Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Cambodia Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Cambodia Property Pack
If you're wondering whether running an Airbnb in Siem Reap is worth it in 2026, you're not alone.
This guide covers everything from legal requirements and realistic earnings to seasonal trends and the best neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Cambodia's temple city.
We update this article regularly to reflect the latest data on occupancy rates, nightly prices, and market competition in Siem Reap.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Siem Reap.
Insights
- Siem Reap Airbnb occupancy averages just 28% to 35%, meaning most hosts only book 9 to 11 nights per month, which is notably lower than Phnom Penh or coastal destinations in Southeast Asia.
- The typical nightly rate for an Airbnb in Siem Reap sits around $45 to $65, but walkable locations near Wat Bo or the Old Market can command $10 to $25 more per night.
- Siem Reap's Airbnb market has between 800 and 1,300 active listings in January 2026, and the supply has grown faster than demand in recent years, making differentiation essential.
- High season (December to February) can bring in double the revenue of low season months like September, when bookings often drop to just 15% to 20% occupancy.
- Angkor Archaeological Park saw 955,000 foreign visitors in 2025, down 6.7% from 2024, which directly impacts Airbnb demand since most guests come specifically for the temples.
- Top-performing Siem Reap hosts achieve 40% to 50% occupancy by investing in professional photos, fast responses, and clear messaging about A/C quality and walkability.
- Monthly net profit for a typical self-managed Siem Reap Airbnb ranges from $100 to $550, meaning this market works best if your property purchase price is low.
- The white space opportunity in Siem Reap is not budget listings but rather the $70 to $110 per night segment aimed at couples seeking quiet, modern, and well-designed spaces.
- One-bedroom and compact two-bedroom units get the most bookings in Siem Reap because the dominant guest profile is couples and small friend groups visiting Angkor for 2 to 4 days.
- Electricity costs from heavy A/C use can swing your monthly expenses by $50 to $100, making energy efficiency a meaningful factor in Siem Reap Airbnb profitability.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Siem Reap in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting in Siem Reap is practically allowed and widely practiced, with hundreds of active listings across apartments, villas, and shophouses operating without significant enforcement issues.
Cambodia's legal framework treats paid accommodation as a tourism activity under the Ministry of Tourism, which means Airbnb hosts technically operate within the broader "tourism business" licensing concept rather than a dedicated short-term rental law.
The most important compliance consideration for Siem Reap hosts is ensuring proper tax reporting through the General Department of Taxation, since rental income is taxable at 10% for Cambodian residents and 14% for foreign owners.
While enforcement has historically been light for individual homeowners, the Cambodian government has signaled stricter tax compliance checks starting in 2025, so maintaining records and filing properly is becoming increasingly important.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Cambodia.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Cambodia.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Siem Reap as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Siem Reap does not impose any government-mandated minimum-stay requirements or maximum nights-per-year caps for short-term rentals, unlike many European cities that restrict Airbnb hosting to 90 or 120 nights annually.
These rules do not differ by property type or host residency status in Siem Reap, meaning both primary and secondary homes can be rented year-round without regulatory night limits, whether you're a Cambodian citizen or a foreign owner.
Many hosts voluntarily set minimum stays of 2 to 3 nights for commercial reasons, primarily to reduce turnover costs and cleaning frequency, but this is a business decision rather than a legal requirement.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Siem Reap right now?
There is no residency requirement for operating an Airbnb in Siem Reap, meaning you do not need to live in the property or even in Cambodia to legally rent it out on a short-term basis.
Secondary homes and investment properties can be legally operated as short-term rentals in Siem Reap, and the market clearly supports this, with many entire-home listings run by owners who manage remotely or through local property managers.
No additional permits are required specifically for non-primary residence rentals, though the same tax obligations apply regardless of whether you live in the property or not.
The main practical difference between renting a primary residence versus a secondary home is operational: managing a property remotely typically requires hiring a local cleaner, key handoff person, or property management company, which adds to your monthly costs.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Siem Reap
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Siem Reap right now?
Running multiple Airbnb listings under one name is practically possible in Siem Reap, and portfolio-style hosts are clearly present in the market based on STR data showing multi-property operators.
There is no published maximum number of properties that one person or entity can list for short-term rental in Siem Reap, though scaling beyond a few units makes your operation look more like a formal accommodation business.
Once you operate multiple listings, proper business registration and clean bookkeeping become more important, both for tax compliance and to avoid scrutiny if Cambodia tightens enforcement on tourism accommodation businesses.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Siem Reap as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Cambodia does not have a dedicated "Airbnb license" or STR-specific permit, but the tourism legal framework treats accommodation providers as licensable tourism businesses through the Ministry of Tourism.
