Cambodia Itinerary 7 Days -

According to CNN Travel, Cambodia is ranked as one of the fascinating destinations to visit in Southeast Asia. This Cambodia Itinerary 7 Days guide, will be a good fit for those who want to experience the main highlights of this humble country within a week.

Cambodia has its own distinctive culture to offer that captivates every traveler from all over the world, ranging from prehistoric ancient temples, mouth-watering local cuisine, beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and vibrant nightlife.

If you are planning to visit Cambodia in 7 days, you have come to the right site.

Continue reading this comprehensive article written by WWB Writer Sam Lee Travels—the one guide you can rely on to explore this culturally rich country to your heart’s content!

Back in September 2017, Sam was exploring Cambodia with my friends, unknowingly that this place was going to be one of her favorite countries to visit. Stay on till the very end to find out the unmissable things to do in Cambodia, estimated budget, and useful tips when visiting the country!

Related Posts On Travel In Cambodia :

An Epic 4 Day Cambodia Itinerary

Summary Of The Cambodia 1 Week Itinerary

Day 1: Siem Reap Part One

Day 2: Siem Reap Part Two

Day 3: Siem Reap Part Three & To Phnom Penh

Day 4: Phnom Penh Part One

Day 5: Phnom Penh Part Two & To Sihanoukville

Day 6 & 7: Sihanoukville & Koh Rong

Disclosure: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thank you.

Day 1: Siem Reap Part One

Explore local streets
Eat local cuisine at food stalls and markets
Pasar Chas
Angkor Night Market
Pub Street

The first destination in the Cambodia one week itinerary is Siem Reap.

The ancient city that houses Angkor Wat. In fact, there is more to Siem Reap than ancient temples.

Start exploring this bustling city by taking a stroll along the streets and river, visit the massage parlor, or simply try local authentic cuisine—having Cambodian fish amok (a savory creamy curry fish fillet with rice dish) is a must on your food list!

If you are looking for local souvenirs and clothing, head to Phsar Chas (also known as Old Market) during the day and Angkor Night Market, as the name suggested, at night. You can also find cheap local delicacies over here.

End the day by experiencing Siem Reap nightlife in Pub Street before heading back to rest for temple hopping activity in Angkor Wat the next day.

Day 2: Siem Reap Part Two

Explore Angkor Wat temples
Phare: The Cambodian Circus

A Cambodia itinerary of 7 days will not complete without visiting one of the main highlights of the country, Angkor Wat.

This UNESCO World Heritage site contains the magnificent ruins of the mighty Khmer kingdom that are worth exploring under the hot and humid weather.

Head over to Angkor Wat in the early morning to witness the sunrise over the complex is an experience that you should not miss. You can go there as early as 4 am to secure a nice spot to enjoy and capture the scenic view of Angkor Wat among hundreds of other sunrise-chasing travelers.

Apart from Angkor Wat, you should also visit equally unique temples on the site including:

Bayon,
Ta Prohm,
Preah Khan,
Angkor Thom, and
Banteay Kdei.

To fully immerse yourself into the history of this big ancient complex, you can opt to get a tour guide to explain the scripture, monuments, and temples themselves in detail.

This link shows some of the Angkor Wat tour options that you can consider to maximize your one week in Cambodia’s experience.

Angkor Wat Entrance Fees: To enter Angkor Archaeological Park, you will need to purchase a ticket at the official ticketing center. Your picture will be taken on the spot and printed directly onto the ticket with your name.

Below is the list of day pass available for Angkor Wat entrance and respective prices:

Note: Keep the ticket with you at all times as you will be asked for it at every temple entrance.

Angkor Wat Visiting Hours: 5 am-5.30 pm (Varies based on temples)

Tuk-tuk Ride Cost (Two-way): US$15

At night, you can visit Phare: The Cambodian Circus to sum up your Day 2 of one week in Cambodia itinerary.

Be prepared to be blown away! Phare performers use their honed artistic skills to perform Cambodian stories during the shows.

The ticket price varies based on seating and spectator age group. You may buy your ticket here.

