A First Timer’s Guide to Cambodia – Sue Where Why What
How to Reach?
I flew into Siem Reap from Bangkok because it was the cheapest option from India. AirAsia and Thai AirAsia both do this route multiple times a day and tickets can drop to as low as ₹4,500 if you book early. Honestly, the flight is only 50 minutes so it’s not a big deal.
If you’re coming from Delhi or Mumbai, you’ll probably have a layover in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. I wouldn’t recommend direct flights from India unless the price is similar because the connections are pretty straightforward and often cheaper.
Phnom Penh has an international airport too but I found Siem Reap way more convenient for first-timers since Angkor Wat is right there. From Siem Reap you can take a bus to Phnom Penh (6 hours, around ₹800) or fly (30 minutes, around ₹3500). The roads aren’t terrible anymore but the buses can get pretty packed and the AC sometimes gives up halfway.
Visa on arrival is easy. $30 cash, bring a passport photo or they’ll charge you extra. They take Indian rupees too but the exchange rate is rubbish so better carry dollars.
Where to Stay?
I stayed in three different places and honestly the value for money is stupid good.
In Siem Reap I booked a small hotel called La Noria for £28 a night (about ₹3100). Not some fancy international chain but the room was clean, had a decent pool, and the staff actually smiled at you. The location was perfect – 15 minute walk to Pub Street but far enough that it wasn’t noisy at night. To be fair, the breakfast was pretty average. They tried to do eggs but it was always either undercooked or rock hard.
In Phnom Penh I stayed at a place near the riverfront for similar money. The room was bigger but the bathroom had serious plumbing issues. The shower would randomly switch from hot to freezing cold which wasn’t fun at 6am. Still, the location was perfect for people watching by the Mekong.
If you’re on a tighter budget, hostels in Siem Reap are everywhere for ₹600-900 a night and most have pools now. I met some guys who stayed in one and they said it was fine, just don’t expect silence after 10pm.
The nicest place I stayed was actually in Kep – a small beach town. Paid ₹4200 for a villa with sea view and it honestly felt like I was overpaying compared to the other places. Cambodia really spoils you with hotel prices.
What to Eat?
Okay I’m going to be real with you. The food in Cambodia is… fine. It’s not going to blow your mind like Thai food but it’s cheap and most of it is pretty tasty.
Amok is their famous curry thing cooked in banana leaf. I had it maybe five times and only liked it twice. The fish version is usually better than chicken. They put coconut milk in everything which I got tired of after a week.
My actual favorite was grilled chicken with rice and pickled vegetables from street carts. Costs about ₹80 and it’s proper good. Also the beef lok lak – basically stir fried beef with black pepper sauce. I ate this at least ten times.
Breakfast wise, I got addicted to noodle soup from the markets. You point at what you want, they throw it in a bowl with herbs and you add chili sauce till your face goes red. Way better than hotel breakfasts.
In Phnom Penh there’s this place called Friends which trains street kids to work in the restaurant. The food there is genuinely excellent and you’re doing something decent with your money. Their chocolate banana spring rolls should probably be illegal.
Street food at night markets is hit and miss. I saw one guy washing his dishes in a bucket that looked like it hadn’t been changed all day. Use your judgement. I mostly stuck to places that had lots of locals eating there.
Beer is stupid cheap. Angkor beer is like ₹70 for a big glass. I drank way too much of it.
Best Time to Visit
I went in January and it was perfect. Dry season, 28-32 degrees, hardly any rain. This is peak season though so everything costs a bit more and Angkor Wat is packed.
November to February is when most people go and I get why. The weather is actually nice and you won’t drown in your own sweat.
March to May is brutally hot. Like 40 degrees hot. I met an Australian guy who went then and he said it was miserable. He barely left his hotel between 11am and 4pm.
June to October is rainy season. Some people actually prefer this because the temples are empty and everything is super green. The rain usually comes in the afternoon as a proper downpour then stops. Just don’t expect to do much outdoor stuff in the middle of the day.
I wouldn’t go in April if you can avoid it. It’s the hottest month and Khmer New Year when everything shuts for a week.
Budget (Indian Rupees)
Cambodia is cheap. Like actually cheap if you’re coming from India.
