- Cambodia Special Tips & Tours -

MALAYSIAN TRAVELERS

The best time to visit Cambodia is between November and April, when it sees very little rain. During this time, you’ll see clear blue skies making it a great time to enjoy a relaxing getaway on the southern coast.

Outside of this period, humidity increases, and the rains come, assisting Cambodian farmers in the growing of their crops. However, you shouldn’t be deterred from travelling – the countryside is lush and green, rivers are full and flowing, and the temples are quiet. This is the best time to visit some of the outer-lying temples, which will often be deserted.

At the end of the summer one of Cambodia’s true wonders comes to life – The Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and home to Cambodia’s floating villages.

You can check the detailed guide to know exactly where and when to go in Cambodia throughout the year.

Malaysian citizens can travel to Cambodia visa-free for up to 30 days. To enter Cambodia, your passport needs to show at least six months validity from the date of entry into the country and at least one empty page. You can also get stamped into the country at airports or land borders from Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Be warned that if you overstay in Cambodia, you’ll need to pay RM42 (US$10) for each day. For stays of more than 30 days, you may proceed to the Cambodian Immigration Department at Confederation de la Russie in front of Phnom Penh Airport and apply for an extension or a tourist visa.

Here is our guide for Cambodia tourist visa policy

For the flight cost, check the information below in this article (Getting to Cambodia from Malaysia)

Our recommended spending for your journey in Cambodia is about $120-150/person/day (group of 2 people). Of course, you can either spend less at about $90-100/person/day (even $30-40/day - backpacker style) or you can spend much higher depending on the services you expect on spot.

Here is our detailed guide for Budget & Currency for travelling in Cambodia

From Malaysia, you can get the flight to Cambodia from some popular cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Kinabalu

Taking flight to Cambodia will land you at one the of 2 main international airports in Phnom Penh, the capital city, and Siem Reap, the ancient capital famous for its Angkor temples. 

This will depend on your travel plan in Cambodia and the flight route that you choose to have the best price.

Whatever the plan you have, as there are no direct flights from Canada to Cambodia, you need to make at least one or two stops somewhere before getting to Cambodia. We recommend choosing the transit via Bangkok as you can find fruitful connections for your onward flight to the Kingdom of wonders.

Flight FAQs

Q. When is the best time to book flights to Cambodia?

Aim to have your flight tickets secured at least four months in advance to give yourself a chance of finding the cheapest flights to Cambodia. If you can then book them even further ahead, especially if your dates coincide with a major event or the peak season. Once you’ve narrowed down your destination by choosing a city, usually either Phnom-Penh or Siem Reap, you’ll be able to figure out what dates offer the cheapest flights to Cambodia and go from there. Flexibility is the key to securing discounted flight tickets so if you’re not governed by a particular set of weeks or to a specific location then you’ll give yourself the best chances of finding the cheapest flights to Cambodia. Don’t worry too much about which side of the plane to sit on as each has their benefits and offer equally impressive view through your flight.

Q. How long is the flight to Cambodia?

Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh

The nearest airport to Kuala Lumpur, is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and the nearest airport to Phnom Penh, is Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH)

Non-Stop flight duration from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh is 1 hour 45 minutes

Distance from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh is approximately 1040 kilometers.

Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap

The nearest airport to Kuala Lumpur, is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and the nearest airport to Siem Reap, is Siem Reap Airport (REP)

Non-Stop flight duration from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap is 2 hours

Distance from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap is approximately 1200 kilometers.

Q. How much does it cost to fly to Cambodia?

The price ticket to Cambodia is a little bit higher ranging from $120 to 180 depending on your flight route and date. It is because you need to add up the cost for the onward flight from those countries.

We recommend using some online ticket booking platform (Kayak, Cheapflights, or SkyScanner) to look for the cheapest flight possible according to your travel plan. They do have alert system when there is the price change on your travel date

Here is how to get the cheapest flight possible to Cambodia

Getting around Cambodia is all part of the adventure. Massive improvements to the national highway network in the past few years have made getting around the country much easier than it once was, with many formerly dirt roads now surfaced and new highways built. Even so, getting from A to B remains time-consuming: roads are still narrow and bumpy, while regular wet-season inundations play havoc with transport (and often wash away large sections of tarmac in their wake).

