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One Month in Cambodia: The Ultimate Cambodia Itinerary (30 Day Travel Route)

Planning one month in Cambodia and not sure where to start?

You’re not alone. Cambodia is one of those countries that can be tricky to plan; you’ve got everything from world-famous temples like Angkor Wat to remote islands, chaotic cities, and chilled-out riverside towns.

After spending a month in Cambodia ourselves, we’ve put together this complete Cambodia itinerary to help you plan your trip – without making the same mistakes we did! 

Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, are the best products possible whilst travelling.

Quick Answer: Is One Month in Cambodia Enough?

Yes! One month in Cambodia is the perfect amount of time.

It allows you to:

  • Explore the country at a relaxed pace
  • Visit all the major highlights
  • Include beach time, culture, and history
  • Avoid burnout from constant travel

This 30-day Cambodia itinerary is ideal for travellers who want a mix of adventure and downtime, backpackers backpacking through Southeast Asia, and first-time visitors to Cambodia.

Cambodia Travel Route (1 Month Overview)

Here’s the exact Cambodia travel route we recommend:

Phnom Penh → Battambang → Siem Reap → Koh Rong → Koh Rong Sanloem → Kampot → Phnom Penh

This route avoids unnecessary backtracking, flows naturally through the country and balances culture, history, and beach time! 

Before You Go: Travel Tips for Cambodia

We have a whole post on our top tips for visiting Cambodia, but before diving into the itinerary, here are a few key things to know:

  • Cambodia currency: US Dollars are widely used
  • Best time to visit Cambodia: November-March (dry season)
  • Is Cambodia safe? Generally, yes, but take normal precautions
  • Is Cambodia cheaper than Thailand? Yes, especially for food and accommodation

Don’t forget to pack correctly! Luckily, we have a full packing guide for Cambodia to help. 

Cambodia 4 Week Itinerary (Full Breakdown)

Stop 1: Phnom Penh (Days 1–4)

Cambodia’s Capital & First Impressions

Phnom Penh is the perfect introduction to the country. It’s chaotic, intense, and a bit of a shock at first, but it gives you a real insight into Cambodian life.

Best Things to Do in Phnom Penh

  • Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
  • Killing Fields
  • Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
  • Central Market
  • Riverside & Mekong River

The history here, especially around the Khmer Rouge, is heavy but incredibly important.

Where to Stay in Phnom Penh

  • Budget: Hostels like Mad Monkey (great for meeting people)
  • Mid-range: Boutique hotels near the riverside

Getting There

  • Fly into Phnom Penh airport
  • Or a bus from Ho Chi Minh City

Stop 2: Battambang (Days 5–6)

Cambodia’s Most Underrated Town

We didn’t expect much from Battambang, but it ended up being one of our favourite places.

It’s chilled, authentic, and a great place to slow down.

Best Things to Do in Battambang

  • Bamboo Train (must-do!) Read our full guide for visiting the bamboo train before you go! 
  • Explore local cafés
  • Countryside tuk tuk tours

Getting to Battambang

  • Bus from Phnom Penh (6–7 hours), you can book your bus through any tourism kiosk or online. 

Stop 3: Siem Reap (Days 7–11)

Home of Angkor Wat

Siem Reap is easily one of the highlights of any 1 month in Cambodia itinerary.

It’s vibrant, easy to navigate, and packed with things to do! 

Best Things to Do in Siem Reap 

  • Visiting Angkor Wat for sunrise
  • Temple hopping
  • Pub Street
  • Floating villages on Tonlé Sap
  • Night markets & street food

Where to Stay in Siem Reap

Don’t worry, we have a full guide on where to stay in Siem Reap, being one of the most popular destinations in Cambodia, there are heaps of options to choose from! 

Getting to Siem Reap from Battambang 

  • Bus from Battambang (~4 hours)

Stop 4: Koh Rong (Days 12–15)

Beach + Backpacker Vibes

After temples and cities, it’s time to relax and enjoy some island time! 

Koh Rong offers white sand beaches, clear water and a social backpacker scene. 

Best Things to Do in Koh Rong

  • Beach days
  • Boat trips
  • Nightlife (Nest Beach Club)

Stop 5: Koh Rong Sanloem (Days 16–20)

Pure Relaxation

If Koh Rong is the party island, Koh Rong Sanloem is the opposite. It’s quiet, peaceful, and perfect for slowing down.

Best Things to Do on Koh Rong Samloem

  • Chill on the beach
  • Swim & snorkel
  • Do absolutely nothing

How to Visit Both Islands

It’s a bit more complicated than other stops on this list, so we have written a handy guide for getting to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem! 

