A Cheap Alternative to Egypt. A Belarusian Woman Shared Her Cambodian Vacation Experience
Minsker Viktoria Zhuk has already visited 36 countries and is confident that one can travel on any budget with proper planning. In February, she spent two weeks in Cambodia, writes MYFIN.
Routes and Prices
Viktoria flew for her vacation with her boyfriend, having prepared in advance: everything that could be booked was booked at the most reasonable prices.
Since the choice of airlines flying to Cambodia is limited, China Southern Airlines became the optimal option for the Minsk residents in terms of price and connections.
— The flight from Moscow to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, and back for two cost $1072. Tickets were purchased on the carrier's official website, paid with a Belgazprombank card. The journey to Moscow from Minsk began with a "Lastochka" train ($37) and an Aeroexpress to Sheremetyevo ($8.5). The return journey had to be adjusted on the fly due to logistical overlaps: instead of the planned Ecolines bus, they took a combination of Aeroexpress to the subway ($6) and a Belarusian Railways (BCh) couchette ticket to Minsk ($64), purchased through an app literally an hour before departure.
The Belarusians' vacation included both beach relaxation and sightseeing, with trips to pagodas, the Angkor temple complex, and a floating village.
Within cities, the main transport was tuk-tuks and taxis via the Grab app, and a ride often cost only $1. On the island, Grab didn't work, so they had to arrange with local carriers or through the hotel.
Travel within Cambodia turned out to be quite budget-friendly and organized. A daytime VIP bus from Phnom Penh to the tourist-popular Siem Reap cost only $17.5 for two.
Tickets were booked in advance through the aggregator redbus.com. The trip from Siem Reap to Koh Rong island (night bus plus ferry) with Vireak Buntham cost $84.5.
Here, travelers were in for a pleasant surprise that is not mentioned on websites: the ticket price included a one-way bus transfer, while the Sihanoukville — Koh Rong ferry ticket was valid for both ways. The trip from Sihanoukville back to Phnom Penh by VIP shuttle cost $25.
Accommodation in Cambodia: Where to Stay and How Much It Costs
Many people think that exotic islands or luxury tours are too expensive. But Viktoria's years of experience prove otherwise. In her blog www.vtravel.blog and on Instagram vtravel.blog, she shows how a precise plan helps you see the world without astronomical costs.
For two weeks of travel, the Minsk residents spent about $450 on accommodation for two. The main booking platforms were Trip.com and Booking.com.
— The average cost per night in cities was $20-30, and on islands — $33-40. Booking.com still offers the "pay at property" option, which is convenient when cards don't work abroad.
In Phnom Penh, they stayed in a hotel near the bus station for $33.5 with breakfast, and on the way back, in an apartment hotel in the center for $28.5. Both options were optimal in terms of price-quality ratio.
In Siem Reap, they spent three nights, paying $49 for the BayStone Resort hotel. They booked through Booking with PayPal prepayment.
The most expensive part of the itinerary was Koh Rong island, where the Belarusians spent ten days, staying in two hotels.
They paid $200 for 6 nights at Garden Hostel, and $131 for 4 nights at Soksan Natura Beach on a secluded beach.
Visa and Communication: How to Prepare for the Trip
Belarusian citizens need a visa to travel to Cambodia. An e-visa can be obtained in advance for $35, or a visa on arrival at the airport for $30.
The on-site procedure is quick; the visa is issued as a receipt. Also, before arrival, it is necessary to fill out a form on the official website – the data is automatically pulled into the system, and confirmation comes via e-mail.
— As for internet on the road, a roaming package is sufficient for short stops in Moscow. My 2 GB from A1 lasted for transit in both directions. Free Wi-Fi works at Guangzhou airport, but a VPN will be needed to access familiar social networks.
In Cambodia, given the unstable Wi-Fi in local hotels, the optimal solution was to purchase an eSIM package from Travel Connect: 10 GB for 30 days. The internet connected instantly, and the connection was stable throughout the entire route.
Tomb-Temples and Beach Vacation
The Belarusians decided to spend two days at Angkor — a complex of dozens of amazing temples built from the 9th to 15th centuries, one of which was used for filming the Lara Croft movie with Angelina Jolie. The temples had a dual role: they served both as sanctuaries for gods and personal tombs for emperors. Some have been preserved almost in their original form, while others are already turning into ruins.
For two days, the Minsk residents explored the temples, and on the third, they walked around Siem Reap — a small town that thrives precisely thanks to Angkor. The city was memorable for its abundance of sidewalks and unusual cleanliness for Asia, and also for Viktoria indulging in a foot massage at a spa there, paying $5 for half an hour.
— The next 10 days were spent on Koh Rong island — relaxing on the beach, tasting local food at various establishments, and on a one-day trip around the island.
— One of the hotels they stayed in was located in the middle of a six-kilometer beach. The downside of this location was that food could only be eaten on the premises of their own or a neighboring hotel. The advantages included the absence of tourist crowds, silence, starry skies, and the sound of waves. Only the huge amount of trash washed ashore by the waves was upsetting. Wild beaches, unfortunately, are not cleaned at all, unlike the hotel beach areas.
Despite the household inconveniences and cluttered shore, it is here that one can still find the real, not "postcard-perfect," Cambodia. For such an atmosphere, we went to a floating village where people live, and which has not yet turned into a tourist spot where crowds are taken on excursions.
Two Currencies and Food
— In Cambodia, Riels and US dollars circulate concurrently, so currency exchange is not required. It's convenient to pay with cash dollars, but strictly new-issue and small denominations. Change is often given in both currencies at the local exchange rate. The English language situation in Cambodia is ambiguous: there are no problems in tourist centers, but in local establishments, staff often do not speak the language. In such cases, a menu with pictures or an online translator comes in handy.
The Minsk residents enjoyed the local food. Eating out for two at a cafe could cost $9-12. This applied to breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Breakfast sometimes cost $6-7. In craft cafes, one could drink Cambodian coffee, with prices starting from $5.5 per cup. However, Lao coffee cost $1.5-2.5 and was very good.
— Cambodia today is a destination for those seeking authenticity before mass tourism reaches it. It's a country where the grandeur of ancient Angkor temples coexists with budget "makeshift" accommodation on islands, a land of sincere smiles and still wild, endless beaches. I doubt I will return to Cambodia: it seems I have seen everything I wanted here, and most importantly, I managed to experience its originality.
How Much the Vacation Cost
Main expenses:
transport — $1522 (including air tickets from Moscow, journey from Minsk, buses within Cambodia, and Grab taxis);
food — $627.6 (including cafes, drinks, and tips);
accommodation — $450 (for the entire 15-night itinerary: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Koh Rong island);
excursions — $164 (including tickets to Angkor Wat and tuk-tuk driver services);
visas — $60 (on-arrival processing for two);
other — $45.5 (communication, small purchases).
The total cost of the trip for two was $2869.