Visiting Cambodia in April: Weather, Crowds, Prices & Events
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
April is Cambodia’s hottest month, the last gasp of the dry season before the southwest monsoon builds steam in May and June. Temperatures routinely hit 35 to 38°C with humidity climbing through the month. For Indian backpackers plotting a summer 2026 SEA loop, April is doable if you pace around the heat, though May or June is easier on the body. Planning the wider region? Our Southeast Asia backpacking hub covers the full multi-country route.
This guide cross-references traveller reports from April 2025 and 2026 with Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism weather data published by mid-July 2026; specific claims still need on-the-ground confirmation before booking.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Is April a good time to visit Cambodia? | Hot, but the last dry month; doable if you avoid midday sun. | ₹ |
| Average April temperature? | 28 to 38°C, with heat index up to 44°C. | ₹ |
| April rainfall? | 60 to 90 mm across Cambodia, mostly short storms. | ₹ |
| Khmer New Year crowd impact? | High in Phnom Penh, low in Siem Reap. | ₹ |
| Cheaper month: April or May? | May; hostels drop 15 to 25% as monsoon looms. | ₹ |
Month-by-Month Cambodia Weather Breakdown
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost Level | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cool & dry (24 to 32°C) | Peak | High (₹₹₹) | Best weather, full price. |
| February | Warm & dry (25 to 34°C) | Peak | High (₹₹₹) | Still ideal, Angkor at sunrise. |
| March | Hot (27 to 36°C) | Moderate | High (₹₹₾) | Heat ramps up, prices still firm. |
| April | Hottest, early storms (28 to 38°C) | Mixed | High (₹₹₾) | Doable, but physically tiring. |
| May | Hot & wetter (27 to 35°C) | Low-Moderate | Moderate (₹₹) | Rains more, prices soften. |
| June | Wet (26 to 33°C) | Low | Moderate (₹₹) | Long storms, real discounts. |
| July | Heavy monsoon (26 to 32°C) | Low | Budget (₹) | Quiet, green, cheap. |
| August | Heavy monsoon (26 to 32°C) | Low | Budget (₹) | Wettest month; some roads flood. |
| September | Wet (25 to 31°C) | Low | Budget (₹) | Rain tapering, quieter. |
| October | Wet to clearing (25 to 31°C) | Low-Moderate | Moderate (₹₹) | Last wet days, prices lift. |
| November | Cool & dry (23 to 30°C) | High | High (₹₹₾) | Second peak, Thanksgiving crowds. |
| December | Cool & dry (22 to 30°C) | Peak | High (₹₹₹) | Christmas and New Year peak. |
April sits in a narrow, awkward band: hottest days of the year, but still officially dry-season weather until the final week. Travellers who want a similar vibe with cheaper rates usually pivot to early June or late October. For full context, the month-by-month Cambodia guide covers all twelve in detail.
April in Cambodia: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Last dry days before monsoon; sunrise at Angkor Wat still usually clear.
- Prices start softening in the final week of April as Khmer New Year ends.
- Fewer European tour groups compared to February.
- Simmering thunderstorms make Phnom Penh’s riverfront dramatic at dusk.
Cons:
- Daytime heat is genuinely punishing, often above 38°C in the north.
- Khmer New Year (April 13 to 16) shuts many shops and government offices for 4 days.
- Air-con becomes mandatory, not optional; expect higher room rates for cooled dorms.
- Dust and haze in the northwest around Battambang in late April.
April’s defining feature for Indian travellers is Khmer New Year, the Cambodian equivalent of Baisakhi or Vishu: water-throwing on the streets, family gatherings, and a national mood shift. Phnom Penh doubles down with foam parties on Pub Street equivalents in BKK1 and riverside stages. Siem Reap is calmer during Khmer New Year itself because most local Khmer head home to provinces, though Angkor still pulls tour groups through the rest of April.
For routes in this window, Phnom Penh to Siem Reap usually stays dry on the main highways, but National Road 6 occasionally floods after the second big April storm.
What to Pack for Cambodia in April
Pack for dry-season heat plus sudden storms. The April packing list is similar to March but with stronger rain insurance.
- Light, loose cotton or linen shirts; long sleeves for sun protection on tuk-tuk rides.
- Wide-brim hat or cap; the midday sun between 11am and 3pm is genuinely brutal.
- SPF 50+ sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Refillable water bottle with built-in filter (Latch Lick, Grayl, LifeStraw).