For individual hosts with one or two properties, the practical reality is that most operate without formal tourism business registration, though this does not exempt them from tax obligations on rental income.
If you want to operate fully above board, you would register with the General Department of Taxation for tax purposes, and potentially seek guidance from the Ministry of Tourism if you want formal recognition as an accommodation provider.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Siem Reap as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are no outright neighborhood bans on Airbnb in Siem Reap, but areas connected to the Angkor protected region have additional oversight from APSARA National Authority, which manages conservation and development around the temples.
The zones most likely to face stricter scrutiny include properties along the Charles de Gaulle Boulevard corridor, temple-adjacent areas, and any land within APSARA's managed Angkor region, where construction, renovation, and commercial activities may require approvals.
The main reason these zones carry extra sensitivity is cultural heritage protection: APSARA's mandate is to preserve the Angkor archaeological site, and any commercial tourism activity near protected areas receives closer attention than properties in central Siem Reap town.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Cambodia compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Siem Reap in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Siem Reap is approximately $60 to $75 (around 245,000 to 305,000 Cambodian riel or 55 to 70 euros), while the median sits lower at roughly $45 to $60 for a typical entire-place listing.
The realistic price range covering about 80% of Siem Reap listings runs from $25 to $110 per night, with budget rooms at the low end and well-appointed pool villas at the top.
The single biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Siem Reap is walkability to the Old Market and Pub Street area: properties within a 10-minute walk consistently command $15 to $30 more per night than comparable units in outer neighborhoods.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Siem Reap.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly Airbnb prices in Siem Reap can vary by $20 to $40 (80,000 to 165,000 riel or 18 to 37 euros) between the most expensive neighborhoods like Wat Bo and Taphul Village versus more affordable outer areas like Slor Kram or far Sok San Road.
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Siem Reap are Wat Bo, Old Market/Pub Street (Psar Chas), and Taphul Village, where walkability and nightlife proximity push rates to $65 to $100 per night for nice properties.
The neighborhoods with lower average prices include outer Sala Kamreuk, far Slor Kram, and suburban pockets beyond the central core, where nightly rates often sit around $35 to $55, though guests still book these areas for their quieter atmosphere and value.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Siem Reap is approximately 28% to 35%, which translates to roughly 8 to 11 booked nights per month for an average host.
The realistic occupancy range covering most Siem Reap listings runs from about 20% for underperforming properties to 45% for well-optimized ones, with top-quartile hosts occasionally reaching 50% during peak season.
Compared to other Southeast Asian destinations, Siem Reap's occupancy is notably lower than Bali, Bangkok, or Phnom Penh, largely because the city depends heavily on Angkor temple tourism and has significant seasonality.
The single biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy in Siem Reap is listing quality: professional photos, fast response times, clear A/C and hot water messaging, and early reviews make a substantial difference in a competitive market.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Siem Reap is approximately $500 to $700 (2 to 2.9 million riel or 460 to 645 euros), though this varies significantly based on property type, location, and host performance.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering about 80% of Siem Reap listings runs from $250 to $1,200 per month, with basic apartments at the low end and well-reviewed villas with pools at the top.
Top-performing listings in Siem Reap can achieve $1,200 to $1,800 monthly during peak season, particularly pool villas in walkable locations with strong reviews. Using base-case math of $70 ADR and 40% occupancy over 30 days, a strong listing could earn approximately $840 per month.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Siem Reap.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, a typical Siem Reap Airbnb can earn $650 to $1,100 (2.6 to 4.5 million riel or 600 to 1,000 euros) monthly during high season, compared to just $250 to $550 during the weakest low-season months, representing a swing of roughly 50% to 60%.
High season in Siem Reap runs from December through February, when cool, dry weather aligns with holiday travel, while low season stretches from roughly April through September, with September often being the weakest month due to heavy monsoon rains and reduced tourist arrivals.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for an Airbnb in Siem Reap range from $180 to $450 (735,000 to 1.8 million riel or 165 to 415 euros) for self-managed apartments, up to $350 to $1,200 for villas with pools and gardens.
The single largest expense category for most Siem Reap Airbnb hosts is electricity, particularly because of heavy air conditioning use in Cambodia's tropical climate, which can run $60 to $150 per month depending on guest usage and unit size.
As a rule of thumb, Siem Reap hosts should expect to spend 35% to 55% of gross revenue on operating expenses, with the higher end applying to villa properties with pools, gardens, and professional property management.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Siem Reap.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for an Airbnb in Siem Reap ranges from $100 to $550 (410,000 to 2.2 million riel or 90 to 505 euros) for a typical listing, with profit per available night averaging $3 to $18 depending on performance.
