Cambodia 7 to 14 Day Itinerary for Backpackers: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Islands + Vietnam Combo Route
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
Cambodia 7 day itinerary covering Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Koh Rong, plus 10-day and 14-day extensions into Kampot and Vietnam. All prices in INR and USD based on the official e-visa fee schedule, current Giant Ibus and Mekong Express fares, and hostel/tour pricing from June 2026. Part of our Southeast Asia backpacking hub.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia e-Visa (online) | Apply at https://www.evisa.gov.kh, 30 days single entry | ₹3,000 (~36 USD) |
| Cambodia visa-on-arrival | All international airports, 30 days single entry | ₹2,500 (~30 USD) |
| Visa extension | Available inside Cambodia | ₹4,329 (~45 USD) |
| Flights from India (return) | Delhi/Mumbai to Phnom Penh via Bangkok or KL | ₹18,000 (~$186.71) |
| Best time to go | Nov to Feb (dry season) | , |
| Currency to carry | USD (clean, unmarked bills) + small KHR for change | , |
| Daily budget (tight) | Dorm, street food, buses | ₹2,410 (~25 USD) |
| Daily budget (mid-range) | Private room, restaurants, tuk-tuks | ₹4,820 (~50 USD) |
For visa details, see our Cambodia visa guide for Indians. For the full budget breakdown, read the Cambodia backpacking budget guide.
Exchange rate reference: 1 USD = ₹96.3294 (verified 2026-07-17). Cambodia uses USD everywhere; KHR is given as change for amounts under $1 USD. Don’t worry about exchanging INR.
Step-by-Step: Your 7, 10, or 14 Day Cambodia Route
The pattern below scales by adding (a) more temple days in Siem Reap, (b) Kampot in the south, and (c) Ho Chi Minh City at the end. Pick the version that matches your days.
The 7 Day Cambodia Itinerary (Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → Koh Rong)
Day 1: Siem Reap arrival + Pub Street Land at REP, get your visa-on-arrival ($30 USD, bring a passport photo), drop bags, walk Pub Street. First tuk-tuk into town: ₹482-₹674 (~5-7 USD) from the airport desk.
Day 2: Angkor Wat sunrise + main temples 4:30 AM pickup, sunrise at Angkor Wat, then Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei. Full-day tuk-tuk: $15-25 USD. Buy your Angkor pass the night before — a flat 3-day pass for ₹5,977 (~62 USD), valid 10 days from first use.
Day 3: Floating villages on Tonle Sap + sunset at Phnom Kulen Chong Khneas floating village (₹1,928 (~20 USD) boat) or Kompong Phluk stilted village (₹2,410 (~25 USD)). Evening: Phare, the Cambodian Circus show, dinner and performance with local youth artists. Check Phare, the Cambodian Circus show tickets on GetYourGuide.
Day 4: Bus to Phnom Penh Giant Ibus or Mekong Express, 6 hours, ₹771-₹1,446 (~8-15 USD). Book Siem Reap to Phnom Penh bus. See our Siem Reap to Phnom Penh bus guide for timing and booking tips.
Day 5: Phnom Penh history day Royal Palace + Silver Pagoda (₹964 (~10 USD)), Tuol Sleng (S-21) genocide museum (₹482 (~5 USD), audio guide extra), Choeung Ek Killing Fields (₹578 (~6 USD) tuk-tuk from city + ₹289 (~3 USD) entry). End at the riverfront.
Day 6: Bus or boat to Koh Rong (this 7 day itinerary keeps it tight; island extension covered in the 10 day version below) Giant Ibus to Sihanoukville (5 hours, ₹964-₹1,446 (~10-15 USD)) then ferry to Koh Rong (₹482-₹964 (~5-10 USD) return). Book Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville.
Day 7: Koh Rong beach day + departure Swim, snorkel, sleep. Ferry back to Sihanoukville, then bus or flight to Phnom Penh for your onward connection.
The 10 Day Cambodia Itinerary (adds Kampot)
Days 1 to 6 same as above. On Day 7, skip Koh Rong and head south to Kampot via Sihanoukville. Kampot is a riverside town with pepper farms, Bokor Hill Station, and crab market. Day 8: rent a scooter ($7 USD/day), cycle through pepper farms, sunset at the river. Day 9: bus to Phnom Penh, fly out Day 10.
