Daily costs per person in USD. Phnom Penh is very affordable, and 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, so 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, as 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 for condensed milk, strong coffee, and ice in a plastic bag. It is delicious and costs 1/10th of a Western cafe. The speciality 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, being comfortable, on-time, and safe. Book online or at guesthouses.