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most Siem Reap listings runs from near break-even (around $50 to $150) for underperforming properties to $400 to $700 for well-optimized listings in good locations.
Typical net profit margins for Siem Reap Airbnb hosts land between 30% and 50% of gross revenue, with self-managed apartment hosts at the higher end and villa owners with property managers at the lower end.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Siem Reap listing with $300 monthly expenses and $65 ADR is approximately 15% to 18%, meaning you need roughly 5 to 6 booked nights per month just to cover costs.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Siem Reap, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Cambodia versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Siem Reap as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Siem Reap as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Siem Reap has approximately 800 to 1,300 active Airbnb listings, with the range reflecting different vendor definitions of "active" (some count any listed property, others only those with recent bookings).
Listing counts in Siem Reap have grown over the past several years as post-pandemic tourism recovered, though the growth has slowed recently as occupancy rates remain moderate and the market becomes more competitive for new entrants.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Siem Reap as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Siem Reap are Old Market/Pub Street (Psar Chas), Wat Bo, Taphul Village, and central Svay Dangkum, where the concentration of listings is highest relative to the available demand.
These neighborhoods are saturated because they sit at the intersection of walkability, nightlife, and first-time visitor preferences, meaning every new host naturally gravitates toward these areas, creating intense competition for the same guest segment.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods that may offer better opportunities for new hosts include Sala Kamreuk (still accessible but quieter), Slor Kram (value positioning), and areas near the new Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport for guests with early flights or longer stays.
What local events spike demand in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main events that spike Airbnb demand in Siem Reap include the Angkor Ultra-Trail (January 24-25, 2026), Khmer New Year/Angkor Sangkran (typically April 14-16), and the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon (early December), plus ongoing cultural events at the Angkor temples.
During these peak events, bookings can increase by 30% to 60% and nightly rates often jump by 20% to 50%, particularly for properties close to the temple circuit or with easy access to event start points.
Hosts in Siem Reap should adjust pricing and minimum-stay settings at least 6 to 8 weeks before major events, as experienced travelers often book accommodations early, and dynamic pricing tools can help capture the demand spike without leaving money on the table.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Siem Reap achieve approximately 40% to 50% occupancy, which translates to 12 to 15 booked nights per month.
Average hosts in Siem Reap typically see 25% to 35% occupancy, meaning top performers book roughly 40% to 60% more nights than their average competitors, which compounds into significantly higher annual revenue.
For a new host in Siem Reap, reaching top-performer occupancy levels typically takes 3 to 6 months, assuming you invest in quality photos, respond quickly to inquiries, accumulate early reviews, and price competitively during your launch period.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Siem Reap.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Siem Reap right now?
The most crowded nightly price range in Siem Reap is $25 to $60 (100,000 to 245,000 riel or 23 to 55 euros), where budget travelers, backpackers, and value-conscious couples concentrate, creating intense competition among basic apartments, older shophouses, and simple rooms.
White space opportunities for new hosts in Siem Reap exist at $70 to $110 per night (285,000 to 450,000 riel or 64 to 100 euros), targeting couples seeking quiet, well-designed spaces with strong A/C, modern interiors, and a "boutique hotel feel" without boutique hotel prices.
To compete successfully in this underserved segment, a new host would need modern design and furnishings, excellent bedding, truly quiet location (away from Pub Street noise), professional photography, and clear messaging about comfort and cleanliness rather than competing on price alone.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Siem Reap right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Siem Reap as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, studios and one-bedroom units get the most bookings in Siem Reap, followed closely by compact two-bedroom properties, because the dominant guest profile is couples and small friend groups visiting Angkor for short stays of 2 to 4 days.
The estimated booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Siem Reap runs roughly 35% to 40% for studios/1BR, 30% to 35% for 2BR, and 25% to 30% for 3BR+ properties, with larger villas having lower occupancy but higher revenue per booking.
One-bedroom units perform best in Siem Reap specifically because the city is a destination rather than a hub: most visitors come solely for Angkor temples, stay briefly, travel as couples or pairs of friends, and prioritize location and cleanliness over space.
What property type performs best in Siem Reap in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, apartments and serviced apartments in walkable central locations tend to perform best for consistent occupancy in Siem Reap, while pool villas lead for revenue per booking but with more volatile occupancy.
Occupancy rates across property types in Siem Reap typically run: apartments/condos at 30% to 40%, shophouses/townhouses at 28% to 35%, standalone houses at 25% to 32%, and villas at 22% to 30%, with the trade-off being that villas command significantly higher nightly rates.
