Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Cambodia depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for CambodiaEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 119
Currency
- Name
- Cambodian Riel
- Code
- KHR
- Symbol
- ₭
USD is the de facto currency — prices are quoted and change given in dollars. Riel is used for small change (4,000 KHR ≈ $1). Always check exchange rates.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type C, Type G
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
ICT (UTC+7) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
November–February is cool, dry, and ideal — the most popular time to visit Angkor Wat. March–April is very hot. Wet season (May–October) brings lush greenery and fewer tourists; roads can flood.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | $1–2 or 10% | Not always expected but always appreciated |
| Tuk-tuk drivers | $1–2 | Agree fare upfront; Grab app works in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap |
| Temple guides | $2–5 per session | — |
| Hotels | $1–2 for porters | — |
Dress Code
- Angkor Wat and all temple complexes require covered shoulders and knees — no sleeveless tops or shorts above the knee
- Scarves are sold at the entrance if you forget
- Casual elsewhere — Cambodians dress simply in the heat
- Modest in rural villages and pagodas
Social Etiquette
- The sampeah (hands pressed together, slight bow) is the traditional greeting
- Never touch someone's head — it is the most sacred part of the body
- Point with your whole hand, not a finger
- Acknowledge the legacy of the Khmer Rouge with sensitivity — many older Cambodians lost family
- Remove shoes before entering temples and many guesthouses
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Dress code violations at Angkor Wat result in being denied entry — no refunds
- Drugs carry severe penalties — including imprisonment and heavy fines
- Buying antiquities or removing items from temple sites is illegal and prosecuted
- Photographing the royal family disrespectfully is illegal
- Sex tourism is illegal; prosecutions of foreigners do occur
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | ជំរាបសួរ (Chum Reap Suor) | chum reep soo-ah (formal) |
| Hello (casual) | សួស្ដី (Suostei) | soo-ah-sdey |
| Thank you | អរគុណ (Orkun) | or-KOON |
| How much? | តម្លៃប៉ុន្មាន? (Tamlai punman?) | tam-LYE pun-MAAN |
| No problem | អត់អីទេ (Ot ey te) | ot ay teh |
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