Phare: The Cambodian Circus Ticket Price: Starting from US$18

Day 3: Siem Reap Part Three & To Phnom Penh

Optional: Continue exploring Angkor Wat temples
Optional: Floating village of Tonle Sap
Optional: Khmer cooking class
Siem Reap city sightseeing
Travel to Phnom Penh

You may revisit Angkor Wat and continue exploring the temples that you do not manage to do so the day before—the complex is huge and there are so many things to see!

Some of the temples that you can consider visiting are Preah Khan, Ta Som, and Prae Rup to complete your temple hopping experience in one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.

For this, you will have to buy 3-Day Pass the first time you get your entrance ticket from the ticketing center, or you have to spend another US$37 for another day’s pass.

Alternatively, you can sign up for a local tour that shows you around the floating village of Tonle Sap, the largest lake in Southeast Asia, in your Cambodia 1 week itinerary. Through the tour, you will be able to discover Cambodian traditional life, culture, and way of living.

Depending on which floating village tour that you choose, you can also enjoy the sunset scenic view of Tonle Sap while having a buffet dinner at a floating restaurant.

Note: If you are indecisive on tour selection prior to your arrival in Cambodia, you can simply sign up for tours at your hotel/hostel. The receptionist will offer some tour packages to their guests and make the booking with the tour company including transportation.

Remember to be punctual and put on your best comfy attire to start your new adventure!

If you still have some time, you can also opt for attending a cooking class that revolves around Khmer cuisine, walking along the streets in Siem Reap for sightseeing, or continue exploring the markets in the city to quench your shopping thirst.

Once Day 3 of Cambodia itinerary 7 days is concluded, pack your belongings and head over to Phnom Penh to continue exploring this culturally rich country.

How To Get To Phnom Penh From Siem Reap

You can take either an:

overnight bus at night or
a flight the next morning

from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, depending on your budget.

You can also opt for boat service.

However, the transport duration is around 8.5 hours, and the service only operates from July to March during the wet season.

Therefore, based on these reasons, taking an overnight bus or plane would be the better choice to travel to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh for your Cambodia one week itinerary.

For an overnight bus ticket, it costs about US$14 and the drive will take up to 6 hours.

This option is more popular among travelers as the main bus company in Cambodia, Giant Ibis, offers sleeping bunk beds, plug sockets, WIFI, and even a toilet. You can book the bus ticket online here.

As for a flight ticket from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, the price starts from US$50 with less than an hour journey.

Day 4: Phnom Penh Part One

Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
Optional: Wat Phnom, National Museum & Cambodia Living Art
Russian Market
Central Market
Optional: Mekong River cruise
Optional: Phnom Penh Night Market
Phnom Penh riverside sightseeing

You are halfway through visiting Cambodia in 7 days’ journey!

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. If you take an overnight bus from Siem Reap, you may choose to rest for a while in your accommodation before heading out.

If you are taking a morning flight instead, drop your bags at the hotel/hostel and start exploring this yet another beautiful city of Cambodia!

Head over to Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda to tour around the official royal residence in Cambodia. You will get to see great and grand Khmer architecture of buildings, halls, and pavilions within the complex.

To know more in detail about the history of the buildings, you can hire a tour guide at the complex entrance or book a Phnom Penh City Tour that includes visits to other popular attractions such as Wat Phnom, National Museum, and Cambodia Living Art.

Royal Palace Entrance Fee: US$10 (inclusive of Silver Pagoda)

Visiting Hours: 8 am-11 am & 2 pm-5 pm

Cambodia one week itinerary — Photo taken by Rene DeAnda from Unsplash

Once you are done with palace and pagoda sightseeing, it is time to explore the local famous markets in search of cheap and filling meals, souvenirs, clothing, or just simply observing the way of locals doing business.

The Russian Market and Central Market are the places that you shouldn’t miss from your Cambodia itinerary 1 week.

If you can’t get enough of Cambodia’s sunset, you may enjoy the scenic view of the Mekong River and the capital’s nightlife on a cruise accompanied with free flow-drinks to conclude Day 4.

Alternatively, you can head over to Phnom Penh Night Market.

