A two-week itinerary for Cambodia with kids
If you’re planning a trip to Cambodia with kids (or without), the chances are Angkor Wat is high on the wishlist for your itinerary – but while many travellers stick with Siem Reap and Phnom Penh only, perhaps with a bit of beach thrown in, there’s plenty more to discover.
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For our trip, I’ve been working with Stubborn Mule Travel, who specialise in tailor-made adventurous family holidays – we’ve done independent travel in South East Asia before, but with limited time and lots to fit in, I wanted to hand over responsibility for local travel and bookings AND get their insider knowledge to plan the perfect trip.
But whether you prefer to book everything independently or not, here’s our two-week itinerary in Cambodia for kids to give you an idea of what’s doable and what to see.
Contents - click to jump to a section
Cambodia family itinerary: Days 1-4 – Siem Reap
You could easily spend longer than a couple of days in Siem Reap, but if you’ve got limited time, this gives a day to get over the worst of the jetlag, a couple of days to explore the main temples and some spare time to discover Siem Reap itself.
With hundreds of temples, Angkor Wat is only the most famous and there are smaller temples, ones hidden in jungle and more to explore.
Seeing the sun rise over Angkor Wat is on a lot of wishlists but if you’re visiting Cambodia with kids, especially younger kids, getting up before dawn is unlikely to be a good start to a day exploring for most families – seeing the sun set is an easier option.
You can get three-day passes (as well as one-day and seven-day versions), which don’t need to be used on consecutive days if you’re staying longer, so don’t try to fit everything in at once.
Siem Reap itself has restaurants, markets and lots of activities, such as cookery classes, to consider too.
You can also use this as your base to discover the floating villages of Tonle Sap, including Kompong Phluk and Mechrey. Arrange a small boat to explore the world heritage site.
Don’t miss
The ‘South Gate’ of Angkor Thom with its huge carved stone faces, as well as Bayon, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and Angkor Wat plus Ta Prohm with its overgrown tree roots.
Beng Melea Temple is another enormous complex that’s still very overgrown, for wannabe Indiana Joneses (all of us, right?)
Siem Reap with kids: Stay at
There’s a big range of accommodation in Siem Reap, for all budgets and whether you’re looking to be in the heart of it all or slightly outside the main centre.
We stayed at the newly renovated Hanumanalaya, on the road out towards Angkor Wat, but were also recommended the SuryaVara Hotel and the Frangipani Villa.
For 12 reasons to visit Cambodia with kids, check out this post
Cambodia family itinerary: Day 5-6 – Battambang
Travel from Siem Reap to Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city – you can stop at floating villages along the way if you haven’t yet visited Tonle Sap.
As well as the colonial French architecture, there are more temples in the area including hilltop Phnom Banan plus performances at the Phar Ponleu Selpak Big Top school of performing arts and the chance to see bats streaming out of their hillside cave at dusk.
Don’t miss
The ‘bamboo train’ – a wooden platform on wheels powered by a motorbike engine, which drives its way around a small railway. EDIT: The original bamboo train which we took, and which ran on a genuine old section of track has been replaced by a purpose built option for tourists but still fun for kids on a Cambodia family holiday.
Battambang with kids: Stay at
With its small number of individually decorated rooms, Maisons Wat Kor manages to make family-friendly feel uniquely Cambodian, although the upper rooms have steep stairs if you’re travelling with toddlers. Also set outside the city itself, there’s a lovely saltwater pool.
Or for another alternative, check out the Battambang Resort.
Cambodia family itinerary: Day 7-9 – Sihanoukhville/Otres Beach
Hit the beaches of the south coast to chill out in Cambodia with kids – you can fly from Siem Reap to Sihanoukhville, which takes around an hour, otherwise it’s a full day’s travelling by road.
There’s a variety of options, including bus and private transfer, many of which go via Phnom Penh and are cheaper than the plane, although some of which have distinctly mixed safety records so it’s worth checking.
Sihanoukhville itself also has a mixed reputation – check out this post from Our Globetrotters – so look outside to Otres Beach for chilled-out beach resorts to kick back and relax a bit between exploring.
You can also stay on some of the islands off the coast, although if you’re travelling in rainy season (as we are), it’s worth bearing in mind that it might not be the most fun journey.
Otres Beach, Cambodia with kids: Stay at
At Otres Beach 2, outside Sihanoukhville itself, the Ren Resort is right on the beach with its own pool, cool spacious rooms and a restaurant on the sand.
Or if you’d rather stay on an island, there’s the Saracen Bay Resort on Koh Rong Samloen – and if you’re pushing the boat right out and fancy some serious luxury, there’s always Song Saa Private Island.
