Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia’s most underrated short-haul destinations for Indian travellers. You can fly from Mumbai or Delhi for ₹18,000–₹28,000 return, get a visa on arrival (or apply online in minutes), and cover Angkor Wat plus Phnom Penh in 5 days for under ₹55,000 per person all in. No Schengen headaches. No complex visa appointments. Just temples that make Hampi look small.
Quick Verdict
| Visa | e-Visa online ( |
| Return flights from Mumbai | ₹18,000–₹28,000 (1 stop via Bangkok or KL) |
| Daily budget | ₹2,500–₹4,000 (budget) · ₹5,000–₹8,000 (mid-range) |
| Best time | November–March (dry season) |
| Currency | USD accepted everywhere; Cambodian Riel for small change |
| Total trip (5 days, budget) | ~₹42,000 per person from Mumbai |
Cambodia Visa for Indians
Indian passport holders need a visa. Two routes:
Option 1: Cambodia e-Visa (recommended) — Apply before you fly at iVisa. Single-entry 30-day tourist visa costs USD 36 (~₹3,000 including the service fee). Processing: 3–5 business days. You arrive at the e-Visa lane at the airport — shorter queue than Visa on Arrival.
Option 2: Visa on Arrival — Available at Phnom Penh (PNH) and Siem Reap Angkor (SAI) airports. USD 35 in cash (bring exact US dollars) plus one passport photo. During peak season (December–January) queues stretch to 45 minutes. The e-Visa lane cuts that to 5.
Which to choose? Apply online via iVisa. At ₹3,000 vs ₹2,900 for VoA, the ₹100 difference is worth it to skip the queue. Apply 10 days before travel to be safe.
Flights from India to Cambodia
Cambodia’s two airports: Phnom Penh International (PNH) and the newer Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI, opened 2023). No direct flights from India exist — every routing has one stop.
Typical fares (return, per person)
| Route | Via | Low season | Peak (Nov–Jan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai → Siem Reap | Bangkok / KL | ₹18,000–₹22,000 | ₹24,000–₹32,000 |
| Mumbai → Phnom Penh | Bangkok / Hanoi | ₹19,000–₹24,000 | ₹26,000–₹35,000 |
| Delhi → Phnom Penh | Bangkok | ₹20,000–₹26,000 | ₹28,000–₹36,000 |
| Bangalore → Siem Reap | KL / Bangkok | ₹21,000–₹27,000 | ₹28,000–₹38,000 |
Best carriers: Vietnam Airlines (via Hanoi), AirAsia (via KL), Thai Airways (via Bangkok), IndiGo + partner code-share via Bangkok.
Search current flight prices from India to Cambodia →
Book 6–8 weeks out for the shoulder season (September–October, February–April). For November–January peak, book 3 months ahead or prices climb 25–35%.
When to Visit
| Season | Months | Weather | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak (dry) | Nov–Mar | 25–32°C, sunny | Best weather; book early and pay more |
| Hot shoulder | Apr–May | 35–40°C, very humid | Cheap flights, manageable if you start early |
| Wet season | Jun–Oct | Rain 1–3 hrs daily, 28°C | 30–40% cheaper; temples are dramatic and green |
India tip: October–November hits a sweet spot — rains taper off in Cambodia while Indian festival-season flights haven’t peaked yet. Sunrise at Angkor after light rain is genuinely one of the best travel moments in Asia.
5-Day Cambodia Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrive Siem Reap
Fly into Siem Reap Angkor Airport. Book your airport transfer in advance — a private car to the hotel costs ₹650–₹900 (USD 8–11). Check in, rest, and explore Old Market and Pub Street in the evening. Dinner at a local Khmer restaurant: ₹250–₹450 per head for amok fish curry and rice.
Day 2 — Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom
The main event. Wake at 4:30 AM for the Angkor Wat sunrise — arguably Southeast Asia’s single best travel experience. Buy a 3-day Angkor Pass for USD 62 (₹5,150) if you want full coverage; a 1-day pass is USD 37 (₹3,050) if time is tight.
A tuk-tuk with driver for the full day costs USD 15–20 (₹1,250–₹1,650). Better: book a guided Angkor Wat tour via Klook (₹1,800–₹2,800 per person) — a knowledgeable guide explaining the bas-reliefs and symbolism transforms the experience from impressive to extraordinary.
After Angkor Wat, move to Angkor Thom and the face-towers of the Bayon Temple. Lunch at one of the restaurants near the South Gate (₹350–₹600).
Day 3 — Ta Prohm & Outer Temples
Ta Prohm — the “Jungle Temple” where massive fig trees have consumed the stone walls — is worth half a day. Then Banteay Srei (40 km out; intricate pink sandstone carvings, the finest detail work in the Angkor complex) if you have a day pass.