Over here, you get to enjoy the live singing, dancing, and instrument playing performances by the locals while having delicious street foods on a floor section covered with woven mats. You can also buy souvenirs from this market if you have not done so in your Cambodia 7 days visit.

This night market is only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 pm until midnight. If you are in Phnom Penh other than these days, you may consider taking a walk along the riverside to enjoy the night breeze and trying some street foods from the vendors.

Cambodia itinerary 1 week — Photo taken by Mark from Unsplash

Day 5: Phnom Penh Part Two & To Sihanoukville

Choeung Ek Killing Fields
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Travel to Sihanoukville
Experience Sihanoukville’s nightlife
Have seafood feast

This day is dedicated to learning about the grim and brutal past that took place in the capital of Cambodia just almost fifty years ago that surprisingly not many people know about. I, for one, only learned about the said atrocity when I visited Phnom Penh in 2017.

One of the places to immerse yourself into the grim history of the country during the one week in Cambodia visit is Choeung Ek Killing Fields. After having your breakfast, get a tuk-tuk to this site as it is located 15 km away (45-minute ride) from the city.

Choeung Ek Killing Fields were used by the Khmer Rouge to execute Cambodians including children and infants from 1975 to 1979.

Note: There are some shocking pictures, stories, and signage that portrayed a clearer picture to visitors about the incidents that took place in Choeung Ek Killing Fields. As such, it may not be an easy place to visit and not a suitable place to explore with young children. This reminder also applies to Tuol Sleng (S21) Genocide Museum.

Once you reach the site, you will be greeted by friendly ticketing staff.

Audio guide is available to guide you to each important spot around the field to explain what took place at the particular site, and I recommend you to get the audio guide for an extra few dollars.

You may spend up to 1.5 hours fully exploring the site.

Choeung Ek Killing Fields’ Entrance Fee: US$3 or US$6 with audio guide

Visiting Hours: 8 am-5.30 pm

Tuk-tuk Ride Cost: Around US$15 (Two-way)

After leaving Choeng Ek Killing Fields, it is time to head over to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. This secondary-school-turned-prison place is an unmissable site to visit in Phnom Penh on your Day 5 of Cambodia itinerary 7 days.

This site was formerly used by Khmer Rouge to imprison and torture captured Cambodians including elites such as doctors and lawyers.

Over here, you will get to see the black-and-white pictures of prisoners, torturing tools, brick cells, and some signages that explain what happened in this place.

Audio guide is also available in Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to guide you through the different buildings within the compound and their past. Prepare to spend about 1.5 hours exploring the buildings.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Entrance Fee: US$5 or US$8 with audio guide

Visiting Hours: 8 am-5 pm

After you are done visiting these places in Phnom Penh by late afternoon, pack your belongings for a trip down south to Sihanoukville – a paradise filled with beautiful beaches.

You can stay a night in Sihanoukville before moving on to Koh Rong the next day. At night, experience the nightlife in Sihanoukville or look for cheap seafood meals!

How To Get To Sihanoukville From Phnom Penh

To get to Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh, you can take a private taxi, bus, or flight.

Generally, a flight ticket will cost US$50 and above but the travel duration is less than two hours.

If you travel by bus, the drive will take up to five hours but the ticket price can go down to as low as US$6.

Click on this link to book your bus ticket.

Day 6 & 7: Sihanoukville & Koh Rong

Sihanoukville’s beaches (Otres Beach & Independence Beach)
Travel to Koh Rong
Water activities in Koh Rong (kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, or boat tour)
Koh Rong’s beaches (Koh Touch Beach, Sok San Beach & Long Set Beach)
Sightseeing and relaxation

On Day 6 of Cambodia’s itinerary for 7 days, you get to visit the relaxing and beautiful sandy beaches of Sihanoukville such as Otres Beach and Independence Beach.

If you are looking to unwind and would like to have quieter and more beach spaces to yourself, head over to Otres Beach instead.

After exploring Sihanoukville’s beaches during the day, head over to Koh Rong for more beach sightseeing and relaxation.

In Koh Rong, you can opt for activities such as kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, or signing up for a boat tour around the island.

Some of the beaches that you can visit in Koh Rong are Koh Touch Beach, Sok San Beach, and Long Set Beach.

