Nov – Feb (best overall)
Cooler dry season, clearer skies and peak tourism. Ideal for Angkor sunrise and long temple days. Book hotels early around Christmas and Khmer holidays.
Welcome to Cambodia
Cambodia rewards travellers with the temples of Angkor, the riverside capital of Phnom Penh, quiet riverside towns, pepper farms in Kampot, and islands off the southern coast. This Cambodia tourist guide covers the practical details visitors ask about most — when to go, how to enter with an eVisa, where to fly, how to pay, and how to travel respectfully.
Most leisure travellers use a Tourist eVisa (Type T) for stays of up to 30 days. Apply online before you fly so immigration is faster at the airport or land border.
Tourist Visa & Entry Basics
Sort your Cambodia entry documents before you book non-refundable flights.
- Tourist eVisa
- Type T · usually up to 30 days · apply online
- Processing
- Typically about 3 business days
- Passport
- Valid 6+ months beyond arrival
- e-Arrival Card
- Required for most air arrivals
- Print approval
- Carry a printed eVisa letter
- VOA alternative
- Available at selected airports & borders
- Check eligible countries or visa-exempt lists first
- Match your flight to an eVisa entry port — KTI, SAI, KOS, Bavet or Tropaeng Kreal
- Review photo & passport upload rules before applying
Best Time to Visit Cambodia
Cambodia has a tropical climate. Choose your season based on heat tolerance, temple walking and beach plans.
Mar – May (hot)
Very hot and humid (often 35°C+). Fewer crowds at some sites; start temple visits at dawn and rest midday. Khmer New Year (mid-April) is festive and busy.
Jun – Oct (wet)
Afternoon rains, lush countryside and usually lower prices. Temples stay open; pack light rain gear. Rural roads can be slower after heavy storms.
Top Tourist Destinations
Mix temples, city culture, riverside towns and coast time for a balanced first trip.
Siem Reap & Angkor
Home of Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm and hundreds of temples. Allow at least two full days; three is better. Buy the official Angkor pass and hire a licensed guide or tuk-tuk driver.
Phnom Penh
Royal Palace, National Museum, riverside promenades, markets and modern cafés. Visit Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields for important modern history — emotionally heavy but widely recommended.
Sihanoukville & islands
Gateway to Koh Rong and nearby beaches. Fly into KOS or travel overland; continue by ferry to the islands.
Kampot & Kep
Pepper farms, river sunsets, seafood and a slower pace on the southeast coast. Popular after Phnom Penh or as a beach alternative to busy island hubs.
Battambang
Colonial architecture, countryside bike rides and a relaxed base in the northwest — often combined with Siem Reap by road.
Northeast & nature
Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri offer hills, waterfalls and wildlife experiences for travellers with extra time and flexible transport plans.
Getting to Cambodia
Choose an authorised eVisa port before you book tickets.
Techo (KTI)
Main gateway for Phnom Penh and the capital region. Best for city stays and onward coaches to the coast or provinces.
Siem Reap (SAI)
Best airport for Angkor tourism. Plan 60–90 minutes into town after immigration.
Sihanoukville (KOS)
Coastal air gateway for beaches and islands — air arrivals only, not cruise ships.
Bavet land border
Main Vietnam–Cambodia overland route from Ho Chi Minh City toward Phnom Penh.
Tropaeng Kreal
Laos–Cambodia eVisa land entry near Stung Treng / 4000 Islands corridor.
Full port list
See all entry/exit rules, including temporary land-border holds, on the ports of entry page.
Getting Around Cambodia
Tuk-tuks
Iconic short-trip transport in towns. Agree the fare before you start, or use ride apps where available. Full-day Angkor tuk-tuk hire is common.
Grab / PassApp
Widely used in Phnom Penh for fixed-price cars and tuk-tuks. Coverage is thinner in smaller towns — ask your hotel for drivers there.
Intercity buses & vans
Comfortable coaches link Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampot and Battambang. Book reputable operators and keep valuables with you.
Domestic flights
Useful for long hops when time is short. Confirm current routes between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the coast before you rely on them.
Scooters
Flexible but traffic can be chaotic. Wear a helmet, ride only if experienced, and check insurance / licence rules for your nationality.
Island boats
Speedboats and ferries connect Sihanoukville with Koh Rong and nearby islands. Allow buffer time after flights into KOS.
Money, Costs & Payments
- Currencies
- USD + Cambodian riel (KHR)
- Small change
- Usually returned in riel
- USD notes
- Clean, untorn bills preferred
- ATMs
- Often dispense USD; fees apply
- Cards
- Hotels & larger venues; cash elsewhere
- Budget feel
- From backpacker to luxury options
- Carry a mix of small USD notes ($1, $5, $10) for tuk-tuks, markets and tips.
- ABA, ACLEDA and other major bank ATMs are common in cities; withdraw in daylight when possible.
- Bargaining is normal in markets; hotel and restaurant prices are usually fixed.
