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Quick Answer
- Best overall: December and January, cool, dry, and clear, then November and February.
- Cheapest: May, June, September, and October, often 30 to 50 percent below the winter peak.
- Avoid for heat: March to early May, the hottest, most humid stretch of the year.
- Khmer New Year (April 14 to 16, 2026) is vivid but hot, crowded, and disruptive for travel.
- Daily budget: 25 to 45 US dollars for backpackers, 55 to 110 for mid-range comfort.
The Best Time to Visit Cambodia, in One Sentence
A dawn visit to Angkor Wat in late December, the sky behind its five towers turning from charcoal to rose to fire and doubling perfectly in the reflecting pool, shows exactly why the timing here matters so much. Come in the wrong month and that same sunrise is a sweaty, hazy scrum. Come in the right one, dry air and near-cool temperatures, and it is the best morning of the trip.
But you came for the answer, so here it is. The best time to visit Cambodia is the cool dry season, November to February, when the humidity drops, the skies clear, and 28 to 32 C days make temple-hopping genuinely pleasant. December and January are the textbook peak.
Honestly, though, Cambodia has only two real seasons, and the “wrong” one is not as wrong as people fear. The wet months bring green rice paddies, glassy moats, and prices that fall through the floor. This guide breaks down the cost and weather of every month so you can pick the version of Cambodia that fits your wallet and your tolerance for heat.
What to pack for Cambodia
Four picks from our gear guides that suit this trip. Each card opens the live Amazon price; the links below lead to the full comparisons.
360-degree memory foam with asymmetrical sides, so you pick which side gets the most support instead of getting the same generic curve everywhere. It was the single most-purchased travel product among Travel + Leisure readers in 2025. The catch: even compressed to about 60% of its size in the included bag, it’s still bulkier than an inflatable.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonThe cheapest way to find out whether you even like compression socks: three knee-high pairs in 15-20 mmHg, the range most often recommended for flying.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonThe reliable all-rounder: one USB-C and four USB-A ports, plugs for 200+ countries, and a built-in fuse with a spare. The adapter most people should buy.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonModel A1259, 10,000mAh, about 37Wh, 215 g. Two phone charges in a jacket pocket, and small enough that the two-bank limit never becomes a question.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonCambodia’s Two Seasons and What They Cost
Cambodia runs on a tropical monsoon climate with just two seasons, dry and wet, plus a brutal hot bridge between them. Knowing which you are landing in is the difference between an effortless temple trip and one spent hiding from the midday sun.
Cool Dry Season (November to February): The Sweet Spot
This is the season everyone wants, and rightly so. The northeast monsoon brings dry air, clear skies, and the lowest humidity of the year, with temperatures around 28 to 32 C by day and pleasantly mild evenings. It is perfect for Angkor, the riverside in Phnom Penh, and the southern beaches. The catch is the obvious one: peak prices and the biggest crowds, especially over Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year.
If you want this weather with a little more breathing room, target late November or February, the shoulders of the peak, when conditions are nearly identical but rates ease and the sunrise crowd thins.
Hot Season (March to May): The One to Be Wary Of
Between the monsoons, Cambodia bakes. March through early May is the hottest, most humid stretch, regularly hitting 35 to 40 C, with hazy skies and energy-sapping afternoons. Khmer New Year lands in mid-April. It is doable, and prices are lower, but temple days become a test of endurance, so plan dawn starts and long midday breaks.
Wet Season (May to October): Green, Empty, and Cheap
The southwest monsoon arrives around May and builds to its peak in September and October. Rain usually falls in short, dramatic afternoon storms rather than all day, the countryside turns brilliant green, the Angkor moats fill, and Tonle Sap lake swells. Crowds vanish and prices drop hard. The trade-off is humidity, the odd washed-out road, and the chance of flooding late in the season.
How prices move
Peak prices land in December and January with Western holidays, easing through the shoulders. The cheapest window is the wet season, roughly May to October, when flights and rooms can fall 30 to 50 percent.
Month-by-Month Guide to Visiting Cambodia
Use this as your at-a-glance planner before the detailed notes below.
