Cambodia

Cambodia is an incredible country in southeast Asia. Full of history, culture and natural beauty, Cambodia has long been a part of the backpacking trail. The stunning ancient temple cities near Siem Reap house Angkor Wat, one of the ‘Wonders of the World’ and the largest religious structure on  earth.

Cambodia is a country with a turbulent and tragic past, having suffered through a bloody civil war and genocide, but nowadays is striding forwards: embracing its natural beauty, rich history and delicious cuisine. From the ruins, to the bustling capital of Phnom Penh and the seafood, beaches and islands of the south, Cambodia has something wonderful to offer for any kind of traveller.

We have visited Cambodia twice now and wrote our guides so that you can have the best experience with whatever time you have in this amazing country.

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Useful Cambodian Information - Know Before You Go

Population: 17,121,847 (as of 2024)

Capital City : Phnom Penh

Language: Khmer (with many local dialects)

Currency of Cambodia

Cambodian Riel (KHR) & United States Dollar (USD)

Current conversion from KHR to GDP

Cambodia is an oddity in Southeast Asia as it accepts two currencies everywhere. The official national currency, the riel and the United States dollar. The Cambodia Riel is (unofficially) pegged to the USD at 4100 riel to the dollar.If you need to break largenotes into smaller denominations, look for a ‘Wing’ shop. They seemed to be on every street with a bright green and white sign. They will happily change your $100 notes into smaller ones or even do a little conversion to riel for you.

An important thing to remember when using USD in Cambodia is that the notes have to be perfect. Any wrinkle, tear or crease will likely mean that the note is not accepted. When you get USD in change make sure it is in perfect condition.

Cambodia Visas

UK citizens can get a visa on arrival for 30 days at international airports and land borders. This will cost $30. This visa can be extended for another 30 days but costs another $50 dollars to do so. You can apply for a visa in advance using the Cambodian e-visa scheme. Just follow the instructions on their website here. If you have not got an e-visa you can pay for a visa on arrival at the border. The cost is the same but you will need to queue and get it processed which may take a while.

When entering Cambodia you will need to fill out a declaration form, you can either do this via the fancy new app (find it on Android here or IOS here) or as a physical copy.

Emergency Numbers in Cambodia

Police -117

The police on this number may or may not speak English. In Siem Reap you can call the tourist police on 012 402 424. In Phnom Penh the tourist police number is 012 942 484.

Ambulance / Emergency - 119

Phnom Penh only! - Outside of the capital you will need to call a hospital directly! You can also try 023 723 840. Speak with your accommodation for a list of local numbers.

Fire and Rescue - 118

Cambodian Dial Code

+855 - For numbers starting with “0” drop the first “0” when using +855

Cambodian SIM Cards and eSIMs

Sim cards are pretty cheap and readily available in Cambodia. We used the Smart network for our Cambodian stay and never seemed to drop out of coverage or data.

Smart Sims come with an app to manage your data (very cheap) and balance. The only wrinkle is that you cannot use a foreign credit or debit card to top up or renew your balance. This is easily overcome however as any mobile shop on the street can sell you a top up card or will just top you up directly.

For those who want an easier option, or like things sorted in advance check out an eSIM. Getting a Cambodian eSIM is easy and can be done entirely online before you even travel - Click here to get one for yourself.

Withdrawing Money - Cambodian ATMs

Cambodia runs on cash. Outside large 7-11 purchases and higher end hostels and hotels, your card won't get you far. You will need to use ATMs. Cambodian ATMS charge per transaction. Ranging from between $4.00 and $7.00, these ATM fees mean that it is better to withdraw large amounts but less often. You do not want to be charged $5.00 to withdraw $10.00!

Cambodian ATMs nearly all dispense both USD and riel, they will ask you which you want before you select the amount.

Getting Around Cambodia - Buses, Trains, Scooters and Taxis

Cambodia by Bus

All the major tourist towns are connected by direct buses. The most you may have to do is change in Phnom Penh. We easily jumped from Battambang to Siem Reap then all the way down to Kampot and back up to Phnom Penh, all on direct buses. We would recommend booking in advance if you are travelling in the high season as seats on the popular route will sell out quickly. We used 12Go to book most of our transport in Cambodia.

Cambodia by Train

There are three operational train lines in Cambodia. All train routes start in Phnom Penh.  They are:

Phnom Penh - Phnom Penh International Airport.

Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville (via Takeo and Kampot)

Phnom Penh - Battambang (via Pursat)

The trains are not very frequent with most running once a day from the capital. Check with the local station for the exact timings.

Getting around the towns and cities of Cambodia

If you need transport within a town or city, you can hop in a taxi, tuk-tuk or Cambodian remorque (think a horse and cart but replace the horse with a motorbike).  Any of the taxi options can be summoned by the Grab App or the Cambodian PassApp. You can easily hail taxis from the street in the main towns and cities, just make sure you set a price before setting off.

Scooter Rental in Cambodia

You can rent a scooter from nearly anywhere in Cambodia, just ask your accommodation. The price is typically very cheap ranging from $4-7 dollars a day (not including petrol). All the usual warnings apply when renting a scooter: don't drive if you are not confident, make sure you get a helmet, make sure you have good travel / medical insurance.

Seasons in Cambodia - When is the best time to visit?

The dry season in Cambodia runs from November to May, during this time you will get less rainfall, more sunny days and clearer skies. There will also be lots more visitors at the major sites and higher prices for accommodation. The dry season would be the ideal time for hitting the beaches of the south and the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem. 

Cambodia’s wet season starts in June and continues all through to October. Most days will include a downpour. The downpours are usually short and sharp and clear away the muggy air. The wet weather and storms mean it is not ideal for beach breaks in the wet season. However, there are reasons you should consider a trip during the soggy months: The temperature is less extreme in the wet season (but still hot!) and the accommodation prices are considerably cheaper. Also it is the low season for tourism and you can see lots of the major sites without the huge crowds of the high season. Do not be put off by the wet season!