7 Day Siem Reap Cambodia Itinerary for US 200 Dollars

In Siem Reap, Cambodia is where I celebrated my 30th birthday without birthday cakes. So, here I am writing my 7 Days Siem Reap, Cambodia Itinerary for US$200. I changed my Baht money to US dollars from a money exchange near the MRT station in Bangkok.

Doing a visa run was the main purpose of this trip but I took advantage of celebrating my birthday in a different country. The first time was in Taiwan back in 2017. If you want to know how I crossed the border to Cambodia from Thailand, check the story here.

How many days should I stay in Siem Reap?

Some people are interested to stay for 3-4 days in Siem Reap, then move to Pnom Penh after that. For 7 days, you can experience the famous touristic places for both cities of Siem Reap and Pnom Penh. Since I have a limited budget of US $200, I decided to stay in Siem Reap for only 7 days.

What is the best currency to use in Cambodia?

Cambodian Riel (KHR) is the official currency in Cambodia but the US Dollar is widely used in the country. Hotels, shops, and restaurants use the US Dollar pricing. For a small change, they will give you Cambodian Riel. There are several banks around the town which you can withdraw crispy US dollar bills. Ask your hotel and hostel if there is an ATM machine near you. You’re lucky if the hostel itself has an ATM machine.

Do I need a visa in Cambodia?

9 Countries with Visa Exemption

The following countries which holders have normal passports do not require a visa to stay in Cambodia for up to 30 days, otherwise noted.

Brunei – 14 days
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Philippines – 21 days
Seychelles – 14 days
Singapore
Thailand – 14 days
Vietnam

How about holders of diplomatic and official/service passports?

These following countries do not require a visa for Cambodia

Belarus
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
China
Cuba
Ecuador
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Iran
Japan
Laos
Malaysia
Mongolia
Myanmar
Peru
Philippines
Russia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
South Korea
Thailand
Uruguay
Vietnam

Visa on Arrival

Visitors can obtain a Cambodia Visa on Arrival for tourism costs US$30 and a visa on arrival for business purposes costs is US$35 with a maximum stay of 30 days. It is possible to extend your stay.

eVisa

Before arrival, nationals of any country may apply for an eVisa online (except Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Syria) which costs US$36. For tourism purposes, a single entry is allowed with a maximum stay of 30 days.

Related Article: Myanmar eVisa for 28 Days

These are the following points of entry for those holders of eVisas:

Phnom Penh International Airport
Siem Reap International Airport
Sihanoukville International Airport
Cham Yeam (Koh Kong Province) (from Thailand)
Poi Pet (Banteay Meanchey Province) (from Thailand)
Bavet (Svay Rieng Province) (from Vietnam)
Tropaeng Kreal ((Stung Treang Province)) (from Laos)

More info on Wikipedia.

Where to Stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia? – Siem Reap, Cambodia Itinerary

With my personal preference, I stayed at Mad Monkey Hostel Siem Reap as I am familiar with the community. In Boracay Island in the Philippines, I also stayed with them at Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay <– read the review. I will create a separate blog post about my stay at Mad Monkey Hostel Siem Reap.

Mad Monkey Hostel Siem Reap – check their prices and availability here.

You can also check their website and Facebook page.

Siem Reap Pub Hostel – check their prices and availability here.

The Siem Reap Chilled Backpacker – check their prices and availability here.

One Stop Hostel Siem Reap – check their prices and availability here.

Onederz Hostel Siem Reap – check their prices and availability here.

Lub d Cambodia Siem Reap – check their prices and availability here.

The Cyclo Siem Reap Hotel – check their prices and availability here.

Memoire Siem Reap Hotel – check their prices and availability here.

Sokha Siem Reap Resort & Convention Center – check their prices and availability here.

The Villa Siem Reap – check their prices and availability here.

7 Days Siem Reap, Cambodia Itinerary and Recommended Things To Do

For your information, my Siem Reap travel experience is just very chill so I never had an exact itinerary for this. I crossed the country without specific plans. Just arrived going with the flow like the usual solo backpacker.

Day 0 (November 7)

I took the overnight bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap

Day 1 (November 8)

11 AM – Arrived in the center of Siem Reap where the bus stops. A tuk-tuk provided by the bus company who sent us to our respected accommodations for free. I stayed at Mad Monkey Hostel Siem Reap.

12 NN – lunch time just outside of my hostel

2 PM – preparing for Mad Monkey Booze Cruise until sunset at Tonle Sap, the Floating Village

The Mad Monkey Booze Cruise was the highlight upon arrival in Siem Reap. I was actually tired but I don’t want to bore my first day in Cambodia. So I joined the booze cruise in the afternoon when I actually don’t drink that much.

7 PM – back to hostel, dinner, night life at Siem Reap Pub Street

Day 2 (November 9)

8 AM – Have a breakfast, just chill.

If you’re new in Siem Reap, I highly suggest getting to know the neighborhood with a bicycle rental. I regret not doing this activity since I was tired the night before and all the long trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap. Which I had the excuse to stay chill. If I get the chance to go back to Siem Reap, definitely, I will bike around.

Siem Reap Bicycle Rental – check info and availability here.