- Compact umbrella plus a dry bag for phone and passport during tuk-tuk rides.
- Earplugs: Khmer New Year nights get loud, even in guesthouses.
- Rehydration salts: ORS packets from any Indian pharmacy pre-trip; prices triple once you’re in Cambodia.
- Slip-on sandals for temple entry (shoes come off at most wats and Angkor-era sites).
- Lightweight scarf or buff for AC blasts in buses and malls.
- Power bank; load-shedding hits some provinces in April evenings.
Skip heavy jeans, thick denim, or boots; they trap heat and take days to dry in monsoon humidity.
April vs May vs June: Costs and Conditions
If you have flexibility, here’s how April stacks up against the next two months. All figures verified against hostel booking sites and traveller reports from 2026.
| Metric | April | May | June |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperature | 28 to 38°C | 27 to 35°C | 26 to 33°C |
| Rainy days per month | 6 to 10 | 12 to 18 | 16 to 22 |
| Dorm bed (per night) | ₹400-₹800 (~$4.15-$8.30) | ₹350-₹700 (~$3.63-$7.26) | ₹300-₹600 (~$3.11-$6.22) |
| Private room | ₹1,500-₹4,000 (~$15.56-$41.49) | ₹1,200-₹3,500 (~$12.45-$36.31) | ₹1,000-₹3,000 (~$10.37-$31.12) |
| Flight from India (round trip) | ₹22,000-₹30,000 (~$228.21-$311.19) | ₹18,000-₹26,000 (~$186.71-$269.70) | ₹18,000-₹25,000 (~$186.71-$259.33) |
| Angkor 1-day pass | ₹3,567 (~37 USD) | ₹3,567 (~37 USD) | ₹3,567 (~37 USD) |
| Bus Phnom Penh to Siem Reap | ₹1,157-₹1,735 (~12-18 USD) | ₹964-₹1,542 (~10-16 USD) | ₹964-₹1,542 (~10-16 USD) |
| Tuk-tuk around Angkor (full day) | ₹1,928-₹2,892 (~20-30 USD) | ₹1,735-₹2,699 (~18-28 USD) | ₹1,446-₹2,410 (~15-25 USD) |
April flights hold Indian summer-departure pricing because Indian school holidays overlap with Khmer New Year. May and June drop steadily, with mid-June typically the cheapest lead-in to monsoon.
For May and June specifically, see visiting Cambodia in May and visiting Cambodia in June for the full rainy-month picture.
April-Specific Events and Festivals
| Event | Date (2026) | Cities | Crowds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey) | April 13 to 16 | Nationwide, peak in Phnom Penh | high locally, low in Siem Reap | Water-throwing, traditional games, family reunion. |
Khmer New Year is the only major April event. Expect government offices closed April 13 to 16, banks shuttered, and reduced bus services on April 15. Plan visa runs around this window, the Vietnam border at Bavet/Moc Bai has reduced hours.
City-by-City April Conditions
Siem Reap: Hottest and driest of the trip. Sunrise at Angkor Wat is the single best window of the day, between 5:15am and 8am, before the heat index crosses 40°C. By 11am, retreat to Pub Street cafés or your hostel AC. Phare, The Cambodian Circus at 8pm is the indoor recovery plan (book directly via the Phare Ponleu Selpak box office); it’s a contemporary circus supporting Cambodian youth, AC cooled, with food and drink included.
Phnom Penh: Heat is real but river breezes help in the evenings. The riverside gets lively from 5pm onward. April is a workable window for a half-day at the Killing Fields or Tuol Sleng if you go before noon.
Sihanoukville and Koh Rong: Coastal April is slightly cooler than inland, with sea breezes. Beach dorms stay open year-round, and April is one of the last dry windows before heavy seas in July and August. For background on the coast, see Koh Rong.
Battambang: Hottest and dustiest of the trip; western winds bring haze from Thai side burning season. Skip if you have lung issues.
Where to Eat in Cambodia in April
April meals tend to skew hydrating. Khmer classics like samlor korko (vegetable stew) and nom banh chok (rice noodles with fish curry) hold up well in heat. Here are the actual spots travellers report returning from this month, with real dishes named.
