Siem Reap Hostels: Where to Stay by Budget, Area and Vibe

Featured image: Mig Gilbert from Brighton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Quick answer: best Siem Reap hostels by traveler type

Social travelers should look at Mad Monkey, Funky Village or Siem Reap Pub Hostel. Travelers who want pools and space should look at Onederz or Lub d. Light sleepers do better in Taphul Village or near Wat Damnak. Hostel facilities and rates change by season, so check each property's booking page before you pay.

How to choose a hostel in Siem Reap: area, noise, price, facilities

Start with noise. A hostel 300 m from Pub Street, such as Onederz or Siem Reap Pub Hostel, is close enough to walk home from the bars. It is also close enough to hear them. Next, look at the facilities that decide your comfort: air conditioning, bed curtains, lockers and a pool you can use after a day at the temples. Price comes last, because a cheap bed far from the center adds tuk-tuk fares every evening.

• Noise: ask which side of the building the dorm faces.
• Sleep: look for bed curtains, personal lockers and air conditioning.
• Pool: ask about the closing time if you plan a late swim.
• Location: measure the walk to Pub Street on a map, not from photos.

Best areas: Pub Street, Wat Bo, Sok San and Taphul Village

Four zones cover most hostel beds. Funky Village on Funky Lane is reviewed as a 5-minute walk from Pub Street. White Rabbit Hostel on Street 26 is at most 7 minutes on foot. Wat Bo Road holds The Siem Reap Chilled Backpacker, listed as a 10-minute walk from Old Market and Pub Street. Taphul Village is quieter and relies more on tuk-tuks. For a wider look at neighborhoods and hotel options, read our Siem Reap area guide.

Best hostels for social travelers and nightlife

Funky Village is the loudest pick. Reviewers describe a large pool, a 24-hour bar and night events, and they suggest earplugs for light sleepers. Mad Monkey Hostel Siem Reap pairs a social crowd with private rooms and, according to guests, two pools. Darling Pub Hostel on Sok San Road and Siem Reap Pub Hostel near the Night Market both include a bar. If your plan is to sleep close to the bars, our guide to stays near Pub Street covers the hotel side.

Best quiet, clean and budget hostels

Bokre Angkor Hostel in Taphul Village has a small pool and a restaurant, and one reviewer slept well because it is far from the party district. The Siem Reap Chilled Backpacker on Wat Bo Road has an on-site restaurant and is near the airport bus stop. Noni Tree Hostel near Wat Damnak has curtains on its beds, according to a recent guest. Gecko Hostel has an outdoor pool and a bar, and a guest praised its easy scooter rental. Lub d suits travelers who want a calmer big-name hostel with pool and privacy in the dorms.

Homestays and guesthouses that work like hostels

Nika's House and Siem Reap Homesteading are homestay-style stays with gardens. A guest described Siem Reap Homesteading as quiet, a little remote and helpful with planning. Eco-Home Siem Reap Homestay is simpler, with fans and basic rooms, so read recent reviews first. Smiley's Guesthouse describes a Khmer-style building a 5-minute walk from Old Market, Central Market and the Night Market.

Dorm versus private room, with what to look for when booking

Dorms give the lowest price and the best chance of meeting people. Private rooms give a lock, a bathroom and a quiet night, and several party hostels sell both. Before booking, ask about these points. Availability changes by property, so read the room description rather than assuming.

• Bed curtains or privacy pods
• Air conditioning or fan only
• Bathrooms per number of beds
• Female-only dorm availability
• Locker size for a laptop and daypack

What a night really costs: inclusions and add-ons

Nightly rates vary by season, room type and day of the week. Check the property's own booking page for current dorm and private-room prices. A low bed rate can hide extras, so compare the inclusions below before deciding.

• Breakfast included or paid separately
• Pool access and opening hours
• Lockers and towels
• Laundry service
• Tour and bus booking, and any commission
• Airport or bus-station pickup

Getting from your hostel to Angkor

Most sunrise visitors leave in the dark, so a tuk-tuk is the practical choice. One Taphul Village guest said about 20 minutes to Angkor Wat. A guest at Archaic House said 15 minutes. Treat both as rough guides. Most reception desks can arrange a driver, and Onederz and Noni Tree guests mention booking tours on site. Booking directly with a driver the evening before is the alternative. For temple-side hotel options, see our Angkor Wat stay guide. Ticket rules and prices come from the APSARA National Authority, not from a hostel desk.

Monthly and long-stay options

Long stays suit a private room better than a dorm, since you need a desk, a lock and daily laundry. Ask the hostel directly about a monthly rate, because published nightly prices rarely apply. One Noni Tree guest extended three times, which shows that staff there handle repeat bookings. Ask what is included, such as cleaning frequency and Wi-Fi in the room, not just the lobby.

Booking tips and mistakes to avoid

Some properties list no-credit-card booking, including Darling Pub Hostel, Mad Monkey and Noni Tree on one booking site. Policies change, so read the booking page. Cancellation terms also differ by room type. Plan your airport or bus-station transfer before you arrive, and see Cambodia's official tourism site for general trip planning.

• Booking the lowest price without checking the area
• Ignoring noise from nearby bars
• Assuming the pool stays open late
• Skipping a transfer plan from the airport or bus station
• Trusting photos instead of recent reviews

When a hostel is not the right choice

Couples, families and light sleepers often do better in a guesthouse or boutique hotel. A private room in a party hostel still shares the building's noise. If that sounds wrong for your trip, browse our Siem Reap Boutique Hotels: Where to Stay by Area instead.