Check How to get around in Cambodia here

1. Do I need vaccines for Cambodia?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Cambodia. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Cambodia: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. 

Here is the article for recommended vaccinations for Cambodia.

2. How safe is Cambodia?

Cambodia is a pretty safe country for travellers these days, with few incidences of petty crime.

Remember the golden rule: stick to marked paths in remote areas (due to the possible presence of landmines).

• Phnom Penh Post (www.phnompenhpost.com) is a good source for breaking news, so check its website before you hit the road to check the political pulse and catch up with any recent events on the ground such as demonstrations.
• Take care with some of the electrical wiring in guesthouses around the country, as it can be pretty amateurish.

Here is our guide for Safety and Precautions in Cambodia

3. Do I need a travel insurance for Cambodia?

Travel insurance for Cambodia is an absolute must!

Cambodia, if you take common-sense precautions, is a safe place to travel but accidents happen. You’ll want to be covered for medical treatment as well as missed flights, theft, and other unforeseen circumstances.

Holidays are for relaxing, de-stressing and not worrying about what could happen if…x, y, or z should occur. Buying reputable travel insurance before you go alleviates you of this worry. Make sure you check that the insurance you are buying covers you for the activities that you are planning.

Check the detailed article for Cambodia travel insurance here

4. What should I take to Cambodia?

A trip to Cambodia is an unforgettable experience. Make sure you bring everything you’ll need to enjoy it to the fullest.

• A money belt – Due to the amount of pick-pocketing that occurs, a money belt will allow you to keep your money and passport safe.
• A sweater/pashmina – Many of the religious sites have a strict dress code, but the temperature outside will be very warm. A sweater or pashmina that one can wear inside and then remove is a great idea.
• Sunscreen – Cambodia very warm and gets a lot of sunlight, meaning sunscreen is important.
• Walking shoes – Visitors will likely want to explore the huge religious sites or the gorgeous outdoors, making good shoes a must.

Here is the detailed guide for what to pack for Cambodia

5. Are you supposed to tip in Cambodia?

First things first, remember that tipping is never compulsory in Cambodia and that you should think of it only when you are really satisfied by someone’s service. It is an individual reward that aims at supporting high-level service, helpfulness and friendliness.

Contrary to many others Asian countries, tipping in Cambodia is not traditionally expected, but in such a poor country, a small tip can go a long way.

There are no hard and fast rules about tipping in Cambodia, and travelers who decide not to will not be frowned upon. 

Check out the Cambodia tipping guide & other local etiquettes here

6. Do I need to buy a Cambodia SIM Card? And where can I buy it?

It is recommended to buy a local SIM card why travelling in Cambodia as it surely has a stable connection and also the cheaper price for calling & data usage.

You can buy the SIM Card almost everywhere in Cambodia, especially inside the big cities like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.

Check out the detailed guide for Internet & phone in Cambodia here

7. Do I need to bargain while shopping in Cambodia?

Bargaining and haggling for a better deal is all part of the experience when shopping at markets in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville. The first price offered is rarely the true price, especially in overly tourist areas.

Tips: 

• Remember that while bargaining is common in markets, it is not accepted or possible in convenience stores like Smile Minimart or upscale shopping malls.
• Look around and check with your guide to have the idea of what you are going to buy. You can check the 8 tips for bargaining in Cambodia for more detail

Here is our guide for Buying and bargaining in Cambodia

When traveling it is very helpful to find out exactly where the Malaysian embassy or consulates are located. Keep the address written down in case you have a legal problem, you lose your passport, or you want to report a crime. Be sure to keep a copy of your passport with you in case you lose the original.

Malaysian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

• Address: 220-222, Preah Norodom Boulevard, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Telephone: (+855) 23 216 176 / 7
• Fax: (+855) 23 226 101
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.kln.gov.my/web/khm_phnom-penh/