Afternoon: Artisans Angkor workshop (free entry) to watch traditional silk-weaving and lacquer work. Evening: sunset from Phnom Bakheng hill (book ahead — timed tickets fill up fast in peak season).
Day 4 — Bus to Phnom Penh (Optional)
Take the Giant Ibis express bus booked via 12Go Asia — USD 12–15 (~₹1,000–₹1,250) for a 6-hour comfortable coach with AC, reclining seats, Wi-Fi, and a meal stop. Arrives Phnom Penh late afternoon.
Check into a riverside hotel (search hotels here — ₹2,500–₹4,500/night mid-range) and walk the riverfront promenade. Dinner at the Central Market area: ₹400–₹700 for Khmer BBQ or freshwater fish.
Day 5 — Phnom Penh & Fly Home
Morning: Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda (USD 10 entry, ~₹830). Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum — sobering and essential context for understanding Cambodia (USD 10 entry). Russian Market for budget souvenirs (silk scarves ₹300, spices ₹150, silver jewellery ₹500–₹1,500). Fly home from Phnom Penh in the evening.
Budget Breakdown (Per Person, 5 Days from Mumbai)
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights | ₹19,000 | ₹26,000 |
| Cambodia e-Visa | ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Accommodation (4 nights) | ₹5,600 | ₹14,000 |
| Angkor Pass (3-day) | ₹5,150 | ₹5,150 |
| Food (5 days) | ₹4,500 | ₹9,000 |
| Local transport | ₹3,000 | ₹5,500 |
| Tours & activities | ₹3,000 | ₹7,000 |
| Total | ~₹43,000 | ~₹70,000 |
Budget travellers (guesthouses, local food, tuk-tuks) can do Cambodia for ₹40,000–₹48,000 per person return from Mumbai. Mid-range with boutique hotels and guided tours comes in at ₹65,000–₹80,000.
Track the USD/INR rate with TripXenia’s forex calculator before you travel — Cambodia’s tourist economy runs on USD and a ₹2 swing matters on a 5-day trip.
Getting Around Cambodia
- Tuk-tuks: USD 2–5 for short rides in Siem Reap; USD 15–20 full-day Angkor circuit
- Inter-city buses: 12Go Asia for Siem Reap → Phnom Penh (USD 10–15, 6 hrs) or Phnom Penh → Sihanoukville (USD 9–13, 4.5 hrs)
- Ride-hailing: Grab and PassApp both work in Phnom Penh (cheaper than tuk-tuks for cross-city runs)
- Rental scooter: USD 6–10/day in Siem Reap for independent temple exploration — check with your insurer first
Stay Connected: eSIM for Cambodia
Swap the airport queue for a data eSIM. Airalo’s Cambodia eSIM starts from ₹500 for 1 GB (7-day validity) and runs on Smart’s 4G network nationwide — reliable at Angkor, Phnom Penh, and on the highway bus. Activate before you leave India, go live the moment you land.
Tours & Experiences
Top picks for Indian travellers:
- Angkor Wat private sunrise tour — Klook or Viator, ₹1,800–₹3,000 per person; includes hotel pick-up and a guide
- Tonlé Sap floating village boat tour — 3 hours from Siem Reap; ₹900–₹1,500 per person
- Phnom Penh food + history walking tour — half-day, ~₹1,200
- Cooking class in Siem Reap — 3 hours, ₹1,500–₹2,000; you take home the recipes
Where to Stay
Siem Reap — budget: Guesthouses near Old Market, ₹700–₹1,400/night; clean, with AC and breakfast
Siem Reap — mid-range: Boutique pool villas 10 min from Angkor, ₹2,800–₹5,500/night
Phnom Penh — mid-range: Riverside hotels, ₹2,500–₹4,500/night
Compare and book hotels in Cambodia →
Siem Reap hotels sell out fast in peak season (December–January). Book 2–3 months out for the good pool hotels under ₹4,000.
Travel Insurance
Cambodia’s private hospitals in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh handle most needs well — dengue fever, food poisoning, minor injuries. A Medi-Evac to Bangkok (if needed) costs USD 10,000–20,000 out of pocket. Get covered before you fly.
Compare travel insurance options for Cambodia →
If your itinerary includes motorbike riding, temple climbing, or kayaking, check that your policy covers adventure activities. World Nomads is a solid option for active itineraries at reasonable prices.
Final Word
Cambodia earns its place on the India-to-Southeast-Asia shortlist ahead of better-known options. Angkor Wat alone justifies the trip — the scale and detail of the complex is genuinely unlike anything else in Asia. At ₹43,000 return from Mumbai in budget mode (including flights and the Angkor Pass), it’s accessible for a long weekend or a 5-day break. Apply the e-Visa online, grab an Airalo eSIM before departure, and lock in your Angkor Pass before arriving.
Search flights from India to Cambodia →
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