Cambodia holidays 2023 & 2024

You can’t fly direct from the UK to Cambodia, but there are regular connections to Phnom Penh via Bangkok, which takes around 13 hours.

The time zone in Cambodia is GMT +7.

While there are public transportation options, the best way to get around Cambodia is by car. This gives you the flexibility to stop whenever you like and travel at your own pace. In Phnom Penh, you could live like a local and explore the city on a Vespa with a local guide, while in smaller towns and rural areas, we could arrange a cycling or kayaking tour. Our Cambodia specialists can arrange your trip complete with a private driver.

The temples of Angkor are Cambodia’s main draw, which you can explore with an expert guide, on a cycling tour, or even with a specialist photographer. You can pair this with the country’s more modern history in Phnom Penh — this might include visiting the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek with a local guide or taking a tour of the city’s microbreweries and Khmer cafes.

Cambodia also has a wild, biodiverse landscape, where you can shadow wildlife rangers as they patrol the jungle, cruise down the Mekong at sunset, or search for Irrawaddy dolphins in Kratie. When you need to relax, you can head to the coast to take alfresco cooking classes, walk along the beach, or snorkel among thriving coral gardens.

Siem Reap, the kick-off point for exploring the temples of Angkor, is a key place to explore. But that’s just the start. You could spend time among the gleaming skyscrapers and gilded temples of Phnom Penh, cafe-hop in the French-colonial town of Battambang, or watch the fishing boats arrive into the coastal port in Kep.

Outside the towns and cities, Cambodia’s jungles, plains, and islands are an often overlooked highlight. Koh Kong is a sleepy coastal region where you can relax in a low-key guesthouse or head into the Cardamom Mountains. For a more traditional beach escape, the islands around Sihanoukville offer long, brilliant-white sands. Read more about our top places to visit in Cambodia.

From floating tents in the middle of the Cambodian wilderness to luxurious private islands, there’s a wide variety of places to stay in Cambodia. In the cities, properties range from restored historic buildings with a rich history to modern edifices with every facility you could possibly want. In more rural areas, family-run guesthouses will immerse you in local life, while the coast and islands have a range of secluded beach retreats. You can see our hand-picked range of stays, tested by our Cambodia specialists, on our hotels page.

UK passport holders need a visa to enter Cambodia, which you can get online (https://www.evisa.gov.kh) before you travel. These e-visas are valid for three months after the date of issue (not date of entry), so it’s best to obtain it within one month of travel. If you’re not a UK passport holder, you can check the visa requirements here.

It’s also possible to pay in cash for a visa on arrival at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap international airports, or at one of the border entry posts if you’re arriving overland from Vietnam, Laos, or Thailand. We recommend you bring an additional passport photo with you if you choose this option. Our country specialists can advise on any safety concerns you may have. For current information, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

Your doctor can provide you with vaccine advice for Cambodia, but we recommend you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website.

If you’re travelling to Cambodia from a country considered to be at risk of yellow fever, you may be asked to provide proof of vaccination against the disease on arrival. Consult your GP for up-to-date advice.