Cambodia Weather Month-by-Month for Aussies in 2026: Best Time to Visit
Cambodia has three seasons and only two of them are easy for an Aussie first-timer. Here is the month-by-month breakdown of temperature, rain, crowds, and which window works best for your Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane/Perth school-holiday block.
When is the best time of year for an Australian to visit Cambodia?
For an Aussie first-timer, November to February is the sweet spot — Cambodia's cool dry season runs 22–30°C with blue skies, low humidity, and almost no rain. March to May is the hot dry season at 32–38°C and the midday heat at Angkor is genuinely punishing. June to October is the wet season, warm and lush with heavy afternoon downpours, quieter temples, and lower hotel rates. The two Aussie windows that work cleanly: Christmas/New Year (peak dry, perfect weather, premium prices) and July school holidays (rainy but workable, much cheaper). Book the eVisa $80 USD (~$122 AUD) once your dates are locked — it is valid 3 months from issue, so a 1–2 week pre-flight application is the cleanest sequence.
نکات کلیدی
- Best window for an Aussie first trip: November to February — cool dry season, 22–30°C, low humidity, blue skies, no rain.
- March to May is hot dry season — 32–38°C with brutal midday heat. April is the worst single month: peak temperatures plus Khmer New Year crowds.
- June to October is wet season — warm 27–32°C with heavy afternoon downpours that usually last 30–90 minutes. Lush green landscape, quiet temples, lower prices.
- Aussie school holidays in July work but expect daily rain. Christmas/New Year week is peak Cambodian dry season and the best Aussie family window.
- Pack for the season you book: layers and a light jumper for cool dry, sun protection and electrolytes for hot dry, a quick-dry rain shell and waterproof phone case for wet.
- Cambodia eVisa $80 USD (~$122 AUD) and validity 3 months from issue, so book the eVisa to match the weather window — not the other way around.
Why timing matters for a Cambodia trip from Australia
Cambodia's three seasons at a glance
Cool dry — the easy season
Hot dry — the punishing season
Wet (green) — the underrated season
Month-by-month — what to expect on the ground
January and February: the easy two-month run
April: the month to avoid if you can
Khmer New Year (mid-April) — plan around it
Cambodia effectively shuts for 3–4 days from 13–16 April for Choul Chnam Thmey. Government offices close, eVisa processing slows, domestic flights book out, and restaurants in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap run skeleton menus. If you must travel in April, target the first week or the last week. And apply for the eVisa at least 2 weeks ahead — Approved in 3 business days assumes Cambodian working days, not holiday weeks.
July: the Aussie school-holiday compromise
December: the Aussie Christmas-New Year sweet spot
What to pack for each Cambodian season
Cool dry (November–February)
- A light jumper or long-sleeve shirt for cool mornings (22–24°C). You will use it at Angkor sunrise.
- Long lightweight trousers for the temple complexes (shoulders and knees must be covered at Angkor Wat).
- A normal day pack — no need for a rain shell.
- Sun hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle.
Hot dry (March–May)
سوالات متداول
When is the best month to visit Cambodia from Australia?
December and January are the best two months for an Aussie first trip. Daytime temperatures sit at 28–30°C, mornings open cool at 22–24°C, there is no rain, and the sky stays blue. This is also the Australian summer school-holiday block, which is why most Aussie families target this window. Trade-off: it is peak season, so book hotels in Siem Reap 3–4 months ahead and expect crowds at the popular Angkor temples from 8 to 11 am.
Is Cambodia too hot in April for Australian travellers?
April is genuinely punishing — daytime maximums push 36–38°C with no cloud cover and high humidity by month-end. On top of the heat, Khmer New Year (13–16 April) effectively shuts the country for 3–4 days. Government offices close, eVisa processing slows, domestic flights book out, and restaurants run reduced menus. For an Aussie first-timer, April is the single month to avoid. If Easter falls in early April you can travel before the 13th; otherwise push the trip to July or December.
Can I visit Cambodia in the wet season?
Yes — June to October works much better than most Aussies expect. Mornings are typically clear, daytime temperatures sit at 27–30°C, and the afternoon downpour usually lasts 30–90 minutes before clearing. The landscape is lush green, the temples are dramatically quieter, and hotel rates are 30–50% below the December peak. The honest trade-off is a small share of trips lose an afternoon to a longer storm, and some unsealed roads at the off-grid Angkor temples turn to mud. Pack a lightweight rain shell and a waterproof phone pouch.
How hot does Angkor Wat get in the middle of the year?
Angkor in April hits 36–38°C by midday with the stones radiating heat well into the afternoon. June to September is cooler at 27–30°C, but with high humidity that feels heavier than the temperature reading. The single non-negotiable for any season is being at the gates by sunrise (around 5:30 am) — the temperature swing from sunrise to 10 am is 6–8°C, and the Angkor Wat sunrise itself is the photo most Aussies come for. Plan all temple visits before 9 am or after 4 pm regardless of season.
Which Aussie school holidays work best for a Cambodia family trip?
Summer (mid-December to late January) is the unbeatable window — Cambodia at peak dry season, perfect weather, no rain, and the Aussie school-holiday block runs 3–4 weeks. July (Australian winter break) is the budget-friendly alternative at 30–50% lower hotel prices, but expect a daily afternoon downpour. Avoid Easter / Term 1 break in April — it lands inside the worst Cambodian heat and Khmer New Year shutdown. The Term 3 September break is workable but Pchum Ben (mid–late September) slows the country similarly to Khmer New Year.
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