Monthly Breakdown for First-Time Remote Travellers, History Buffs, and Market Wanderers

Phnom Penh was where it all began. It was the first country in Asia that didn’t require tests or quarantine when borders were still closed — so I booked a one-way flight and started my full-time remote travel life here. It turned out to be a quiet but powerful first stop — laid-back, easy to navigate, and shadowed by a haunting past that stayed with me long after I left.

💰 Expenses Breakdown

🛏️ Accommodation: SGD1,200
→ I stayed across from the airport, which wasn’t ideal. While it was easy to Grab around, I’d recommend staying closer to the city centre for convenience and walkability.
🍽️ Food: ~SGD40/day
→ I had my first food poisoning here (rookie mistake — I saw cups being washed in the same bucket and still went for it). Since then, I stick to restaurants unless the street stalls look clean and well-kept.
🚇 Transport: SGD150
→ Grab is the way to go. Traffic’s a little chaotic (Vietnam vibes), but manageable.
💄 Grooming: SGD100
→ Kept things light — mostly basics and drinks.

Total: ~SGD2,690 (excluding activities)

📌 An affordable entry point to Southeast Asia. Definitely not flashy, but grounding in its own way.

🏡 Where to Stay in Phnom Penh

✔️ City Centre — Easier access to food, markets, and museums. Walkable and better connected.
✔️ Airport Vicinity — Where I stayed. Quiet, but far. Wouldn’t recommend unless you’re transiting.

🏠 Airbnb, Hotel, or Something Else?

✅ Airbnb pros: Phnom Penh has decent Airbnb options near the city centre.
✅ Long-term rentals save 20–30%: But mostly worth it if you’re staying 2+ months or can view places in person.

📌 If you’re staying longer, location matters more than cost. I stayed near the airport to save a bit, but it made daily travel a chore — and the area got pretty quiet (and dim) at night. Stick to the city centre if you want better safety and walkability.

🍽️ Food and Dining in Phnom Penh (SGD40/day)

A cautionary tale: I got food poisoning from street food on my first day. Since then, I vet stalls closely or just eat at restaurants.

📌 The local cuisine is great — but trust your gut (literally). Fresh-looking food and clean prep spaces only.

🚕 Transport Costs (SGD150 for the Month)

✔️ Grab is reliable and cheap.
✔️ Traffic is mildly chaotic — motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and no real rules.

📌 Stick to off-peak if you want to avoid the dust and noise.

📶 Internet and Workspaces (SGD25)

✔️ Decent WiFi at my Airbnb.
✔️ Not the fastest, but enough to get work done and join calls.

📌 Use a SIM card for backup when moving around.

🎟️ Where I Spent My Time in Phnom Penh

✔️ Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) – Heavy and intimate. Many original artefacts are still where they were found — including visible blood stains. Unlike other war museums, this felt deeply personal.
✔️ Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields) – This is still an active archaeological site. It’s quiet, vast, and profoundly solemn. Expect to feel the weight of history here.

✔️ Markets – Check out Central Market and Russian Market for clothes, snacks, and street scenes — even if you’re not buying.

🌟 Final Thoughts: Was SGD2,690 Worth It?

✔️ For a soft entry into remote travel, it was the right start.
✔️ The museums still haunt me — in a way that made me grateful I came.
✔️ It wasn’t a thrilling month, but it gave me space to reflect and reset.

🙋‍♀️ Who This City is For

• History lovers with quiet curiosity
• First-time slow travellers
• People easing into Southeast Asia — one thoughtful stop at a time