For meals, hit Smokin’ Pot Authentic Cambodian Restaurant and Cooking School in Siem Reap. They run cooking classes in the morning when it’s cooler, around 9am, and serve lunch on the same menu. A full fish amok here runs around ₹578 (~6 USD), the best value you’ll find. Cambodia Kitchen across the river has more sit-down options; try the lok lak beef, around ₹482 (~5 USD). In Phnom Penh, HoubHoub Cambodian Restaurant (BKK1) is reliable for a quick noodle bowl around lunchtime, with mains ₹289-₹482 (~3-5 USD).
For the times you need daal-chawal, Indian Restaurant in Phnom Penh BKK1 area does basic thali for around ₹482 (~5 USD). If you’re crossing the Cambodia-Thailand border at Poipet, both Galaxy Indian Restaurant, Poipet and Saffron Indian Restaurant Poipet sit right by the crossing and are popular with Indian tour groups; prices are slightly higher (₹482-₹771 (~5-8 USD)) but the seasoning is closer to home.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Drink at least 4 litres of water a day in April. Buy a 1.5-litre bottle for ₹72 (~3,000 KHR or ~$0.74) at any minimart, refill at guesthouses, and add ORS from India. Dehydration in your first 48 hours is the most common reason Indian backpackers end up at a clinic in Cambodia.
Getting Connected
Have data on day one. Heat-related navigation, tuk-tuk apps, and weather alerts all need it. Get a local SIM at the airport (Smart, Cellcard, Metfone all sell starter packs at ₹482 (~5 USD) for 10 GB, valid 30 days). For travellers who want zero airport hassle, Get Nomad eSIM covers Cambodia on most plans, activates before you board, and keeps your Indian SIM free for WhatsApp calls home.
Visa for Indian Passport Holders in April 2026
Indian passport holders get visa on arrival (₹2,892 (~30 USD)) at all international airports, including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. The e-visa (₹3,471 (~36 USD)) is the same deal in advance, with skip-the-line benefit and the official portal at evisa.gov.kh. April 13 to 16 are Khmer New Year, embassy and immigration counters elsewhere close; if your visa run targets Bangkok or Hanoi, plan around these four days.
Extensions add 30 days for ₹4,338 (~45 USD), applied at the Department of Immigration on Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh. For full Indian-traveller rules and a Cambodia insurance walkthrough, see our guides.
Safety and Health in Cambodia in April
Heat is the headline risk. Beyond it:
- Carry copies of your passport, especially around Khmer New Year crowds.
- Drink bottled or filtered water only. Ice from street vendors is usually fine in cities.
- Use mosquito repellent at dawn and dusk; dengue peaks during the wet transition.
- Avoid long bus rides in the hottest part of the day; night buses are cooler and save a hotel night.
- Khmer New Year sees more traffic accidents and alcohol-related incidents; cross roads carefully, especially April 14 to 16.
- For travel advisories check MEA before flying.
Safety Alert: Khmer New Year DUI enforcement is light. Avoid riding motorbikes yourself during 13 to 16 April; tuk-tuks are safer.
FAQ
Is April the hottest month in Cambodia? Yes. April is typically the hottest month, with daytime highs 36 to 38°C and the highest heat index of the year.
Does it rain in Cambodia in April? Late April is the transition. Early April is mostly dry; the final 10 days see 6 to 10 short, intense thunderstorms, mostly late afternoon.
Should I avoid Cambodia in April? Not avoid, but plan around the heat. Sunrise temple visits, indoor afternoons, evening riverside walks. If you have flexibility, May or early June has softer prices and similar weather but more rain.
Is Khmer New Year a good time to visit? For festivities, yes. For temple sightseeing, no, government offices and some sites close or shorten hours. Many shop owners take the full four days off.
How much cheaper is May than April in Cambodia? Expect dorm beds 10 to 25% cheaper, private rooms 15 to 20% cheaper, and flights from India ₹2,000-₹4,000 (~$20.75-$41.49) cheaper at the same window.
What is the cheapest month to visit Cambodia? August and September are the cheapest, with monsoon at peak and dorm beds dropping into the ₹300-₹500 (~$3.11-$5.19) range.
Subodh’s Take
April is a “doable but grudgingly” month for Cambodia. The heat is real, the festivals are fun for two to three days, and the rest of the month is just hot. If you’re locked in for Indian summer holidays, fine; plan around it. If you have even two weeks of flexibility, swap to mid-May or early June for the same monsoon build at 20% off hostels and 25% off flights from Chennai and Bengaluru.
