Country guide

    Cambodia essentials

    Visa & entry

    Cambodia offers visa exemption for ASEAN nationals under bilateral and regional agreements, plus visa-free entry for some neighboring-country border arrangements; most other travelers need an e-Visa, visa on arrival, or a visa from a Cambodian embassy/consulate. All travelers can submit the Cambodia e-Arrival within 7 days before arrival or on arrival, free of charge.

    Visa exemption

    14 days
    9 countries
    Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines…
    30 days
    1 countries
    Some border-area travelers from neighboring countries under bilateral border agreements
    Diplomatic/official passport exemptions
    6 countries
    India, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, and other countries with bilateral diplomatic/official passport agreements

    Main visa types

    e-Visa (Tourist / Ordinary)

    Apply online through Cambodia's official e-Visa system before travel.

    Visa on Arrival

    Apply at the airport or border checkpoint on arrival with passport, photo, and fee.

    Embassy / Consular Visa

    Apply at a Cambodian embassy or consulate with the required supporting documents.

    Ordinary Visa (E-class) / Extensions

    Apply through the relevant Cambodian immigration or authorized visa service channels after arrival.
    Good to know. Visa exemption rules depend on nationality, passport type, and purpose of travel. Many exemptions apply only to ordinary passports from ASEAN countries or only to diplomatic/official/service passports. Passport validity and entry-point rules may apply under bilateral agreements. Check the Cambodian embassy or official immigration sources for your exact nationality before travel.

    Customs

    Declare honestly if you exceed traveler allowances or carry restricted goods. Cambodia allows limited duty-free personal items, but prohibited and restricted goods can be seized and penalties may apply.

    Alcohol

    Up to 2 liters total for passengers; allowance does not apply to travelers under 18.

    Tobacco

    Up to 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco; allowance does not apply to travelers under 18.

    Goods

    Reasonable quantities of personal belongings and travel devices for non-commercial use; goods above the allowance should be declared.

    Perfume

    Up to 350 milliliters of perfume and cosmetics.

    Prohibited / restricted

    FoodDrugs & Prohibited SubstancesWeaponsCounterfeit Goods
    Must declare. Cash Declaration · High-Value Items · Restricted Goods

    When to go

    Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are hot most of the year, while the coast around Sihanoukville, Kep, Kampot, and Koh Kong is more affected by sea conditions and heavy rain in the wet season. The dry season runs roughly November to April, and the wet season roughly May to October.

    Jan
    $ HighCrowd High
    Hanoi 22 → 31°C
    Feb
    $ HighCrowd High
    Hanoi 24 → 33°C
    Mar
    $ MediumCrowd Medium
    Hanoi 26 → 35°C
    Apr
    $ MediumCrowd High
    Hanoi 27 → 36°C
    May
    $ LowCrowd Low
    Hanoi 26 → 35°C
    Jun
    $ LowCrowd Low
    Hanoi 26 → 34°C
    Jul
    $ LowCrowd Low
    Hanoi 25 → 33°C
    Aug
    $ LowCrowd Low
    Hanoi 25 → 33°C
    Sep
    $ LowCrowd Low
    Hanoi 25 → 32°C
    Oct
    $ MediumCrowd Medium
    Hanoi 24 → 31°C
    Nov
    $ HighCrowd High
    Hanoi 23 → 31°C
    Dec
    $ HighCrowd High
    Hanoi 22 → 30°C

    Currency & costs

    1 USD ≈ 4,012 KHRCambodian Riel (KHR) · 14 banknotes in circulation

    Daily budget

    Budget Traveler (Daily)

    $25–50 (≈ 100,300–200,600 KHR)

    Mid-Range Traveler (Daily)

    $60–100 (≈ 240,700–401,200 KHR)
    Payment. Cambodia is highly dollarized, so USD cash is widely accepted alongside Khmer riel. Use clean, undamaged US bills, especially for larger payments. Riel is commonly used for small change and local purchases. Coins are rarely used in everyday travel spending. ATMs are widely available in cities, but many charge withdrawal fees, so take out larger amounts less often. Card acceptance is improving in hotels, restaurants, and tourist businesses, but cash is still essential for markets, tuk-tuks, and street food.

