2024 Cambodia Tours: 6 Things to Know Before Touring Cambodia

Cambodia has been overlooked as a tourist destination and is only beginning to grow in popularity. Travelers are starting to discover rich ancient culture, deep history, and natural beauty. For many thinking of traveling there, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. To help get you ready, here are 6 things to know before touring Cambodia.

Right Now, Is Cambodia Safe to Visit?

Overall, Cambodia is considered a safe country to visit. Tourists visiting the main attractions like the temple of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, the pristine beaches in Sihanoukville, the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, or Tonle Sap Lake face a very low risk. The country is very welcoming to tourists, but it is always advisable to exercise some caution.

Like many Southeast Asian countries, road safety can be a big issue. Local drivers are known for not always respecting traffic laws, and road conditions outside of major cities can be poor. Be careful crossing the road, and don’t try to cut across traffic. Make sure to choose reputable transportation companies and confirm taxi or Tuk Tuk fares or the use of the meter before entering the vehicle.

Petty crimes like phone or bag snatching can be an issue. Don’t leave your belongings unattended, and ensure essential travel documents are always secure.

In remote or rural areas, landmines can pose a safety risk. In places like Battambang, border areas with Thailand and Banteay Meanchey, only explore the wilderness with an experienced guide familiar with the area.

Camboida tour is very safe.

Do I Need a Visa for a Cambodia Tour?

Most international travelers need a visa for Cambodia to tour Cambodia. Cambodia has two convenient options for getting a Cambodia visa. The easiest is to get a visa on arrival. These can be obtained at all major international airports and border crossings. A visa on arrival is valid for 30 days and costs 25 USD.

During peak tourist seasons, wait times at immigration can be long. To avoid the long queues, consider getting an Cambodia eVisa in advance. The eVisa can be used at the international airports in Phnom Peng, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, as well as several land border crossing points. It costs 36 USD and is valid for 30 days. 

A Cambodia visa on arrival is the easiest way.

What to See and Do for a Cambodia Tour?

As a charming country that attracts thounsands of tourists all over the world, you'll find vaious things to do in Cambodia.

Siem Reap
At the top of the list for most tourists to tour Cambodia is visiting the archeological sites of Angkor Thom, the magnificent ancient capital that includes the Angkor Wat temple complex. The UNESCO World Heritage Site outside of Siem Reap is a massive complex of temples, including Angkor Wat and others like Bayon and Ta Prohm.

Tonle Sap Lake, only 15 kilometers away from Siem Reap, is a fascinating experience of river life in Cambodia. A half-day boat tour on a longtail boat can be booked to see natural scenery and floating villages where whole communities live on floating platforms.

You can also explore the rural areas around Siem Reap. Traditional culture lives on in the countryside villages where rural customs and crafts such as farming, rice cultivation, pottery, and weaving are still practiced. You can even visit the home of a local family to share a home-cooked meal as part of community-based tourism. It's a deeper immersion of things to do in Siem Reap. 

Camboida Angkor Wat temple.

Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the place to learn more about Cambodia’s past and ongoing resurgence. Located at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac Rivers, the city is a blend of modern and traditional Cambodia.

The Royal Palace, in the heart of Phnom Penh, blends traditional Khmer and French colonial influences. It is home to the Silver Pagoda with its Emerald Buddha and countless precious artifacts. 

A guided tour of the National Museum in Phnom Penh will fill you with insights into the cultural history of the country. Never miss the spot to accomplish the list of things to do in Phnom Penh!The museum has extensive collections of artifacts from different periods of Cambodian history, with beautiful sculptures of Buddhist and Hindu deities, pottery, and ceramics from archaeological sites around the country.

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.

Koh Rong Island
To escape the bustling cities, you can go to Koh Rong Island to relax on the beach for a few days. The idyllic island in the Gulf of Thailand is known for its pristine beaches and vibrant tropical landscapes. It’s an excellent place to go snorkeling, diving, or just unwind in peace.

Camboida Koh Rong Island relax tour.

Wherever you go in Cambodia, make sure to explore the markets and sample the delicious street food. Put on some comfortable walking shoes and head out to explore Old Market in Siem Reap or Night Market in Phnom Penh. You’ll find streets full of market stalls selling souvenirs and handicrafts and be able to try popular local foods like Lok Lak, a stir-fried beef dish, or Kuy Teav noodle soup.

10 Days Cambodian Panoramic Overland Tour

Siem Reap - Battambang - Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville - Koh Rong Island

How to Get to Cambodia?

With various transportaion to choose, it's easy to get to Cambodia by air, road or boat. 

Get to Cambodia by Flight
Flight to Cambodia is the most recommended way to get to Cambodia.The easiest way to get to Cambodia is to fly into one of the three international airports.

Phnom Penh International Airport is the largest and busiest airport, offering many flights to international destinations.

Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is the gateway for tourists visiting Angkor Wat. Direct flights from many Southeast Asian cities, such as Bangkok, Hanoi, and Singapore, are available.