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cool, dry, clear | High | High | Angkor, comfortable temple days |
| February | Warm, dry | High then easing | Mid-high | Temples, beaches, near-peak weather |
| March | Hot, dry, hazy | Moderate | Mid | Quieter temples, beaches before the heat |
| April | Very hot, Khmer New Year | High mid-month | Mid | Festival culture, dawn-start sightseeing |
| May | Hot, first rains | Low | Low-mid | Value travel, green countryside begins |
| June | Hot, wet afternoons | Low | Low | Cheapest deals, lush landscapes |
| July | Warm, wet | Low | Low | Bargains, empty temples |
| August | Warm, wet | Low | Low | Value, dramatic skies |
| September | Warm, monsoon peak | Low | Low | Lush moats, reflections, lowest prices |
| October | Warm, wettest, flood risk | Low | Low | Green Angkor, deals (watch flooding) |
| November | Drying out, pleasant | Rising | Mid | Shoulder sweet spot, fresh landscapes |
| December | Cool, dry, festive | Very high | Peak | Classic Angkor sunrise, beaches |
Cambodia’s temperatures stay high year-round but peak in the hot bridge: average highs sit near 30 to 31 C in the cool, low-humidity dry season, climb to a punishing 35 to 36 C from March through April, then settle back to the low 30s C once the monsoon arrives. The one date to plan around is Khmer New Year, April 14 to 16 in 2026, vivid but landing in the hottest, most disruptive stretch.
Find Cheap Flights to Cambodia
Cambodia’s two main gateways are Siem Reap (REP, the airport for Angkor) and Phnom Penh (PNH), the capital. There are very few long-haul direct flights, so almost everyone connects through a Southeast Asian hub. From Europe and North America, the cheapest routes usually go via Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or the Gulf, then a short regional hop.
Use the live calendar below to spot the cheapest departure dates at a glance, then compare across months.
Tips for cheaper flights:
- Connect through Bangkok or Singapore. A budget regional hop into Siem Reap often beats any single through-fare.
- Book 2 to 3 months ahead for the December peak; wet-season fares are softer and more flexible.
- Compare both gateways. Flying into Phnom Penh and busing or flying to Siem Reap can be cheaper.
- Travel midweek and in the wet months. May, June, and September departures are routinely the cheapest.
- Avoid the Christmas to Chinese New Year window for the steepest prices.
For more route ideas and fare hacks, browse our full flights hub.
When Prices Are Lowest: Best Time for Budget Travelers
Target these windows for the cheapest trips:
May, June, September, and October are the cheapest stretch. A room that runs 50 US dollars a night in December can drop to 25 to 35, and flights via Bangkok soften too. You trade afternoon storms and humidity for green countryside, glassy moats, and near-empty temples.
Late November and February are the smart compromise: nearly the dry-season weather, but below the Christmas and New Year peak.
Steer clear of the Christmas and New Year holidays, Chinese New Year, and Khmer New Year (April 14 to 16, 2026) for the lowest rates and least disruption.
Pick your month and the flights look manageable. Next comes the cost that catches first-timers off guard: the Angkor pass itself.
The Angkor Pass and Getting Around
Angkor is not free, and the pass is a real line in your budget. It is also the reason most people come, so plan it properly.
| Pass type | Validity | Approx. cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-day | One day | 37 US dollars | A flying visit |
| 3-day | Any 3 days in 10 | 62 US dollars | Most travelers, the sweet spot |
| 7-day | Any 7 days in a month | 72 US dollars | Slow, thorough temple lovers |
The 3-day pass is the value pick for most people, letting you split temple days with rest and avoid burnout. A tuk-tuk for a full day around the temples runs roughly 20 to 30 US dollars and is the classic way to explore; bicycles work for the central cluster in cooler months. Buy the pass at the official ticket centre, not from touts.
Where to Stay in Cambodia
Where you sleep shapes both your budget and your experience, and Cambodia runs from 6-dollar dorms to riverside boutique hotels. Each base has a distinct character.
| Area | Vibe | Budget room | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siem Reap (Old Town / Night Market) | Lively, central, walkable | 15 to 40 US dollars/night | Angkor base, night markets, restaurants |
| Siem Reap (Wat Bo / riverside) | Quieter, leafy, local | 18 to 45 US dollars/night | Calm, value, easy temple access |
| Phnom Penh (riverside) | Capital buzz, history | 18 to 50 US dollars/night | Culture, museums, city energy |
| Battambang | Slow, artsy, authentic | 12 to 35 US dollars/night | Countryside, fewer tourists |
| Kampot / Kep | Sleepy river and coast | 15 to 45 US dollars/night | Relaxation, pepper farms, seafood |
Siem Reap is the temple basecamp and where most trips center. Phnom Penh is the riverside capital, sobering and lively in equal measure. Kampot and the south offer a slow, green counterpoint. Compare current rates anytime on our hotels hub.
