Trippa

Cambodia Circuit

Route Overview

A compact loop through Cambodia's three main draws: the capital Phnom Penh with its sobering history, the world wonder of Angkor Wat at Siem Reap, and the developing coastal stretch with beach islands. Cambodia is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia and can be covered quickly, but its depth of history and culture rewards a slower pace. The US dollar is the de facto currency alongside the Cambodian riel, making budgeting straightforward.

Suggested duration: 10-21 days

Best Direction

Phnom Penh → Siem Reap → Coast (Battambang optional) is the standard flow for travellers arriving from Vietnam. If coming from Thailand, reverse it: enter via Siem Reap, head south to the coast, then exit through Phnom Penh into Vietnam.

Best Time of Year

  • November to February is ideal -- dry, cooler temperatures (25-30C), clear skies for Angkor Wat sunrise photography
  • March-May is hot season -- 35-40C, uncomfortable for temple exploring but fewer tourists
  • June-October is rainy season -- afternoon downpours, lush green landscape around the temples, far fewer crowds, and Tonle Sap lake is at its fullest

    • Stop-by-Stop Breakdown

    1. Phnom-Penh (2-3 days)

  • Arriving from Vietnam: Giant Ibis bus from HCMC, 6-7 hours, $15 USD. The most comfortable and reliable operator
  • Must-see: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 prison) and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek -- emotionally heavy but essential ($3-6 USD entry each). Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda ($10 USD). Riverside promenade and night markets
  • Food: Central Market food stalls, Amok (fish curry), Lok Lak (stir-fried beef)

    • 2. Phnom-Penh → Siem-Reap

  • Distance: 315 km
  • Giant Ibis bus: 6 hours, $15 USD. Wi-Fi, USB charging, snacks. Departs multiple times daily
  • Cambodia Post VIP Van: 5 hours, $10.50 USD. Toyota HiAce, 13 passengers max. Comfortable and fast
  • Other buses (Capitol, Mekong Express): 6-7 hours, $5-12 USD. Quality varies significantly
  • Flight: Cambodia Angkor Air or AirAsia, 45 minutes, from $50-80 USD. Worth it if short on time
  • Boat (seasonal): Via Tonle Sap lake, 5-6 hours, $35 USD. Scenic but slow and uncomfortable in low-water season (February-June)
  • Battambang detour: See below

    • 3. Siem-Reap (3-5 days)

  • Angkor Wat temple complex: The main event. Ticket prices: 1-day pass $37 USD, 3-day pass $62 USD (usable within 10 days), 7-day pass $72 USD (usable within a month)
  • Getting around temples: Rent a bicycle ($2-3 USD/day) for the Small Circuit, or hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day ($15-20 USD). E-bikes available from $8-12 USD/day
  • Must-see temples: Angkor Wat (sunrise), Bayon (faces), Ta Prohm (tree roots / Tomb Raider), Banteay Srei (pink sandstone carvings), Preah Khan
  • Pub Street: Nightly backpacker scene, $0.50 draft beers
  • Stay: Budget hostels from $4-8 USD/night for a dorm bed

    • 4. Siem-Reap → Battambang (Optional Detour)

  • Distance: 170 km
  • Bus: 3-4 hours, $5-8 USD
  • Boat (seasonal, July-November): 7-8 hours through flooded forest on Tonle Sap, $20 USD. A unique experience but only runs in high-water season
  • Stay: 1-2 days (Bamboo Train, Phare circus, colonial architecture, Killing Caves at Phnom Sampeau, bat caves at sunset)

    • 5. Siem-Reap or Phnom-Penh → Kampot

  • From Phnom Penh: Bus, 3-4 hours, $7-10 USD
  • From Siem Reap: Bus to Phnom Penh then connect, or direct bus (limited), 10-12 hours, $15-20 USD
  • Stay: 2-3 days (riverside charm, pepper farms, Bokor Hill Station, crab market at Kep -- 30 minutes away, $2 tuk-tuk)

    • 6. Kampot → Sihanoukville-Koh-Rong

  • Distance: 100 km
  • Bus: 2 hours, $5-7 USD
  • Sihanoukville itself has been heavily developed by Chinese investment and is not the backpacker town it once was. Most travellers pass through quickly to the islands
  • Ferry to Koh Rong / Koh Rong Samloem: Speed boat 45 minutes, $12-15 USD return. Island Speedboat Ferry and Buva Sea are the main operators
  • Stay on the islands: 2-4 days (white sand beaches, bioluminescent plankton, snorkelling, hammock bars)

