If you want to travel for less, choosing the most affordable countries is by far the simplest and most effortless tip! Sadly, so many people don’t even know how cheap it can be! I’m continuing this series started by Flytrippers’ other co-founder, Andrew, to talk to you about Cambodia. It’s another of the most affordable places, but most importantly, it’s a country I really liked!
Here are nice and cheap accommodation options in 6 Cambodian destinations to show you just how affordable a trip to an amazing spot can be! On dates during the nice season to visit this country!
(We’ve also done this for Colombia, a country that can be cheaper overall for shorter trips, thanks to affordable deals for flights at $400 from some Canadian cities! And we’ve also done it for 2 other countries in Southeast Asia, Malaysia, and Indonesia!)
Basics of traveling to Cambodia for less
If you still haven’t discovered this country, nicknamed the “Land of Smiles” or the “Kingdom of the Khmers”, it’s definitely worth considering!
I loved Cambodia. It’s an underrated destination in Southeast Asia — one of the best regions in the world.
Cambodia shares borders with Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest.
The country is relatively small and you can easily add it to a more classic itinerary that includes Vietnam or Thailand.
This is because flights are cheap in the region (Phnom Penh to Bangkok for $95, for example). You can also get there by bus from Hồ Chí Minh City for $39!
As mentioned, it’s also one of the most affordable countries in the world. And definitely among the cheapest of the cheap.
Basics of cheap accommodation in Cambodia
For each of the 6 destinations in Cambodia, we have 3 examples of cheap accommodation.
An example for those who:
- Travel solo
- Travel with a companion
- Travel for free with Marriott Bonvoy points
We limit ourselves to nice accommodations that are highly rated.
So if you want it to be cheaper, there are obviously cheaper ones than our examples. The exception: there aren’t any cheaper Marriott hotels, as the world’s largest hotel chain has no options in the low-end segment.
And if you prefer luxury, of course, luxury is also much cheaper in Southeast Asia than in the places where everyone always travels to! For example, The St. Regis Hotel (one of the most luxurious brands in the world) costs $350 per night in Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur versus $1500 per night in Rome. The amount of points required is lower too obviously, and if you like luxury, you should really never pay with anything other than points!
So here are the examples of nice and affordable accommodations in 6 Cambodian destinations.
Phnom Penh
Welcome to the capital, located in the plains in the southern part of the country. Founded in the 14th century, Phnom Penh has a tumultuous past, particularly due to colonization (French Indochina) and the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s.
Despite its scars, Phnom Penh has become a dynamic and diverse city, with 2.3 million inhabitants. You can visit the sublime Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, stroll along the banks of the Mekong River, and savor Khmer cuisine in the street markets.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia:
- Nice hostel: Poolside Villa
- $10 per night per person
- Rated 8.2/10
- Nice hotel: Go In
- $19 per night
- $9 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.2/10
- Nice free hotel: Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh
- 8,000 points per night (40,000 points for 5 nights)
- 4,000 per night per person with a companion
- Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card gives you 53,000 points
Nice hostel $10
See all hostels in Phnom Penh.
Nice hotel at $19
See all hotels in Phnom Penh.
Nice free hotel at 8,000 pts
Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh
Get 53,000 points by applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card!
Angkor and Siem Reap
The city of Siem Reap is located in the north-west of Cambodia. It is known as the gateway to the famous ruins of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries. Siem Reap is the country’s 2nd most populous city and is visited a lot thanks to its world-famous attractions.
On top of visiting the famous Buddhist temples such as Angkor Wat (the world’s largest religious structure according to the Guinness World Records book), Bayon, and Ta Prohm, travelers can learn more about the region by visiting the national museum, exploring the floating villages on Tonlé Sap lake, attending a Cambodian circus show, and by sampling authentic local dishes.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Angkor/Siem Reap, Cambodia:
- Nice hostel: The Funky Village
- $5 per night per person
- Rated 8.5/10
- Nice hotel: Sweet Dreams Guesthouse
- $10 per night
- $5 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.1/10
- Nice free hotel: Courtyard Siem Reap Resort
- 9,600 points per night (48,000 points for 5 nights)
- 4,800 per night per person with a companion
- Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card gives you 53,000 points
Nice hostel at $5
See all hostels in Angkor/Siem Reap.
Nice hotel at $10
View all hotels in Angkor/Siem Reap.
Nice free hotel at 9,600 pts
Courtyard Siem Reap Resort — I stayed here myself and loved it!
