What to Pack for Cambodia: A Helpful Cambodia Packing List

10 essential things to pack for Cambodia

If you don’t have time to read this full Cambodia packing list, here are the 10 items that I consider absolute essentials!

1. An anti-theft backpack: Petty crime is unfortunately still a big issue in Cambodia. Invest in an anti-theft day pack and remember to be extra careful with your belongings whenever you’re in a tuk tuk or walking down the street.

2. A reusable, non-sweat water bottle: Plastic pollution is a serious problem in Cambodia so you should avoid single-use plastics whenever you can. I love my S’well Stainless Steel Water Bottle because it keeps water cold and doesn’t get the rest of my belongings wet. Most hotels and restaurants offer refills. Remember that tap water in Cambodia is not potable. If you’re limited to tap water, you’ll need to use a filter bottle like this one.

3. A plastic lanyard holder: Very handy for carrying around your Angkor Pass when you’re off visiting the temples of Angkor Wat! This one from Amazon is the right size.

4. A pumice stone: It’s polite to remove your shoes before entering a temple, a private home, or even some businesses in Cambodia. After taking your shoes on and off continuously, your tootsies are going to be filthy (trust me!). A pumice stone is essential for cleansing your feet at the end of the day.

5. A long, lightweight scarf (women): My number one travel item for Southeast Asia. A light cotton scarf has a thousand uses: Drape it over your shoulders when entering a pagoda, wrap it around your waist at the beach, or use it to cover your mouth when you’re tuk-tuking down a dusty road. Rather than bringing one with you, I recommend buying one when you arrive – Cambodian krama (chequered cotton scarves) are ubiquitous and make for a great souvenir.

6. A universal power adaptor: Cambodia uses a mix of type A, C and G power sockets. For ease, it’s a good idea to carry a universal adaptor plug such as this one.

7. A silk sleeping bag liner: If you’re on a long bus journey or if the sheets at your guesthouse don’t look so hot, a sleeping bag liner comes in handy as an extra layer of protection. This one is cool, packs down very small, is lightweight, and has a special pillow pocket.

8. Your favourite sunscreen: Most face creams sold in Cambodia contain skin whiteners, while international sun care brands such as Banana Boat can be prohibitively expensive. I highly recommend bringing a tube (or two) of your favourite sunscreen from home. I recently started using this brand and I absolutely love it. I use this one on my face.

9. Electrolyte tabs: It’s very easy to end up dehydrated, especially if you’re out walking in the middle of the day. Rehydration salts are available at most supermarkets and pharmacies in Phnom Penh, but for ease, I prefer to carry my own. This brand is popular.

10. A headphone splitter: Long road journeys are part and parcel of travelling around Cambodia. This tiny device comes in handy for sharing a podcast or an audio book with your travel buddy.

Luggage for Cambodia

Wheeled backpack: Most people will end up using minibuses and coaches to travel around Cambodia. Luggage space is never an issue, so you don’t have to be overly concerned about the size of your main bag. Having said that, it does pay to travel as light as you can. I personally recommend something like the Osprey Fairview 65 Wheeled Luggage or similar, which offers the flexibility of a backpack with the convenience of a wheeled bag. Remember to buy a rain cover for your bag.

Anti-theft day pack: Pickpocketing does happen in Cambodia, especially in the big cities. It’s not recommended to carry a shoulder or crossbody bag with a strap as there have been incidents of straps getting cut. An simple, inconspicuous anti-theft backpack such as this Travelon one is ideal for Cambodia.

What to wear in Cambodia

The dress code in Cambodia errs on the conservative side, especially outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. When entering temples and temple grounds, it’s mandatory to cover your shoulders and knees at a minimum.

Locals prefer to cover up for modesty and to protect their skin from the sun. It’s not common to see very short skirts or sleeveless tops outside of beach areas, for example. It’s a good idea to follow their lead and do the same.

Many Cambodians wear jeans all year long – I personally find it way too hot to wear jeans any time! Instead, I suggest you go for long, loose fitting clothes, preferably made from natural fibres.

There is no real need to ‘dress up’ in Cambodia – even the fanciest restaurants and bars will accept you as you are. There may be some exceptions but for the most part, sandals and t-shirts are A-OK anywhere you go.

Long, lightweight pants (women & men): Love them or hate them, there’s a reason why Elephant Pants are so popular in Southeast Asia. Long, billowy pants that have a comfortable waistband and cover your knees are really the best option for everyday wear in Cambodia.

Natural fibre t-shirts (women & men): Simple cotton t-shirts are a great choice for both men and women. Ladies should go for a more modest neckline rather than a deep V.

A light linen/cotton throw or overshirt (women & men): I usually carry a linen pullover that I can put on to cover my forearms when walking outside or riding on a motorbike. A long-sleeved tunic or button-up shirt would also work well.

Cotton undies (women): Cotton underwear is essential for the climate – and it’s very hard to find undies in bigger sizes when you’re in Cambodia, so make sure you bring plenty of pairs with you.

