Quick answer: A trip to Cambodia typically costs US$25-45/day backpacker, US$70-120/day mid-range, US$250+/day luxury. Currency: US Dollar (USD) widely accepted; Cambodian Riel for change.
Cambodia remains one of Southeast Asia’s most affordable destinations — Angkor Wat day pass is the biggest single cost most travelers face. Beyond that, US$30-50/day gets you a comfortable trip. Here is the breakdown.
Cost tiers — budget / mid / luxury
Cost breakdown by category
- Accommodation: US$8 hostel → US$45 mid-hotel → US$150+ boutique
- Meals: US$1.50 street food, US$5-10 mid-range restaurant, US$25+ fine dining
- Angkor pass: US$37 (1 day), US$62 (3-day), US$72 (7-day) — required for all temples
- Tuk-tuk: US$15-25/day around Siem Reap; cheaper hourly
- Bus transport: US$10 Siem Reap-Phnom Penh ($20 for VIP)
Sample 7-day budgets
- Backpacker 7 days: ~US$300 (hostels + street food + Angkor 3-day pass)
- Mid-range 7 days: ~US$700-900 (mid-hotels + restaurants + Angkor pass + transport)
- Luxury 7 days: ~US$2500+ (boutique + fine dining + private guide)
How to save money in Cambodia
- Buy 3-day Angkor pass (US$62) vs three 1-day passes (US$111) — saves US$49
- Eat at local markets (US$1-2 meals) — Old Market in Siem Reap, Russian Market in PP
- Use Mekong Express or Giant Ibis VIP buses (US$15-20) — comfortable + safe
- Sleep in Phnom Penh near riverside but visit by tuk-tuk — beats US$80 taxi airport transfer
- Skip the show packages (US$60+) — Apsara show at Angkor Village US$15 is just as good
A local insider tip
If you want Angkor at minimum cost without quality compromise, hire a private tuk-tuk driver for 3 days at US$20/day ($60 total), buy the 3-day Angkor pass (US$62), and stay at a US$15 mid-budget guesthouse like Onederz or Lub d. Total Angkor trip: US$200 including pass, transport, accommodation. Most package tours charge US$600+ for the same itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Angkor pass cost?
US$37 for 1 day, US$62 for 3 days, US$72 for 7 days. Children under 12 are free. Buy at the official ticket office only (not online from third parties).
Can I visit Cambodia on US$30/day?
Yes — hostel ($8) + 3 meals from street vendors ($6) + tuk-tuk ($15) + 1 minor sight ($5) = $34/day. Excludes the Angkor pass on temple days.
Is Cambodia cheaper than Thailand?
Slightly cheaper for accommodation. Similar for food. More expensive for Angkor pass than any Thai temple.
When is the cheapest time to visit Cambodia?
May-September (wet season) — hotel prices drop 30-40%. Trade-off is daily rain (manageable, but plan around morning vs afternoon).
How much for an Angkor sunrise tour?
Self-drive by tuk-tuk: US$5-10. Group tour: US$15-25. Private guide: US$50-80. Sunrise gates open at 5am — go to Bayon or Phnom Bakheng for less crowded shots.
Plan your Cambodia trip
Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.