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Best time to visit Phnom Penh: month by month
Short answer
November to February is the best period, with highs of 30–32°C, lows of 22–24°C and very few rainy days. March to May is the hottest stretch (highs of 33–34°C), and June to October is the wet season, with 22–29 rainy days a month, but greener and cheaper.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30°C | 22°C | 4 | high |
| Feb | 32°C | 23°C | 4 | high |
| Mar | 34°C | 25°C | 6 | medium |
| Apr | 33°C | 25°C | 19 | medium |
| May | 33°C | 26°C | 26 | low |
| Jun | 33°C | 26°C | 22 | low |
| Jul | 32°C | 25°C | 26 | low |
| Aug | 32°C | 25°C | 27 | low |
| Sep | 31°C | 25°C | 29 | low |
| Oct | 30°C | 24°C | 27 | low |
| Nov | 30°C | 24°C | 20 | high |
| Dec | 30°C | 23°C | 5 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Very hot, with highs of 33–34°C; March is still dry (about 6 rainy days), but rains build in April and May. Khmer New Year in mid-April empties the city.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Wet season, with highs of 32–33°C and 22–27 rainy days a month, mostly as afternoon storms; streets can flood briefly.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September and October are the wettest months (27–29 rainy days); rain eases in November (about 20 days) as the cooler dry season begins.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Dry and the most comfortable time, with highs of 30–32°C, lows of 22–23°C and only 4–5 rainy days a month; peak season.
Events worth planning around
- Khmer New Year — mid-April
- Royal Ploughing Ceremony — around May
- Pchum Ben (festival of the ancestors) — September or October
- Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) on the river — usually November, when held
When to avoid
If you dislike heat, avoid March to May, when highs reach about 34°C. During Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben, many shops and restaurants close as people go home, and transport out of the city is very busy.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Phnom Penh?
December or January, when it is dry, with highs of about 30°C and few rainy days.
Is the wet season a bad time to visit?
Not necessarily. Rain usually comes as afternoon storms, the countryside is green and prices are lower; streets can flood briefly.
When is Khmer New Year?
In mid-April. Many businesses close and transport is very busy as people travel home.