Cambodia Travel Tips

Planning a Cambodia tour? From mobile internet to local currency, this handy Cambodia travel guide has all the information you may need to know. Just check this article and start planning your carefree journey!

Telephone

Cambodia uses the GSM mobile system and Mobitel is the largest operator, although competition is stiff. Pre-paid SIM cards are widely available (from US$1), but require a passport to buy. A guesthouse owner or tuk-tuk driver may just buy one for you.

Internet

Internet cafes are cheap (US$0.50-US$1/hour) and common, even small towns will have at least one offering broadband. In Kampot, Kratie and Sihanoukville rates are around US$1/hour. WiFi is increasingly popular, with signals available in some unlikely places: not just in coffee shops but also in fast food restaurants, bars, and even gas stations. Domestic broadband prices range from $29.95 to $89.00. Always remember vat is added to all prices, and even the locals pay vat.

Post

Once a disaster, a trip to the post office in Cambodia no longer means a final goodbye to your consignment. Intercontinental postcards should arrive in 2 weeks; within Asia, 1 week. Rates are cheap. Spend some pennies to say hello to your friends in your Cambodia tours!

Currency

The currency of Cambodia is called Riel, but for the past few years, the country's economy has largely relied on the US Dollar, which is now used as an everyday currency alongside the national currency. Dollars are everywhere accepted, for small and large purchases. Travelers' cheques from American Express of Thomas Cook can be cashed in at banks. Generally speaking, Riels are used for small expenses (cigarettes, newspapers, moto-taxi rides, fruit or drinks bought on a market stand, for example), whereas Dollars are used for paying restaurant bills, in hotels and for transport, meaning that the cost of visiting is not as low here as you might expect.

Electricity

Electricity in Cambodia is 220V, 50 Hz. Power sockets are generally of the round, two-pin variety. Adapters can be bought at markets and supermarkets. Power cuts are frequent in the provinces.

Hotel Electricity

Time

Cambodia is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). When it is midday in Cambodia, it is 1 am in New York, 5 am in London, 6 am in Amsterdam and 3 pm in Sydney.

Transport

If you want to get around the city, the best way is to take a tuk-tuk. It is the cheapest and most fun vehicle. You can find them along the street almost everywhere. It often costs a couple of dollars for a short ride. There are also some air-conditioned cars available, it is around $25 per day for trips around the Angkor area. Before heading off on the tuk-tuk, it is better to make sure the final fare is with the driver in case of any confusion at the end of the ride.

Tuk-tuk

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Cambodia is really low. There are so many nice restaurants in Siem Reap that serve Mexican, Indian food and they're not particularly expensive, around five dollars. If you want to cook by yourself, there are markets for meat and vegetables, very cheap, and Lucky supermarkets for imported Western food like cheese and olives. Moreover, Alcohol is very cheap in Cambodia, most of the restaurants on Pub Street serve draft beer for 50 cents. Actually, there's almost a non-profit service but to tempt you in and sell some food you might want to order. Cigarettes are also very cheap in Cambodia. Transport is only by tuk-tuk, should cost a dollar or two to go anywhere in Cambodia.

Local Dishes in Cambodia

Suitable Clothing

People should wear the most comfortable clothes to prepare for outdoor activities. It's better the garments made from "wicking" or cotton material. For the color, white or clear color is a good idea. Taking a spare T-shirt at hand is also a good idea in case your clothes are wet to the skin in hot Cambodian weather.

Safety

Cambodia is now at peace and is safe again for tourists to visit. In Phnom Penh watch out for pickpockets, also by begging children. Do not venture out of the city after 10 p.m. Keep all your valuables at the hotel safe. Upcountry stay on the roads and paths. There are still many landmines buried in the countryside. More information on Vietnam holidays can be downloaded in our Indochina Travel Guidebook.

Have you got some clues for your next trip to Cambodia? Drop us a line for tailor-made Indochina tours.