Cambodia
Sunrise behind Angkor Wat's towers is one of Southeast Asia's defining travel moments, yet Cambodia also offers the stilted fishing villages of the Tonle Sap, the sobering history of Phnom Penh and lazy riverside days in Kampot. Costs are low, and US dollars circulate alongside the riel.
Overview
Cambodia's story is written in stone at Angkor, the capital of a Khmer empire that dominated mainland Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th centuries; its temples near Siem Reap justify three days on their own. Most first trips run between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, a 45-minute flight or five to six hours by road, with Battambang's colonial streets and countryside a natural detour. The south adds Kampot's pepper farms and river, the crab market at Kep and the islands off Sihanoukville. Visits to Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek in the capital explain the Khmer Rouge years, which still shape the country.
Comfortable travel costs little: a good guesthouse room, tuk-tuk rides and street food are cheap, though Angkor passes and boutique hotels in Siem Reap add up. Crowds concentrate at Angkor Wat for sunrise and at Ta Prohm mid-morning, so a driver who reverses the usual circuit pays off. Heat is the main challenge, with temperatures regularly above 35°C from March to May. The country suits first-time visitors to Asia as well as seasoned travellers, and many are struck by how young the population is, how warm the welcome feels, and how quickly parched brown fields turn green when the rains arrive.
Map of Cambodia
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Angkor Wat and the Angkor temples
The world's largest religious monument, built in the 12th century, anchors a park of dozens of temples. Pair sunrise at Angkor Wat with Bayon's carved faces and the tree-strangled ruins of Ta Prohm; a three-day pass allows a sensible pace.
- 2Culture
Tonle Sap floating villages
Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake swells several times over in the wet season. Boat trips from Siem Reap visit Kampong Phluk's stilt houses and flooded forest; go from about August to December, when water levels are high.
- 3History
Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields
A former school turned Khmer Rouge prison, Tuol Sleng documents the regime's victims in harrowing photographs. At Choeung Ek, south of the city, an audio tour leads around the mass graves and memorial stupa. Allow a sober half-day for both.
- 4Food
Kampot and Kep
Kampot's riverside, French-era shophouses and pepper plantations make a slow, cheap base; Kampot pepper has protected geographical status. Drive up Bokor Mountain to the old French hill station, then eat fresh crab with green pepper at Kep's market.
- 5Beach
Koh Rong
Cambodia's second-largest island has white-sand beaches, clear water and glowing bioluminescent plankton at night. Fast boats run from Sihanoukville; stay on Long Set or Sok San beach for quiet, or Koh Touch for bars.
Biggest cities
Phnom Penh
The capital's riverfront, Royal Palace and Central Market reward two or three days, alongside the Tuol Sleng museum and the Choeung Ek killing fields on the city's southern edge.
Siem Reap
Angkor's base town has grown from a sleepy village into a hub of guesthouses, cooking schools and Pub Street bars, and it's flat enough to cycle out to the temples.
Battambang
A relaxed riverside town of French-era shophouses, with Phnom Banan's hilltop temple, the bat exodus at Phnom Sampeau and village pagodas easily reached by tuk-tuk.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Cambodia
Best time: Nov–Feb.
Average climate in Phnom Penh
Festivals & events
- AprKhmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey)
Three days of family gatherings, temple visits and water-and-powder fights in mid-April; Siem Reap stages celebrations around Angkor, but many businesses close and Phnom Penh empties.
- Sep–OctPchum Ben
During this 15-day festival of the dead, families take rice and offerings to pagodas before dawn for ancestral spirits; the final three days are a national holiday.
- NovWater Festival (Bon Om Touk)
Hundreds of long, painted dragon boats race on the river in front of Phnom Penh's Royal Palace over three days around the November full moon, with fireworks and illuminated floats.
How much does Cambodia cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Fish amok
Freshwater fish steamed in banana-leaf cups with coconut milk, kroeung spice paste and noni leaves until it sets into a fragrant, soufflé-like curry.
Lok lak
Cubes of stir-fried beef in a savoury sauce, served on lettuce and tomato with a lime, salt and black-pepper dipping sauce — often topped with a fried egg.
Num banh chok
A classic Khmer breakfast of fresh rice noodles under a green fish curry, piled with raw banana flower, cucumber and herbs, sold by street vendors early each morning.
