Travel Guide to Cambodia 2026: Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh & Tropical Islands
Planning to visit Cambodia? This travel guide to Cambodia covers everything you need for a first trip to the Kingdom of Wonder: where Cambodia is, the best time to go, e-Visa and e-Arrival rules, the top places to visit, a 7-day itinerary, realistic costs, safety tips, and the best hotels and universities. From sunrise over Angkor Wat and the smiling faces of the Bayon to the royal palace of Phnom Penh, the pepper farms of Kampot and the white-sand islands of Koh Rong, Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia's most rewarding and affordable destinations.
Last updated: October 2026 · Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to Cambodia were checked against official sources
📊 Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to Cambodia
- Capital: Phnom Penh💡 Where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers meet
- Currency: Riel (KHR) & US dollar💡 Prices are often in dollars, with change given in riel. Check today's rate
- Language: Khmer💡 English is common in tourist areas
- Population: About 17.6 million💡 2026 estimate
- Area: 181,035 km²💡 About the size of Missouri
- Time zone: ICT (UTC+7) all year💡 No daylight saving time. Convert times
- UNESCO: 5 World Heritage Sites💡 Including Angkor and the Cambodian Memorial Sites (2025)
- Power: 230 V, plug types A, C & G💡 Most sockets take both flat and round pins
ℹ️ Figures in this travel guide to Cambodia are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
📍 Where Is Cambodia?
Cambodia is in mainland Southeast Asia. It borders Thailand to the west and north-west, Laos to the north-east and Vietnam to the east, with a coastline on the Gulf of Thailand to the south-west. The Mekong River flows through the country, and the great Tonlé Sap lake lies at its heart.
Flights reach Phnom Penh and Siem Reap from Bangkok (about 1 hour), Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul and Doha. Phnom Penh's new Techo International Airport opened in 2025. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator, or explore more in our Asia travel guides.
📅 Best Time to Visit Cambodia
The best time to visit Cambodia is the cool, dry season from November to March, with sunny skies and comfortable temperatures for temple touring and the islands. April and May are the hottest months, often above 35 °C. The green season (June–October) brings short, heavy afternoon showers, lush rice fields, fewer crowds and a full Tonlé Sap lake for boat trips to floating villages.
Best for Angkor sunrises, Phnom Penh and the islands.
Three days of water fights, games and family celebrations.
Lush landscapes, quieter temples and floating-village boat trips.
Boat races on the river in Phnom Penh for Bon Om Touk.
📅 Use the seasons in this travel guide to Cambodia to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
🛂 Cambodia Visa & Entry Requirements
Visa needed: most visitors, including citizens of the USA, UK, EU, Canada and Australia, need a tourist visa for Cambodia. Apply online for an e-Visa (about US$36, usually issued within a few working days), or get a visa on arrival (about US$30) at the main airports and some land borders. Citizens of most ASEAN countries can visit visa-free.
📲 e-Arrival card: all international arrivals must complete the free Cambodia e-Arrival form online, covering immigration, customs and health, within the days before travel. Keep the QR code ready on arrival.
- Valid passportValid for at least 6 months, with a blank page for the visa.
- Stay lengthTourist visas allow 30 days and can be extended once in Phnom Penh.
- Use official sitesAvoid paid look-alike visa sites; apply only on the government portal.
- Main airportsTecho International (KTI), Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap–Angkor (SAI).
🔗 Official sources: Cambodia e-Visa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) · Tourism of Cambodia. Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking.
🛂 Entry rules in this travel guide to Cambodia were last checked in October 2026.
🛕 Best Places to Visit in Cambodia
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to Cambodia, with the best months to see each one.
Angkor Wat at sunrise, the stone faces of the Bayon and the jungle-wrapped Ta Prohm. You need an Angkor Pass.
💡 Best time: Nov–MarPub Street, the night markets and boat trips to the stilted and floating villages of the great lake.
💡 Best time: Jul–FebThe Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum by the river.
💡 Best time: All yearMoving memorials to the Khmer Rouge era, listed by UNESCO in 2025.
💡 Best time: All yearWhite-sand island beaches, snorkelling and glowing plankton at night.
💡 Best time: Nov–AprRiverside Kampot, Bokor Mountain, pepper farms and fresh crab at Kep's crab market.
💡 Best time: Nov–AprFrench colonial streets, the Phare circus, the bamboo train and countryside temples.
💡 Best time: Nov–AprTwo remote UNESCO temple sites: a clifftop temple and a forest-covered pyramid.
💡 Best time: Nov–Apr🗺️ 7-Day Cambodia Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
This classic route links Phnom Penh, Angkor and the south coast. Comfortable buses and short flights connect the main towns.
Follow this route from our travel guide to Cambodia day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Phnom Penh: the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum and a sunset river cruise.
- Phnom Penh: Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek in the morning, then the Russian Market.
- Siem Reap (flight or 6-hour bus): buy your Angkor Pass and watch sunset at Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng.
- Angkor: sunrise at Angkor Wat, then the Bayon and Ta Prohm.
- Angkor & Tonlé Sap: Banteay Srei in the morning and a floating-village boat trip in the afternoon.
- Kampot (fly to Phnom Penh, then 3 hours by road): a riverside sunset and a pepper farm visit.
- Kep: crab lunch at the market, then return to Phnom Penh for your flight.
➕ With more time: add 2–3 days on Koh Rong or Koh Rong Sanloem, or Battambang between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
💵 How Much Does a Trip to Cambodia Cost?
