3 Days in Cambodia: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

A 3-day Cambodia itinerary is best spent splitting time between Phnom Penh’s history and Siem Reap’s Angkor temples, with simple flights and tuk-tuks connecting it all. In 3 days you can see the highlights, eat incredibly well, and still keep costs under control.

Think of this Cambodia travel plan as an easy, first-time-friendly route: day one in Phnom Penh, then two immersive days in Siem Reap for Angkor Wat and sunset cocktails. Domestic flights between the cities take about 50 minutes and usually cost $40–80 one way in 2026, depending on season.

To keep logistics smooth, many travelers now pre-book an eSIM from Hello so they land with data for ride-hailing, maps, and translations, then use the Hello app’s budget tracking to keep daily spending in check. Cambodia received over 5 million international visitors in 2023, according to the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, and the country is steadily upgrading airports, roads, and digital payments—so it’s getting easier every year.

Across three days, most visitors spend roughly $150–220 (budget), $350–450 (mid-range), or $800+ (luxury), including hotels, local transport, food, and temple passes if they plan carefully. This guide breaks that down day by day—morning, afternoon, evening—so you know where to go, when, and what it will cost.

Day 1 in Phnom Penh is about understanding Cambodia’s past, wandering the riverside, and easing into the food scene, all within a compact, easy-to-navigate area using tuk-tuks and walking. This first day sets the context that makes Angkor feel even more meaningful.

Morning (8:00–12:00) – Arrival and Riverside Check‑in
Land at Phnom Penh International Airport and take a tuk‑tuk or app-based taxi into the Riverside or BKK1 neighborhoods. A tuk‑tuk into town is around $8–12 in 2026, while a metered taxi runs closer to $15–18. Budget guesthouses near the river start from $18–25 per night, with mid-range boutiques $45–70 and upscale options from $120+. Use Hello eSIM (bought before arrival) to order your ride and translate addresses without hunting for airport Wi‑Fi.

Afternoon (13:00–17:00) – Royal Palace & National Museum
After lunch (local rice dishes for $2–3, or $6–10 at a mid-range café), head to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda (combined ticket about $10) and the nearby National Museum of Cambodia (around $10). Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered. Tuk‑tuks between sights in central Phnom Penh are typically $1–2.

Evening (18:00–22:00) – Sunset Cruise & Street Eats
Stroll the Sisowath Quay riverfront, then hop on a sunset boat cruise on the Tonlé Sap and Mekong confluence for about $8–15, often including a drink. Dinner from street stalls—nom banh chok (rice noodle curry), satay skewers, or fried noodles—will run $2–4 for budget travelers, $8–15 at sit-down riverside restaurants, or $25+ at fine-dining Khmer fusion spots.

End your night at a rooftop bar ($3–5 beers, $5–9 cocktails) and log your first-day expenses in the Hello app, which can auto-scan local receipts and convert Cambodian riel to your home currency automatically.

Day 2 of this Cambodia 3 day itinerary focuses on Angkor Wat at sunrise and the classic “small circuit” of temples, using Siem Reap as your easy, tourist-friendly base with great food and nightlife. Expect an early start, a lot of walking, and one of Asia’s most memorable days.

Early Morning (4:00–9:00) – Flight to Siem Reap & Sunrise at Angkor
Catch the first flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport, usually departing around 6:00–7:30 and taking under an hour. Tickets typically cost $40–80 one way in 2026, varying by airline and how far you book ahead. Grab a taxi or tuk‑tuk from the airport to Wat Bo or Old French Quarter hotels for about $8–12.

Check in quickly, then head straight to Angkor Archaeological Park. A 1‑day pass costs $37, while a 3‑day pass is $62 (prices per APSARA Authority; they sometimes adjust every few years). Bring passport, modest clothing, and plenty of water. A sunrise tuk‑tuk package (4:30–12:00) is often $18–25, shared among travelers.

Late Morning & Afternoon (9:00–16:00) – Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm
After sunrise at Angkor Wat, continue to Angkor Thom (Bayon Temple’s smiling faces) and Ta Prohm, the famous “Tomb Raider” temple with tree roots. Many tuk‑tuk drivers suggest a break back in town for lunch and a rest, then return to the park; each round-trip costs about $5–7.

Budget food inside Siem Reap comes in around $2–3 for noodle soups or rice dishes; mid-range restaurants near Pub Street and Wat Bo are $6–12 per main, while upscale hotel restaurants charge $20–35.

Evening (17:00–22:00) – Pub Street, Night Market, and Massage
Back in Siem Reap, shower off the temple dust and wander Pub Street and the Angkor Night Market. Draft beers can be as low as $0.75–1.50 during happy hour, and a one-hour foot massage runs $6–10. This is a great evening to use the Hello app’s expense splitting if you’re sharing temple passes, tuk‑tuks, and meals with friends.

Day 3 balances one more temple or countryside experience with relaxed shopping and café time, making it ideal for slow mornings, souvenir hunting, and wrapping up your Cambodia travel plan without rushing to the airport last minute.

Morning (8:00–12:00) – Floating Village or Roluos Temples
After two early days, sleep in a bit, then choose between:

• A Tonlé Sap floating village tour (Chong Kneas or Kampong Phluk), usually $20–30 per person including boat and transfer.
• The Roluos Group of temples (Preah Ko, Bakong, Lolei), a less crowded alternative that uses your existing Angkor pass.

Tuk‑tuks for a half-day trip are around $15–20, more if you add sunset. Carry small bills in riel and US dollars; many tours and souvenir stalls still prefer cash.

