Are you planning to travel Cambodia on a budget once travel restrictions ease? Luckily for you, Cambodia is not just one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia, but it’s also one of the cheapest, making travelling on a budget far easier than what you probably first imagined.
Cambodia can be found inside the world’s backpacker mecca of Southeast Asia, which also includes backpacker-favourites Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia. Cambodia is a wild and wonderful country where jungles, tropical beaches, and bustling cities collide to create an inspiring landscape that draws travellers from all across the world. The backpackers, the flashpackers, the culture enthusiasts and the history buffs all flock to Cambodia in search of cultural experiences and fun nightlife, which includes beach parties, rustic bars, and believe it or not—some of the swankiest cocktail bars and restaurants that can hang with the likes of London and Paris. If you’re short on money but in big need of a holiday, then Cambodia will most certainly be in your travel budget!
Is Cambodia cheaper than Thailand?
Given the immense popularity of Thailand within the Southeast Asia region (and for good reason!), prices have risen slightly over the years but not so much to deter travellers on a budget. Cambodia is cheaper than Thailand for the most part, including accommodation, buses, taxis, and food. If you’re planning on travelling to Cambodia on a budget, then your money will go further here than Thailand, especially with the amount of budget accommodation, such as hostels and boutique hotels, that are on offer.
Cambodia is not only one of the cheapest countries to travel to in Southeast Asia—it’s one of the cheapest in the world, full stop. As a developing country, it has a promising future after a tumultuous past (that you will learn about on our Cambodia Tribe tour), but it still has some way to go before it catches up economically to Thailand, meaning the general cost of living keeps prices lower for travellers as to date, a lot more foreign investment has flown into Thailand, making way for fancier hotels and restaurants, leading to increased demand to stay in areas that 10 years ago, were less developed and therefore, cheaper than today.
Cambodia is beautiful, diverse, and full of incredible landscapes and friendly locals. That it’s cheaper than Thailand only makes it all the more attractive for travellers looking for their next adventure!
Is Cambodia safe for tourists?
Cambodia is safe for tourists for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the country relies heavily on tourism and therefore, the police understand how important it is to keep things safe in order to keep tourism alive and well. But it isn’t just that: Cambodian culture is kind, giving, and hospitable. They are sweet and always up for a chat—even strangers on the street are likely to wave, smile, and stop you for a quick talk. While there are certain places in the world where one has to be weary, Cambodia, for the most part, is not one of them.
Like any country (including your own), petty crime can occur and it pays to keep your wits about you. Just as you wouldn’t walk down a dark alley alone at night at home, you wouldn’t do it in Phnom Penh either. Drugs are strictly illegal in Cambodia and punished heavily, including lengthy jail times, fines, and immediate deportation (if you’re lucky), so use common sense, travel responsibly, and you will find that Cambodia is just as safe as most other places around the world.
How much is accommodation in Cambodia?
Accommodation in Cambodia varies in price, but leans towards the cheaper side when compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. For example, a decent, clean hostel will only cost you between £5 and £7, or $8 - $12 AUD for a bed in a dorm, or anywhere from £11 and £37 or $20 to $70 AUD for a private room, depending on facilities. There are some super chic hostels in Cambodia so even on the budget end, there’s a decent range of options depending on how cheap you want to go. At Travel Tribe, we offer a mix of dorms and private rooms where available, but are highly selective to ensure that they are clean and safe, with great amenities and an awesome vibe to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
How much is food in Cambodia?
Food in Cambodia is inexpensive for the most part, and offers extremely good value with their generous serving sizes and quality produce. Traveller favourites such as Nom banh chok (or Khmer noodles), the ever-popular curry chicken on rice, known as Amok, sticky rice cakes, and Kuy teav (a noodle soup very similar to Vietnamese pho), come in far cheaper than you might expect—usually between £1 and £3, or $2 and $5 AUD—depending on whether you are eating at local markets, street stalls, or restaurants.
The low cost of food is another reason why travellers on a budget choose Cambodia: with the essentials covered on a day-to-day basis, and for a fraction of the cost back home, you have more money left over for the things you want to do—whether that’s visiting historical sites such as Angkor Wat, travelling down south the islands such as Koh Rong, or booking in a tour such as Cambodia Tribe, where you’ll get to explore and experience the whole country from north to south.
How much is a beer in Cambodia?
As essential as water in our opinion, and basically on par with the Big Mac Index (or at least, it should be), a local, ice-cold beer in Cambodia is less than a pound, or about 1 Aussie dollar. If you’re after an imported beer, such as Heineken or Singha, then you’re looking at around £1.50 or $2.80 AUD.
Brands to look out for include:
Klang Beer: For those who enjoy stronger pale lagers with a bit of punch
Anchor Draft: Smooth, easy on the palette, reliable, and widely available, it isn’t necessarily the best beer you’ll try, but after 2 or 3, will you even notice?
Angkor Premium: Our personal favourite and the choice of locals and travellers alike, Cambodia’s official beer is named after the legendary Angkor Wat ruins in Siem Reap, and is highly drinkable on those hot, lazy days as you watch the world go by
As you can see, travelling Cambodia on a budget is not only possible—it’s basically unavoidable!
With cultural world wonders such as the mighty Angkor Wat, magical islands like Koh Rong, pumping nightlife in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and breathtaking nature, it is no wonder that Cambodia quickly becomes the favourite go-to of many travellers around the globe—and that’s saying a lot when it has Thailand to contend with!
Make 2022 count and explore Cambodia the authentic way, while travelling responsibly, giving back to the local community, and making a new group of travel buddies along the way. Learn more about Cambodia Tribe here.
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