I traveled to Cambodia for six days, and it was amazing!
Back in November 2023, I went on a 12-day trip to Southeast Asia—starting from Malaysia, then to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and ending in Singapore. Cambodia was the second country, and I spent a total of six days in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
A bit of background about me: I’m from Indonesia, I work remotely, and I still have to work while traveling. I didn’t have a fixed budget for this trip. I traveled solo, backpacked, and didn’t mind splurging on food and experiences.
I don’t really follow a strict itinerary because I was working on weekdays during this trip. Instead, I usually pin everything I’m interested in on Google Maps. Then I choose an area to explore and visit the places I pinned. Of course, if I find something interesting along the way, I can always be flexible and change my plans.
Phnom Penh
I arrived in Phnom Penh from Kuala Lumpur. I booked my flight via Traveloka with AirAsia for Rp727,399 (one-way). I planned all my accommodation and sleeper bus tickets in advance, but everything else was spontaneous.
I stayed in Phnom Penh for only two days because the city didn’t have much to offer me. I’m more of a nature person, so I reserved more days for Siem Reap.
Food
I tried Wat Damnak because it was close to where I stayed. They have one in Phnom Penh and one in Siem Reap, so I tried both. Both were quite good for $45—it’s an 8-course tasting menu. And they both had different set menus. The place was nice, and the food was good. Since it’s an 8-course meal, of course, the portions were small, but in the end, it was very fulfilling.
I also tried eating at the night market, but I was avoiding eating adventurously because I’d be going to Siem Reap via sleeper bus. The ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap was 6 hours non-stop, so there would be no rest area to stop at.
Bar
I went to the Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel. The interior was beautiful, the service was great, and the drinks were nice. However, the vibe felt more like a jazz café than a bar.
Where I stayed
I stayed at Mad Monkey Phnom Penh. Honestly, I didn’t like it because I’m used to quiet and clean hostels or capsule hotels like those in Japan and Taiwan. This one was loud and a bit old, but it was cheap and close to everywhere I wanted to visit. The options for nice hostels in Phnom Penh are quite limited.
Things to do
There isn’t much to see or do in Phnom Penh. I visited the Royal Palace and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Everything is fairly close if you take a tuk-tuk (I used Grab). I also went to a mall and did a sunset cruise on the Mekong River.
Sleeper Bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Someone recommended Giant Ibis in my previous post, so I booked my ticket through 12go. I bought it online for $32, but later found out my hostel sold tickets for $17. I didn’t regret booking in advance, though—it gave me peace of mind, and I was able to secure a single seat, so I didn’t have to share with anyone.
If you book a double bed, you’ll literally be sharing a bed with a stranger, with no divider. The bus was quite comfortable for me (I’m 154 cm), but if you’re taller, it might be a bit cramped. The journey took five hours, and I slept like a baby the entire way.
Siem Reap
I loved this city and am seriously considering coming back to stay for a month. I only spent four days here, mostly exploring temples in the morning.
Arrival & Temple Visit
I arrived at around 5–6 AM. At the bus terminal, a tuk-tuk driver asked if I wanted to go straight to Angkor Wat. Since I couldn’t check into my hostel yet, I agreed.
Initially, he offered $35 per day, then lowered it to $30 without me even negotiating. In the end, I still paid him $35 because it was within my budget. He took me to the ticketing office, where I bought a 3-day Angkor Pass (which also covers other temples).
At Angkor Wat, you need to hire a separate tour guide. Mine initially quoted $15 for 1.5 hours, but in the end, the tour lasted two hours. I enjoyed it, so I gave him $20. I liked Angkor Wat, until I visited the smaller temples.
I ended up visiting around 7–8 temples, and my favorites were Prasat Preah Khan and Ta Prohm. I even went back on my last day just to walk around slowly. Both times, there were only about 5–8 people around. It felt like I was exploring alone, very quiet and peaceful. I didn’t hire a guide for these visits because, honestly, if I hear a history lesson while traveling, I’ll fall asleep! I just wanted to admire the beauty of the temples.
Food
I also tried Wat Damnak in Siem Reap. The experience was similar, but I felt the service in Phnom Penh was better.
Since I had to work, I mostly ate at cafés, so I probably didn’t have the best local food. However, Bean Embassy had an amazing Fish Amok. I avoided street food due to hygiene concerns—I had a tight schedule and didn’t want to risk getting sick. There are also plenty of international food options if you need a break from local cuisine.
Bar
I went to Picasso Bar, Long’s Bar, Barcode Bar (for the drag show), and Laundry Bar.
- Barcode Bar was super fun! The drag show was amazing, but drinks were a bit pricey (starting at $5, while other bars start at $3). Still, since the drag show was free, I didn’t mind paying for cocktails.
- I loved Picasso Bar—so much that I went twice. The staff was friendly, the drinks were great, and the interior setup was perfect for shy introverts looking to socialize.
Stay
I stayed at Lub D Hostel, and honestly, it was the cheapest and cleanest hostel I’ve ever stayed in—only $6 per night! The interior was nice; I felt comfortable, and it wasn’t cramped. The location was also very strategic.
Spa
I tried The Spa and Bodia Spa.
- Bodia Spa (on Pub Street) was also great—you couldn’t hear any of the noise from outside. I tried the Bodia Tonic (a 60-minute massage without oil for $35).
- The Spa was clean, quiet, and had a standalone building, making it very peaceful.
There are plenty of cheaper massage options on Pub Street, starting at $2, but I personally wanted a quiet place.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a female solo traveler wondering whether to visit Cambodia, you definitely should! Based on my experience, it was super safe, the people were friendly, and it was very doable.
For reference, I arrived and left Cambodia by air, so I can’t speak on land border crossings.
I love Cambodia and am seriously considering visiting again in the future. Hope this post helps you decide and plan your trip! 😊