If you still can’t get enough of Cambodia’s sunset, walk over to Long Set Beach to enjoy the view before completing your journey in exploring Cambodia in 7 days.

Note: You will have to get a boat taxi to get around the beaches from Koh Touch Beach (except for Long Set Beach where you can directly walk to get there). Each boat trip will cost around US$5 to US$7. It may be slightly pricey for budget travelers but the money spent is worth it as Koh Rong’s beaches are beautiful.

On Day 7, have a hearty breakfast and take the last stroll on beaches before departing to your next destination. You can directly fly back to your country or back to Siem Reap for a more extensive flight option from Sihanoukville Airport.

It has been a jam-packed Cambodia itinerary for 1 week with the main highlights of Cambodia, and by the end of the trip, you will be glad to add Cambodia to your travel destination!

How To Get to Koh Rong From Sihanoukville

You can only travel to Koh Rong from Sihanoukville via ferry service. Round trip tickets cost around US$22 and each ferry ride takes about 1.5 hours.

You may buy the tickets online here or get the tickets from the ferry terminal directly.

How Much Money Do You Need Per Day In Cambodia?

Depending on your budget and travel lifestyle, your total expenditure might vary from one traveler to another when you are planning for a Cambodia itinerary 7 days.

Below shows the suggested average daily budget for 3 different groups of travelers: low budget traveler, mid-range traveler, and luxury traveler.

Note: All prices shown are in USD currency and for 1 person only.

Activities

Your expenditure throughout your visit to Cambodia in 7 days can be largely determined by the activities that you plan to do.

Angkor Wat entrance fee for 1 Day-Pass is US$37.

Most of the tour prices start from US$20 and can go as high as US$100, depending on the duration of the tour and the number of places to visit in a tour.

Accommodation

Having a night stay in a hostel will cost around US$3 to US$8 while a night hotel stay will cost about US$24 to US$40. A stay in a luxury hotel for a night will cost at least US$60 and above.

For room booking, you can do so via Booking.com or Agoda.

Food

Generally, local delicacies in markets or streets cost about US$1 to US$3 while having meals at local restaurants is around US$3 to US$5, depending on what you eat. A cafe or Western meal will cost more at about US$10 to US$15.

If you feel like drinking beer, buy some from the convenience store at US$0.50 per can or head over to the pub for US$1 to US$2.

Transportation

You can rent a bike for US$5 to US$10 per day to explore the places in Cambodia.

Tuk-tuk service is usually charged per trip or hour depending on your agreement with your driver. For an hour ride, you can expect to pay around US$5 to US$10.

Bus tickets generally cost around US$10 to US$20 to travel to major cities. As for flight tickets, be prepared to spend at least US$50 and above for domestic flights. Book the flight tickets in advance for a cheaper price.

Cambodia in 7 days. — Photo taken by Humphrey Muleba from Unsplash

Cambodia Itinerary 7 Days Budget

Based on this one week in Cambodia itinerary, the table below shows a sample with an estimated expenditure of each category (activities, accommodation, food, and transportation) for the overall trip in Cambodia which excludes the flight ticket into and out of the country.

You may use this table as a reference to plan the budget for your upcoming one week in Cambodia trip to accommodate your preferred travel lifestyle.

Category	Remark	Estimated Expenditure/ Budget
Activities	Local tours and major attractions’ entrance tickets	US$110
Accommodation	Hostels	US$25 (Hostel for US$5/night for 5 nights)
Food	Meals	US$49 (US$7/day for 7 days)
Transportation	Around and between major cities (Tuk-tuk, bus, and boat)	US$65
	Grand Total	US$249
Average per Day	Around US$36

Note: Your budget will be largely influenced by the tour sign-up and accommodation that you choose.

What Is The Best Month To Visit Cambodia?

Cambodia has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year.

The best time to visit the country is from November to April where there is less rain. The weather is cooler from November to February. Therefore, Cambodia is flooded with tourists during these few months.

The temperature will begin to rise in March and April being the month with the highest temperature recorded in the year. The weather is hot and humid during these two months, making them ideal months for visitors to visit islands and beaches.

