Backpacking Asia Travel Guide – Lessons Learned
ThailandThese are the things you need to know before embarking on an epic adventure out to Asia as I...
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Discover Cambodia
Use the map to plan your trip to Cambodia, you can read more in our 3-month Asia itinerary!
Cambodia Quick Guide
- Currency: Cambodian Riel (KHR); US dollars are also widely accepted
- Language: Khmer
- Emergency Number: 117 (police), 118 (fire), 119 (ambulance)
- Tipping: Not expected, but rounding up or tipping 5–10% is appreciated
- Fun Fact #1: Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument
- Fun Fact #2: The Cambodian flag is the only one featuring a building (Angkor Wat)
- Fun Fact #3: Cambodia has a water festival (Bon Om Touk) marking the reversing flow of the Tonle Sap River
Where to Stay in Cambodia
Cambodia offers everything from boutique hotels in colonial buildings to riverside guesthouses and luxury resorts near temples or beaches. Siem Reap is the main hub for visiting Angkor Wat, while Phnom Penh has urban stays with history. Coastal towns like Kampot and Kep provide tranquil seaside options.
Start by planning out where you would like to visit and then search for accommodation in those areas. We use Booking.com for all our hotel stays, many hotels have pay later offers and you can build up your Genius level to get discounts on your stays.
How to Get Around Cambodia
Traveling around Cambodia is relatively easy, though infrastructure can be basic in some areas. Tuk-tuks are widely used in cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and are ideal for short trips or temple touring. Ride-hailing apps like Grab operate in major cities. Buses and minivans connect towns affordably, but travel times can be long due to road conditions. Private taxis or hired drivers offer comfort for longer routes, especially between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Domestic flights are available between key cities but may be limited.
For local experiences, bike rentals are popular in Siem Reap and Battambang. Be cautious when riding scooters, as traffic rules are loosely enforced. River ferries connect some parts of the country, especially along the Mekong. Always agree on prices in advance when using local transport.
Must-Visit Places in Cambodia
- Angkor Wat & Siem Reap – Explore ancient Khmer temples, bustling markets, and cultural shows
- Phnom Penh – Capital city with the Royal Palace, Killing Fields, and riverside promenade
- Battambang – Charming colonial town known for the Bamboo Train and art scene
- Kampot – Laid-back riverside town famous for pepper farms and French architecture
- Kep – Coastal retreat with crab markets and island boat trips
- Tonle Sap Lake – Floating villages and bird sanctuaries near Siem Reap
- Koh Rong – Tropical island paradise with white-sand beaches and crystal waters
Stay Connected
Don’t waste time hunting for SIM cards or stressing about roaming. With an eSIM, you can get connected as soon as you land and stay online wherever your adventures take you.
🔗 Check out our guide to the cheapest eSIMs for international travel.
Cambodian Food to Try
Cambodian cuisine balances sweet, sour, salty, and bitter flavors with a mix of herbs, fish, and rice:
- Fish Amok – Steamed curry made with fish, coconut milk, and kaffir lime, often served in banana leaves
- Lok Lak – Stir-fried beef with peppery sauce, usually served with rice and a fried egg
- Nom Banh Chok – Rice noodle soup with fish-based green curry broth and fresh herbs
- Bai Sach Chrouk – Grilled pork served over rice with pickled vegetables and broth
- Khmer Red Curry – Milder than Thai curry, made with beef or chicken, coconut milk, and root vegetables
- Prahok Ktiss – Creamy dip made from fermented fish, minced pork, and coconut milk, eaten with raw vegetables
Top 5 Things To Bring On Every Trip
- Travel Insurance: Protect yourself against unforeseen events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.
- Power Bank: Keep your devices charged on the go, ensuring you stay connected and capture every moment.
- Universal Travel Adapter: A must-have for international travelers to plug in and power up devices in different countries.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while reducing plastic waste; many destinations have refill stations available.
- Packing Cubes: Organize your luggage efficiently, making it easier to find items and maximize space.
Top Day Tours to Discover Cambodia
- Kampong Phluk Floating Village: Leave from Siem Reap and cruise through Tonlé Sap aboard motorized and optional rowing boats, wander among towering stilt‑homes, local markets, a floating hospital and fish farms, and cap the day with a golden sunset over the lake.
- The Killing Fields & Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Take a day to understand Cambodia’s somber history at Tuol Sleng (S‑21) and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Explore prison cells, torture chambers, mass graves, and a stupa of human skulls. This is an important way to gain respectful insight into the Khmer Rouge era.
- Angkor Wat at sunset: Explore the Angkor Archaeological Park leaving from Siem Reap. Visit iconic temples including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm and Ta Keo. Top off your journey atop Phnom Bakheng, watching a spectacular sunset over the ancient temple complex.
- Kulen Mountain, Beng Mealea and Tonle Sap: Visit sacred Phnom Kulen, home to waterfalls, the reclining Buddha, and the thousand‑linga river, then explore the jungle-engulfed Beng Mealea temple before sailing through Kampong Phluk floating village to glimpse daily life on Tonlé Sap lake.
- Kampot salt and pepper fields: Explore Kampot’s rural highlights, tour a Kampot pepper farm and sample Cambodia’s famed PDO spice, walk the shimmering salt fields, step into limestone caves with hidden shrines, and unwind by the tranquil secret Brateak Krola Lake.
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3 Month Backpacking Asia Itinerary
USASummarizing my amazing trip to Asia with fully detailed itineraries A lot of you have asked for just a summary...