Stop 6: Kampot (Days 21–25)

Laid-Back Riverside Town

Kampot reminded us a lot of Battambang; chilled, scenic, and full of character.

Best Things to Do

  • Riverside cafés
  • Pepper farms
  • Food markets 
  • Day trips to Kep

How to get Kampot from Koh Rong Sanloem:

There’s currently no direct transport from Sihanoukville to Kampot (as far as we know), so your best option is a private taxi. If you are on a budget, it’s best to speak to other backpackers and see if you can get a group deal; that’s what we did! The drive is a bit bumpy and takes around 3 hours. Stop 7: Phnom Penh (Days 26–30)

Stop 7: Phnom Penh (Days 26–30)

Wrap Up Your Trip

Return to Phnom Penh to catch anything you might have missed and have a little relaxation before your flight home. 

Pros and Cons of This Cambodia Itinerary

Pros

  • Covers all major highlights
  • Balanced pace
  • Includes beach + culture

Cons

  • Some long travel days
  • Limited time in certain places
  • Can feel fast-paced at times

Budget & Costs

Cambodia is very affordable.

  • Street food: $1–$3
  • Hostels: $5–$15
  • Hotels: $20–$60

Perfect for backpacking and long-term travel.

Final Thoughts: Is One Month in Cambodia Worth It?

Absolutely! 

Spending one month in Cambodia gives you the chance to:

  • Experience the country properly
  • Go beyond just Angkor Wat
  • Discover hidden gems

For us, it was one of the most varied and memorable countries in Southeast Asia.

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Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, is the best products possible whilst travelling.

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48 Comments

  1. I only managed a 4-night stay in Siem Reap during my trip to Cambodia and want to return one day to see more of the country so this itinerary is a perfect starting point.

  2. I would love to spend a month exploring Cambodia. There are so many historical places here that are on my list. Thanks for sharing your itinerary!

  3. Looks like an amazing trip, and you have gorgeous photos! I have never been to Cambodia, and now I have some great ideas. Thanks so much for sharing!

    1. It has really surprised us how much we like Cambodia and we’d definitely recommend it. Glad we’ve been able to help Erin.

  4. Cambodia seems such a charming place! the territory and the temples are just stunning! thanks for this guide! I will definitely be inspired!

    1. Glad we’ve been able to help Alaina; Cambodia is definitely worth visiting, even for only two weeks.

  5. Sucha great itinerary, it’s always so hard trying to figure out how to plan your time in a country abroad when you dont know much about it so I really appreciate this. Also, I really enjoyed the facts at the beginning, I can’t believe there are active landmines!

  6. Relaxing in Battambang and then heading to Siem Reap to see the temple sounds like the perfect stops if I had a shorter time. Though it’s hard to choose because it all looks incredible!

  7. I absolutely love this itinerary, it really shows a mix to Cambodia! My favourite is definitely Koh Rong, I swam with the bioluminescent plankton and it was incredible!!

    1. Really glad the itinerary has been useful Lana! Seeing the plankton was also a great favourite of ours, so pretty!

  8. Thank you for this! Cambodia is tops on my travel list- Angkor Wat is a big reason why. I’m so glad to have the information about what else we should see. I doubt we’ll have a month but fingers crossed!

    1. So glad we’ve been able to help Jami; Angkor Wat is definitely a must-visit! You can still see everything in Cambodia in two weeks if that’s all the time you have? Do drop us a message if you need any further tips on Cambodia!

    1. Angor Wat definitely; the Koh Rong Islands are beautiful and Kampot is a hidden gem… the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh is great too!

  9. Like a few others, I’ve been to Cambodia but that was more than a decade ago. The photos you took show a different Cambodia than the one in my hazy memory. Might revisit just to jog my memory and retread my old itinerary.

    1. It’s absolutely worth visiting again! Hopefully, Cambodia has come a long way since you last visited.

  10. Such a detailed itinerary, thank you! I always find that the tiny transportation details are the hardest to figure out, so knowing this info is so helpful

  11. Great and detailed itinerary! I have never really thought to go to Cambodia but I definitely want to go to Thailand (because my mom was a flight attendant and was stationed there back in the day, and I love Thai food). I should consider a stop in Cambodia too!

    1. Thank you Hannah. You should definitely take time to visit, even if it is for a couple of weeks. We’re currently in Thailand now and its amazing; the food here is so nice (and affordable).

    1. Thank you so much, really appreciate your kind words. It is honestly a beautiful country and well worth visiting.

  12. Oh my gosh this is so amazing!! I have only heard of Siem Reap and Angkor Watt before when I’ve looked into Cambodia travel. Thank you for sharing, there is so much more to see!

    1. Thanka for your kind words Kat; it shocked us how much more there was to see in Cambodia as well!

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