    Language

    Khmer (Cambodian). English is widely used in tourist areas and major cities, but less common in rural areas. Language & Communication Guide

    Handy phrases

    ជំរាបសួរjom reab suorHello
    អរគុណaw kunThank you
    សូមទោសsohm toahExcuse me / Sorry
    ប៉ុន្មាន?bon man?How much?
    ថ្លៃពេកtlai pekToo expensive
    បានbaanYes / Okay
    ទេtehNo
    ខ្ញុំមិនយល់ទេkhnhom min yol tehI don't understand
    បង្គន់នៅឯណា?bangkon nov ae na?Where is the toilet?
    ជួយខ្ញុំបានទេ?chhuoy khnhom baan teh?Can you help me?
    ខ្ញុំចង់បាននេះkhnhom chong baan nihI want this
    សូមបញ្ចុះតម្លៃsohm banchoh tamlaiPlease give a discount
    ទៅកាន់ទីនេះtow kan ti nihGo here
    ខ្ញុំត្រូវការទឹកkhnhom trov ka tukI need water

    Power & plugs

    230V · 50 HzNationwide

    Plug types

    Type AType CType G
    Bring a universal travel adapter that supports Type A, C, and G plugs. For single-voltage 110V appliances, use a voltage converter. For grounded devices, check that the adapter supports grounding; many Cambodian sockets are universal but not all provide full grounding.

    Essential apps

    G
    Grab
    The most useful super app in Cambodia for solo travelers: book rides, order food, and arrange deliveries with upfront pricing in major cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
    P
    PassApp
    Cambodia’s leading local ride-hailing app for tuk-tuks, taxis, and airport transfers. Very useful when Grab coverage is limited or you want a local driver.
    A
    ABA Mobile
    One of Cambodia’s most important banking apps for cashless travel, QR payments, transfers, and bill payments. Widely accepted by merchants and useful for topping up and paying locally.
    W
    Wing Bank
    A major Cambodian e-wallet and banking app for sending money, paying bills, topping up phones, and making QR payments across the country.
    G
    Google Maps
    Essential for navigation in Cambodia. Use offline maps for areas with weak signal and to find restaurants, hotels, ATMs, and attractions.
    W
    WhatsApp
    A must-have for contacting hotels, guesthouses, tour operators, and new friends. Many businesses in Cambodia respond faster on WhatsApp than by email.
    T
    Telegram
    Popular for group chats, local communities, and tour coordination. Handy for solo travelers joining day trips, hostel groups, and local deal channels.
    T
    Trip.com
    Useful for booking flights, hotels, trains, airport transfers, and attractions across Asia, often offering competitive prices and multilingual customer support.

    Getting around

    Ride-Hailing Apps (Grab / PassApp)

    Best for Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and other major cities. App-based fares are usually clearer than street haggling, and Grab Cambodia officially offers transport booking in the country. PassApp is widely used locally for tuk-tuks and cars.

    Train (Royal Railway Cambodia)

    Cambodia's only passenger rail service. Slower than buses, but useful for a more relaxed trip and for avoiding road traffic on certain routes.

    Intercity Bus / Minivan

    The main way to travel between provinces. Good coverage, frequent departures, and usually the cheapest long-distance option. BookMeBus is a major Cambodian ticketing platform for buses, vans, ferries, and private taxis.

    Private Taxi / Shared Taxi

    Useful for door-to-door travel, airport transfers, and groups of 2-4. Often bookable through apps or ticketing platforms, and can be faster than buses on flexible schedules.

    Domestic Flights

    Best for saving time on longer trips or when connecting Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. Useful if you want to avoid long road journeys.

    Tuk-Tuk

    The most practical short-distance option for sightseeing, markets, and local errands. Always confirm the fare before starting if you are not using an app.

    Motorbike Rental

    Popular for independent travelers in tourist areas, but road safety can be challenging. Best for short local use if you are experienced.

    Boat / Ferry

    Useful on some river and lake routes and for certain cross-water connections. Availability is seasonal and route-dependent, so check schedules in advance.

    Safety & health

    Use Caution · Level

    Cambodia is generally manageable for travelers, but solo visitors should take extra care with street crime, road safety, landmines in remote border areas, and mosquito-borne illness risks.

    Crime & Security

    55/100

    Health & Medical

    50/100

    Natural Disasters & Environment

    40/100

    Traffic & Transportation

    85/100

    Emergency contacts

    Police (National Police Hotline)
    117
    Fire & Rescue
    118
    Medical Emergency / Ambulance
    119

    Practical hacks

    Free WiFi

    Cafes, hotels, malls, Grab pickup points. Ask for the WiFi password at the counter; many places share it on the receipt or a wall sign.

    Cashless Payments

    KHQR / Bakong at many shops and restaurants. Scan the merchant QR with a supported banking or wallet app when available; keep cash as backup.

    Ride-Hailing

    Grab in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and other cities. Use the app for upfront pricing instead of negotiating with tuk-tuks at tourist hotspots.