Apartments outperform in Siem Reap because they offer the lowest operational complexity (no pool, no garden), can be priced competitively for the couples market, and benefit most from walkable central locations that guests prioritize for short temple-focused trips.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Siem Reap, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia Ministry of Tourism Statistics Report | It's the primary government dataset for inbound and domestic tourism counts in Cambodia. | We used it to anchor demand trends for Siem Reap, verifying whether tourism is rising or falling heading into 2026. We treated it as the macro reality check against STR platform estimates. |
| Cambodia Ministry of Tourism Law Page | It's the official ministry page referencing Cambodia's tourism legal framework and licensing concepts. | We used it to ground what "licensed tourism business" means in Cambodia. We framed Airbnb legality through the lens of accommodation as a tourism activity. |
| General Department of Taxation Cambodia | It's Cambodia's official tax authority responsible for filings, deadlines, and enforcement. | We used it to confirm that rental and hosting income is taxable and administered by GDT. We supported compliance language about registration and filing obligations. |
| National Bank of Cambodia Exchange Rate | It's Cambodia's central bank publishing official daily exchange rates. | We used it to convert Khmer riel expenses and income into USD consistently. We kept January 2026 currency conversions accurate and current. |
| KPMG TaxNewsFlash Cambodia | KPMG is a major global tax advisory firm that cites specific prakas and effective dates. | We used it to confirm Cambodia's post-2023 taxation update timeline and the effective 2025 enforcement shift. We cross-checked that tax administration is tightening, not loosening. |
| DFDL Legal Tax Update | DFDL is a long-established regional law firm specializing in Southeast Asian tax and legal matters. | We used it to highlight that property rental arrangements have explicit tax administration rules. We framed how withholding and notifications apply in rental income scenarios. |
| AirDNA Siem Reap Overview | AirDNA is a recognized STR analytics provider with an established methodology used across the industry. | We used it to triangulate ADR and occupancy directionally for Siem Reap. We treated it as platform-market data and cross-checked against other STR datasets. |
| AirROI Siem Reap Market Report | AirROI is a specialized STR analytics publisher providing transparent headline KPIs and seasonality data. | We used it to estimate typical earnings and seasonality patterns for Siem Reap. We treated it as a second benchmark against AirDNA and Airbtics. |
| Airbtics Siem Reap Revenue Stats | Airbtics is another recognized STR data provider publishing market KPIs and listing counts. | We used it as the third point in our STR triangulation for ADR, occupancy, and listing counts. We set confident estimate ranges rather than trusting any single vendor. |
| APSARA National Authority | APSARA is the official authority managing the Angkor region and archaeological park area. | We used it to flag that zones around Angkor have extra oversight and constraints. We supported the restricted zones discussion for hosts near protected areas. |
| Angkor Ultra-Trail Official Site | It's the organizer's official page for a major annual Siem Reap sporting event. | We used it to identify a concrete dated demand spike in January 2026. We cited it as a real-world driver of short, sharp occupancy boosts. |
| Angkor Wat International Half Marathon | It's an official event page by a recognized organizer, not a scraped listing. | We used it as evidence of recurring annual event-driven demand in Siem Reap. We justified event weekend pricing power for hosts. |
| GlobalPetrolPrices Cambodia | It's a widely-referenced energy price database with transparent methodology. | We used it to benchmark Cambodia electricity costs for expense modeling. We anchored the largest variable expense category with a published benchmark. |
| IPS Cambodia Airbnb Hosting Guide | IPS is a long-established Cambodia real estate agency with local market expertise. | We used it to validate practical hosting requirements in Cambodia. We cross-referenced their guidance on permits and taxes with official sources. |
| CBRE Cambodia Property Tax Guide | CBRE is a global commercial real estate services firm with authoritative local market knowledge. | We used it to confirm property tax rates and compliance requirements. We validated rental income tax calculations against their published guidance. |
| Realestate.com.kh Property Tax Guide | It's Cambodia's leading property portal with comprehensive tax and market information. | We used it to cross-reference property tax rates and enforcement trends. We validated the 10% rental income tax rate and compliance timeline. |
| IMF Technical Assistance Report on Cambodia RPPI | The IMF is a top-tier international organization providing methods-focused analysis on Cambodia's housing price index. | We used it to sanity-check how official housing price signals are constructed in Cambodia. We avoided overstating precision in city-level price growth estimates. |
| Travel and Tour World Angkor Tourism Report | It's a recognized travel industry publication reporting on official Angkor Enterprise data. | We used it to validate 2025 visitor numbers for Angkor Archaeological Park. We confirmed the 6.7% decline in foreign visitors that impacts Airbnb demand. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Cambodia. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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