Ultimate Guide to Thailand and Cambodia with Kids

Exotic Thailand and Cambodia both represent countries of remarkable beauty with rich cultural legacies. From ancient monuments to cascading waterfalls and towering Buddhist statues, few regions prove better for adventure trips for families. Why? Because locals are warm and hospitable, and they love children. What’s more, your kids will love Southeast Asia’s lush landscapes, incredible biodiversity, and rich cultural heritage.

Sandy beaches, perfumed floating markets, and urban centers where mischievous monkeys reign are just the start. Come along on an unforgettable adventure to the heart of Southeast Asia.

Ready to learn more about traveling Thailand and Cambodia with kids? Read on for our ultimate family travel guide.

Why You’ll Love Traveling Thailand and Cambodia with Kids

The sister nations of Thailand and Cambodia boast relaxing beach resorts, some of the most impressive archaeological complexes in the world, and a wealth of delicious cuisine. To give you the full experience, our tour includes a bike ride along the Spice Route trails, a longtail boat cruise through a maze of canals, and a visit to the iconic temple complex of Angkor Wat.

You’ll also have the chance to care for pregnant elephants and their babies at Patara Elephant Farm, take a trek to a hill-tribe village to connect with locals, and visit Phare the Cambodian Circus.

When to Visit Southeast Asia

High Season: November to April

Dry Season: November to April, January usually has the least rainy days

Rainy Season: May or June to October

Optimal Travel Times: The dry season is also the peak time for visiting Cambodia and Thailand. The wet season comes with heavy monsoon rains that create lots of mud and can impact transportation. It also magnifies the mosquito issue. June remains a great time to travel as the wet season is not yet in full swing yet tourist crowds tend to subside this time of year.

Thailand and Cambodia for Kids: FAQs

Thailand

Capital: Bangkok

Time: ICT (Indochina Time), UTC/GMT +7 hours

Language: Thai

Voltage: 220 v

Adapter: Type O for US appliances

Cambodia

Capital: Phnom Penh

Time: ICT (Indochina Time), UTC/GMT +7 hours

Language: Khmer

Voltage: 230 v

Adapter: Type A, C for US appliances

Visas for Your Southeast Asia Family Trip

Thailand

If you’re an American, Canadian, or European citizen traveling on a tourist passport and have an onward or return ticket, you can enter Thailand visa-free. That said, your passport must be valid for six months from the time you enter the country. Upon arrival you’ll receive a stamp that allows you to stay in Thailand for thirty days. To extend this, you’ll need to visit the Thai Immigration Bureau and pay a fee of 1,900 baht (approximately $59).

Thailand also permits visa-free travel to citizens of countries with which it holds a bilateral agreement. But the length of your stay will depend on your country of origin. Find out more about Thailand’s visa exemption rule. Contact your nearest Thai embassy or consulate for up-to-date visa information based on your nationality. If you do need to apply for a Thai visa, then we highly recommend iVisa for a fast, affordable turnaround time.

Cambodia

Visitors to Cambodia need a valid passport as well as a visa. These are obtainable upon arrival from Cambodia’s international airports in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. During land crossings into the nation, you can also get a visa at any International Check Point border. But visitors have reported scams at some border crossings where they get overcharged for visas.

The far better approach is to secure your family’s visas in advance. Contact your nearest Cambodian embassy or consulate for up-to-date visa information based on your nationality. To apply for a Cambodian visa in advance, work with iVisa to ensure a fast, affordable turnaround time.

Health & Vaccinations

Make sure you and your family are up-to-date on routine immunizations prior to any family vacation. These should include the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your annual flu shot. All visitors should have travel insurance that covers medical expenses. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever are also recommended. Check with your doctor before travel.

Use a quality mosquito repellant to avoid bites, which can transfer illness such as dengue fever. The dengue fever vaccination is currently only recommended for those who’ve experienced the fever before.

Getting There

Thailand

International flights frequent Bangkok, Thailand’s two international airports, Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Meung Airport. Suvarnabhumi is the larger and newer of the two airports and sees most international traffic. Don Meung serves a high volume of domestic flights as well as some international flights from budget carriers.

Flight time from New York to Bangkok: approximately 18 to 19 hours with at least one layover

Cambodia

Cambodia has about 12 different overland border crossings with neighboring nations including Thailand. Or, you can take a flight to the capital, Phnom Penh, which proves affordable and convenient. Flying into Siem Reap is also a budget-friendly option for those most interested in seeing Angkor Wat. What’s more, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are connected via speedboat and bus (approximately 5-6 hours).  

Currency in Thailand and Cambodia

Thailand

Thailand’s official currency is the Baht (THB), and it’s generally issued in notes of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 Baht. Because the Baht contains the image of the king, treat these bills with respect. For example, placing bills in your back pocket is generally frowned upon because you risk sitting on the king’s image. Other forms of currency are not generally used in Thailand.

