🗓️ Best Time to Visit

When Should You Visit Phnom Penh?

Top months: Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar. Compare 12-month weather, festivals, and pricing on one page to find your match.

Quick Answer

The best time to visit Phnom Penh is Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar. These months balance pleasant weather, festival programming, and manageable crowds — the canonical first-visit pick.

Phnom Penh by Season

★ Top Pick

🌸 Spring (Mar-May)

Avg 35°C / 25°C
  • • Hot dry season begins — heat climbs toward April peak
  • • International Women's Day (Mar 8) — cultural observance
  • • Spring Equinox + start of pre-monsoon transition

☀️ Summer (Jun-Aug)

Avg 32°C / 25°C
  • • Year's monsoon peak begins
  • • Phnom Penh International Film Festival (varies)
  • • Year's lowest hotel pricing tied with September
★ Top Pick

🍁 Fall (Sep-Nov)

Avg 31°C / 24°C
  • • Pchum Ben (Ancestors' Day, full moon September) — 15-day Buddhist festival culminating on autumn full moon
  • • Year's lowest pricing tied with June
  • • Korean Chuseok holiday imminent
★ Top Pick

❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)

Avg 31°C / 22°C
  • • Dry season peak — best weather of the year
  • • Western New Year tail (Jan 1-5) — peak holiday pricing
  • • Cambodian Victory Day (Jan 7) — public holiday + government offices closed

Month-by-Month at a Glance

Month Temp (°C) Rain What to Pack Crowds·Pricing
★ January 31/22 1d Dry season peak — short sleeves + shorts for 31°C / 88°F days, light long-sleeve for 22°C / 72°F evenings near the Mekong. Phnom Penh sits at 11° latitude with strong UV (9-12 year-round) — SPF 30-50 sunscreen + hat + sunglasses essential. Modest temple wear (cover shoulders + knees) for Royal Palace + Silver Pagoda + wats. A krama scarf ($3-8 at Russian Market) works as both a souvenir and modest temple cover. High
★ February 33/23 1d Similar to January with slightly warmer days. 33°C / 91°F days, 23°C / 73°F evenings. Short sleeve + light layer. UV climbing to 10 — reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours. Modest temple wear. High
★ March 35/24 3d Hot dry season begins — 35°C / 95°F days hit hard with low humidity. Light cotton short sleeves + shorts. SPF 50 + wide-brim hat + sunglasses essential. UV 11 (extreme). Modest temple wear. Stay hydrated (4-5 liters daily). Outdoor walking limited to early morning (08:00-10:00) and late afternoon (16:00-18:00). Mid
April 36/26 6d Year's hottest month + Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam, April 13-16). Days 36°C / 97°F + nights 26°C / 79°F + 70% humidity = felt temperature 42°C / 108°F. Light quick-dry clothes + waterproof phone case + waterproof passport pouch (Khmer New Year water-festival energy). Quick-dry clothes + light rain shell + UV 12 sunscreen. High
May 34/25 13d Monsoon onset — afternoon thunderstorms 14:00-17:00 become the daily pattern. Quick-dry clothes + packable rain shell + waterproof phone case essential. Days 34°C / 93°F + nights 25°C / 77°F. Light layer for AC restaurants. Mid
June 33/25 16d Monsoon middle. Rainfall climbs to 200mm + 16 rainy days. Quick-dry clothes + packable rain shell mandatory. Days 33°C / 91°F + nights 25°C / 77°F. The cooler tail of the wet season. Low
July 32/25 18d Monsoon peak. Daily afternoon storms. Quick-dry + rain shell + waterproof phone case essential. Days 32°C / 90°F + nights 25°C / 77°F. Mid
August 32/25 19d Similar to July with continued heavy rain. Quick-dry + rain shell + waterproof bag mandatory. Days 32°C / 90°F + nights 25°C / 77°F. Mid
September 32/25 19d Monsoon tail — September is actually one of the wettest months. Rainfall climbs to 250mm. Quick-dry clothes + packable rain shell mandatory. Days 32°C / 90°F + nights 25°C / 77°F. Low
October 31/24 17d Monsoon tail + dry season transition begins. Quick-dry clothes + packable rain shell still useful. Days 31°C / 88°F + nights 24°C / 75°F start cooling. Low
★ November 30/22 9d Dry season returns + Water Festival peak + best month overall. Days 30°C / 86°F + nights 22°C / 72°F — diurnal range 8°C. Short sleeve days + light layer evenings. Temperate-spring/autumn packing. SPF 30-50 sunscreen returns to daily essential. High
★ December 30/21 3d Dry season peak + Christmas-New Year secondary peak. Days 30°C / 86°F + nights 21°C / 70°F — diurnal range 9°C. Short sleeve days + light long-sleeve evenings. Pack like a temperate spring/autumn destination. SPF 30-50 + sunglasses + hat. December 22-31 honeymoon + holiday travel peak. High

★ = recommended season. Full month guides on the monthly weather pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Phnom Penh?
The best time to visit Phnom Penh is Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar. These months offer the most pleasant weather and full outdoor activity calendars. January is one of the best months to visit Phnom Penh. Daytime 31°C / 88°F + nighttime 22°C / 72°F + 10mm rainfall + 65% humidity + clear blue skies. Royal Palace visibility is at peak, the Mekong sun
What's the price difference between peak and off-season in Phnom Penh?
Prices vary significantly by season. Weekday departures during shoulder season offer the best value.
Is it okay to visit Phnom Penh in winter?
Phnom Penh winter averages 31°C / 22°C. It's cold, but you trade weather for off-season pricing and seasonal events (Christmas markets, indoor museums, winter festivals). Bring a heavy parka, scarf, and gloves.
Should I visit Phnom Penh during summer holiday season?
Phnom Penh mid-summer (July-August) averages 32°C highs. This is the most expensive season — airfare and hotels peak — but outdoor festivals run at full capacity. Book 3-6 months ahead and prepare for heat.
What's the cheapest month to visit Phnom Penh?
June, September, October is the off-season — flights and hotels are at annual lows. Trade-off: this is usually cold or rainy season, so adjust packing and indoor-activity weight accordingly.

Why you can trust this guide

Jimmy Kong TripPick founder · Travel content creator

Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.

8+ years analyzing travel data 30+ countries visited Live exchange rate verified