Daily Budget for Cambodia
| Category | Budget (US dollars) | Mid-Range (US dollars) | Comfort (US dollars) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 6 to 18 | 28 to 55 | 80 to 180 |
| Food (3 meals) | 6 to 12 | 16 to 32 | 45 to 90 |
| Transport (tuk-tuk) | 5 to 12 | 12 to 25 | 30 to 60 |
| Activities / Angkor | 8 to 22 | 20 to 40 | 45 to 90 |
| Daily Total | 25 to 45 | 55 to 110 | 200 to 420 |
A few notes that keep costs honest: a plate of amok or lok lak runs 3 to 6 US dollars, market stalls and street food are cheaper still, and the US dollar is used everywhere alongside the riel (you will often get change in both). The Angkor pass is a one-off line item, not a daily one, so spread it across a 3-day visit. Many of Cambodia’s best moments, from a Tonle Sap sunset to a temple-courtyard breeze, cost nothing at all.
Stay Connected and Safe: eSIM and VPN
Skip the airport SIM kiosk. A travel eSIM gives you fast data the moment you land at REP or PNH, which matters when you are coordinating a sunrise tuk-tuk, mapping the Angkor loop, or finding a riverside dinner in Phnom Penh. Cambodia has cheap, surprisingly fast 4G across the main towns.
- Activate before you fly: data works on arrival
- Plans for 200+ countries from a few dollars
- Keep your number; no physical SIM swap
Guesthouses, cafes, and restaurants offer plenty of open Wi-Fi, and a VPN keeps your banking and logins private on those public networks while letting you reach your usual streaming and home services. Set it up before you fly.
- Up to 10 devices on one account
- Obfuscated servers for networks that block VPNs
- 30-day money-back guarantee
For the full rundown, see our guides to the best travel eSIM and VPN.
Tours & Activities: Cambodia
Skip the ticket queues and pre-book the best local tours, day trips and skip-the-line attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Cambodia?
December and January are the best months: cool, dry, and low in humidity, with the most comfortable temple weather of the year. November and February follow closely with slightly warmer days and somewhat softer prices.
What is the cheapest time to visit Cambodia?
May, June, September, and October are the cheapest, with flights and rooms often 30 to 50 percent below the December-to-January peak. You trade afternoon storms and humidity for green landscapes, empty temples, and the best deals.
When is Cambodia’s rainy season?
The wet southwest monsoon runs roughly May to October, with the heaviest rain in September and October. Showers usually come as short, intense afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain, and the moat and jungle around Angkor look their lushest.
When is the best time to see Angkor Wat?
The cool dry season from November to February gives the clearest skies and most comfortable temple-walking weather. For dramatic reflections and green jungle with fewer crowds, the late wet season can be magical despite the heat.
When is Khmer New Year and should I plan around it?
Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey) falls on April 14 to 16 in 2026. It is a joyful, water-soaked celebration, but it lands in the hottest, most humid stretch of the year and many businesses close, so plan transport and bookings ahead.
How much does a trip to Cambodia cost per day?
Budget travelers manage on 25 to 45 US dollars a day; mid-range travelers should plan for 55 to 110, plus the Angkor pass. See the cost table above for the full breakdown.
Start Planning Your Cambodia Trip
The best time to visit Cambodia comes down to heat versus value. The cool dry season (November to February) gives you clear skies and comfortable temple days at peak prices; the wet months (May to October) trade humidity and afternoon storms for green moats, empty ruins, and the lowest rates of the year; and only the hot bridge of March to May is genuinely punishing. A 4:30am start in late December for that fiery reflected sunrise is worth the early wake-up precisely because of the dry-season air. Match the month to your tolerance for heat and Cambodia is one of the great-value wonders of Asia.
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