Daily costs per person in USD. Phnom Penh is very affordable — street food, tuk-tuks, and social enterprise restaurants keep daily budgets low while supporting local communities.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: USD / KHR (៛ Riel) (USD widely accepted, riel for change)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $4–10 | $15–40 | $60+ | Dorms → guesthouses → boutique hotels |
| Food | $5–8 | $10–20 | $30+ | Street food → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | $3–6 | $8–15 | $25+ | PassApp & tuk-tuk → day hire → private car |
| Activities | $5–10 | $15–30 | $50+ | Museums → cooking class & cruise → private guide |
| Drinks | $1–3 | $4–8 | $15+ | Street coffee & beer → bars → craft cocktails |
| Daily Total | $18–37 | $52–113 | $180+ | Budget backpacker → comfortable → luxury |
Money-saving tips
$1.50 street meals
Bai sach chrouk (pork rice): $1.50. Num banh chok (noodles): $1. Khmer curry rice: $2. Iced coffee: $0.50. Cambodia's street food is delicious and incredibly cheap — budget $5–8/day eating entirely from stalls and markets.
Tuk-tuk pricing
In-town trips: $1–3. Airport: $9–12. Killing Fields round-trip: $12–15 (including wait time). Always agree the price before getting in. PassApp ride-hailing gives fixed prices and is usually cheaper.
Social enterprise dining
Friends, Romdeng, Haven, and Marum serve excellent food ($4–8 mains) while supporting at-risk youth. Better food than tourist restaurants at similar prices, and your money directly funds education and training programs.
USD is king
Bring crisp US dollars — Cambodia runs on USD with riel for sub-dollar change. Torn or marked bills are rejected. ATMs charge $4–5 per withdrawal and dispense dollars. ABA Bank has the most ATMs and lowest fees.
$0.50 iced coffee
Cambodian iced coffee from street carts is $0.50 — condensed milk, strong coffee, and ice in a plastic bag. It is delicious and costs 1/10th of a Western cafe. The specialty coffee shops ($2–3) are excellent but the street version has more character.
Bus connections are cheap
Siem Reap: $12–15 (6hrs). Kampot: $8 (3hrs). Sihanoukville: $10 (4hrs). Giant Ibis and Mekong Express are the best bus companies — comfortable, on-time, and safe. Book online or at guesthouses.