If you wish to explore the country during non peak periods with fewer crowds, it is best to visit Cambodia from April to October where there are more frequent rainfalls.

How Many Days Do You Need To See Cambodia?

You can visit Cambodia for as short as 3 days or as long as 1 month or more, depending on your preference and visa application approval.

If you are only visiting Cambodia for 3 days, it is advisable to visit 1 city only such as Siem Reap.

There is a Cambodia itinerary for 6 days and Cambodia 5 days itinerary available on the web, but as our itinerary title suggested, you need to spend at least 1 week in Cambodia to visit the main highlights that this country has to offer to fellow travelers due to its historically and culturally rich background.

Alternatively, you can modify our itinerary to suit your travel time.

Where To Stay In Cambodia?

Being one of the most affordable countries to travel to in Southeast Asia, Cambodia has a wide range of accommodation choices for fellow travelers to choose from depending on their travel lifestyle and budget.

The type of accommodation can be divided into three types; hostels, mid-range hotels, and luxury hotels.

Below are some of the recommended places to stay in the cities that are mentioned in this Cambodia itinerary 7 days:

Note: All the links are from Booking.com.

What To Eat In Cambodia?

Cambodian cuisine is less commonly known, but it is no doubt a delicious and must-try cuisine. This cuisine incorporates local spices and herbs, making the dishes full of unique yet appetizing flavors that you will be really glad that you tried.

Below are some of the popular Cambodian dishes to include in your to-eat-list 1 week in Cambodia:

Fish Amok: This creamy curry with fresh fish fillet is steamed with egg, local herbs paste (known as kroeung in Cambodia), coconut milk, and fish sauce in bowl-shaped banana leaves. It is usually not too spicy and served with a plate of rice.

Fun fact: I had fish amok for almost every single day when I first visited Cambodia a few years back. That was how good it is!

Nom Banh Chok: Also known as Khmer noodles, this dish is comfort food for Cambodians as breakfast. The noodle is paired with green curry gravy and topped with beansprouts, cucumber, mint, and basil. The dish is usually sold by women along the street.

Bai Sach Chrouk: Thin pork slices are first marinated with fish sauce and palm sugar before grilling them slowly over the charcoal. This dish comes with a plate of rice, pickled cucumber and radish, and a bowl of chicken soup. This is also commonly eaten as breakfast and can be found in street food stalls.

Lok Lak: A typical Khmer dish, thin slices of beef are stir-fried in a brown sauce and usually topped with a sunny-side up egg. The sides include green salad and dipping sauce. It is served with a plate of rice as well.

Green Mango Salad: Apart from Thais’, Cambodians have their version of green mango salad too. This tangy salad is made from pickled cucumber, fresh chilies, fish sauce, sliced green mango, and sliced tomatoes, making it a popular dish to have during hot days.

If you are a vegan, click on the links below to try some of the vegan restaurants and vegan street foods in Cambodia:

one week in Cambodia itinerary — Photo by author

How To Get Around In Cambodia?

Even though transportation in Cambodia is considered underdeveloped, most major cities with places of attraction are relatively easy to reach by public transportation.

Below are some of the transportation modes that you can consider for your Cambodia itinerary 7 days:

Buses And Minibuses

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to travel between the cities throughout the country is by bus. Some of the reputable bus operators in Cambodia are Giant Ibis Transport and Mekong Express.

Main bus hubs can be found in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Sihanoukville, making traveling more convenient and economical for both locals and tourists.

Taxis

Taxi is another option to travel between and around cities if you travel in a group of 3 to 4 people and prefer to have more personal space. Remember to haggle for a better price with your driver before boarding.

Tuk-tuks

Tuk-tuk is the preferred mode of transportation to explore the city. Same as taxis, remember to haggle the price before jumping onto the tuk-tuk as most riders set a high price to tourists for a ride to earn more.

Walk away and look for another driver if no price agreement is reached; there are plenty of tuk-tuk riders available in almost every corner of the street.

Most rides will cost less than US$5 depending on the distance. Expect to pay around US$15 when you hire the tuk-tuk rider for a day trip.

Boats

If you are in Cambodia during the rainy season (July to March) or have extra time to spend on transportation to travel the country, you can opt to travel between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh by boat.