Quick dry clothing (women & men): I don’t normally like quick-dry clothing for everyday wear, but a set does come in very handy as loungewear or for sleeping in. Under Armour is my preferred brand.

Slip-on sandals/slides: You constantly need to take your shoes on and off in Cambodia, so it’s best to have a pair for everyday use that you can quickly kick off (velcro straps are your friend!). Teva and Keen both have great designs for women, while men might prefer something more like these athletic slides.

Enclosed shoes: If you plan on doing any serious hiking – or even if you’re visiting the local market and want to keep your feet clean – then it’s also a good idea to bring a pair of lightweight enclosed shoes. My husband and I both invested in a pair of Whitin barefoot sneakers recently and we’re loving them for travel. They have a great range of colours and designs for men and women.

Swimmers: Most Cambodians swim in loose-fitting clothing. It’s perfectly OK for tourists to wear bathers on public beaches or in rivers/waterfalls. I normally wear a one-piece in Cambodia for modesty, but it’s totally up to you. No one will judge!

A lightweight, breathable raincoat: Rain is always a possibility in Cambodia, even outside of the rainy season. Avoid having to use single-use ponchos and bring your own raincoat instead. Just make sure it’s made from a breathable fabric or else you’ll get more wet inside the jacket than out – if you know what I mean. I use the Kosan Go Travel Rain Jacket. Something like this is great for men.

Toiletries for Cambodia

Travel thermometer: I always carry a no-touch thermometer these days for peace of mind. This one is battery operated and comes with a carry case.

First aid kit: If you don’t want to go to the trouble of curating your own, this emergency kit has all the essentials. Remember to familiarise yourself with what’s inside before you leave – unpack anything you think you won’t need, and note if there are any sharps (if so, you’ll need to pack it in your checked luggage).

Biodegradable wet wipes: I always make sure to have a few packs in my day bag. These biodegradable wipes are better for your skin and won’t harm the environment.

Insect repellent with DEET: If you’re prone to bug bites like I am then you absolutely want to take a more heavy duty bug spray with you to Cambodia. I suggest something with 20-40% DEET. I always prefer spray over gel – it’s cleaner and won’t get your hands dirty. Remember to pack it in a zip-lock bag in case of leaks.

Transparent liquids pouch: I always carry all my toiletries in a transparent case now – it makes things so much easier when going through airport security. Something simple like this pouch is ideal.

GoToob travel bottles: These mini bottles are terrific for carrying small quantities of moisturiser, conditioner, etc.

What to pack for Cambodia: Handy gadgets

USB stick: Comes in handy if you ever need to print off your visa documents or a boarding pass. This Samsung flash drive is super fast.

Memory card case: Great for storing spare SD cards and for keeping your SIM card safe when you swap it out for a local one. I like this water-resistant case or for something more streamlined, this super-thin case.

HeroClip: This carabiner is one of those multi-purpose travel gadgets you’ll find yourself using for all sorts of things – even for fixing to the back of the door and hanging your bath towel.

Personal safety alarm: Great for solo travellers in particular. I always carry one with me when I travel. This one has a LED light and a very loud alarm.

Alarm door stopper: If you’re staying alone in hotels or guesthouses, this little device is terrific for extra peace of mind. It works like a normal door stop but you position it in reverse. If anyone tries to open your door, the alarm will sound.

Portable bicycle lock: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rented a bike in Cambodia only to find the lock is rusted over or missing. Now I always carry my own lock for peace of mind. This one is not too heavy and ideal for travel.

Delicates wash bag: In Cambodia it’s common to hand over your laundry to have it done at your guesthouse or hotel. I always pack a wash bag like this one to put my bra or even undies inside. When you’re not using them for washing, you can use them for packing! My husband actually uses these bags instead of packing cubes.

A sink stopper: If you ever need to do a quick wash in the basin at your hotel, this rubber plug makes life a lot easier. It fits most sinks in the place of a plug – which for whatever reason always seem to be missing!

Travel clothesline: This Flexo-Line Travelers Travel Compact Clothesline is sturdy enough to hold wet clothes and won’t snag delicate fabrics.

Tide To Go Pen: I always carry one of these in my backpack for emergencies.

Dry bag: For carrying wet swimmers or clothes. This one is compact and ideal for travel.

Over-the-door hook: I always carry my own just in case there’s no obvious place to hang my bath towel! This one is lightweight and doesn’t take up any room at all.

Sealer clips & reusable silicone bags: For keeping food fresh and storing snacks. I travel with a few of these bags and these clips.

Travel cutlery set: This might not be something you use everyday, but a set like this can come in handy for getting you out of sticky situations. Anything that saves you from having to use plastic cutlery is a big plus.

What not to pack for Cambodia: Things to leave at home

Drone, tripod, any large camera gear: Unless you’re a professional photographer, it’s much easier to leave these things at home rather than trying to wade through the paperwork required to use them.

Mosquito net: If mosquitos are an issue, your hotel/guesthouse will have a net.

Quick-dry towel: Maybe it’s just me, but I never ever use mine – all guesthouses and hostels provide towels these days.

Makeup: It’s just too hot in Cambodia to wear makeup if you ask me.