Is Cambodia expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Cambodia is cheap by world standards and similar to or a little pricier than Vietnam for travellers: a budget day is about US$42 per person and a mid-range day about US$95. The single largest cost is the Angkor pass; food, guesthouses and tuk-tuks are inexpensive.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$12 | US$35 | US$100 |
| Food & drink | US$12 | US$25 | US$50 |
| Sights & tickets | US$10 | US$20 | US$35 |
| Local transport | US$8 | US$15 | US$40 |
| Per person, per day | US$42 | US$95 | US$225 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Cambodia day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Fried rice or fish amok at a local restaurant | about US$3–6 |
| Angkor Pass, 1 day / 3 days | about US$37 / US$62 |
| Tuk-tuk for a day at Angkor (small circuit) | about US$18–25 |
| Tuk-tuk ride in town via PassApp or Grab | about US$1–4 |
| Bus Siem Reap–Battambang | about US$8–12 |
| Royal Palace, Phnom Penh | about US$10 |
| Phare, the Cambodian Circus | about US$20–40 |
| Guesthouse double with pool, Siem Reap | about US$15–35 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Temples and tours take the biggest share: the Angkor pass (about US$37 for a day, US$62 for three), a tuk-tuk or car with driver to get round the temples, and extras such as Beng Mealea, a Tonle Sap boat or a cookery class. Accommodation is very good value, with pool guesthouses from about US$15–35 and boutique villas around US$50–110. Food is cheap at local restaurants and markets; Western cafés and Pub Street bars cost more. Long-distance buses are inexpensive, and domestic flights are the main way transport costs rise.
When it is cheaper
In the rainy season, roughly June to October, guesthouse and hotel rates often drop by around 20–40% and Angkor is far less crowded; November to February is the most expensive time.
How to spend less
- Buy the three-day Angkor pass (valid within ten days) if you want more than one day; it costs far less than three single days.
- Share a tuk-tuk at Angkor with another traveller and agree the route and price before you set off.
- Book PassApp or Grab for town rides to get fixed prices and avoid haggling.
- Eat at markets and Khmer restaurants a block or two away from Pub Street.
- Take Giant Ibis or similar buses between cities rather than flying.
- Pay in US dollars but keep small notes; change comes in riel, which you can spend on small purchases.
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Common questions
How much is the Angkor pass?
About US$37 for one day and US$62 for three days valid within ten days; buy it only at the official ticket centre or online.
Do I need riel or US dollars?
US dollars are used everywhere for most prices; small change is often given in riel. Bring clean, untorn notes.
How much is a day in Cambodia?
About US$42 per person on a budget, about US$95 mid-range and about US$225 in comfort.