The 14 Day Cambodia + Vietnam Itinerary (adds Ho Chi Minh City + Mekong)
Days 1 to 7 same as the Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → Koh Rong base. On Day 8, ferry back to Sihanoukville, bus to Phnom Penh. Day 9: morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (₹4,820-₹7,712 (~50-80 USD) one way). Days 10-11: HCMC war remnants, Cu Chi tunnels, District 1 street food. Day 12: day trip to Mekong Delta (My Tho, Ben Tre, ₹1,446-₹2,410 (~15-25 USD) tour). Day 13: free day in HCMC, motorbike tour. Day 14: fly home from Tan Son Nhat.
How to Get There from India
There are no direct flights from India to Cambodia. The two best routes:
Via Bangkok (cheapest): Air India or Thai Airways Delhi/Mumbai to Bangkok (₹28,921-₹43,382 (~300-450 USD) round trip), then Bangkok Airways or AirAsia to Siem Reap (₹7,712-₹11,568 (~80-120 USD) one way). Total: ₹36,633-₹54,950 (~380-570 USD) for the two legs combined.
Via Kuala Lumpur (best timing): AirAsia or Malaysia Airlines to KL, then AirAsia direct to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Often the fastest option, 10-12 hours door to door.
Where to Stay (Sample Hostels)
Cambodia has solid backpacker hostels in all three main hubs. Dorms run ₹771-₹964 (~8-10 USD) per night in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Koh Rong. Most have social common areas, useful for solo Indian travellers looking to meet people.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Hostels in Siem Reap almost always include free airport pickup if you email 24 hours ahead. Use it. Airport tuk-tuk mafia quotes ₹964-₹1,446 (~10-15 USD) to anyone walking out without a booking.
Getting Connected (SIM + eSIM)
Cambodia has three mobile operators: Smart, Cellcard, and Metfone. For a week or less, grab a Smart or Cellcard tourist SIM at the airport on arrival.
| What | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Smart/Cellcard 7-day SIM | ~10GB data, available at airport counters | ₹250 (~3 USD) |
| Nomad eSIM (alternative) | Buy before you fly, activate on landing | varies |
For more days or heavier data, the ₹482 (~5 USD) Smart 30-day plan with 25GB is the best value. Both Smart and Cellcard have 4G in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh; signal drops on the islands but works on Koh Rong’s main beach. See our Cambodia SIM card guide for full comparison.
If you’d rather not swap SIMs at the airport, Get Nomad eSIM before you fly and activate the moment you land.
What to Eat (Cambodian Food + Indian Food Fallbacks)
Cambodian food is underrated. The base is rice, fish (from Tonle Sap), and lots of fresh herbs. Khmer curries are milder than Thai but richer than Vietnamese. Street food is safe and cheap if you eat where locals queue.
Eat local first:
- Amok trey (fish curry steamed in banana leaf): the national dish. Try it at Tevy’s Place in Phnom Penh, a cozy spot for traditional Cambodian dishes.
- Lok lak (stir-fried beef in Kampot pepper sauce, served with rice and lime-pepper dip): rich and peppery. HoubHoub Cambodian Restaurant in BKK1 does a strong version in a lively local atmosphere. For a upscale twist, try Cuisine Wat Damnak in Phnom Penh.
- Num pang (Khmer baguette sandwich, usually pork or pâté): perfect tuk-tuk snack, ₹96-₹193 (~1-2 USD) from any street cart.
- Bai sach chrouk (grilled pork over rice, breakfast staple): ₹145 (~1.50 USD) at any morning market.
- Fresh seafood on Koh Rong: grilled fish + rice + beer, ₹482-₹771 (~5-8 USD) on the beach.
When you need a dal-chawal fix:
- Lotus Dosa Corner (Thamizh Nadu): a casual family-run spot for masala dosa under ₹482 (~5 USD) per person, the South Indian comfort food Indian travellers miss after week two.
