10 Days in Cambodia: A balanced South-to-North Route

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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Cambodia is one of the most underrated countries in Southeast Asia. I am so glad we spent a full month exploring it, but I know most travelers don’t have that kind of time. That’s why I’ve put together a balanced guide on how to spend 10 days in Cambodia covering the highlights without turning your holiday into a rushed, exhausting checklist.

Most visitors fly into the capital, Phnom Penh, or into Siem Reap, or cross overland from neighboring countries (though note that land borders with Thailand currently remain closed). Because of this, your entry point often dictates how your journey unfolds.

While standard itineraries usually start in Siem Reap and head south, that rarely aligns with practical flight paths if you’re arriving from further afield.

International flights into Phnom Penh was more convenient and affordable for us coming from New Delhi than flying straight to the north. So, we flipped the script, and it turned out to be the best decision we made.

Let’s begin our trip!

Stunning sunrise behind the main towers of Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Table of Contents

Essential “Know Before You Go” Logistics

Before we dive into the suggested itinerary and how to spend 10 days in Cambodia, I want to mention some important things to know before you visit the country.

📌 Cambodia Essential Quick Facts

🗺️ The Route: South-to-North (Phnom Penh → Koh Rong Samloem → Siem Reap) to match practical flight paths and avoid backtracking.

☀️ Best Time to Visit: November to March (dry season brings clear skies, calm seas, and optimal temple weather).

🛂 Visas: Apply online via the official Cambodia e-Visa portal or get a Visa on Arrival at the airport (bring a spare passport photo just in case).

💵 Currency & Cash: Cambodia runs on USD and Riel. We used Revolut and Wise to withdraw cash and avoid card transaction fees (many places were charging a certain % with every transaction).

📱 SIM Cards: We bought ours from the booths in Phnom Penh airport: an eSIM with Smart Axiata ($7 for 30 days) and a physical SIM with Cellcard ($8 for 30 days). Both worked great!

🚌 Transport: Pre-book long-distance buses and ferries via 12Go Asia or Giant Ibis, and download Grab or PassApp for cheap city tuk-tuks.

How to spend 10 days in Cambodia

Suggested Route: Phnom Penh → Koh Rong Samloem → Overnight transition → Siem Reap

Days 1 – 3: Phnom Penh

Kicking off your 10 days in Cambodia in the capital might feel counterintuitive if you’re eager to hit the temples of Angkor Wat or the tropical islands straight away, but starting here completely grounds the trip.

Phnom Penh often gets a bad rep from rushed itineraries that skip it entirely (or give it only 1 day), but missing the capital means missing the modern heartbeat of the country.

he ornate yellow and blue architecture of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, captured during 10 days in Cambodia.

A child playing with pigeons on the green lawn near the Royal Palace pavilion in Phnom Penh.

Spend your first couple of days balancing Cambodia’s heavy recent history with its vibrant, forward-looking energy. An absolute must is to dedicate a reflective morning to understanding the Khmer Rouge history at S-21 prison and the Killing Fields. It’s an emotionally heavy experience that deserves space rather than being squeezed into a rushed afternoon, and it is best done with a guide to to fully grasp the personal stories behind the exhibits.

A sparse prison room at S-21 featuring metal bed frames on a checkerboard-tiled floor and stained yellow walls. — Inside a prisoner cell at Tuol Sleng (former school!).

A Chankiri Tree at the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, its trunk covered in memorial bracelets and a sign detailing its tragic history. — The Chankiri “Killing Tree” memorial.

→ Check out our detailed guide about the Killing fields and S-21 prison covering everything you need to know before visiting.

Beyond the historical sites, Phnom Penh offers plenty to do depending on your travel style, for example, a live Kun Khmer (traditional boxing) match or joining a sunset cruise on the Mekong River.

A local vendor selling traditional snacks on the busy sidewalks of Phnom Penh, encountered while spending 10 days in Cambodia. — A local snack vendor in Phnom Penh.

Catching a glimpse of local life and fisherman casting a net from a boat along the Mekong River — Traditional fishing on the Mekong River.

We spent a total of 10 days exploring the capital at our own pace, which gave us plenty of time to uncover the best restaurants and hideaways in Cambodia’s busiest city. If you’re looking for more inspiration, we have rounded up all the best things to do in Phnom Penh in a separate guide to help you plan your days here.