Cambodia family itinerary: Days 10-11 – Cardamom Hills
Head into the countryside to discover the Cardamom Mountains and Koh Kong Province, where you can explore jungle trails, spot birds and wildlife, kayak on the river and see mangrove forest.
It’s off the beaten track, so you’ll need a driver and possibly a boat transfer, but perfect for a taste of the country’s unspoiled mountains – and you can make it as active or as chilled-out as you fancy.
Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia with kids: Stay at
Choose somewhere unique with one of the 12 floating tents at Canvas & Orchids Retreat (formerly Four Rivers Floating Lodge) – this was one of the highlights of our Cambodia family holiday.
It gets booked up in advance, so we were lucky to pick up a cancellation for our dates; another reason booking with local experts can pay off, as we wouldn’t have known without their existing relationship.
If you’re not as lucky, or prefer to sleep on dry land, try the riverfront Rainbow Lodge.
Cambodia family itinerary: Days 12-13 – Kep
Kep National Park is further along the south coast towards Vietnam, with the old colonial town of Kep on the seafront itself.
Discover the crab market and small beach, or head into the national park to spot butterflies. There are pepper plantations nearby and temples.
If you’re travelling outside rainy season or with older kids (or want to chance your luck), you can take a boat trip to Rabbit Island and see the evening bioluminescence in the bay around it.
There are also activities, including cookery classes, to try in the area. Or take some time to chill out as the holiday is almost at an end…
Kep, Cambodia with kids: Stay at
Vanna Hill Resort sits between the sea and the national park. It’s simpler than the others in this itinerary but with a lovely outdoor pool and kids’ pools looking down to the coast.
Cambodia family itinerary: Day 14 – Phnom Penh
Head back to the capital to explore briefly before a flight out the next day – your flight time will dictate how much time you’ll have exploring.
See the Royal Palace, home to Cambodia’s royal family, as well as the market and busy capital, or take a sunset cruise along the Mekong.
A day might not seem enough for the city and it really depends on the age of your family when you’re visiting Cambodia with kids.
If you are travelling with older kids (or have a babysitting option), you may want to allow more time in order to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide museum and Killing Fields, something I’d recommend to learn more about the country’s tragic recent history.
However, it’s definitely not appropriate with younger kids and not something I could arrange, for practical reasons.
Phnom Penh with kids: Stay at
As at Siem Reap, you won’t be short of choice here when it comes to good places to stay with kids in Phnom Penh – stylish Anise Villa also has a pool which made it a winner for us.
Visiting Cambodia with kids: Don’t forget…
When you’re planning a Cambodia family holiday, allow a full day either side for flights if you’re coming from the UK or the USA, including time to transfer.
We flew from London Heathrow to Siem Reap via Bangkok with Thai Airways, returning from Phnom Penh via Bangkok but there are a variety of other airlines which fly via the Middle East and other stops in South East Asia.
You can also check out more tips in my vlogs on planning a trip to Cambodia with kids as well as my lessons learned after a Cambodia family holiday.
first published 2017, updated 2020
PIN FOR LATER: TWO-WEEK ITINERARY FOR CAMBODIA WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links – any purchases you make will be unaffected but I may get a small commission. All are places I’ve stayed at or genuinely recommend. My trip was arranged with Stubborn Mule Travel as a press trip.
Images copyright MummyTravels
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I would love to visit the temples and to study the culture there! Fascinated by the movies presenting Cambodia!
It is a fascinating country – so much to discover at the temples, and beyond.
This sounds like a fascinating trip Cathy – I’d love to follow this itinerary.
It was wonderful – and I think we managed to balance packing lots in, lots of different aspects of the country too, without feeling overwhelmed.
I’ve loved seeing your photos on Instagram and Facebook during your trip. It sounds as if it’s been a fabulous holiday – that Stubborn Mule certainly took you to some extraordinary places.
#farawayfiles
Thanks! It was amazing – and we definitely got some great advice and help from Stubborn Mule to make it happen.
I just watched Tomb Raider the other day and it got me interested in visiting again! The history, architecture and culture are all so fascinating to me! Would love to see it! Pinned! #FarawayFiles
It is amazing – hope the itinerary and the posts manage to persuade you. Do you know, I have never seen Tomb Raider, but I should maybe watch to relive our visit to Ta Prohm.
What a fantastic itinerary! I’ve absolutely loved following your adventures in Cambodia. I hope you had a safe flight home and I look forward to reading lots more about your trip. #farawayfiles
Thank you! It was such a wonderful adventure – just shaking off the jetlag and then lots (LOTS) more to share…
We want to visit Cambodia. My hubby lived there for some months and is eager to show me and our little one around his old stomping grounds.#farawayfiles
We had the best trip – I can well imagine why he wants to go back, I loved it there. I hope you do all get to go.
