Costs of holidays in Cambodia
Petrol is very cheap in Cambodia
For many years, Cambodia was off limits to all but the most intrepid tourists. UN aid workers were the only Westerners that ventured into Cambodia while the Khmer Rouge was in power and these workers received a salary from the government and paid for food, drink and accommodation with US dollars. As a result, the dollar is widely accepted throughout Cambodia.
However, this means that the cost of items in touristy areas such as Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville tends to be greater than in other countries in South East Asia. While average prices are higher than neighbours such as Thailand and Laos, they are cheaper than in Singapore, Indonesia and many parts of Malaysia and much lower than in Europe, Canada and the USA.
These days, people from all walks of life travel to Cambodia, ranging from backpackers who exist on a shoestring budget and explore the country independently on public transport to luxury travellers who stay in five-star hotels, dine on Western cuisine and travel by private taxi.
The experience you have in Cambodia will depend on how much you spend and those on a budget can get away with parting with as little as US$10 per day. However, this will only buy the basics such as a cheap room in a hostel or basic guesthouse, basic meals and perhaps money to catch the local bus to the next town.
To be comfortable, visitors to Cambodia should allow US$15-25 a day, which allows extra money for little luxuries such as a beer or two, more comfortable accommodation and money to catch the VIP bus.
Those who can afford to spend US$100 per day will be able to stay in some of the country’s top hotels and dine in style. While for those with a real taste for luxury, a budget of US$200 a day should be more than enough and even allow enough money for antique shopping and for unforgettable experiences such as floating over Angkor Wat in a hot air balloon.
The National Bank of Cambodia
When it comes to accommodation, US$5 will pay for an extremely basic room with a fan and shared bathroom. However, for US$7-9 travellers will be able to have an en suite bathroom and a slightly larger room. Three-star hotels in Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh start at US$30 at off-peak times, rising to at least US$40 in the height of the tourist season.
Those in search of luxury five-star accommodation can expect to pay anything from US$80 per night all the way up to US$150, which includes a wide range of modern conveniences such as an en suite bathroom, air-con, satellite television and complimentary breakfast.
When it comes to eating, those on a tight budget can find a cheap and tasty meal served by a street vendor for US$1-2. Those who know where to look can find filling dishes of curry and rice for just US$2, while internationals food starts at US$3. However, there are also plenty of gourmet restaurants in tourist areas and those with money to burn who want to treat themselves to something extravagant can easily spend US$20 or more on French cuisine or tapas.
Alcohol in Cambodia is cheap compared to the West and beer costs around US$1-1.50, while a bottle of spirits start at US$6. Wine is pretty expensive in Cambodia as it is imported with a bottle of French or Chilean wine costing around US$50, which will really put a dent in your budget.