You get to see the scenic views of the river during the journey.

However, the trip can take up to 8.5 hours and some boats do not have life jackets on board, making the safety measures for passengers questionable.

Airplanes

To date, there are 3 airports in Cambodia: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Sihanoukville. The travel duration is the shortest as compared to other modes of transportation.

However, expect to spend US$50 and above if you are taking flights to travel domestically on your Cambodia Itinerary 7 Days trip.

Unique Tips You Should Know When Visiting Cambodia

These are some useful and unique tips to know to better prepare yourself to make this Cambodia itinerary 7 days one of the best trips you ever had:

The Cambodia Visa Application

All foreign tourists, except ASEAN countries, need to apply for a Cambodia visa before being eligible to enter the country. There are several ways of visa application, depending on the passport country origin.

Click on this link to know which application method that you are eligible for, how to apply for the visa, and the application fees.

Currency

The official currency of Cambodia is Riel (KHR), but US currency is widely accepted too, from major attraction places to street stalls. You can bring cash in both currencies just in case you need either one of them. The usual currency exchange rate of US$1 is equivalent to 4000 Riels.

Language

Cambodia’s official language is Khmer. Nevertheless, English is becoming more common among the locals due to the boom in the tourism industry.

Internet Connectivity

You can get a local SIM card with an internet plan from US$2 when you touch down at the airport. Some examples of telco providers are Metfone and Cellcard.

Plug Socket Type

There are 3 types of plug sockets used in Cambodia: Type A, C, and G. Bring along a universal adapter before visiting the country. You can get the travel adapter here.

Tipping Practice

Tipping is not compulsory in Cambodia, but it is appreciated.

ATM Machine And Fees

ATM machines can be conveniently found in cities or popular tourist destinations. However, each transaction might cost about a US$5 withdrawal fee.

Bargain, Bargain & Bargain

Before you agree to buy some local souvenirs or get onto tuk-tuk, negotiate the price that you are willing to pay with the seller or rider first. Most of the time the price quoted by them is higher than usual.

Drinking Water

It is best to drink from bottled water as tap water might be unsafe for drinking. Alternatively, get a water bottle with a purifier before flying into Cambodia to save some money on bottled water for extra amok!

Attire

As Cambodians or Asians, in general, are more conservative, it is best to dress appropriately especially when you are visiting the temples.

Monks

Monks are highly respected individuals in Cambodia. For ladies, please refrain from touching the monks and ask for permission before taking their pictures.

Walking On Foot

Most places of attractions in the cities are within walking distance. You can save some money on tuk-tuks if you are willing to walk for 5 to 10 minutes or maybe 30 minutes from one place to another while enjoying the surrounding view.

Exotic Delicacies

You may bump into street stalls selling fried tarantulas, scorpions, and even crickets as side dishes in the night market. I saw these when I was in Pub Street!

Safety In Cambodia

Generally, Cambodia is safe for traveling. However, do stay alert to your surroundings and refrain from bringing extra cash on hand.

Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance for yourself before leaving for Cambodia. You can buy one from World Nomads.

Vaccination

Check with your family doctor about any necessary vaccination to get before visiting Cambodia.

Cambodia 7 Days Packing List

Here are some of the essentials that you should have in your packing list when visiting Cambodia:

Sunscreen and hat/cap
Swimwear
Insect repellant
Reusable water bottle with filter
Sneakers and flip-flops
Appropriate clothing
Basic first aid items/ medicines

Cambodia Itinerary 7 Days: Conclusion

So here you go—a comprehensive itinerary to visit Cambodia in 7 days!

I hope all the information stated here is useful and makes things easier for you to plan your Cambodia trip.

Cambodia has a lot more to offer to travelers, and this itinerary shows some of the main highlights of this beautiful country in Southeast Asia that you have to visit at least once in your lifetime.

Let us know in the comment section below if you have been to Cambodia, or if you have any recommendations in terms of activities, food, or accommodation to have in Cambodia that we missed out on; we would love to hear from you!

We hope this Cambodia Itinerary 7 Days guide has been useful for you 🙂