunt for cheap flight tickets and book accommodations 2-3 months in advance.
Choose budget transportation: Use buses or tuk-tuks instead of taxis.
Eat at local eateries: Street food stalls or night markets often have cheaper prices than restaurants.
Group tours: Buy a 3-day or 7-day Angkor pass to save money if visiting multiple sites.
Be sure to buy a 3-day or 7-day Angkor pass to save money and visit many sites
Self-guided travel in Cambodia not only offers a unique experience but also helps you save costs if you know how to plan. To avoid worrying about traveling in Cambodia on a budget, let NVK Travel assist you with flight bookings, hotels, car rentals, and personalized itinerary consulting. Visit nvktravel.com now for advice and start your journey to explore Cambodia today!
