Money and payments
Cards and cash
ATMs are available in most places, but they might not always be the bank you are looking for.
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Asia · South-Eastern AsiaOutline guideCountry in Southeast Asia
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Kingdom of Cambodia (កម្ពុជា kampuciə) is in Southeast Asia. While the Angkor Wat commemorates Cambodia's glorious history, the country has been ravaged by colonialism, the Indochina Wars, and the Khmer Rouge regime, and remains one of Asia's poorest countries. However, in the 21st century, the country is getting back on its feet, its economy is growing as fast as Vietnam's, and Cambodia has become one of Asia's most popular tourist destinations.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Cambodia.
Cards and cash
ATMs are available in most places, but they might not always be the bank you are looking for.
Khmer
The official language of Cambodia is Khmer (ភាសាខ្មែរ phiəsaa khmae), which unlike most languages in the region is not tonal, but makes up for it with a large assortment of consonant and vowel clusters.
Pre-paid SIM cards are widely available (from US$1).
Mobile networks
Tap water is generally not drinkable, so avoid it.
Cambodia lacks reliable medical facilities, doctors, clinics, hospitals and medication, especially in rural areas.
Cambodians generally follow the naming convention of patronymic (or in some case, a family name) + given name.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the rough, drab capital is home to the beautiful Royal Palace, and is a good base for visiting historical sites related to the 1970s genocide
far northeastern provincial capital near some great waterfalls and national parks
the second biggest town in Cambodia, with bamboo trains
riverside town on the way to Sihanoukville, gateway to the Bokor National Park, and the pepper and durian capital of Cambodia
small border crossing town near the Thai border
access to less well known (and less crowded) ancient temples and other sites
relaxed river town in the northeast on the Mekong, and an excellent place to get a close look at endangered river dolphins
access point for Angkor Wat and various other attractions in the north
home of the imposing ruins of ancient Khmer civilization
ghostly former French hill resort
nice countryside village on the Mekong river and good place to meet real Cambodia
a seaside area which pre-dates Sihanoukville as the main beach resort in Cambodia; slowly being re-discovered by international travellers
more ancient ruins, 120 km north of Angkor
gritty border town that most overland visitors to Angkor pass through
cliff-top temple pre-dating Angkor
SE Asia's largest lake with floating villages and also home to SE Asia's premier bird sanctuary
Places in Cambodia on the World Heritage List.
Preah Vihear Temple
Listed 2008
Koh Ker
Listed 2023
Sambor Prei Kuk
Listed 2017
Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection
Angkor
Listed 1992
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The western mountain ranges, gulf coast beaches and offshore islands
Battambang, Kampot, Koh Kong, Pailin, Pursat, Sihanoukville, Bokor National Park, Kep
Angkor, the main reason most visitors come to Cambodia, plus a huge lake and the northern mountains
Angkor Archaeological Park, Anlong Veng, Siem Reap, Sisophon, Koh Ker, Poipet, Tonle Sap Lake, Preah Vihear
The capital city and the central flatlands
Remote rural areas and national parks east of the mighty Mekong
Public transport and paid services in Cambodia.
By bus
Longer journeys in Cambodia can be taken by bus, pickup truck or shared taxi. In many towns, whichever of these are available will be found at the local market square.
By boat
Ferries operate seasonally along many of the major rivers. Major routes include Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Siem Reap to Battambang. The Sihanoukville to Koh Kong ferry no longer runs.
By train
Two daily passenger train connections exist with the following schedule and prices:
By taxi
For short distances, the once-ubiquitous motorcycle taxis have been replaced by tuk-tuks, motorized three-wheeled rickshaws.
By car
The Cambodian government has upgraded roads throughout the country.
By motorcycle
Motorcycle rentals are available in many towns, with the notable exception of Siem Reap, which has outlawed the practice.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Cambodia.
Finding apps for Cambodia…
Other ways to travel:By thumb
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Preah Sihanouk · International · KOS
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Phnom Penh
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 34° | 36° | 37° | 37° | 34° | 32° | 31° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 31° | 32° |
| Avg. low | 22° | 23° | 25° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 23° | 22° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 16 | 11 | 30 | 62 | 129 | 190 | 163 | 167 | 190 | 167 | 89 | 28 |
| Humidity | 61% | 53% | 54% | 60% | 74% | 82% | 84% | 85% | 86% | 86% | 82% | 71% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$110
Per person, per day
Luxury
$290
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $65 | $170 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $20 | $50 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Cambodia due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance. Exercise increased caution in Cambodia due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Review our Travel Guidance for Cambodia to learn how to prepare for a safe trip. Do Not Travel to Areas along the Cambodian and Thai border due to unrest. Exercise increased caution in Phnom Penh due to crime. Exercise Increased Caution in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Pailin, Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear provinces due to unexploded ordnance.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 20km from the land border with Thailand. Heavy fighting along parts of the Thailand and Cambodia border, including the use of airstrikes, rocket and artillery fire, took place in 2025. A ceasefire was signed on 27 December, but the situation remains tense. Land borders and crossings between Cambodia and Thailand continue to be suspended. Some tourist destinations in border areas such as the Preah Vihear/Khao Phra Wihan temple, the Ta Krabey/Ta Kwai temple and the Tamone Thom/Ta Muen Thom temple are closed. There are also unexploded ordnance, including landmines, in the border area. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator review your travel insurance policy for coverage monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Cambodia.
Travel tipsOur complete Angkor Wat guide covers ticket prices, remorque costs, temple circuits, sunrise spots, and dress codes for exploring Siem Reap ancient ruins.
7 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in Cambodia beyond Angkor Wat, from Phnom Penh palaces and Koh Rong islands to Kampot pepper farms and Battambang.
6 min read
Travel tipsPlan your Cambodia travel budget with realistic daily costs for food, hotels, transport, Angkor passes, dual currency rules, and Bakong app advice.
6 min read
Food & drinkCambodian cuisine is one of the most underrated and overlooked cuisines in Asia. It encompasses the food cultures of all Cambodia's ethnic groups – the Khmers, Khmer Loeu, Vietnamese, Chams, Mountain Chams, Lao and the…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Indochina Wars were a series of conflicts in Southeast Asia from 1946 to 1989. The major conflicts with global impact were the First Indochina War from 1946 to 1954 in which an independence movement supported by the…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Khmer Empire (locally known as Kambuja) with its capital Angkor was one of Southeast Asia's preeminent empires, existing from the 9th to 15th century AD.
Wikivoyage
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