Get 53,000 points by applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card!
Koh Rong
Koh Rong is a beautiful island in the province of Sihanoukville, in the Gulf of Thailand. It became famous as a filming location for several seasons of the TV show “Survivor”. Koh Rong is the country’s 2nd largest island after Koh Kong, and its sister island is Koh Rong Sanloem.
It’s a true tropical paradise, with preserved beaches, vast tropical forests, beautiful waterfalls, and an array of wildlife. Koh Rong also attracts many party lovers who can enjoy the vibrant nightlife in the bars and at beach parties in the Koh Touch area.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Koh Rong, Cambodia:
- Nice hostel: Mad Monkey Koh Rong
- $14 per night per person
- Rated 8.4/10
- Nice hotel: Sambath Sakseth Bungalow
- $16 per night
- $8 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.3/10
- Nice free hotel: None
Nice hostel $14
See all hostels in Koh Rong.
Nice hotel at $16
View all hotels in Koh Rong.
Sihanoukville
This coastal town is situated in southern Cambodia, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. It’s the country’s main port city and the departure point for the ferry to the islands of Koh Rong (about 1 hour), Koh Rong Sanloem, and Koh Ta Kiev.
Sihanoukville is renowned for its beautiful beaches, such as Serendipity and Otres, but also for its festive nightlife atmosphere, and its casinos. Unfortunately, factors such as the degradation of the environment, over-urbanization, and crime rates have affected the reputation of this city, which has experienced incredible growth in recent years.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Sihanoukville, Cambodia:
- Nice hostel: The Last Point
- $4 per night per person
- Rated 9.9/10
- Nice hotel: Sok Sabay Resort And Fine Restaurant
- $32 per night
- $16 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.8/10
- Nice free hotel: None
Nice hostel for $4
See all hostels in Sihanoukville.
Nice hotel at $32
Sok Sabay Resort And Fine Restaurant
View all hotels in Sihanoukville.
Krong Kampot and Kep
Krong Kampot and Kep are located in southern Cambodia, just 25 kilometers from each other. These 2 small towns near the coast are great for relaxing in a rural setting after visiting the big cities. Krong Kampot is famous for its high-quality pepper production while Kep is known for its crab, so you already know what to eat first when you get there.
In the area, you’ll see plenty of French colonial buildings as well as beautiful beaches in Kep. If you want to get lost in nature, don’t miss Bokor National Park and Kep National Park. None of these cities have hostels though. Kampot has more accommodations and restaurants for travelers, and you can easily visit Kep in a day if you stay in Kampot.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Krong Kampot/Kep, Cambodia:
- Nice hostel: None
- Nice hotel: Q bungalows
- $28 per night
- 14 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 9.3/10
- Nice free hotel: None
Nice hotel at $28
View all hotels in Krong Kampot/Kep.
Battambang
In the northwest of the country lies Battambang, a city too often underestimated by travelers compared to the capital or Siem Reap. Although a little less lively, Battambang will charm you with its French colonial and traditional Cambodian buildings.
There you can visit ancient temples like Wat Banan and Wat Ek Phnom, explore several caves, take a cruise on the Sangker River, or ride the bamboo train, a one-of-a-kind activity. In addition, Battambang joined UNESCO’s City of Gastronomy network in 2023.
Here are some examples of accommodation in Battambang, Cambodia:
- Nice hostel: The Real Place Hostel
- $3 per night per person
- Rated 8.8/10
- Nice hotel: Royal
- $20 per night
- $10 per night per person with a companion
- Rated 8.0/10
- Nice free hotel: None
Nice hostel for $3
See all hostels in Battambang.
Nice hotel for $20
View all hotels in Battambang.
Learning how to travel for less
Join over 100,000 savvy Canadian travelers who already receive Flytrippers’ free newsletter so we can help you travel for less (and inspire you, too)!
Summary
Accommodation in Cambodia is incredibly affordable, as is everything in the country, of course. Now that’s a truly affordable country! And what’s more, it’s wonderful to visit. If you want to travel for less, it’s not rocket science: choose affordable countries! It’s not like you’re sacrificing anything: many are amazing destinations!
What would you like to know about the cheap accommodations in Cambodia? Tell us in the comments below.
See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights
Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards
Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration
Learn pro tricks: Travel tips
Featured image: Angkor, Cambodia (photo credit: Unsplash+)
Valuation ≈ $357