Cambodia

Cambodia’s official currency is the riel (KHR). But you’ll also find Thai baht used in some places along the border as well as American dollars widely circulated and accepted.

Things to Keep in Mind

Credit-card fraud can be a problem in parts of Southeast Asia. Use cash as much as possible and avoid the use of debit cards for point-of-sale transactions. When using a credit card, make sure it’s not linked directly to your bank account. Always monitor for suspicious charges, and never let vendors take your card out of your sight to run it.

What to Eat in Thailand and Cambodia with Kids

From delectable curries to exotic fruits and vegetables, you and your family find plenty of delicious cuisine to sample on your Thailand and Cambodia adventure. Read on to find out more about Southeast Asia’s must-try foods for kids:

• Thailand for Children: Staple Snacks and Treats for Picky Eaters
• From Exotic Fruits to Coconut Curries: What to Eat on a Family Trip to Cambodia

Safety in Thailand and Cambodia

Among your biggest safety concerns in Cambodia and Thailand are road accidents, particularly involving motorcycles or motorbikes. Should you opt to travel this way, always wear a helmet and exercise extreme caution on roadways. Pickpocketing and theft can also be an issue, so keep your eyes open and stay wary of overly nice locals. Violence against tourists proves very rare. But in Cambodia, stay on official trails and pathways. Land mines from 20th-century conflicts still mark a clear hazard. Read more about safety in Thailand and safety in Cambodia.

Dress for Thailand and Cambodia      

Prepare for heat and humidity in Southeast Asia. Pack clothes in muted colors and wrinkle-free, quick-drying fabrics that you can easily rinse out and line dry. You should also invest in a lightweight travel scarf, which can serve as a headscarf should you decide to enter a temple and need to cover up. A quality sarong is also a great piece that lets you transition from beach to traversing cities and monuments with ease.  

Although counterintuitive, don’t forget a couple of long sleeve shirts and pants and always opt for loose-fitting clothes in breathable fabrics. A maxi dress represents another great option that allows you to stay modest yet cool. Comfortable walking shoes that can handle short jungle hikes prove a must, too. For more on what to bring, check out our ultimate pack-and-go checklist.

Adventure Awaits Your Family in Thailand and Cambodia

Check out our past blog posts on Thailand:

• 8 Interesting Facts About Thailand
• Thailand with Kids: A Trip to a Floating Market 
• Adventure Travel with Kids: Thailand and Cambodia
• Country Spotlight: 5 Kid-Friendly Ways to Learn About Thailand
• How to Teach Ethical Travel to Our Kids

Want to find out more about traveling to Cambodia with kids? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of our latest blog posts:

• From Buddhist Monks to Hindu Temples: Cambodian Culture for Family Travelers
• 8 Interesting Facts About Cambodia
• Cambodia with Kids: Exploring Buddhism’s Legacy
• Cambodian Culture for Kids: Celebrating Pchum Ben
• Cambodia with Kids: 5 Tips for Visiting Angkor Wat
• 8 Interesting Facts About Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Family Adventure that Makes the World a Better Place

At Our Whole Village, we believe family adventure travel can have a positive impact on the communities that we visit. This philosophy guides us to carefully consider the consequences our journeys have on local communities and the environment. We work hard to ensure that your next exhilarating family journey with us leaves the world a better place. We also remain passionate about crafting immersive, authentic experiences to make raising good global citizens a little easier.

How? By working with charities and organizations that give back to local communities such as the Patara Elephant Farm, and Phare the Cambodian Circus. We also carefully select the eco-friendly businesses and hotels that we visit in order to lessen our “footprint” and guarantee a brighter future for these destinations. Want to read more about our “kind” approach to tourism? Check out these articles:

• Family Adventures that Change the World
• How to Teach Ethical Travel to Our Kids

Book a Family Holiday to Thailand and Cambodia 

With our Thailand and Cambodia Family Adventure, we’ve built the perfect all-inclusive experience. What does that mean for you and your family? We’ll manage every detail of your Southeast Asia trip so that you can focus on the important things like making unforgettable memories together.

We know firsthand that travel with kids doesn’t have to be stressful and have worked hard to craft a specific package for families that takes the guesswork out of travel in Asia. This includes everything from pick up (and drop off) at the airport to hotel accommodations, excursions, meals, and more.

We’ve left nothing to chance. So, all you have to do is focus on your flights to and from Bangkok. Then, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime into the heart of Southeast Asia. Check out the full itinerary now.  

Ready for Your Thailand and Cambodia Family Adventure?

Are you and your family ready for the family adventure of a lifetime? Join us on our upcoming 13-Day Thailand and Cambodia Family Adventure, an immersive, authentic way to experience Thailand and Cambodia with kids.

At Our Whole Village, we create transformational trips for curious families who want to create lasting memories while making a difference. We’re here to help you and your family experience the world, its peoples, and its cultures. Contact us today to learn more about the unforgettable experiences that we handcraft for curious families just like yours.

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