    • 7. Return to Phnom-Penh or Exit Cambodia

  • Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: Bus, 5-6 hours, $8-12 USD
  • Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City: Giant Ibis bus, 6-7 hours, $15 USD
  • Siem Reap to Bangkok: Bus via Poipet border, 8-10 hours, $15-25 USD
  • Siem Reap to Bangkok flight: 1 hour, from $60-100 USD

    • Transport Options Compared

    Buses

  • Giant Ibis: The gold standard. Clean, punctual, Wi-Fi, USB charging, snacks, English-speaking staff. Slightly more expensive but worth every cent. Book at giantibis.com
  • Cambodia Post VIP Van: Government-run, modern Toyota HiAce vans. 13 passengers max. Good value
  • Mekong Express: Decent mid-range option with meals included on some routes
  • Capitol Tour / other budget operators: Cheap ($5-8 USD for most routes) but older vehicles, less comfortable, more stops
  • Booking: Giant Ibis website, BookMeBus.com, 12Go Asia, or at your hostel/guesthouse

    • Tuk-Tuks

  • Within cities: 2,000-4,000 riel / $0.50-1 USD for short trips in Phnom Penh
  • Day hire (Angkor temples): $15-20 USD for a full day
  • PassApp and Grab both work in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap for metered rides

    • Flights

  • Cambodia Angkor Air, AirAsia, and Lanmei Airlines connect Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville
  • Typical prices: $50-100 USD for domestic flights
  • Pros: Fast
  • Cons: Overkill for Cambodia's short distances

    • Motorbike

  • Rental: $5-10 USD/day for a semi-automatic
  • Not allowed in Siem Reap for foreigners on Angkor Wat temple roads (you need a tuk-tuk or bicycle)
  • Pros: Freedom, cheap
  • Cons: Road conditions outside cities can be poor (potholes, dust, gravel)

    • Budget Comparison

    RouteBusFlight Phnom Penh → Siem Reap$10-15 USD$50-80 USD Phnom Penh → Kampot$7-10 USDN/A Phnom Penh → Sihanoukville$8-12 USD$40-70 USD Siem Reap → Bangkok$15-25 USD$60-100 USD HCMC → Phnom Penh$10-15 USD$50-80 USD

    Daily Budget

    CategoryCost (USD) Hostel dorm$4-8 Street food / local restaurants$5-10 Transport (local)$2-5 Beer (draft)$0.50-1.50 Angkor Wat (3-day pass, amortised)$21/day Total (without temples)$15-30

    Tips & Warnings

  • Angkor Wat sunrise -- arrive by 5:00am for a good spot at the reflection pool. The crowds are intense but the experience is unforgettable. Consider sunset at Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng as alternatives
  • Dollar economy -- Cambodia uses USD for almost everything. Change is often given in riel (4,000 riel = $1 USD). ATMs dispense USD. No need to change money at the border
  • Poipet border scam -- if crossing to/from Thailand at Poipet, ignore all touts and walk directly to the official immigration building. Do not pay anyone claiming to be an "official" outside the actual building
  • Tuol Sleng and Killing Fields -- emotionally intense visits. Go early, bring water, and allow processing time afterward. Audio guides are excellent ($3-5 USD extra)
  • Child begging -- do not give money to children near temples. It incentivises keeping children out of school. Support reputable local charities instead
  • Landmine awareness -- stick to well-trodden paths, especially in rural areas near Battambang and Siem Reap's outer temples. Cambodia still has unexploded ordnance from decades of conflict
  • Visa on arrival -- $30 USD for a 30-day tourist visa at any land border or airport. Bring a passport photo. The e-visa ($36 USD, available at evisa.gov.kh) saves time at busy crossings
  • Water -- do not drink tap water. Bottled water is 500-1,000 riel ($0.12-0.25 USD) everywhere

    • Related Routes

  • Banana-Pancake-Trail -- the broader SE Asia circuit
  • Vietnam-North-to-South -- continue into Vietnam from Phnom Penh
  • Thailand-North-to-South -- connect via Siem Reap to Bangkok