Cambodia
Travel Itineraries
Where to go in Cambodia - The best one week, two week and month long backpacking itineraries
Cambodia is an essential stop on any backpacking trip around South East Asia.
For backpackers, the country has everything you could want. With fantastic hostels, plenty of things to see and do, cheap food (both local and Western) and a lively nightlife scene, whatever you want from your backpacking trip, Cambodia can offer it to you.
Despite being neighboured by the well trodden backpacking routes of Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia still has that feeling of discovery. Yes, there is a large backpacker scene, but if you get off the well trodden path and escape into Cambodia’s rural side of life, you’ll find adventures less well known. With paddy fields, small villages and friendly locals, we cannot recommend getting out that little bit further and seeing Cambodia from a different angle.
In terms of things to do, Cambodia has a bit of everything from history to adventure, beaches to food there’s plenty to keep you occupied as you travel. Cambodia is most famous for the ancient ruins of the city of Angkor and the beautiful temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon Temple, but beyond Siem Reap the country holds more delights. From taking a ride on the infamous ‘Bamboo Train’ of Battambang, relaxing on the white sands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Saloem or spotting the Irrawaddy Dolphins on the Mekong River.
Cambodia has had a tumultuous history; with the fall of the Khmer Empire, the decades long Cambodian Civil War and the rise of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime, the country has had a difficult past. Evidence of its past can still be seen, but Cambodia is fast developing and the glass fronted skyscrapers of Phnom Penh look a world away from the rural villages.
Cambodia is a country like no other and deserves a stop on any ‘banana pancake’ backpacking trip.
We have visited Cambodia twice now, and think we have come up with the best one week, two week and one month itineraries for getting the most out of this incredible country!
Every itinerary can be adapted to your backpacking preferences and places can be added / taken away depending on your travel style. We have created these itineraries based on crossing the Poipet border from Thailand, but if you’re arriving from Vietnam or Laos, you can easily reverse these itineraries so that you start in Phnom Penh.
Skip to the following:
Getting around - booking transport
Length of bus journeys
Booking accommodation
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The Best One Week Itinerary - Seven Days in Cambodia
If you only have one week in Cambodia, you’re going to have to pack a lot into a very short amount of time. As you’ll only be visiting the country for one week, you’ll need to see all the main tourist highlights.
This itinerary starts in Siem Reap but if you’re coming from southern Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho and the Mekong Delta, your first stop in Cambodia will be Phnom Penh. You can easily just do this itinerary in reverse, or arrange a transfer from Phnom Penh to take you to Siem Reap.
Day 1 - Siem Reap
Get on an early morning bus and spend the day crossing the Thailand / Cambodia border at Poipet and arrive in Siem Reap late afternoon.
If you’re coming to Cambodia from southern Laos, there are direct buses to Don Det and Pakse.
Once you’ve arrived, check into your accommodation and head out to explore the city. We’d recommend heading straight towards Siem Reap’s infamous Pub Street and spend the rest of the evening exploring its colourful markets and having a couple of beers as the sun goes down.
For dinner head to one of the restaurants that spiral out of Pub Street or eat at the riverside night market. Head to bed early, ready for an early start the next morning.
For hostels we’d recommend checking out Onederz, the Mad Monkey Hostel or the Lub D hostel.
All these hostels are within the main tourist hub of ‘Pub Street’ and offer dorms, private rooms and swimming pools.
For all the accommodation accommodation in Siem Reap, click the button below.
Day 2 - Siem Reap
Get up at the crack of dawn and head to the Angkor Wat complex to watch the sunrise over the beautiful temple.
After sunrise, you’ll need to spend the rest of the day exploring the ruins in the ancient city of Angkor. Make sure you don’t miss the incredible Ta Prohm and Bayon temples.
After you’ve finished temple hopping, head back to Pub Street for a much deserved beer and dinner.
To learn more about buying the one day Angkor Pass ticket and what temples not to miss, make sure you don’t miss reading our bumper guide to the Angkor temples below.
Day 3 - Siem Reap
After your early start yesterday, have a slow get up and treat yourself to a fancy brunch in one of Siem Reap’s many cafes, or if you’d rather dine with the locals head to the Old Market. You can read more about the breakfasts and brunches on offer in Siem Reap here.
Once you’ve fuelled up for the day, there’s plenty to do in and around Siem Reap itself. You could head to the Angkor Botanical Gardens or you could organise a boat trip to visit the floating villages and the largest freshwater lake in Asia, Tonle Sap.
