Phnom Penh in 4 Days: Budget + 1 Day Trip

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4 days: the city core, then one day trip out

Four days covers the full city core across 3 days, plus a 4th for the closest genuine day trip, Oudong’s hilltop stupas. Budget $25-40 a day shoestring or $50-90 mid-range. Want the full day-trips rundown first? See the day-trips guide .

Book these before you go

  • Your e-visa and e-Arrival Card, filed before you fly
  • A driver or tuk-tuk for Day 4, Oudong isn’t reachable by public transit
  • A reusable water bottle, Oudong’s 500-step climb is warm work

Day 1: Royal Palace and the riverside

Morning, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda ($10), dress code enforced. Afternoon, National Museum ($10). Evening, dinner at Friends (215 Street 13), then walk Sisowath Quay for sunset.

Day 1 real costs: Palace ~$10, Museum ~$10, dinner ~$6-10.

Buy palace tickets in the morning session, roughly 7:30-11am, to beat the afternoon heat.

Day 2: Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek

Morning, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, $5 plus a $5 audio guide, allow 2 hours. Afternoon, tuk-tuk to Choeung Ek, 30-45 minutes, $6 including audio guide. Evening, keep it quiet, a riverside meal rather than more sightseeing.

Day 2 real costs: Tuol Sleng ~$10, tuk-tuk ~$10-15 round trip, Choeung Ek ~$6.

This day is heavy by design, don’t stack more sights onto it.

Day 3: Markets and Wat Phnom

Morning, Wat Phnom ($1), the temple-hill the city is named for. Afternoon, Russian Market for souvenirs and silk (bargaining expected) or Central Market for its Art Deco dome. Evening, the Night Market if it’s Friday through Sunday, street food and stalls by the river.

Day 3 real costs: Wat Phnom $1, market shopping varies, dinner ~$5-8.

Go to Russian Market by 8am, it’s cooler and less crowded before mid-morning.

Day 4: Day trip to Oudong

Full day, hire a tuk-tuk or car, about 40km, 1-1.5 hours each way, to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital. Climb the roughly 500 steps to the hilltop stupas, bring water. Return to the city by evening for a final dinner.

Day 4 real costs: driver/tuk-tuk for the day ~$25-35, water and snacks ~$5.

Start early, the stair climb is far more comfortable before the midday heat sets in.