Sihanoukville International Airport serves the coastal city of Sihanoukville and the nearby islands. A limited number of international flights are available from cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City.

Flights from North America to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are available from many airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, and United Airlines. It typically takes around 20 hours to fly, including the connections. Ticket prices vary throughout the year but start from around 700 USD.

Flying from Europe takes around 15 hours, with flights from Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, and Ethiad, among others. Tickets with one-stop can be found for as low as 550 USD, depending on the season.

Jet Star offers inexpensive flights from Australia starting at around 226 USD. Other airlines such as China Southern, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific fly to Cambodia with only one stop for 320-400 USD. Flight times are between 12.5 and 17 hours.

Phnom Penh International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Cambodia.

Get to Cambodia by Road or Boat
Getting to Cambodia from neighboring countries by road or boat is also possible. Private cars and buses can be booked from Bangkok to Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City, and Vientiane to Phnom Penh. The journey can take anywhere from 6.5 to 10 hours. Private cars can cost around 200-300 USD, and bus tickets are around 25-35 USD.

Ferries from Vietnam to Cambodia are an interesting way to travel. Chau Doc is the only border crossing between the two countries with regular ferry service. Starting from Ho Chi Minh, you can take a boat for around 60 USD to Chau Doc and then transfer to a ferry or speedboat once across the border. It takes 4.5-5 hours to get to Phnom Penh and costs 17-35 USD.

3 Days Pearl of Orient Cruise Mekong River Upstream High Water

Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Cai Be - Cai Be – Sa Dec - Chau Doc (Border Crossing) – Phnom Penh

When is the Best Time to Tour Cambodia?

Cambodia has distinct wet and dry seasons that make for different considerations about the best time to visit Cambodia. The dry season, from November to April, has the ideal conditions for outdoor exploring. With sunny skies and low humidity, it’s pleasant and comfortable to go out hiking or explore the city streets. Low rainfall and predictable weather also make you less likely to experience disruptions or delays due to storms.

The good weather also brings the peak tourist season. Around Christmas and New Year, tourist sites can get very busy from about the 20th of December until the 10th of January. Booking accommodations and tour services during busy times can be more challenging.

Some tourists wanting to avoid crowds or find attractive deals on tours and accommodations choose to travel to Cambodia during the rainy season. October, in particular, is a good time. Towards the end of the month, rainfall is lower, humidity starts to come down, and the number of tourists is still small. It’s still possible to find good prices while avoiding the worst of the weather.

November to April is the best time travel to Cambodia.

How Many Days for a Cambodia Tour?

A three to four-day Cambodia vacation is just enough time to explore the beauty of Siem Reap. You can spend a whole day exploring the archaeological site of Angkor Thom and another day on a countryside jeep tour, including a visit with a local family. That still leaves enough time to explore local markets, shop for souvenirs and sample street food, or take a tuk-tuk tour of the city winding through the neighborhood streets.

With six to seven days, you can see stunning temples like Angkor Wat and have time to relax on the beaches of Koh Rong. Koh Rong is the perfect getaway from the crowded cities, and you’ll come back completely refreshed after a few days in the tropical paradise.

If you want to explore the whole country, plan for at least nine days. That is enough time to visit Siem Reap, Phnom Peng, and Sihanoukville. You’ll get to see the highlights of the big cities, visit the important cultural and historical sites, and enjoy boat excursions to places like Tonle Sap Lake and Samloem Island.

Visit Combodia Tonle Sap lake.

The Most Popular Cambodia Tour Packages

Our 4 Days to Explore Cambodia’s Cultural Heart: Siem Reap is one of the most popular Cambodia tour packages. You’ll come away with an appreciation of Cambodia’s ancient wonders and an appreciation of local daily life. The tour includes a private guide and driver to take you through discovering Angkor Wat, touring the countryside, and exploring local villages.

4 Days to Explore Cambodia’s Cultural Heart: Siem Reap

Siem Reap

The 5 Days Cambodia Tour to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh tour includes the highlights of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. In addition to Angkor Wat, you’ll have leisure time to explore Siem Reap and visit other temples, such as Banteay Srei. In Phnom Penh, you’ll take a tuk-tuk ride to visit the Silver Pagoda, with its 5000 silver tiles decorating the floor, and see the Royal Palace and National Museum.

6 Days Best of Cambodia Tour Package

Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

On a 9 Days Classic Cambodia Tour, you can see the highlights of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, plus enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Sihanoukville. The pearl-white sand and fresh seafood of Sihanoukville give a different look into Cambodia, and you can enjoy the turquoise blue water on a cruise to Koh Rong Samloem Island.

9 Days Classic Cambodia Tour

Siem Reap - Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh

Conclusion

A Cambodia vacation is a chance to experience a vibrant and exotic culture where ancient traditions live on blended with modern life. Our Cambodia tour packages have something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a deep cultural experience, a relaxing beach vacation, or an exploration of the country’s natural beauty. Contact us for more information or to book your tour today.