Phnom Penh in 6 Days: A Slower Budget Trip
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6 days: a slower trip with 2 day trips
Six days lets the city core breathe, the memorials get a full unhurried day, and there’s room for both Koh Dach and Oudong without rushing either. Budget $25-40 a day shoestring or $50-90 mid-range. See the 7-day itinerary for a third day trip added on.
Book these before you go
- e-visa and e-Arrival Card, filed ahead of arrival
- A driver for the Oudong day, it isn’t on public transit
- Small bills for Koh Dach and the markets
Day 1: Royal Palace and the riverside
Morning, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda ($10). Afternoon, National Museum ($10). Evening, Friends for dinner, then sunset at Sisowath Quay.
Day 1 real costs: Palace ~$10, Museum ~$10, dinner ~$6-10.
Dress code is enforced strictly here, more so than at temples elsewhere in the region.
Day 2: Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek
Morning, Tuol Sleng, $5 plus $5 audio guide. Afternoon, Choeung Ek, $6 including audio guide, about 30-45 minutes by tuk-tuk. Evening, a quiet dinner.
Day 2 real costs: Tuol Sleng ~$10, tuk-tuk ~$10-15 round trip, Choeung Ek ~$6.
Don’t schedule anything else this day, it deserves the full attention.
Day 3: Markets and Wat Phnom
Morning, Wat Phnom ($1). Afternoon, Russian Market or Central Market. Evening, riverside street food.
Day 3 real costs: Wat Phnom $1, shopping varies, dinner ~$5-8.
Go to Russian Market before 9am to avoid the midday heat inside the covered stalls.
Day 4: Koh Dach (Silk Island)
Full day, tuk-tuk plus ferry to Koh Dach’s silk-weaving villages, about 30-45 minutes each way. Rent a bike, visit workshops, lunch on the island.
Day 4 real costs: tuk-tuk and ferry ~$15-20, bike ~$3-5, lunch ~$5.
Bring cash in small bills, most workshops here don’t take cards.
Day 5: Oudong day trip
Full day, driver or tuk-tuk, about 40km, 1-1.5 hours each way, to Oudong. Climb the roughly 500 steps to the hilltop stupas, explore the former royal capital’s grounds.
Day 5 real costs: driver/tuk-tuk for the day ~$25-35, water and snacks ~$5.
Start at first light, the stair climb is genuinely hard once the sun is high.
Day 6: Independence Monument and departure
Morning, Independence Monument and any last riverside walking. Afternoon, transfer to Techo International Airport, 45-75 minutes out.
Day 6 real costs: transfer to Techo ~$15-25.
Book the airport transfer the night before, Techo’s distance makes a last-minute tuk-tuk riskier to time.