For more ideas of what to do in Siem Reap check out our guide below.
In the evening, catch an overnight bus to Kampot.
Day 4 - Kampot
Arrive in Kampot in time for breakfast.
We’d recommend checking out the following hostels Karma Traders, Onederz or Arcadia Backpackers.
Once you’re checked in, spend the rest of the day exploring Kampot and its cute cafes, kayaking down the river or visiting Kampot’s famous pepper farms.
Check out our full Kampot guide on what there is to do below.
Day 5 - Kampot
Spend the day exploring some of the sites outside of Kampot town.
Take a trip to the mysterious ruins of Bokor National Park or head down the coast to Kep for an incredible seafood feast.
Day 6 - Kampot to Phnom Penh
Wake up early and catch a bus to Cambodia’s capital.
Once you arrive, drop your bags at your hostel, we’d recommend checking out either Onederz Hostel or Mad Monkey for your stay.
After head to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center to learn more about the genocide and brutal violence Cambodia suffered under the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Both visits are not easy, but unfortunately both sites have played a major role in shaping Cambodia today.
If you have time, head to Cambodia’s magnificent Royal Palace or to Phnom Penh’s grand Central Market.
In the evening head to Phnom Penh’s daily Riverside Night Market for dinner. Make sure you shop around the stalls to pick up and souvenirs you may want. For a complete guide to the markets of Phnom Penh, read our article below.
Day 7 - Phnom Penh
As with every trip, the ending quickly comes around. From Phnom Penh you can book buses to Laos or Vietnam.
Laos:
Vietnam:
Book bus tickets to Can Tho here
Book bus tickets to Phu Quoc here
Book bus tickets to Ho Chi Minh City here
Phnom Penh is home to Cambodia’s main international airport, Phnom Penh International Airport. To book flights, have a look below:
Make sure to pin this one week Cambodia itinerary for later!
The Best Two Week Itinerary - Fourteen Days in Cambodia
A fortnight in Cambodia will give you that little extra time to take things just that bit slower. With two weeks under your belt, you’ll be able to delve that little bit deeper whilst still seeing the main tourist highlights.
Similar to the one week itinerary, this one is again based on you crossing the border from Thailand. If you’re arriving in Phnom Penh from southern Laos or Vietnam, you can easily switch this route around to suit you.
Luckily for backpackers the whole of Cambodia is extremely well connected, with daily buses connecting all the major tourist hubs.
Day 1 to 2 - Battambang
Cross the Poipet border and head to Battambang by bus. From Poipet it should take you around two hours to reach Battambang.
Some of the things you shouldn’t miss:
Take a ride on the famous ‘Bamboo Train
Watch thousands of bats at sunset
Take a cooking class to learn all about Khmer cuisine
Where to stay: Check out Lucky Hostel, Place Hostel or the Pomme Hostel for dorm beds or private rooms.
Read more about Battambang in our complete guide below.
Day 3 to 6 - Siem Reap
Catch a morning bus from Battambang and head to Siem Reap.
Siem Reap is home to Cambodia’s main tourist attraction, the ruins of the temple city of Angkor. Make sure to purchase your Angkor Pass tickets online before visiting. As you’ve got a little longer, we’d recommend buying the 3 day pass to see as much as you can. The complex is massive and so much more than just Angkor Wat. Read our bumper guide to Angkor Wat here.
Some of the things you shouldn’t miss:
Watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat is an absolute must and really worth the early start!
Spend a couple of days exploring the temples and ruins of the Angkor archaeological park.
Take a boat ride on the world’s largest freshwater lake of Tonle Sap.
For everything read our complete guide to Siem Reap here.
Where to stay: Check out Onederz hostel, Mad Monkey, Lub D or the White Rabbit hostel.
Day 7 to 9 - Kampot
Catch an overnight bus from Siem Reap and arrive in Kampot just in time for breakfast.
Some of the things you shouldn’t miss :
Sit back and relax with a spot of cafe hopping around Kampot town - there are plenty of cute cafes offering everything from smoothie bowls to bagels!
Head to the misty hills of Bokor National Park and see the mysterious ruins leftover by the French.
Visit one of Kampot's pepper farms and try tasting the culinary award winning peppercorns.
For everything else there is to do, read our complete guide to Kampot here.
Where to stay: Check out Karma Traders, Onederz or Arcadia Backpackers hostels.