Days 4 – 6: Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem

After three days of absorbing the heavy history and urban energy of the capital, trading city pavement for soft white sand was the ultimate mid-trip break for your 10 days in Cambodia itinerary. Heading south from Phnom Penh to the coast of Sihanoukville is straightforward when you map out your logistics ahead of time. We booked a VIP bus with Giant Ibis that lasted 4 hours and had no problems throughout the journey.

Interior view of a cozy double sleeper bunk with a pillow, backpack, and water bottle on a Giant Ibis bus. — Giant Ibis sleeper bus

Passenger ferry docked at the pier next to a Gate 4 sign at the Sihanoukville ferry terminal in Cambodia. — Small ferry to Koh Rong Samloem

→ Check out our detailed Cambodia transport guide covering all transportation methods, reliable coaches, speed ferries, and booking tips.

Once you arrive in Sihanoukville, you can catch a quick 40-to-50-minute speedboat across to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem. We intentionally chose this island over its louder and busier neighbor, Koh Rong, for its slower, untouched vibe and true decompression. Keep in mind that due to unpredictable traffic on the roads, it is common to have delays with the bus to Sihanoukville so try NOT to book your ferry really tight to the estimated arrival time.

It is normal that a chunk of your day will be spent traveling to the islands, but the best part? The main beach of Koh Rong Samloem, Saracen Bay, is entirely barefoot territory where you can walk straight from your hotel door onto the sand to every restaurant along the coast without ever needing shoes. How amazing is that?

A "Wanderlust" beach towel and a dark mat spread out on the white sand of Saracen Bay under tree shade, overlooking the turquoise ocean and boats. — Saracen Bay in Koh Rong Samloem.

A person standing in the shallow water at sunset, watching the golden sun reflect on the ocean beneath tree branches framing the scene. — Sunset beach in the west side of Koh Rong Samloem

Spend the next few days doing delightfully very little: hiking through dense jungle trails across to the west-facing sunset beaches, reading in a hammock under the trees, and swimming at night in the shallows to watch the magical, glowing bioluminescent plankton light up the water. It’s the ultimate island reset before making the jump north.

👉 To find the ideal hotel or beach bungalow for your stay, take a look at our Saracen Bay accommodation guide.
👉 For inspiration on what to do in Koh Rong Samloem, check out our complete guide.

One of the authors of this travel blog relaxing with a cocktail in a lounge chair on the white sand beach of Koh Rong Samloem. — Enjoying the $3 cocktails at OneDerz hotel.

One of the authors of this blog walking along the sandy shore of Sunset Beach with a lush green tropical jungle backdrop. — Golden hour at Sunset beach.

❗️Important Note: There are no ATMs in Koh Rong Samloem to withdraw cash so make sure you take enough with you for the time you’ll spent there. The hotel we stayed at, OneDerz, was accepting cards with no transaction fees which we found rare in Cambodia.

Days 7 – 10: Siem Reap

As you wrap up your time on the coast and head north, the final stretch of your 10 days in Cambodia brings you to the crown jewel: Siem Reap.

On the 7th day, you have two choices. You can either wake up early, catch the morning ferry and a long 9–10 hour bus to Siem Reap (book via 12Go Asia)) to arrive just in time for dinner, or do what we did which we found much more convenient. We spent another morning by the beach, took a later ferry to Sihanoukville, and caught the evening sleeper bus with Giant Island at 7:00 PM.

Ale and another passenger relaxing inside a shared sleeper cabin on a Giant Ibis transport bus. — Giant Ibis sleeper bus

This sleeper bus arrives in Siem Reap the next morning around 5:00–6:00 AM (with a quick stop in Phnom Penh). For us, it was the ultimate convenience because it saved us the cost of an extra night of accommodation because our Airbnb host kindly allowed us to check in early and rest without charging an extra fee.

It is not uncommon for hostels to do the same or charge very little due to the frequent sleeper buses arriving in Siem Reap early in the morning. If your accommodation has a pool, you can just lounge there for a couple of hours, and before you know it, it will be breakfast time!

I recommend keeping your first day low-key since you’ll likely feel a bit tired from the transit. We’ve put together a guide on best things to do in Siem Reap beyond the Angkor Wat temples to help fill those quieter, more relaxing days.

A red motorized tuk-tuk driving past a bright orange colonial building and restaurant in Siem Reap, Cambodia. — Central roads of Siem Reap

A canopy of colorful, patterned umbrellas and string lights hanging overhead along a bustling pedestrian alley in the central market of Siem Reap at night. — Night market in Siem Reap

My personal favorite activity in Siem Reap was visiting the APOPO Visitor Center and learning how the HeroRATs are trained to detect landmines in Cambodia. I also loved exploring the night market and driving our scooter through the outskirts of Siem Reap to see local villages, farm fields, and traditional wooden stilted houses.