Afternoon (13:00–17:00) – Coffee, Crafts, and Cooking Classes
Back in town, enjoy Siem Reap’s café scene—iced coffee is typically $1.50–3. Then browse fair-trade boutiques like Artisans Angkor or other social enterprises for silk, spices, and handicrafts (common souvenir budgets sit around $20–60 per traveler). According to the World Bank, tourism accounts for roughly a third of Cambodia’s services exports, so your shopping genuinely supports local livelihoods.

If you have more time, consider a Khmer cooking class (usually $25–35 including market tour and lunch) or a bike tour of the rice fields for about $20–30.

Evening (17:00–21:00) – Farewell Dinner & Departure
Enjoy a final Khmer curry or amok (fish or chicken curry steamed in banana leaf) at a mid-range restaurant for $8–12, or splurge on a degustation menu at a fine-dining spot from $40–70. Door-to-door transfer from Siem Reap to the airport by tuk‑tuk or taxi costs $8–15.

Before you fly, open the Hello app to see your total 3-day spend by category (food, transport, activities), which is especially handy if you’re planning to return for a longer Cambodia itinerary next time.

A realistic budget for a 3-day Cambodia itinerary ranges from around $150 for backpackers to $800+ for luxury travelers, including hotels, food, domestic flights, and Angkor passes, if you plan carefully and track expenses as you go. The Hello app makes this far easier with multi-currency tracking.

According to data from the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism and regional travel reports, Cambodia remains one of Southeast Asia’s better-value destinations, though prices have crept up slightly since 2022 as tourism rebounds. In 2023, the country welcomed over 5 million international visitors, and increased demand is nudging hotel rates and transport costs higher—so it pays to book early in peak season (December–February).

Here is an approximate daily spending guide in 2026 USD:

Domestic flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap add roughly $80–160 round-trip, depending on airline and timing. An Angkor 1‑day pass is $37, while a 3‑day pass is $62. Budget travelers often share tuk‑tuks and eat street food; mid-range visitors choose boutique hotels and café dining; luxury travelers opt for private guides, top-end hotels, and spa time.

Throughout your trip, the Hello app can scan receipts in riel, auto-convert them to your home currency, and categorize spending, so you can see in real time if you’re sticking to your Cambodia trip planner budget.

The easiest way to execute this 3-day Cambodia travel plan is to base in central neighborhoods and use tuk-tuks, short flights, and an eSIM for navigation and payments, keeping each transfer under 60 minutes door to door.

Best Neighborhoods

• Phnom Penh: Stay in Riverside for views and proximity to the Royal Palace, or BKK1 for quieter streets, cafés, and more modern hotels.
• Siem Reap: Base yourself in Wat Bo or the Old French Quarter for walkable access to Pub Street without the all-night noise; these areas offer a good mix of guesthouses and stylish boutiques.

Getting Around
Tuk‑tuks are the default: short hops in cities cost $1–2, cross-town trips $3–5. Always agree the fare before hopping in, or use a local ride-hailing app where available. Domestic flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are still the fastest option for a 3-day trip; buses take 5–6 hours and cost $10–15, but they eat up valuable sightseeing time.

Staying Connected
Most cafés and hotels offer Wi‑Fi, but coverage can be patchy at temples and on the road. Buying Hello eSIM for Cambodia before you fly means you land with data working instantly, instead of queuing for a SIM in the airport. Plans start from 5GB of data with live pricing inside the Hello app, and activation takes just a few taps.

Once you are online, you can use maps for tuk‑tuk directions, translation apps for menus, and digital wallets where accepted—then sync everything to your Hello expense tracker so your Cambodia trip planner stays accurate to the dollar.

A well-planned Cambodia 3 day itinerary is enough to see Phnom Penh’s highlights and Siem Reap’s Angkor temples, as long as you use a smart route, budget realistically, and stay connected for taxis and bookings. Here are concise answers to the questions people ask most when planning.

Is 3 days enough for Cambodia?
It’s enough for a taster trip, not a deep dive. You’ll manage one day in Phnom Penh and two in Siem Reap, including Angkor Wat sunrise and a small selection of temples. If you want beaches like Kep or the southern islands, plan at least 7–10 days.

How much cash do I need vs. cards?
Cambodia is increasingly card-friendly in hotels and mid-range restaurants, but you still need cash for tuk‑tuks, markets, and many tours. Budget travelers should carry around $25–40 per day in cash, while mid-range travelers might want $50–80. The Hello app’s multi-currency tools help reconcile card statements with cash spending later.

What’s the best time of year to follow this itinerary?
The cool, dry season from November to February is the most comfortable, with daytime highs around 28–32°C and less rain, according to Cambodia’s Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology. Hot season (March–May) can exceed 35°C, making midday temple visits very sweaty, while rainy season (June–October) brings afternoon downpours but greener rice fields and fewer crowds.

Is Cambodia safe for solo travelers?
Yes, generally, if you follow standard city precautions: use licensed taxis or tuk‑tuks, keep valuables secure, avoid poorly lit areas late at night, and be cautious with drinks. Many solo travelers base in Siem Reap, join group temple tours, and share costs with new friends using Hello’s expense splitting feature.

Do I need to book anything in advance?
For a 3-day trip, book flights and hotels early, especially in peak season, and consider pre-arranging an Angkor guide. Angkor passes are purchased on arrival at the official ticket office. Pre-purchasing your Hello eSIM for Cambodia before departure ensures you can handle last-minute changes entirely from your phone.