Phnom Penh 4 Day Itinerary (No Tourist Trap)
Four days is where a day trip earns its place: three days in the city core, our 3-day itinerary in full, plus a half-day out to Koh Dach, the “Silk Island” a short ferry hop from the riverside. It’s still not enough time for Angkor Wat, that’s a separate multi-day trip to Siem Reap, 5-6 hours away by road, not a Phnom Penh add-on.
Day-by-day at a glance
| Day | Focus | Est. spend (excl. hotel) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Palace, National Museum, Wat Phnom, riverside | ~$25-35 |
| 2 | Tuol Sleng, Choeung Ek, Russian Market | ~$25-35 |
| 3 | Central Market, Wat Ounalom, Independence Monument, sunset cruise, Night Market | ~$25-40 |
| 4 | Koh Dach (Silk Island) half-day, BKK1 evening | ~$20-30 |
Sort these before you land
- Cambodia e-Arrival Card : mandatory for every air arrival, file within 7 days of landing.
- e-visa (about $36 total) or visa on arrival (about $30); passport valid at least 6 months.
- Royal Palace dress code: shoulders and knees covered or you’re turned away, no exceptions.
- Agree your Day 4 tuk-tuk or driver fare, including the ferry wait, before you set off for Koh Dach.
- Check Phnom Penh hotel rates in Riverside or BKK1.
Day 1: the Palace, the Museum and the riverside
Morning: Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, about $10, morning session; cover shoulders and knees or you won’t get in.
Afternoon: National Museum of Cambodia, about $10 (no photos in the galleries), then Wat Phnom, $1.
Evening: Sisowath Quay at sunset, dinner at Friends (215 Street 13) or Romdeng.
Tip: agree tuk-tuk fares before you get in, or use PassApp or Grab. Plan ahead: both memorial sites tomorrow open by 8am and are far better before the midday heat.
Day 2: Tuol Sleng, Choeung Ek and Russian Market
Morning: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), about $5 plus $5 for the audio guide, 8am-5pm. This former Khmer Rouge prison held an estimated 14,000-20,000 people, almost all killed. Give it your full attention.
Midday: Choeung Ek, about 15km south (30-45 minutes by tuk-tuk), about $6 including audio guide, 7:30am-5:30pm. The memorial stupa holds more than 5,000 skulls. Visit Tuol Sleng first, then Choeung Ek, and don’t plan anything cheerful straight after.
Afternoon: Russian Market (Phsar Tuol Tom Poung) for souvenirs and silk.
Tip: bring crisp, clean USD bills. Plan ahead: Central Market and the sunset cruise tomorrow both go smoother with an early start.
Day 3: Central Market, temples, and a sunset on the river
Morning: Central Market (Phsar Thmei), the 1937 Art Deco building, then Wat Ounalom, free or by donation.
Afternoon: Independence Monument, a five-minute photo stop, then a rest at a riverside cafe.
Evening: A Mekong sunset cruise (roughly 1-1.5 hours, around 5pm). Friday through Sunday, close at the riverside Night Market.
Tip: book the cruise for 5pm to catch the light. Plan ahead: agree your Koh Dach transport for tomorrow tonight, so the morning isn’t spent negotiating.
Day 4: Koh Dach (Silk Island)
Morning: Koh Dach sits about 15km from the riverside, roughly 30-45 minutes by tuk-tuk plus a short ferry crossing. This is a genuine close half-day, silk-weaving villages and rural cycling on the island, and a real change of pace from the city. Rent a bike near the ferry landing if you want to cover more ground than walking allows.
Afternoon: Back in the city by early afternoon. Spend it revisiting Russian Market for anything you skipped, or cooling off at Aeon Mall (Sen Sok) if the heat’s gotten to you.
Evening: A final dinner in BKK1, near Rosewood Phnom Penh’s Vattanac Capital Tower, or back on the riverside for one more sunset.
Tip: agree the ferry-and-tuk-tuk round trip fare upfront, including waiting time, before you leave the city. Plan ahead: if you’re flying out of Techo International tomorrow, budget 45-75 minutes for the transfer.
Is 4 days enough for Phnom Penh?
Four days comfortably fits the full city core plus one honest day trip, without turning either into a rush. It’s not enough for two day trips, Koh Dach and Oudong both deserve their own day, see our 5-day itinerary if you want both, or our Phnom Penh guide for the wider picture.