→ Check out our detailed Cambodia transport guide covering all transportation methods, including how to rent a scooter and the exact documents you need to have with you to drive legally in Cambodia.

A handler and a HeroRAT during a live landmine detection demonstration at the APOPO Visitor Center in Siem Reap. — APOPO Visitor Center

Crowds of people walking down the neon-lit Pub Street in Siem Reap, Cambodia at night. — Famous Pub Street in Siem Reap

That said, experiencing the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park is the ultimate highlight of any 10 days in Cambodia, and it easily deserves two full days to explore properly.

While a 1-day pass exists for those extremely short on time, I strongly recommend the 2-day pass if you have at least a couple of days in town. Tickets can be bought via the official website.

The sun rising directly behind the silhouetted central tower and palm trees of Angkor Wat. — Magical sunrise at Angkor Wat

We joined a fantastic 2-day tour and covered so much that we would have otherwise missed without a guide. The temples and history covered in both days are very diverse and you don’t get bored or feel that things are getting repeatitive. It was also a fantastic way to meet other travelers – we are still in touch with several people we met during those days, something I am truly grateful for!

→ Check out our detailed guide on why a 2-day Angkor Wat tour was worth every penny covering everything you need to know about the temples, how to visit them, and practical tips before you go.

A visitor standing on a wooden walkway admiring the intricate red sandstone carvings of the Banteay Srei temple in Siem Reap. — Banteay Srei temple

Intricate stone wall carvings and Apsara reliefs discovered in Angkor Wat temples — Intricate wall carvings at Angkor Wat.

What if I have more than 10 days in Cambodia?

While 10 days in Cambodia hits the major highlights at a great pace, having a full two weeks is the best! If you have the luxury of extra time, I strongly recommend extending your trip to introduce a couple of incredible, lesser-discussed destinations into your route: Kampot and Kep.

Nestled in the south, Kampot offers a laid-back riverside atmosphere, French colonial architecture, and world-famous pepper plantations, while nearby Kep brings quiet coastal charm and its famous crab market. Adding these two spots right after the islands creates a wonderfully well-rounded journey.

Final Thoughts

Traveling from the chaotic energy of the capital to the quiet, barefoot shores of Koh Rong Samloem and finishing up at the majestic temples of Siem Reap proved to be the ultimate way to experience the country. By flipping the script and heading south-to-north, you avoid rushed backtracking and unlock a much smoother travel flow.

Spending 10 days in Cambodia this way lets you perfectly balance its rich and heavy history, total island relaxation, and ancient wonders without burning out.

Have you been to Cambodia yet, or are you currently mapping out your own trip? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear which stop you’re most excited about!

⏰ Planning the rest of your trip? Don’t miss our other Cambodia guides:

→ Why a 2-Day Angkor Wat Tour is Worth Every Penny
→ Cambodia Transport Guide
→ Siem Reap Beyond Angkor Wat
→ Is Phnom Penh Worth Visiting?
→ Phnom Penh Killing Fields and S21
→ Saracen Bay Accommodation Guide
→ How to spend 2 days in Koh Rong Samloem

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is 10 days in Cambodia enough?

Yes, 10 days in Cambodia is a good amount of time if you’re working with standard vacation days, allowing you to hit the highlights without feeling rushed.

Personally, I think two weeks is the absolute ideal duration. If you have the extra time, I’d highly recommend extending your trip so you can add the lesser discussed Kampot and Kep to your itinerary before heading north.

Should I fly into Phnom Penh or Siem Reap?

It really depends on what works best for your international flight path. While our south-to-north route is a convenient way to travel, you don’t necessarily have to lock yourself into it.

If your flights or travel plans dictate otherwise, you can easily reverse the entire itinerary: Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → Koh Rong islands, and wrapping up with Kampot and Kep if you have extra time up your sleeve.

Do I need to book my buses and ferries in advance?

For popular routes between Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap, or speed ferries to Koh Rong Samloem, yes, absolutely.

Seats on reliable operators sell out fast during the peak dry season (November to March), so it’s best to lock them in a few weeks ahead via platforms like 12Go Asia.

→ For a complete breakdown of all available transport methods, and booking tips in Cambodia, be sure to check out our detailed Cambodia transport guide.