Getting around
Comfortable buses run by Giant Ibis and other firms link Phnom Penh with Siem Reap, Battambang, Kampot and Sihanoukville; book online or through guesthouses. Domestic flights connect Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Royal Railway's slow but scenic trains run from Phnom Penh to Kampot and Sihanoukville on a limited timetable. In towns, tuk-tuks are everywhere, and the Grab and PassApp apps give fixed upfront fares; fast boats serve the islands.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- ACG230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Police: 117
- Fire: 118
- Ambulance: 119
- To report a crime: in Phnom Penh, go to the Tourist Police at Street 598, 12107 (Tel +855 (0)12 942 484)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +855
- Time zone
- UTC+7 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not traditionally expected, but appreciated: leave a dollar or two for good restaurant service, and tip guides and drivers at the end of a day.
- Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples, including Angkor, and remove shoes before entering pagoda shrine halls. Greet with a sampeah (palms pressed together), never touch anyone's head, and women should not touch monks.
- Main airports
- Techo International Airport (KTI), Phnom Penh; Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), Siem Reap
Visas & entry for Cambodia
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to enter Cambodia as a visitor.
Tourist visas are valid for 30 days from the date of entry into Cambodia. Make sure your passport is stamped on arrival and keep the departure form. If you lose your departure form, you’ll need to contact immigration officials before you leave the country to make alternative arrangements.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisMeaslesRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- Low risk of malaria
- There is a low risk of malaria in Cambodia: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
- There is a very low risk of malaria in the temple complexes of Angkor Wat and around Lake Tonle Sap, including Siem Reap: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Cambodia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Thu 29 Oct 2026 | HM King Norodom Sihamoni's Coronation Day |
| Mon 9 Nov 2026 | National Independence Day |
| Mon 23 Nov 2026 | Water Festival |
| Tue 24 Nov 2026 | Water Festival |
| Wed 25 Nov 2026 | Water Festival |
| Tue 29 Dec 2026 | Peace Day in Cambodia |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | International New Year Day |
| Thu 7 Jan 2027 | Day of Victory over the Genocidal Regime |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | International Women's Rights Day |
| Wed 14 Apr 2027 | Khmer New Year's Day |
| Thu 15 Apr 2027 | Khmer New Year's Day |
| Fri 16 Apr 2027 | Khmer New Year's Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | International Labour Day |
| Fri 14 May 2027 | HM King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday |
| Thu 20 May 2027 | Visaka Bochea Day |
| Mon 24 May 2027 | Royal Ploughing Ceremony |
| Fri 18 Jun 2027 | HM Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk the Queen-Mother's Birthday |
| Fri 24 Sep 2027 | Constitution Day |
| Wed 29 Sep 2027 | Pchum Ben Day |
| Thu 30 Sep 2027 | Pchum Ben Day |
| Fri 1 Oct 2027 | Pchum Ben Day |
| Fri 15 Oct 2027 | HM King Norodom Sihanouk Mourning Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Khmer
| English | Khmer | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | ជំរាបសួរ | chum-reap SOO-er |
| Thank you | អរគុណ | aw-KOON |
| Please | សូម | sohm |
| Excuse me | សុំទោស | sohm TOH |
| How much is this? | នេះថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន? | nih tlai pon-MAHN? |
Know before you go
- US dollars are used for most prices above a dollar, with riel given as change; bring clean, untorn notes, as damaged dollars are often refused.
- Buy Angkor passes only from the official Angkor Enterprise ticket office or website, then start early to beat the heat, rest at lunchtime and return for the late-afternoon light.
- Stick to marked paths around remote temples and in the north-west countryside, where landmine clearance is still under way, and check the FCDO travel advice before heading near the Thai border.
Cambodia travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Cambodia?
The best time to visit Cambodia is generally Nov–Feb. Peak months are January, February, November and December. Average highs in Phnom Penh range from 30°C to 35°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Cambodia cost per day?
Roughly £25 a day on a tight budget, £60 mid-range and £140+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Cambodia?
Cambodian riel (KHR).
What plug type does Cambodia use?
Type A, C and G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Cambodia?
Traffic drives on the right in Cambodia, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Cambodia?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Cambodia?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to enter Cambodia as a visitor. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Cambodia before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Cambodia?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Measles and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
