Cambodia Budget Tours for Backpackers!

When you’re going to travel solo or have very limit amount of budget for traveling that you always think carefully before spending out, and trying to save your cash for your next destination. Herewith, “Cambodia budget tours for backpackers” will share some tips with you all so that you can plan for your holiday easier and make your journey the most possible.

Where should I stay?

Dormitory and hostels are ideals for your stay but if you look for private bathroom, guesthouse is the best choice which you can choose a room equipped fan or air conditioning ($10-$15) and it is half price different comparing to dormitory or hostels. Lodges or thatched bungalows are the only options when stay on Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem Island, prices are ranged from $20.00-$35.00 which are higher than dormitory, hostels and guesthouses in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh but be aware that guesthouses at the mainland of Sihanoukville are a bit more expensive than lodges and bungalows at the islands, and most of room quality will make you disappointed and you will not want to come back again.

Whilst, there are the booming hotels, guesthouses, resorts, boutiques, bungalows, apartment, homestay and lodges in Cambodia when tourist growth is notably estimated to jump up and accommodation prices are competitive, backpackers will definitely have plenty of chances to get good accommodation inclusive breakfast but will need a bit of more time to search for it.

How do I get around?

Romork “Tuk Tuk” is the most popular way to visit Angkor Wat temple and get around Angkor complex, small or grand circuit and Banteay Srei temple and other floating villages at Tonle Sap Lake. The minimum cost ranges from $1.00 to $3.00 from you’re the place you stay to pub street or night market (or vice versa is at the same cost), $5.00 to $7.00 for airport pick up or transfer, the basic full day service is charged $15.00 to $25.00 (not for after sunset) depending places you plan to visit. Mainly drivers will charge 80% of full day price if you hire the service less than 4 hours (morning or afternoon) – this doesn’t count going to distant places such as Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea, Kompong Khleang and Mechrey.

If you go for less than 30-40km around trip, the electric or push bikes are options for saving. With these bikes, you can go further to explore small or grand circuit or Chong Kneas floating village of Tonle Sap but not recommend to go to Kbal Spean for trekking, visitn beautiful Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea jungle temple, Kompong Khleang village and Mechrey floating village.
– Basic push bike is $1.00 – $2.00 per day.
– Giant bike with helmet is $5.00 – $7.00 per day.
– Electric bike with helmet: $10.00 – $12.00 per day.

To rent a bike, you need to leave your passport as deposit and don’t forget to ask for a lock.

Note: You’re going to respond for any damages or lost.

Where to eat and drink?

There are plenty of street food, food stalls, fruit shake and cocktail carts cluster along Siem Reap Riverside of Old market side and you can also find those at central Siem Reap City. The fried yellow noodles, fried rice and noodle soup are listed from $1.50 while the fruit shake is just for $1.00 and cocktail or spirit is from $1.00 – $2.00, and local beer draft is only $0.50 that you can easily find at any restaurants at the pub street.

However, don’t expect you will find some of those at remote tourist places especially at temple area. You will need to take away $1.50 fried rice and mineral bottled water before you leave to visit Angkor temples.

How long should I plan for my holiday in Cambodia?

It actually depends on your budget and your next destination after leaving Cambodia. Basically, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh (or vice versa) are enough for you if you plan to visit neighboring counties including Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Or you may skip Phnom Penh Capital if the time doesn’t well permit.

If you plan to explore Cambodia with beach destination, you should do the starting point from Siem Reap – Phnom Penh and consider whether you will only need to spend the beach break at Sihanoukville’s Koh Rong Island or extend to visit beaches at Kep and Kampot with some tour activities or go for sunset boat cruise at Kampot coast.

An idea for your planning trip in Siem Reap!

*Estimated cost: $110.00 per person for a couple in guesthouse.
Day 1: Siem Reap – Arrival by airport shuttle bus.
Day 2: Full Day Angkor Discovery (share-tour).
Day 3: Kompong Phluk Stilt Houses & Mangrove (share-tour).
Day 4: Siem Reap – Departure by airport shuttle bus.

*Accommodation: Guesthouse with air conditioning room and private bathroom.
*Meal is not quoted but the estimate cost for 3 breakfast, 4 lunch and 3 dinner is $25-30/pax.

Note: You can do join-tour to Phnom Kulen Waterfall ($35.00/apx) on Day 4 if you take night-bus to PhnomPenh or Sihanoukville or depart to airport in the evening.

Two cities: Siem Reap and Phnom Penh (vice versa)

*Estimated cost: $233.00 per person for a couple in guesthouses.
Day 1: Siem Reap – Arrival by airport shuttle bus.
Day 2: Full Day Angkor Discovery (share-tour).
Day 3: Kompong Phluk Stilt Houses & Mangrove (share-tour).
Day 4: By public bus to Phnom Penh (Share-tour: Phnom Kulen Waterfall $35.00/pax)
If you go for Phnom Kulen Waterfall, you can catch night bus (Virak Bunthan) at 11.30pm to Phnom Penh. Or skip Phnom Kulen, take day bus (Virak Bunthan) (7.30am, 8.30am, 10,30am) to Phnom Penh Capital.
Day 5: Tuk Tuk is an affordable way to explore Phnom Penh Capital because there isn’t any companies provide any join-tours in Phnom Penh.
Day 6: Phnom Penh – Departure (or continue to Kep or Kampot by public bus).

*Accommodation: Guesthouses with air conditioning room and private bathroom.
*Meal is not quoted but the estimate cost for 5 breakfast, 6 lunch and 5 dinner is $40-50/pax.

Three cities: Siem Reap – Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh

*Estimated cost: $332.00 per person for a couple

Day 1: Siem Reap – Arrival by airport shuttle bus.
Day 2: Full Day Angkor Discovery (share-tour).
Day 3: Kompong Phluk Stilt Houses & Mangrove (share-tour). Then catch night bus (Virak Bunthan) at 20:30 to Sihanoukville.
Day 4: Have a short walk from the bus station to boat pier, catch speed boat at 8.30am/8.45am/9.30am to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem Island. Most of guesthouses and meal at the mainland of Siahnoukville are expensive, so choose between Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem
for your better beach experience. If you like chilling out or beach party, we recommend Koh Rong.
Day 5: Island – beach break
Day 6: Island – beach break (or shorten your breach break if you want)
Day 7: Back to the mainland – Catch public bus at 12.45pm or public minivan at 2.00pm/3.00pm to Phnom Penh Capital.
Tuk Tuk is an affordable way to explore Phnom Penh Capital because there isn’t any companies provide any join-tours in Phnom Penh.
Day 8: Phnom Penh – Departure

*Accommodation: Guesthouses with air conditioning room and private bathroom but at Island of Sihanoukville, you stay in a lodge with share bathroom.
*Meal is not quoted but the estimate cost for 8 breakfast, 7 lunch and 8 dinner is $80-90/pax.