I’m travelling to Siem Reap later this year. Thank you so much for this informative post! #FarawayFiles
Lots more to come – and you’ll love Siem Reap!
What an adventure, Cathy! This sounds like an incredible itinerary and one we’d love to do with our boys. It’s so important to get that mix of culture and beach, busy days and oh-so-necessary relaxing chill out days right when you’re travelling with children. Thanks for sharing your fabulous itinerary on #FarawayFiles
Absolutely, I’ve only really learned to slow down rather than packing every day since my daughter came along – I think we got a great balance with this trip. And I hope you get there too, it is such a wonderful place.
Gosh, this looks like an amazing trip. What a great itinerary, a perfect mix of everything. #FarawayFiles
It was such a great balance – city and county and coast, lots of exploring and time to relax too, plus I felt we saw and experienced so much.
Love this itinerary! You know I am all about trying to know a country as better as possible. Sometimes, that involves getting out of the popular areas. Gosh! You have shown me a very different side of Cambodia (different from the one I am used to see). #FarawayFiles
Absolutely, I can understand why Siem Reap tops the list (I could happily have spent much longer there) but getting into the mountains and some of the other less visited spots was wonderful – I felt we saw so many different sides to the country.
Ahh I’m heading to Cambodia later this year! Although, I’ll only be there for a week, I’m super excited about it. Thanks for the tips in this post!
I am so excited for you! It is the most amazing place – lots more to share, but let me know if you have any questions?
I’ve always wanted to do this trip, so I am very excited to read this, and looking forward to reading more! Wondering what sleeping in a floating tent was like? Would love to see photos! #farawayfiles
It was the most amazing fortnight – and the floating tent was one of my favourite parts! A bit more on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MummyTravelsblog/posts/1833873493518929) and lots more to come on the blog.
Thank you for this – I have just discovered your blog and what a find! We are on a year’s count down until we take our boys out of school for a year and go on a family adventure of our own around the world. Cambodia is one of our first stops and we are in the process of researching all the countries that we will be visiting. I think I will be gleefully reading lots more of your posts…
Thank you! And how exciting – what an amazing adventure that will be. There’ll be lots more to come on Cambodia, once I catch up and start writing everything, plus quite a few posts on Burma which we visited last year, if you’re headed that way too.
Sounds like a fantastic trip Cathy. I like all the mix of activities and enjoyed reading about the lovely hotels. You cant really beat hotels in South East Asia for quality and service at brilliant prices. Post saved for future reference and shared widely. Thanks for joining #farawayfiles
Thanks! And I agree, there are some gorgeous places to stay without costing a fortune – think we had a lovely mix of places and things to do as well.
Oh wow! Yes please. I would love to see Angkor Wat, but do feel a little overwhelmed trying to figure out what else to see – a perfect place to start planning with this itinerary! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Cheers, Erin
Thanks Erin! There is just so much you could do – I could happily have spent double our time there, and there were a few other places I’d have loved to visit as well, but I think this was a great introduction to the country and a lot of the highlights.
What a great itinerary! Sometimes when planning a trip for a new destination I get a bit overwhelmed, so I love posts like this! Thanks #farawayfiles
Thanks! And I know what you mean – there’s always so much choice, so many options, that trying to whittle it down a bit can be hard. Glad this helps.
This is wonderful itinerary, Cathy, and I’m going to share with my friends who have kids. They had asked me before if Cambodia would be a good destination with kids but i couldn’t really give them a convincing answer because I don’t have kids. They were afraid that Cambodia especially visits to the temple would be too boring for the kids. Thanks for writing this post 🙂
Thanks Kat – and I’d definitely recommend it with kids, we had an amazing time. You have to adapt a bit: several full-on days visiting temples is going to be a bit much for most kids (and probably a few adults) but there’s so much to see, and the temples are so impressive, especially with a good guide to tell you some of the stories, that you can definitely visit those too. We saw four of the main ones in Siem Reap plus a handful of others.
What a gorgeous part of the world to explore with kids. I can imagine they must have been fascinated by the temples, wildlife and even the city life.
We dont have kids, but still read this post with great interest. Cambodia is possibly the next destination we are returning to and enjoyed your posts covering Cambodia a lot.
Thanks Lyn – and absolutely, I always hope there’s some inspiration and information for everyone so that’s great to hear
Love this post. I almost went to Cambodia from Thailand on my last adult gap year, but at the last minute changed my mind and went to Northern Thailand instead…I still really want to go, and I think my son would love the temples.
Northern Thailand is somewhere that’s still on my list – but Cambodia is amazing, would hugely recommend it.
This is a fantastic itinerary with so many great places to visit! I’ll definitely be coming back to Cambodia, I really don’t feel like I had enough time here! Great suggestions for everyone!