I spent about ₹3800 per day for two weeks including everything. That covered nice rooms, eating out three times a day, beers, transport and entry fees. If you’re careful you could easily do it on ₹2500 a day.
Breakdown looked like this:
– Nice room: ₹2800-3500 per night
– Meals: ₹500-800 per day if eating local
– Angkor Wat ticket: ₹6500 for 3 days (worth it)
– Motorbike taxi or tuk tuk for the day: ₹1500-2000
– Beer: ₹70-120
– SIM card with data: ₹400 for a week
Flights within Cambodia aren’t worth it unless you’re short on time. Buses are fine and the sleeper buses to Sihanoukville aren’t as bad as people say.
The only thing that felt expensive was the Angkor Wat ticket. ₹6500 is a lot when your daily budget is low but honestly you kind of have to do it.
ATMs are everywhere but they charge $5 fee each time so take out as much as you can. Also bring some US dollars as backup because the riel is annoying.
Tips for First-Timers
Don’t do what I did and try to see Angkor Wat at sunrise on your first morning. I was so jet lagged and the crowds were insane. Go in the afternoon on your first day when it’s quieter.
Tuk tuk drivers will rip you off. Negotiate hard. The price from airport to town should be around ₹800. Anything over ₹1200 is tourist tax.
The kids selling stuff at temples are persistent. I bought some postcards just to make one kid go away and then had ten more following me. The polite but firm “no thank you” works better than ignoring them.
Bring mosquito repellent. I got eaten alive in Phnom Penh. The mosquitoes there don’t mess around.
If you’re going to the beaches in Sihanoukville, skip the main town. It’s become super sketchy with lots of Chinese casino stuff. Go to Otres Beach or Koh Rong instead.
The landmine museum near Siem Reap is actually really good. It’s heavy but way more interesting than I expected. Takes about two hours.
Don’t drink the tap water. I did once by accident and paid for it the next 24 hours. Bottled water is everywhere and costs almost nothing.
The killing fields and S21 in Phnom Penh are depressing as hell. I felt weird taking photos but the audio guide is excellent. Go early in the morning before it gets too hot and crowded. It’s not fun but it’s important.
Watch out for the police “fines”. They sometimes pull over tourists on motorbikes for no helmet or random stuff and ask for money. I just played dumb and they eventually let me go.
FAQ
Is Cambodia safe?
Mostly yes. I never felt unsafe but I also didn’t walk around drunk at 3am. The scams are more annoying than dangerous. Just use normal big city sense.
Should I get a SIM card?
Yes. Data is cheap and Google Maps works well enough. I got a Smart SIM at the airport for ₹400 that lasted me 10 days with plenty of data.
Is it easy to travel around?
Buses are fine between major places. Getting to the smaller beaches is a pain but doable. I rented a scooter in Kep and it was the best decision I made.
Do I need to book everything in advance?
Only during peak season (Dec-Feb). I booked my first two nights in Siem Reap and then just showed up everywhere else. Never had trouble finding rooms.
Is the food spicy?
Not really. They have chili on the side but the food itself is pretty mild. I actually missed proper spice after two weeks.
Can I drink the ice in drinks?
Most places use bottled or filtered water for ice now. I did and was fine but your stomach might be more sensitive than mine.
Is Angkor Wat worth the hype?
Yes and no. The main temple is impressive but gets insanely crowded. The smaller temples around it are actually better. Ta Prohm (the one with trees growing out of it) was my favorite.
What’s the scam situation?
The usual stuff. Overcharging on taxis, “special” massage places, dodgy tours. Nothing too crazy compared to other countries. Just don’t be an idiot.
Should I go to the beach or just do temples?
Both if you have time. The beaches aren’t Maldives level but they’re decent and cheap. Kep was my surprise favorite – quiet, good seafood, crab market is fun.
Look, Cambodia isn’t perfect. It’s got its problems – the poverty is obvious, some places feel like they’ve sold their soul to tourism, and the traffic in Phnom Penh is mental. But it’s also ridiculously cheap, the people are genuinely friendly (not just because they want your money), and Angkor Wat at sunset is actually pretty special.
I went expecting not much and left wanting to come back. Just don’t go with unrealistic expectations and you’ll have a good time. It’s not heaven but it’s real, and sometimes that’s better anyway.
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