- Keep a backup card and a small emergency cash stash separate from your day bag.
SIM Cards, Wi-Fi & Useful Apps
Tourist SIMs
Buy Cellcard, Smart or Metfone at airports or official shops. Passport registration is normally required. Data packages are inexpensive for maps and bookings.
Coverage
4G is strong in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and major towns; expect weaker signal in remote northeast hills and jungle areas.
Helpful apps
Grab or PassApp for rides, Google Maps / Maps.me offline, translation apps, and your airline or bus booking apps.
Wi-Fi
Common in hotels, cafés and coworking spots in cities. Still get a SIM for temple days, taxis and rural transfers.
Culture & Temple Etiquette
Dress modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at Angkor major temples, pagodas and the Royal Palace. Carry a light scarf or long pants in your day bag.
Respect monks
Ask before photographing people, especially monks. Women should avoid physical contact with monks.
Shoes & hats
Remove shoes (and often hats) before entering shrine buildings. Step over thresholds, not on them, where custom requires.
Greeting
A smile and the traditional sampeah (palms together) is appreciated. Learn a few Khmer words — suostei (hello) and orkun (thank you).
Food & Drink Tips
- Must-try dishes: amok, lok lak, nom banh chok, pepper crab (Kep), and fresh tropical fruit.
- Street food: busy stalls with high turnover are usually the safest choice; start mild if you are new to spicy food.
- Water: drink bottled or filtered water only — do not drink tap water.
- Coffee & cafés: excellent café culture in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap for breaks between sightseeing.
Safety, Health & Practical Tips
Personal safety
Tourist areas are generally welcoming. Watch bags in crowds, use hotel safes, and avoid unlit isolated streets late at night.
Travel insurance
Buy cover that includes medical care and evacuation. Keep digital and paper copies of your policy and eVisa approval.
Health basics
Use mosquito protection, sunscreen and rehydration salts in the heat. Pharmacies in cities stock common medicines; serious care is best in Phnom Penh.
Scam awareness
Agree transport prices first, ignore aggressive “temple closed” rumours from touts, and use official ticket offices for Angkor.
Emergency tip: Save your embassy or consulate contact in Cambodia, hotel address and a local SIM number offline. Confirm current travel advisories for your nationality before departure.
Sample Tourist Itineraries
5 days — temples first
Fly SAI → 3 days Angkor / Siem Reap → fly or bus to Phnom Penh for 2 days → depart KTI.
7–8 days — classic loop
Phnom Penh (2) → Siem Reap & Angkor (3) → coast or Kampot (2) → fly home from KTI or KOS.
10+ days — slower travel
Add Battambang, Kep pepper country, Koh Rong islands or a northeast nature stop if you have more time.
- Light long sleeves, modest temple clothes, rain jacket in wet season
- Comfortable walking shoes, hat, high-SPF sunscreen, reusable water bottle
- Printed eVisa, passport copies, and a power bank for long temple days
Cambodia Tourist Guide — FAQ
Quick answers for first-time visitors planning a Cambodia holiday.
Do I need a visa to visit Cambodia as a tourist?
Most nationalities need a Cambodia Tourist visa (Type T) for short stays. You can apply for a Cambodia eVisa online before travel or use visa on arrival at participating airports and borders if eligible. Some ASEAN and other nationalities are visa-exempt — check the eligible and visa-exempt country lists before you book.
What is the best time to visit Cambodia?
November to February is the most comfortable dry season (cooler mornings, less rain). March to May is very hot. June to October is the wet season with afternoon showers, greener landscapes and usually lower prices. Angkor Wat is impressive year-round.
What currency is used in Cambodia?
Cambodia uses US dollars and Cambodian riel (KHR) together. USD is widely accepted for hotels, restaurants and larger purchases; riel is used for small change (roughly 4,000 KHR ≈ USD 1). Carry clean, undamaged USD notes — torn bills are often refused.
Which airport should I fly into for Angkor Wat?
Fly into Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI). It accepts Cambodia eVisa for entry and exit. Allow about 60–90 minutes by taxi or shuttle into Siem Reap town. Do not confuse SAI with the former REP airport code.
Is tap water safe to drink in Cambodia?
No. Drink bottled or properly filtered water. Ice in established restaurants is usually factory-made and considered safe, but use judgment in rural areas.
How many days do I need in Cambodia?
A classic first trip is 7–10 days: 3 days for Angkor and Siem Reap, 2 days in Phnom Penh, then beaches or Kampot/Kep. Longer trips can add Battambang, Mondulkiri or Koh Rong.
What should tourists wear at Angkor and temples?
Cover shoulders and knees at major temples and the Royal Palace. Light breathable clothing, a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes are essential. Remove shoes and hats when entering active pagodas.
Plan Your Cambodia Trip
- Tourist eVisa details and fees
- Application procedure and document checklist
- Ports of entry for airports and land borders
- Foreign embassies in Cambodia for tourist consular support
- Visa on arrival if you prefer to get the sticker at the border