- Gorkha Palace Phnom Penh: cozy Indian and Nepalese dishes, good dal-bhat and thalis when you want a hot, filling meal.
- Indian Restaurant: basic Indian dishes in a simple setting, near BKK1 for a quick lunch.
What to Do in Each Stop
Siem Reap (2 to 4 days)
- Angkor Wat complex: minimum one full day, ideally two. Sunrise at Angkor Wat, then Bayon (face towers), Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider tree roots), and Banteay Srei (pink sandstone, 30 km out). See our Angkor Wat complete guide for dress code, sunrise spots, and temple route planning.
- Phare Ponleu Selpak circus: dinner + show, supports at-risk youth. Check Phare, the Cambodian Circus show tickets on GetYourGuide.
- Floating villages: half-day at Chong Khneas or Kompong Phluk on Tonle Sap.
- Phnom Kulen waterfall: ₹1,928-₹2,410 (~20-25 USD) tuk-tuk round trip, half day. Entry fee ₹964 (~10 USD).
- Pub Street: cheap beer (₹48 (~0.50 USD) draft), bucket drinks (₹289-₹482 (~3-5 USD)), but the real evening scene is the night market next door.
Phnom Penh (2 to 3 days)
- Royal Palace + Silver Pagoda: ₹964 (~10 USD), 2 hours.
- Tuol Sleng (S-21): ₹482 (~5 USD) entry plus ₹289 (~3 USD) audio guide, mandatory if you have any interest in 1970s Cambodian history.
- Choeung Ek Killing Fields: ₹289 (~3 USD) entry, ₹578 (~6 USD) tuk-tuk from city, half day.
- Wat Phnom: small hilltop temple, $1 USD, good for a quick stop.
- Central Market (Phsar Thmei) + Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung): souvenirs, coffee, fabrics.
- Riverside walk at sunset: free, and the best free thing in the city.
Koh Rong (1 to 3 days)
- Long Beach (Sok San): 7 km of white sand, ₹482-₹771 (~5-8 USD) bungalow.
- Snorkel trip to nearby islands: ₹1,446-₹2,410 (~15-25 USD) half day. Koh Rong Samloem is a separate island requiring an extra ferry; most tours include the transfer.
- Bioluminescent plankton: swim at night on certain beaches, free.
- Jungle trek to the waterfall: 90 minutes, free.
Kampot (optional, +2 days)
- Bokor Hill Station: abandoned French hill town, 40 km out, scooter or guided tour. Entry fee around ₹482 (~5 USD).
- Pepper farm visit: Kampot pepper is world famous; most farms do free tours and tastings.
- Crab market at the river: grilled prawns, Kampot pepper crab, ₹482-₹964 (~5-10 USD) for a full meal.
Common Mistakes Indians Make in Cambodia
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Forgetting passport photos for visa-on-arrival: Cambodian immigration asks for a 4x6 cm photo with white background. Some counters will snap one for you for ₹193 (~2 USD) extra, but you’ll queue longer. Carry two photos.
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Carrying torn or marked USD bills: Cambodia is dollarized and any bill with a tear, mark, or heavy writing gets rejected at hotels, shops, and even the visa counter. Carry clean 2013-or-newer $100s and $20s.
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Skipping S-21 and Choeung Ek: A lot of travellers skip these as “depressing” or “tourist trap.” They’re neither. The audio guides are survivor testimony and they explain why Cambodia looks the way it does today. Worth the half day.
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Trying to enter Vietnam at a land border without an e-visa: Vietnam requires an e-visa in advance for Indian passports. The Bavet/Moc Bai land crossing from Cambodia is fine with the e-visa, but walking up without one is a wasted 90 minutes. See our Cambodia to Vietnam border crossing guide for the step-by-step.
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Booking Phnom Penh→Siem Reap by tuk-tuk “tour”: Cheap private car ads on Pub Street are tempting (₹3,856 (~40 USD) for the whole bus), but they take 8 hours, break down, and the drivers push gem shop stops. Take the bus.
