Cambodia Phnom Penh Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Phnom Penh is very-high
January is very-high for Phnom Penh.
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 sunset cruise has the calmest water of the year, and the colonial downtown walking is comfortable in the dry-season cool. The trade-off is pricing and crowds. New Year tail (Jan 1-5) keeps boutique hotels at peak rates ($80-160/night vs $60-130 shoulder); 5-star luxury (Raffles, Rosewood, Sofitel) at $400-700/night. Mid-January after the holiday tail is the value sweet spot — same weather, 60-70% of holiday pricing. January signatures: Royal Palace morning + sunset photography at peak, Mekong sunset cruise visibility maxed, Killing Fields + S-21 outdoor visits comfortable in cool air. Book 3-4 months ahead for first half of month.
Travel score
Peak dry season — the best month for Phnom Penh
January Weather at a Glance
January in Phnom Penh averages 88°F / 31°C highs and 72°F / 22°C lows with 1 rainy day and 10mm of rain. Humidity 65%, UV 9, sunshine 9 hours. Sunset 5:55 PM, sunrise 6:25 AM. The driest and clearest month of the year — Royal Palace + Mekong sunset visibility at peak.
January Travel Advice
Book hotels 3-4 months ahead for first half of month. Mekong sunset cruise + Royal Palace morning + Killing Fields outdoor visit are all at peak comfort. USD pristine bills + KHR small change + PassApp app + DEET + sunscreen are the January essentials.
Flying In from Overseas
Asia winter escape destination for North Americans, Europeans, Australians, and East Asian travelers. Direct flights from Seoul Incheon (Korean Air, Asiana 5h30) and connecting via Bangkok (1h), Singapore (2h), Kuala Lumpur (2h15), or Ho Chi Minh City (50 min). e-Visa $36 (30-day single-entry, evisa.gov.kh, 3-5 day processing).
January Pricing Trends
Year's highest pricing: boutique $60-130/night (mid-Jan) vs $80-160 (Jan 1-5). Raffles + Rosewood + Sofitel luxury $400-700. Flights from East Asia $500-1,000 round trip.
Phnom Penh January Weather Stats
Avg High
31°C
Avg Low
22°C
Rainy Days
1
10mm total
Sunshine
9h
Daily avg
Humidity
65%
comfortable
UV Index
9
Very high
Wind
6 km/h
Gusts 14
Sea Temp
26°C
Mekong River boat cruise pleasant
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
38 μg/m³
PM10
65 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
33°C
Nighttime
22°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
6 km/h
Max gust 14 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Driest month + clearest skies
- Royal Palace + Mekong sunset photography at peak
- Comfortable tropical 22-31°C with low humidity
- Killing Fields + S-21 outdoor visits comfortable
Cons
- Year's highest hotel rates first week
- Evenings drop to 22°C — light layer needed for riverside
- 12:00-15:00 sun heat still rough for outdoor walking
January Events & Festivals
- 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
- Photographic peak for Royal Palace + Mekong sunset
Phnom Penh in January — Full Picture
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 sunset cruise has the calmest water of the year, and the colonial downtown walking is comfortable in the dry-season cool. The trade-off is pricing and crowds. New Year tail (Jan 1-5) keeps boutique hotels at peak rates ($80-160/night vs $60-130 shoulder); 5-star luxury (Raffles, Rosewood, Sofitel) at $400-700/night. Mid-January after the holiday tail is the value sweet spot — same weather, 60-70% of holiday pricing. January signatures: Royal Palace morning + sunset photography at peak, Mekong sunset cruise visibility maxed, Killing Fields + S-21 outdoor visits comfortable in cool air. Book 3-4 months ahead for first half of month.
What to Wear & What to Pack
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.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
35°C
25°C
7.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
32.3°C
25°C
17.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
31°C
23.7°C
15/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current31.3°C
22°C
1.7/mo
Phnom Penh Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 31° | 22° | 1d·10mm | 9h | 65% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 33° | 23° | 1d·10mm | 9.5h | 60% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| 35° | 24° | 3d·35mm | 9h | 65% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 36° | 26° | 6d·75mm | 8.5h | 70% | 12 | Busy | Peak | |
| 34° | 25° | 13d·145mm | 7.5h | 75% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 25° | 16d·200mm | 6.5h | 80% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 32° | 25° | 18d·220mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 25° | 19d·220mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 25° | 19d·250mm | 6h | 82% | 9 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 24° | 17d·240mm | 7h | 80% | 9 | Moderate | Low season | |
| November (Best) | 30° | 22° | 9d·100mm | 8h | 70% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| December (Best) | 30° | 21° | 3d·25mm | 9h | 65% | 9 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Phnom Penh January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh in January is very-high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Phnom Penh in January?
Phnom Penh January averages a high of 31°C and a low of 22°C.
Does it rain much in Phnom Penh in January?
Phnom Penh January averages 10mm of rainfall over about 1 rainy days.
What should I wear in Phnom Penh in January?
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.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Phnom Penh in January?
Phnom Penh January sunrise is 06:25 and sunset is 17:55, with 11h 30min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Phnom Penh in January?
Phnom Penh January air quality (AQI) averages 75, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 38μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Phnom Penh in January?
In January, Phnom Penh is great for Royal Palace + Silver Pagoda morning, Mekong sunset cruise, Colonial downtown walking.
Is January peak season in Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh January crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Phnom Penh
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
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.