Cambodia is one of the best-value destinations in Asia. Prices are usually in US dollars. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding international flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | US$25–40 | Hostels and guesthouses, street food, buses and tuk-tuks |
| Mid-range | US$70–150 | Boutique hotels, restaurants, tuk-tuk guides and short flights |
| Luxury | US$300 + | Five-star hotels, private island resorts and private guides |
💡 All prices in this travel guide to Cambodia are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
🎫 Angkor Pass: sold at the official ticket centre or online in 1-, 3- and 7-day versions. Expect around US$37 for one day and US$62 for three days; check the current price before you go.
💡 Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to Cambodia
Cambodia is generally safe for travellers. The most common problem is bag snatching from motorbikes in Phnom Penh, so keep bags on the side away from the road and phones out of sight. Use ride-hailing apps such as PassApp or Grab for fair tuk-tuk prices. Stay on marked paths in remote rural areas, as landmines from past conflicts remain in some places. Drink bottled water and dress modestly at temples, covering shoulders and knees.
Complete the free e-Arrival form online before your flight.
Arrive at Angkor Wat by 5 am for sunrise and cooler temperatures.
Torn or marked US banknotes are often refused.
Shoulders and knees must be covered at Angkor Wat's upper level and the Royal Palace.
PassApp and Grab avoid haggling for tuk-tuks.
"Chum reap suor" with palms together is a respectful greeting.
🏨 Best Hotels in Cambodia: 8 Top Picks
Cambodia has legendary colonial hotels, stylish boutique stays and private island resorts, often at excellent prices.
A 1932 landmark in tropical gardens, close to the temples.
Check prices on Booking.com →Bill Bensley-designed hotel known for its community projects.
Check prices on Booking.com →A former royal guesthouse with private temple tours.
Check prices on Booking.com →A 1929 colonial hotel with the famous Elephant Bar.
Check prices on Booking.com →Sky-high rooms at the top of the Vattanac Capital tower.
Check prices on Booking.com →Overwater and jungle villas on two private islands.
Check prices on Booking.com →Modernist villas on the waterfront in Kep.
Check prices on Booking.com →A rainforest tented camp reached by zipline.
Check prices on Booking.com →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Cambodia: hotels are picked for location, reputation and a spread of regions and styles. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
🤝 Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
🎓 Top Universities in Cambodia
Most higher education in Cambodia is in Khmer, with a growing number of English-taught programmes in Phnom Penh.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) | Phnom Penh | Public |
| Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) | Phnom Penh | Public |
| Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE) | Phnom Penh | Public |
| Royal University of Fine Arts | Phnom Penh | Public |
| The University of Cambodia | Phnom Penh | Private |
| Royal University of Agriculture | Phnom Penh | Public |
The oldest and largest public university, founded in 1960.
Visit website →The leading engineering school.
Visit website →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Cambodia: major accredited institutions chosen for reputation. Order is not a strict ranking. Last checked: October 2026.
🌺 Khmer Culture & Food
Cambodian culture is shaped by Theravada Buddhism and the legacy of the Khmer Empire, which built Angkor between the 9th and 15th centuries. The graceful Royal Ballet of Cambodia (apsara dance) and Lkhaon Khol masked theatre are on UNESCO's Intangible Heritage list. Cambodia has five World Heritage Sites: Angkor, Preah Vihear, Sambor Prei Kuk, Koh Ker and the Cambodian Memorial Sites, inscribed in 2025. Saffron-robed monks, silk weaving and silver craft are part of everyday life.
Khmer food is fragrant rather than fiery, built on a herb paste called kroeung. The national dish is fish amok, a coconut curry steamed in banana leaves. Try bai sach chrouk (grilled pork with rice) for breakfast, kuy teav noodle soup, nom banh chok rice noodles and lok lak beef, plus Kep crab with green Kampot pepper. Say "Chum reap suor" (hello) and "Or kun" (thank you).
❓ Travel Guide to Cambodia: FAQ
Where is Cambodia?
Cambodia is in mainland Southeast Asia, bordering Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, with a coast on the Gulf of Thailand. Its capital is Phnom Penh.
Do I need a visa for Cambodia?
Most visitors, including US, UK, EU, Canadian and Australian citizens, need a tourist visa: an e-Visa (about US$36) or a visa on arrival (about US$30). All arrivals must also complete the online e-Arrival card.
What is the best time to visit Cambodia?
November to March is best, with dry, cooler weather. April and May are very hot, and June to October is the green season with afternoon rain.
How much is the Angkor Pass?
The Angkor Pass is sold in 1-, 3- and 7-day versions at the official ticket centre or online. Prices are around US$37 for one day and US$62 for three days; check before you go.
Can you use US dollars in Cambodia?
Yes. US dollars are used everywhere alongside the riel. Small change is given in riel, and damaged dollar notes are often refused.
Is Cambodia safe for tourists?
Cambodia is generally safe. Watch for bag snatching in Phnom Penh, use ride-hailing apps, stay on marked paths in remote areas and drink bottled water.
How many days do you need at Angkor?
Two to three days lets you see the main temples at a relaxed pace. A 1-day pass covers Angkor Wat, the Bayon and Ta Prohm.
How many days do you need in Cambodia?
A week covers Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Angkor, and Kampot or the islands. Ten to fourteen days lets you add Battambang and Koh Rong.
📚 Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to Cambodia
- Tourism of CambodiaOfficial tourism portal
- Cambodia e-VisaOfficial online visa portal
- Angkor EnterpriseOfficial Angkor Pass tickets
- UNESCO: CambodiaAngkor, Preah Vihear and more
Finished this travel guide to Cambodia? 🌍 More Southeast Asian guides: Thailand · Vietnam · Laos · Myanmar · All of Asia
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🏛️ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
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