Day 10 to 12 - The islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem
Take a bus to Sihanoukville, then hop on a speedboat to the island of Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem.
Make sure you book your island transfer in advance as they can sell out quickly. Book your tickets here.
Some of the things you shouldn’t miss :
Spend your days relaxing on the white sands.
Go on a snorkelling trip to see colourful coral and tropical fish.
Watch the sunset go down with a beachside cocktail.
Where to stay: If you’re heading to Koh Rong island, check out a stay at the Lost Boys Hostel or the Mad Monkey Hostel. If you’re planning to stay on Koh Rong Samloem, check out Onederz Hostel or the Cliff Hostel.
Day 13 to 14 - Phnom Penh
As hard as it will be, drag yourself away from paradise and take a bus from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh.
Some of the things you shouldn’t miss :
Learn about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian genocide at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center.
Shop for souvenirs at the Central Market (read more about the markets of Phnom Penh here).
Take an evening sunset cruise along the Mekong River.
Where to stay: Check out Onederz hostel or the Mad Monkey hostel.
Make sure to pin this two week Cambodia itinerary for later!
Longer Stays in Cambodia - A One Month Itinerary
For those who have the luxury of time, a month in Cambodia is the perfect amount of time to really explore the country, whilst having those few extra days to sit back and relax.
Here’s our month long Cambodia itinerary:
Battambang (3 days)
Cross the Poipet border and head to Battambang and spend 3 days here.
Battambang is Cambodia’s third largest city and has plenty to do from the infamous ‘Bamboo train’ to the thousands and thousands of bats that pour out of a cave at Phnom Sampov.
Battambang is the perfect place to ease yourself into your Cambodian backpacking adventure.
Read more about backpacking Battambang here.
Siem Reap (5 days)
We’d recommend spending 5 days in Siem Reap so that you have plenty of time to explore the Angkor archaeological park. The park is huge and there are so many ruins to see it would be impossible to see it all in one day. We’d recommend buying the 3 day Angkor Pass. Read more about the different Angkor passes and the ‘must see’ temples in our complete Angkor guide here.
After you’ve finished temple hopping, why not visit Tonle Sap lake or challenge your dorm mates to a round of crazy golf! There’s plenty to keep you occupied in Siem Reap, read more about what else there is to do in the city here.
Kratie (3 days)
Spend a couple of days relaxing on the banks of the Mekong in the small riverside town of Kratie.
Kratie is most famous for being the home to the very adorable Irrawaddy dolphins. If you don’t know what they look like, give them a Google, they’re really cute! Book an evening boat tour to have the best chance of trying to get a glimpse of the elusive mammals.
Another advantage of booking an evening boat tour is you'll have an incredible fiery show over the river as the sun goes down.
There aren’t any hostels in Kratie but there are plenty of small guesthouses to choose from. Book your stay here.
Kampong Cham (3 days)
The sleepy town of Kampong Cham sits on the banks of the mighty Mekong. The town is a beautiful mix of old French colonial buildings dotted amongst Chinese shophouses and traditional Khmer style buildings. At night, the riverfront becomes the go to place for families of Kampong Cham with street food vendors frying woks and grilling meat.
The main draw for travellers visiting Kampong Cham is the massive bamboo bridge the locals construct during the dry season to connect the town with the island of Koh Paen. At just under 1 km long and using 50,000 pieces of bamboo, the bridge is incredible to see. We’d recommend hiring bikes from town, then crossing the bamboo bridge (beware it’s a very bumpy ride over the bamboo) and spending the day exploring Koh Paen. The island of Koh Paen is beautiful and is full of traditional wood houses, friendly locals and colourful temples.
Kampong Cham is best visited in the dry season, as during the wet season, the town is prone to flooding and the famous ‘bamboo bridge’ is washed away.
There are plenty of guesthouses to stay in town, check them all out here.
Phnom Penh (3 days)
The bustling Cambodian capital is a world away from Cambodia’s smaller towns. Full of skyscrapers, bars and modern business, Phnom Penh is unlike anywhere else you’ll have encountered in Cambodia.
We’d recommend spending one of your days munching your way through some traditional Cambodian and Khmer dishes in the colourful markets of Phnom Penh (read more about Phnom Penh markets here). Selling everything from lort cha to borbor, fresh fruits to traditional Cambodian desserts, there’s lots to try.
To learn more about the Cambodian genocide and the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, make sure you visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center.