12 NN – Lunch time to a restaurant of your choice.

1 PM – Go back and enjoy biking around

3 PM – Back to hostel/hotel, take a shower and rest.

5 PM – Go to a Circus (optional), if you’re interested to watch a circus, this activity is recommended.

Phare, The Cambodian Circus – check info and availability here.

8 PM and beyond – Meet new people in the hostel and go out for dinner at the night market and Pub Street

12 AM – to sleep is optional

Day 3 (November 10 – My Birthday)

8 AM to 3 PM

Half day trip Countryside bike tour with Cambodia on a Solex (will create a separate review).

You can also rent a motorbike in Siem Reap.

I celebrated my birthday doing the countryside tour in Siem Reap. It was fun and the first time to use a Solex. A Solex is a motorized bicycle. I am such an avid fan of biking wherever I go. To know its history of the Solex, check it here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp_hWDJg4C8

Check out their website, Instagram, and Facebook page.

5 PM – Rest, shower, taking a nap, getting ready for dinner

8 PM – dinner, nightlife birthday celebration while getting drunk and dancing until morning

3 AM – Go back to sleep

Related Article: Booking a One-Way Ticket Travel Experience 2018

Day 4 – Rest time or go to a waterfall (November 11 – Optional)

Since I fell asleep at 3 AM, it was expected that I had a hangover. I got sick actually, so I just stayed in my bed. Had lunch outside worth US$2 and relaxed by the pool. In between, I also worked for my client to catch up with some online work. So please, don’t stress yourself. Get a massage if you like.

But, if you still have the energy, I suggest you take the waterfall day tour.

8 AM – Trek Phnom Kulen Waterfall Day Tour – check info and availability here.

3:30 PM – Back to hotel, shower, and rest

6:30 PM – Koulen Restaurant Apsara Cultural Show and Dinner – check info and availability here.

9 PM – Go to a night market in Siem Reap after the cultural show

11 PM – Go to Pub street (sleep or not to sleep is optional)

Day 5 – Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour (November 12)

Personally, we hired a tuk tuk for the Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour. I forgot how much I paid with a friend but I remember that I paid US$37 for the entry fee of Angkor Wat. Bring your passport as you need to register. In the cashier, the Angkor Wat tourism officer will take your photo and gives you a ticket or the Angkor Pass with your face on it.

We woke up at 5:30 AM so it was kind of late. Your tour guide will require to start the tour at 4 AM to catch the sunrise. Luckily, we were able to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat.

To make it more convenient, you can get a tour guide with a tuk-tuk via Klook. Here are the following tours to choose from:

Angkor Temples Sunrise Tour

Angkor Temples Tour

Beng Maealea Private Tour by Tuk-tuk

Angkor Temples Small Circuit Private Tour

Banteay Srei Backcountry Tour

5 AM – Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour

12 NN – local restaurant of your choice or recommended by your tour guide

5 PM – Back to hotel, get a rest, and shower

6 PM – Get a massage, highly recommended to pamper yourself in a spa.

Keriya Spa Experience in Siem Reap

Thai Zen Spa Experience in Siem Reap

8 PM – Have dinner

Siem Reap Street Food by Night – check info and availability here.

Day 6 – Go to a Cooking Class (November 13 – Optional)

Are you sure you want to stay one week in Siem Reap?

I got sick on the 6th day because of the hot weather in Siem Reap but you have the option to just chill in the swimming pool. I spent the day working on my laptop as I got a scheduled call from a client.

Also, I prepared my trip going back to Bangkok so I asked the receptionist of my hotel/hostel to book me a bus the next day at 8 AM.

But if you have an extra day, I suggest you should take a cooking class in Siem Reap. Here are the 4 Cooking Classes you can choose:

Cooking Class in Sojourn Boutique Villas Herb Garden

Khmer Cooking Class at a Local’s Home

Cooking Class in Siem Reap Countryside

Paper Tiger Cooking Class in Siem Reap

7 PM – Back to hotel, packing up my bags

9 PM – Sleep

Day 7 – Leaving Siem Reap going back to Bangkok (November 14)

6 AM – Breakfast

8 AM – Getting ready for a trip back to Bangkok to do a border crossing

9 PM – Back to Bangkok

Basic Personal Expenses – Siem Reap Cambodia Itinerary

Bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap – 900 Baht paid via debit or credit card

Accommodation – $5 a day in a hostel x 7 = $35 by cash

Meals (Breakfast, Lunch Dinner) – $10 a day for a basic rice meal with drinks x 7 = $70 by cash

Tuk-tuk Ride – $5 per ride (I forgot the exact rate) by cash

Angkor Wat One Day Pass – $37 for one day (official price as of November 2018) by cash

Bicycle Rental – $2 per day rental by cash

Mad Monkey Booze Cruise – $25 by cash

Tuk-tuk Tour Guide – $20 for one day by cash

Bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok – $13 by cash

Check Out: How to Use Pass App in Cambodia?

If you take the other suggested activities above, for sure you gotta spend more than US$200. You have the option to splurge. I came back to Bangkok with a few remaining US dollars. For 3-4 days Siem Reap, Cambodia itinerary, you can enjoy it for the same amount of US$200.

Disclaimer: We use affiliate links on this site to help earn and maintain this website.

Can you add any suggestions and itinerary on what things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia? Please leave your comment below.

Siem Reap Cambodia 7 Days Itinerary for US 200 Dollars | Birthday Week in Cambodia