January in Phnom Penh — the year's strongest window
Best window · 7.8/10January averages 27°C (80°F), so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
Rain is a non-issue at 12 mm for the month, with about 23 sunny days and 11.4 hours of daylight to work with.
On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Phnom Penh at 7.8/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.
Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary.
February in Phnom Penh — workable with trade-offs
Trade-offs · 6.7/10February averages 30°C (86°F), so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
Expect 21 mm of rain — occasional showers rather than washed-out days — alongside about 22 sunny days and 11.6 daylight hours.
It scores 6.7/10 here, 3rd of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary.
March in Phnom Penh — workable with trade-offs
Trade-offs · 6.2/10March averages 31°C (88°F), so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
Rainfall runs 47 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 26 sunny days and 11.9 hours of daylight.
It scores 6.2/10 here, 4th of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a packable rain layer.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Phnom Penh — 1.6 points higher on the same scale.
April in Phnom Penh — workable with trade-offs
Trade-offs · 6.2/10April averages 32°C (90°F) at 60% humidity — genuinely punishing heat. Anything outdoors needs to happen before 10am.
Rainfall runs 46 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 24 sunny days and 12.3 hours of daylight.
It scores 6.2/10 here, 5th of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a packable rain layer.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Phnom Penh — 1.6 points higher on the same scale.
May in Phnom Penh — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 3.6/10May averages 30°C (87°F) with humidity around 71%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
At 154 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 21 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.
It scores 3.6/10 here, 8th of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Phnom Penh — 4.2 points higher on the same scale.
June in Phnom Penh — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 3.6/10June averages 29°C (83°F) with humidity around 81%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
210 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 22 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 3.6/10 here, 9th of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Phnom Penh — 4.2 points higher on the same scale.
July in Phnom Penh — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 3.3/10July averages 27°C (81°F) with humidity around 87%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
296 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 18 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 3.3/10 here, 11th of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Phnom Penh — 4.5 points higher on the same scale.
August in Phnom Penh — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 3.8/10August averages 28°C (82°F) with humidity around 86%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
At 194 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 22 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.
It scores 3.8/10 here, 7th of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Phnom Penh — 4 points higher on the same scale.
September in Phnom Penh — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 3.2/10September averages 27°C (81°F) with humidity around 88%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
258 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 16 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 3.2/10 here, 12th of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Phnom Penh — 4.6 points higher on the same scale.
October in Phnom Penh — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 3.4/10October averages 27°C (81°F) with humidity around 87%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
229 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 18 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 3.4/10 here, 10th of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Phnom Penh — 4.4 points higher on the same scale.
November in Phnom Penh — workable with trade-offs
Trade-offs · 5.2/10November averages 27°C (80°F) with humidity around 86%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
At 104 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 19 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.
It scores 5.2/10 here, 6th of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.
If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Phnom Penh — 2.6 points higher on the same scale.
December in Phnom Penh — reliably good (2nd best month)
Good · 7.7/10December averages 26°C (79°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.
Expect 26 mm of rain — occasional showers rather than washed-out days — alongside about 20 sunny days and 11.3 daylight hours.
It scores 7.7/10 here, 2nd of 12 months, against 7.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.
Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection.
