Grand Escapades’ Budget Guide To Cambodia

Transport Costs Will Be The Key

Type Of Travel

Floating Village of Kompong Luong, on the Tonle Sap

Our two trips to Cambodia could not have been more different from each other. In July 2008, we were on a Round The World Trip (one year), and therefore on a somewhat tight budget (between Backpacking and Flashpacking). However, since Cambodia was the last country we visited, we treated ourselves to better hotels and hardly ever ate at the markets as we used to do in other countries.

In December 2014, Gilles accompanied his father on his “Bucket List Trip”, which meant a pleasant mid-range type of travel. We rented a car with driver in and around Siem Reap, which significantly increased costs. Naturally, the costs for the trip in 2014 were considerably higher…

Itinerary & Time Of The Visit

In July 2008, we crossed the border from Laos on foot and checked out mainly Phnom Penh and of course Siem Reap, where we spent one week exploring many Angkor Temples. We finally crossed Tonlé Sap to Battambang before heading overland to Thailand.

In December 2014, we first spent one week in Siem Reap to see the most famous and the more remote temples of Angkor. We then made a 10 day loop through the Northwest of Cambodia, where we were mostly the only tourists. The common trip ended with several days in Phnom Penh, before Gilles headed alone to Kampot & Kep on the Coast and finally to Vietnam.

Global Budget

The means of transport you choose in Cambodia will influence your expenses a great deal, to a greater extent than in neighboring countries for example – Undeniable, when comparing our two trips!

Hostels & Hotels

If you upgrade to Mid-Range Guesthouses, the price climbs naturally, but less than in other countries – In terms of accommodation, Cambodia is extremely cheap: we actually never paid more than 20 € except in Siem Reap!

Three hostels or guesthouses certainly deserve being mentioned here:

• And last but not least, Botanica Guesthouse (Kep) – this was definitely one of the best accommodations (guesthouse) we have ever stayed in! It will definitely find its way into our top 5 worldwide!
• The Golden Banana (Siem Reap) – even though they have significantly increased prices, this place still is an oasis of quietness, THE place to relax in Siem Reap for a reasonable price.
• 88 Backpackers (Phnom Penh) – this is definitely a hostel that we will positively remember, for the great rooms and the very nice common area with a nice swimming pool

Restaurants & Food

Food is not as cheap in Cambodia as it can be in its neighboring countries (like Laos & Vietnam). Especially international cuisine will weight on your budget. For the mid-range type if travel, it is quite cheap, though.

Drinks & Going Out

We had a drink almost every night, either a beer or a cocktail. This did not massively influence the budget… There again, we would like to recommend two places:

• Riverside Balcony Bar in Battambang, on the banks of the river – a great place to enjoy excellent drinks at sunset.
• Oh Neils in Kampot – their “Bloody Good Bloody Mary” will always be remembered, so their funky clientele of retired expats who choose this place to drink and smoke every night away…

Transport

See the part “How To Go Off The Beaten Track” in our Travel Guide To Cambodia.

Tours & Activities

You have plenty of options in Siem Reap, might it be a guide to visit the beautiful Angkor Temples (strongly recommended) or see Angkor from above. On the Coast as well, there are lots of possibilities to join numerous aquatic activities. Not a must-do though, except maybe in Kep, the Boat Tour from Carpe Diem was a true highlight, and not that expensive after all…

When you look at the graphic that compares what we spent on tours & activities on our Round The World Trip in 2008 and what we spent on the second trip in 2014, far more mid-range, you clearly see what impact these…

Splurge At Reasonable Costs?

True, mid-range guesthouses are significantly more expensive than hostels, but all in all you can find pleasant accommodation for a very reasonable price.

The same applies for restaurants, where you can enjoy really good food. Why not sample some international cuisine after a while, to accommodate your palate with something familiar?

Reduce Costs?

You can save a lot of money on accommodation in Cambodia, as the comparison between our trip in 2008 (Backpacking) and 2014 (Mid-Range) clearly shows.

Moreover, a great way to cut costs and to enhance your mobility and flexibility is to rent a scooter or a motorbike once in a specific area (especially in and around Siem Reap and on the Coast). There is no need to be a very experienced driver to tackle the road conditions there. Just be careful and do not overestimate your driving skills if riding a scooter is something new to you!