What Most Guides Don’t Tell You
The Angkor ticket system changed in 2023 and most older guides are wrong. As of 2026, there is no 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day structure anymore. The current pass is one flat 3-day ticket for ₹5,977 (~62 USD), valid for 10 days from first use. One-day tickets were discontinued. If you only have 24 hours in Siem Reap, the math now works against you, so allocate 2 days minimum or skip Angkor entirely.
The ₹2,500 (~30 USD) visa-on-arrival can be paid in KHR. Most counters accept KHR at a rate they set, which works out slightly higher. Pay in USD for the best deal. Carry small bills.
Cambodia closes for Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey) in mid-April every year. Government offices shut, buses run on holiday schedules, and Angkor tickets sell out by 9 AM. Travellers report this is the worst week to be in Cambodia. Plan around it.
The Cambodia + Vietnam border has two distinct crossings. Bavet/Moc Bai (the main one, 3 hours from HCMC) is the easy option. Kaam Samnor/Vinh Xuong (the Mekong ferry crossing) is scenic but slower and used less by tourist buses. Don’t assume your bus takes the same crossing both ways.
Check your government’s travel advisory before booking. India’s MEA advisory page at mea.gov.in is the authoritative source for any safety updates specific to Indian travellers. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site has the local side. Generic “is Cambodia safe” searches return SEO filler, not current info.
Cambodia + Vietnam Route Map (14 Day Version)
Day 1-2: Siem Reap (Angkor) Day 3: Siem Reap (Tonle Sap + Phare circus) Day 4: Bus to Phnom Penh Day 5: Phnom Penh (history day) Day 6: Bus to Sihanoukville, ferry to Koh Rong Day 7: Koh Rong beach Day 8: Ferry back, bus to Phnom Penh, sleep Day 9: Flight to Ho Chi Minh City Day 10: HCMC (war remnants, District 1) Day 11: Cu Chi tunnels day trip Day 12: Mekong delta day trip Day 13: HCMC free day, last-minute shopping Day 14: Fly home
Total estimated cost (excluding India flights):
- 13 nights hostel: ₹10,026 (~104 USD)
- Buses + ferries: ₹7,712 (~80 USD)
- Internal flight (PNH→SGN): ₹4,820-₹7,712 (~50-80 USD)
- Food: ₹12,532 (~130 USD)
- Angkor pass: ₹5,977 (~62 USD)
- Vietnam e-visa: ₹2,410 (~25 USD)
- SIM + misc: ₹2,410 (~25 USD)
Total: roughly ₹47,238 (~490 USD) for 14 days on the ground, excluding India flights.
FAQ
Can I do Cambodia in 5 days? Yes, but tight. 5 days = 2 Siem Reap, 1 bus, 1 Phnom Penh, 1 Koh Rong (no sleep). Skip the south coast. For the full experience, give it 7 days minimum.
Is Cambodia safe for Indian travellers? Generally yes. Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are tourist-friendly. Scams are limited to tuk-tuk overcharging and gem shop commissions. The biggest risk is traffic; cross roads slowly. Check mea.gov.in before departure for the current advisory.
Do I need a Vietnam e-visa in advance? Yes. Apply at the official Vietnamese immigration portal before you cross. Processing is 3 business days, ₹2,410 (~25 USD). The e-visa is required at both air and land borders for Indian passports.
Can I use Indian rupees in Cambodia? No. Bring USD, clean and unmarked. ATM withdrawals on a forex card work at ABA Bank, Sathapana Bank, and most ATMs in tourist areas. Wise card has the best interbank rate.
What is the best month to visit Cambodia? November to February (dry season, 25-30°C). March-May is brutally hot (40°C+). June-October is wet but cheaper; rivers rise and floating villages are at their best.
Can I extend my Cambodia visa? Yes, ₹4,329 (~45 USD), 30-day extension, applied at the immigration office in Phnom Penh. Takes 1 business day.
Subodh’s Take
Cambodia is one of the few Southeast Asian countries where 7 days is the right answer for first-timers, not just a rushed version of 14. Angkor alone is a 2-day experience, and the Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → island loop covers the country without feeling like a checklist. The 14-day version only makes sense if you’re extending into Vietnam; otherwise, use those extra days for Vietnam itself.
— Subodh