Kampot (5 days)
The small town of Kampot is a backpacker favourite with plenty of great hostels, brunch spots and lots of river based activities.
We’d recommend spending a day or two on the river itself, either by paddling yourself on a kayak or stand up paddle board, or by going on an organised boat trip.
Further afield, we’d recommend hiring a scooter and visiting Bokor National Park and the beaches of Kep.
Read more about Kampot town here.
Koh Rong / Koh Rong Samloem (6 days)
After a busy month exploring, it’s time to relax!
The islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are literal tropical paradises! Think white sand, turquoise water and palm trees.
Spend your days relaxing on the beach or plan a day snorkelling in the clear waters. At night, if you’re lucky, don’t miss the bright blue bioluminescence!
Other places to visit in Cambodia
The itinerary above is for 28 days giving you a couple of days flexibility to extend your stay wherever you want, or add another stop in. Some other destinations you could add in are:
Kampong Thom - only two and a half hours away from Siem Reap offering temples and more ancient ruins.
Banlung - located around 8 hours north of Phnom Penh, Banlung has lots of hiking trails and waterfalls to explore.
Pursat - gateway to the Cardamom Hills, Pursat is a perfect base for hiking and waterfall hunting. It’s located only 2 hours away from Battambang and 3 hours away from Phnom Penh.
When it's time to leave Cambodia, you can easily book buses to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam from either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.
For bus departures from Siem Reap:
For bus departures from Phnom Penh:
If you’re looking to fly, there are airports at Siem Reap and a larger airport at Phnom Penh.
Make sure to pin this one month Cambodia itinerary for later!
Practical Information for Planning Your Cambodia Trip
To help you plan your trip read on to find out the best way to book transport and your accommodation.
For all the other essential travel information you will need for your trip to Cambodia, including currency, visas, border crossings and when to visit, check out our Cambodia overview here.
Getting around Cambodia - Booking transport
Cambodia has a fantastic bus network with routes linking up all the traveller hotspots throughout the country.
The easiest way to book transport online and in advance is via 12Go. Just enter your departure and arrival destinations and the date you want to travel.
To get to the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Saloem you will need to book a bus ticket to Sihanoukville. From there you will need to transfer to a speedboat / ferry. The journey will take around 45 minutes from the mainland to reach either island.
Book Sihanoukville to Koh Rong island ferry tickets here.
Book Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Saloem ferry tickets here.
Length of bus journeys
Cambodia is a relatively small country, and in general taking a bus shouldn’t take too much time out of your day. The longest journey we took was an overnight bus from Siem Reap that left at 23.00pm and arrived in Kampot at 7.00am in the morning.
Battambang bus journey lengths
Battambang to Siem Reap - 3 to 4 hour journey time
Battambang to Phnom Penh - 5 to 6 hour journey time
Siem Reap bus journey lengths
Siem Reap to Kampot - 8 to 12 hour journey time
Siem Reap to Kratie - 6 to 7 hour journey time
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh - 6 hour journey time
Siem Reap to Sihanoukville - 10 to 12 hour bus journey time
Phnom Penh bus journey lengths
Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham - 2 hours 15 minutes journey time
Phnom Penh to Kampot - 3 to 4 hour journey time
Phnom Penh to Kep - 3 to 4 hour journey time
Phnom Penh to Kratie - 4 hours 30 minutes journey time
Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville - 3 to 6 hour journey time
Booking accommodation in Cambodia
Cambodia has plenty of hostels and cheap guesthouses for you to choose from.
To book your accommodation in advance we’d recommend checking out booking.com or hostelworld.
Make sure to book your accommodation well in advance if you’re planning on travelling during the high season as beds and rooms will sell out very quickly!
During the rainy season, you should be able to get some excellent deals on hotel rooms. We managed to get an absolute bargain for a week-long stay at the Rithy Rine Angkor Residence in Siem Reap which came with a four poster bed, balcony and swimming pool all for a very backpacker friendly price!
All our Cambodia travel guides
We have a whole host of Cambodia travel guides from our time backpacking around the country. Read them all below:
Let us know in the comments how you get on backpacking through Cambodia.
We hope you have a fantastic time exploring this beautiful country!
Thanks for reading,
John & Ellie x
#adventuresofjellie
Angkor Wat and the temple city surrounding it are wonders of the world. Check out our complete guide to getting the most out of your visit no matter how long you are staying for. With itineraries, hints and tips and all the essential and lesser know temples to visit our blog covers the lot!