🏛️ Cambodia

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 34% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

Anyone landing at an international airport has to fill in the Cambodia e-Arrival Card online, which is free and can be done up to 7 days ahead. Note that the e-Arrival card does not count as a visa. For short stays, most ASEAN citizens do not need a visa; many other nationalities can either get a visa on arrival, paid in USD cash, or apply online for an e-visa. The official e-visa site below shows what applies to your passport.

Culture - take note

The culture is Buddhist and gentle, and the greeting is the 'sampeah', made with palms pressed together. Shoulders and knees must be covered at Angkor and at other temples, where the dress rules are enforced. Buddha images should never be touched or climbed on. Do not aim your feet at people or touch anyone's head. Respect for the monarchy is the norm. The riel circulates beside US dollars, with riel used for small change. Memorials to the genocide call for respectful behaviour.

Emergency

Police 117. Ambulance 119. Fire 118.

Good to know

Riel, US dollars and cash machines

Cambodia's currency is the riel, though US dollars are also widely used. Canadian advice says only newer, undamaged US notes are accepted, and notes with the slightest tear are refused. Credit cards are not widely accepted outside major cities. Cash machines are plentiful in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville but fewer in smaller cities, and scammers sometimes force travellers to withdraw money.

Local laws and customs

Drugs, temples and photography

UK advice describes a zero-tolerance approach to drugs, cannabis included, where even small amounts can bring severe penalties, including a life sentence. Military bases must not be photographed, and permission should be sought before photographing people, monks especially. Skirts or shorts above the knee and bare shoulders may mean refused entry at religious sites. Canadian advice says a passport should not be handed over as collateral for a motorcycle rental, and helmets are mandatory.

Taxis and scams

Taxis, tuk-tuks and motos

In major cities, taxis can be picked up at hotels and taxi ranks, says Canadian advice, which also suggests confirming the fare before you get in or asking the driver to use the meter. UK advice cautions against travelling as a passenger on motorcycle taxis ("moto dop"), notes that thieves grab bags from tuk-tuks, and recommends tuk-tuks with metal grills at the back and sides.

Fake notes and card games

Fake dollar bills handed over as change in shops and clubs have been reported by travellers in Cambodia, according to UK advice. Canadian advice says scams aimed at tourists happen, card games among them, and says to think carefully before accepting help with documentation or transport from people who offer it.

Job offer scams

Organised crime groups advertise "easy jobs with high pay" in Cambodia, UK advice warns, and such offers are often job scams. Be very wary of unexpected offers of work abroad, and check them thoroughly before you travel.

Unofficial border charges

At Cambodia's land borders, local officials and tour operators can ask for unofficial fees or inflate visa prices, UK advice says. Canadian advice mentions travellers who report border officials demanding extra charges before letting them in. Look up the official entry requirements before you arrive at the border.

Who can help

ngo

Cambodian Red Cross

Helps with: Cambodia's national Red Cross society. Its contact page gives the national headquarters address in Phnom Penh, a phone line and an email address.

Who qualifies: People in Cambodia seeking the society's humanitarian, health or disaster services.

Phone: +855 23 881 511

Email: info@redcross.org.kh

Address: Lot 16A, Street 652 corner 271, O Bek Kaam, Sangkat Toek Laak 3, Khan Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Cambodia

Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Cambodia it supports victims of trafficking, trains border officers, protects migrant workers, supports migration health and assists returning migrants in crises.

Who qualifies: Migrants, trafficking survivors and returning migrants in Cambodia. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +855 2 321 65 32

Email: iomphnompenh@iom.int

Address: Sayon Building, 3rd Floor, No. 42, Samdach Pan Street (214), Sangkat Boeung Raing, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh 120204

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Police emergency number 117

Helps with: Reaches the police in Cambodia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 117

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Ambulance emergency number 119

Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Cambodia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 119

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Fire emergency number 118

Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Cambodia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 118

Source · checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Siem Reap Siem ReapA starting point for the Angkor temples, among them the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, with night markets too.Photo: Willuconquer, CC BY-SA 4.0 Phnom Penh Phnom PenhRiverside dining, history museums, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda are found in this capital city on the Mekong River.Photo: Looppty, CC BY-SA 4.0 Sihanoukville SihanoukvilleFrom this port, the country's principal coastal city, travellers head for Koh Rong's beaches and those on nearby islands.Photo: Kiensvay, CC BY-SA 3.0 Kampot and Kep Kampot and KepThese peaceful river and seaside towns are known for colonial buildings, crab markets, Bokor Mountain and pepper farms.Photo: Kiensvay, CC BY-SA 3.0 Battambang BattambangThis relaxed provincial city offers the bamboo train, countryside cycling, hilltop temples and old French-era streets.Photo: Maharaja1994, CC BY 4.0

City selection based on: Cambodia Ministry of Tourism monthly arrival reports by region 2025-2026; UNESCO listings

Festivals and events

festival

Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)

23-25 Nov 2026 · Phnom Penh

Dragon-boat races run on the Tonle Sap river facing the Royal Palace.

sport

Angkor Wat International Half Marathon

around Dec 2026 · Siem Reap (Angkor)

Participants run within the temple park of Angkor.

culture

Khmer New Year

14-16 Apr 2027 · Siem Reap (Angkor)

At the temples, Angkor Sankranta brings three days of play and blessings with water.

religious

Pchum Ben (ancestors' festival)

29 Sep - 1 Oct 2027 · Phnom Penh

As people head home, the city empties, and families visit pagodas.

festival

Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)

12-14 Nov 2027 · Phnom Penh

Dragon-boat races run on the Tonle Sap river facing the Royal Palace.

sport

Angkor Wat International Half Marathon

around Dec 2027 · Siem Reap (Angkor)

Participants run within the temple park of Angkor.