Cambodia

Travel tips for Cambodia: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Carry some cash. Physical cards are mostly limited to hotels and upscale restaurants. Cash is needed for markets and tuk-tuks, though visitors can use the Bakong Tourists app to fund a local QR wallet with a foreign card for daily payments.

Try the food

  • Fish Amok (អាម៉ុកត្រី): A fragrant, creamy coconut fish curry steamed to a mousse-like consistency in banana leaves.
  • Kuy Teav (គុយទាវ): A comforting pork broth rice noodle soup topped with sliced meat, fresh herbs, and fried garlic.
  • Beef Lok Lak (ឡុកឡាក់សាច់គោ): Stir-fried marinated beef cubes served over fresh tomatoes and lettuce with a tangy lime-pepper dipping sauce.

Say it in Khmer

  • Hello: សួស្តី (suostei)
  • Thank you: អរគុណ (orkun)
  • Please: សូម (som)
  • Excuse me: សុំទោស (som tos)
  • How much is this?: តើនេះតម្លៃប៉ុន្មាន? (tae nih tamlai ponman?)
  • The bill please: សូមគិតលុយ (som kit luy)
  • Yes (male) / Yes (female) / No: បាទ / ចាស / ទេ (baat / chaas / te)
  • Goodbye: លាហើយ (lea haeuy)

Essentials

Plugs
Type A / Type C / Type G
Voltage
230V, 50Hz
Driving
Right side
Tap water
Avoid — buy bottled
Emergency
117 (police), 118 (fire), 119 (ambulance)
SIM tip
Pick up a Smart or Cellcard tourist SIM at the airport upon arrival, or purchase an eSIM online before your trip for instant connectivity.

Etiquette

Dress modestly by covering your shoulders and knees when visiting temples, and never touch a Cambodian person on the head as it is considered the most sacred part of the body.

Airports in Cambodia