Cambodia Travel Guide: Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh

Getting to know Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the most straightforward countries to picture before you book: the temples of Angkor Wat and the wider Angkor complex near Siem Reap, combined with a stay in the riverside capital, Phnom Penh. That focus makes it a natural standalone trip of three to five nights, and an easy extension onto a Vietnam itinerary, since the two countries share a border with short flight and overland connections between them.

Neighbours ring Cambodia on every landward side — Vietnam runs along its eastern and southern edge, Laos lies northeast, and Thailand stretches across the west and northwest — while the Gulf of Thailand forms the southwestern coastline, placing the country in the far southeast of the Indochina Peninsula. Expect warm, tropical weather in every month: the south-west monsoon delivers rain between May and mid-November, and skies turn dry from mid-November through to April. Given Cambodia's small size, that seasonal pattern barely shifts between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, making the November-through-April stretch the dependable choice for most itineraries.

Two kinds of traveller tend to choose Cambodia: those new to Southeast Asia looking for a heritage-focused trip that doesn't demand weeks away, and those already building a Vietnam itinerary who want to fold in a second country. Phnom Penh serves as the capital. Officially the currency is the Cambodian Riel (KHR), though nearly every transaction can be made in US dollars, which circulate freely alongside it. Khmer is spoken nationwide, with pockets of Vietnamese and Thai near the respective borders.

Where to go in Cambodia

Siem Reap

Most visitors come to Cambodia for one reason — the Angkor Wat temples — and this is the town that puts you next to them.

Phnom Penh

Cambodia's capital sits on the riverfront and is typically added to a Siem Reap trip for two nights in the city.

Rather than visiting just one city, most travellers combine Phnom Penh with Siem Reap — the two are simple to connect, and together they deliver both the capital's sights and the temples on a single trip.

Good to know before you go

	Details
Best time to travel	Mid-November to April (dry season); rainy season runs May to mid-November
Currency	Cambodian Riel (KHR); US Dollar widely accepted
Language	Khmer
Main gateways	Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport

Planning your Cambodia trip

Trips here range from a three-night Siem Reap temple visit on its own to a six-night Phnom Penh and Siem Reap combination, with four and five nights the most popular length for that same pairing. Every itinerary is timed around an Angkor Wat sunrise or sunset, since that is what most travellers ask for first.

An extension into Vietnam, most often Ho Chi Minh City, is easy to add given how short the connection is between the two countries. Tell us your dates and how much time you would rather spend at the temples versus the capital, and we will send back a day-by-day plan by email, with a quote to follow.

See all Cambodia packages

How your trip is run in Cambodia

A Phnom Penh-based team handles every Cambodia trip we run, which means hotel bookings, temple-pass arrangements and guide schedules in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are managed on the ground rather than from afar. When your plans change close to departure, that on-the-ground presence is what lets us confirm changes quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Cambodia?

A visa is needed for Cambodia. Because requirements and validity periods shift, confirm the current rule for your passport before booking — we're happy to point you toward the right source.

How many days should I plan for Angkor Wat?

One full day takes you through the core circuit — Angkor Wat together with Angkor Thom; stretch it to two days and you can fit in a sunrise visit plus outlying temples like Banteay Srei.

Is Cambodia better on its own or combined with Vietnam?

Either approach works: a stand-alone trip of four or five nights suits travellers who want nothing but the temples, and a Vietnam-Cambodia combination suits those wanting two countries covered in a single journey.

What is the best time of year to visit Cambodia?

Temple visits are most comfortable in the dry stretch from mid-November to April; the rainy season fills the rest of the year, May through mid-November, bringing regular afternoon showers.

Is Cambodia suitable for families?

Families do well here — both Phnom Penh's riverfront and the Angkor temples suit children and adults alike, though it's worth planning around the heat and the walking distances at Angkor if you're travelling with older relatives or young children.

Cambodia