Table of Contents
In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know to decide whether it is worth visiting Cambodia in 2025. Cambodia may be a very beautiful and unique country, but is it worth the additional time, money, and energy to take a trip to Cambodia?
We have lived in Cambodia and traveled to the country extensively so we have a lot of knowledge, experience and top tips to share. We have visited Cambodia many times over the years. So if you are deciding whether to take a trip to Cambodia, please read this article carefully.
We really love Cambodia, and although we would recommend it highly, we want to give an objective and balanced answer to help you decide whether you should also visit Cambodia in your travels this year.
How long should you stay? – How long should you spend in Cambodia
Everything you need to know – Which country is Best to Visit – Cambodia or Thailand
Activities and Attractions in Cambodia
If you’re trying to decide whether it is worth visiting Cambodia, we highly recommend that you spend some time researching some of the activities, attractions, and things to do. Activities and attractions should be high up on your list of priorities when deciding whether to visit a country. After all why are you traveling if not for the experiences?
Cambodia is a relatively small country and does not have as much to offer in terms of activities (when compared to other countries in the region). For example, Vietnam and Thailand are both larger countries and have a lot more to offer.
Don’t get us wrong. Cambodia does have some unique activities and attractions. For example, one of the most iconic and significant attractions in Cambodia is the famous Angkor Wat temple located close to Siem Reap. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is also considered to be the eighth wonder of the world. If you have always dreamed of seeing this amazing temple complex, then you will need to take a visit to Cambodia.
There are some activities that we do not recommend visiting Cambodia for. For example, if you are visiting Cambodia for an island or beach holiday, then we recommend the south of Thailand. If you are interested in mountains and hill culture, then we recommend either the north of Thailand or the north of Vietnam. If you are interested in jungle wildlife and natural beauty, then we recommend visiting Thailand or Malaysia rather than Cambodia. Finally, if you are interested in adventurous holidays with activities like zip-lining, mountain biking, visiting waterfalls, and hot springs, then we recommend the north of Thailand.
The Cost of Visiting Cambodia
If you are deciding whether to visit Cambodia, we recommend you spend a little time working out your budget for the trip. Ultimately, if Cambodia adds a lot of money to your trip, you may decide not to visit. In this section, we will give you a feel for prices in Cambodia to help you estimate your budget.
1 Getting to Cambodia
Generally speaking, Cambodia is a pretty cheap country to live and travel in. If you choose to travel overland to Cambodia from a neighboring country (e.g. Bangkok to Siem Reap), the journey is only likely to cost you around $10 – $20. You will also need to consider the cost of the Cambodian visa. Many countries can get a visa on arrival for $30, and this enables you to stay in the country for 30 days. Check the visa rules for Cambodia with your consulate.
2 Costs in Cambodia
Did you know? It is possible to travel Cambodia for as little as $18 per day – Cambodia really is a cheap country. Once you are in Cambodia, the costs are relatively low. For example, you can find a budget double room for as little as $10 per night. At this price, you will generally get a private bathroom and air conditioning. If you are looking for a nicer room in a more luxurious and comfortable hotel, then you can generally find nice rooms starting for around $30.
Food and transport are also very cheap in Cambodia. For example, you can find local Cambodian street food for as little as $1 per dish. If you are traveling on a more comfortable budget, you can also find international food, which is also relatively affordable with dishes typically costing $2 – $5 in most places. There are lots of international restaurants in tourist spots like Siem Reap.
The easiest and most enjoyable way to travel around Cambodia is by tuk-tuk. This is a relatively cheap form of transport. You can take short journeys around town for a few dollars, and a longer day trip by tuk-tuk is likely to cost you around $10 to $20. For long distance journeys around Cambodia, you can take long-distance buses, which generally cost around $10 – $20. Find out more about Tuk tuks in Cambodia.
One of the most expensive things you will do in Cambodia is visit Angkor Wat temples. A one-day pass to the temples costs $37.
The Additional Time Required to Visit Cambodia
Visiting Cambodia is likely to add additional time to your trip. So deciding whether to visit Cambodia will also depend on how much time you have available for your overall Southeast Asian trip.
If you do choose to travel overland to Cambodia from a neighboring country, it is important to recognize that this will use a full travel day. So if you only have a few weeks in Southeast Asia, this may well be a big proportion of your total travel time. Also, remember that you may need to travel back out of Cambodia overland, so you need to decide whether to commit days of your trip to overland travel time.
It is also important to consider the energy that you will expend traveling overland to Cambodia. This is a relatively tiring and challenging overland journey. We have always found the overland border crossing to be challenging and intense (and we have done it many times – some things never get any easier!).
If you do not have the time to travel overland to Cambodia, then it is possible to take a flight to Cambodia. However, flights to Cambodia tend to be relatively expensive, even if you are coming from a nearby country like Thailand.
Some Disadvantages of Visiting Cambodia
There are some challenges of visiting Cambodia, and it is important to be aware of these challenges when you are deciding on whether to visit. For example, Cambodia is a developing country. This means that the infrastructure can be problematic. From time to time you can experience power cuts in Cambodia. And the internet also tends to be slower, more expensive, and less reliable compared to other Southeast Asian countries. Cambodia also experiences some extreme weather, especially during the rainy season. Some areas of the country are prone to seasonal flooding, and the roads can be very challenging, especially in rural locations.
Cambodia compared to other countries nearby?
Although Cambodia is a very beautiful country with some unique attractions, it does not have as much to offer relative to other Southeast Asian countries. Cambodia is a smaller country with less in the way of activities. What’s more, Cambodia can also be more challenging to travel compared to other countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Cambodia also has a lot more poverty and social problems compared to neighboring countries. This can make it more challenging to travel; however, these problems may also be a very good reason to visit Cambodia. Tourism really does help this beautiful country, so if you are able to visit in an ethical and conscientious way, it may well be a very good way to support a developing economy in Southeast Asia.
Summary – Is it Worth Visiting Cambodia?
So on balance, is it worth visiting Cambodia? Whether it is worth visiting Cambodia or not depends on your time, money, and aspirations. Cambodia is genuinely a very beautiful and unique country, and it stands out from other countries in Southeast Asia. However, visiting Cambodia does come with its challenges, and it can be quite expensive if you’re planning to eat international food and stay in more luxurious and comfortable accommodation. If you do plan to travel overland to Cambodia, remember to allow a couple of additional travel days in your overall itinerary. If you have always wanted to see the stunning Angkor Wat temples, then taking a visit to Cambodia is probably well worth all of the additional costs and challenges.
