Practical tips: Phnom Penh

What I wish I'd known before my first trip.

Visas and entry

Most nationalities can get a Cambodian tourist visa online as an e-visa or on arrival at the main airports and many land borders. It usually costs around 30 USD for a single entry of thirty days, plus small fees. Bring a passport photo and US dollars in clean notes in case you need them. Rules change, so check the official sources before you travel, and only use the government e-visa site.

Money

Cambodia uses two currencies side by side: US dollars and Cambodian riel. Prices are often given in dollars, and change below one dollar comes in riel, at roughly four thousand riel to the dollar. Dollar notes must be in good condition; torn or old notes are often refused. ATMs are common in Phnom Penh and usually dispense dollars. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants, and local QR payments are widespread.

Getting around

Tuk-tuks and auto-rickshaws are everywhere. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and local alternatives show fixed prices in advance and save a lot of haggling. Walking is pleasant in the early morning and evening along the riverside and the old center, but pavements are often blocked by parked motorbikes and stalls. Buses and minibuses connect Phnom Penh with the rest of the country.

Arriving

Phnom Penh’s new Techo International Airport, south of the city, replaced the old airport in 2025; allow at least an hour by road to the center, depending on traffic, and check current transfer options. Long-distance buses arrive at company offices around the city center.

When to go

The cool, dry season from November to February is the most comfortable, with blue skies and pleasant evenings. March to May is very hot. The rainy season runs from around May or June to October, with heavy afternoon downpours, green landscapes and fewer visitors. The Water Festival usually takes place in November, and Khmer New Year in mid-April.

Health

Drink bottled or filtered water. Dengue fever is present all year, especially in the rainy season, so use mosquito repellent day and night. The heat can be intense; carry water, wear a hat and rest at midday. There are good international clinics in Phnom Penh, but travel insurance with medical evacuation is wise.

Etiquette

Dress modestly at temples and the palace, covering shoulders and knees. Remove shoes when entering homes and temple halls. Don’t touch people on the head or point your feet at people or Buddha images. Women should not touch monks or hand things to them directly. At memorial sites, keep quiet and respectful, and don’t take smiling photos.

Safety

Phnom Penh is generally friendly, but bag and phone snatching from motorbikes does happen, especially along the riverside and at night. Carry bags on the side away from the road and keep phones out of sight when riding in tuk-tuks. Traffic is the biggest everyday danger: cross slowly and steadily. Avoid unlit streets late at night.

Scams

Common tricks include fake monks asking for donations, inflated tuk-tuk fares, people claiming that a sight is closed and offering an alternative, and requests to buy milk powder for a baby at a high price. Agree fares in advance or use apps, buy tickets at official counters, and say no politely when in doubt.

SIM and connectivity

Local SIM cards from the main networks, such as Smart, Cellcard and Metfone, are cheap and easy to buy at the airport or in town; you will need your passport for registration. Data packages are generous and coverage is good in the city and along main roads, more patchy in remote areas. Wi-Fi is common in cafés and hotels.