FAQS for VISITING CAMBODIA

Most travelers don't need to apply for a visa from an embassy or consulate. E-visas can be obtained at this Website (https://www.evisa.gov.kh/) or from a travel agent in advance of the trip.

You can even get a visa on arrival at Phnom Penh Airport (takes about 20-25 minutes). For the latter, you need to bring two passport photos with you and USD $30 in cash.

Proof of COVID vaccination is no longer required at time of writing. No other vaccinations are required by the host country. Your doctor may have suggestions for travel to tropical countries generally.

Not at all. Local people mostly speak basic English … at least well enough to answer basic questions and provide assistance with shopping, restaurant and transport services (solving common, basic problems). The local language, however, is Khmer or Cambodian.

Strangely, US dollars are widely used everywhere in Phnom Penh, for all kinds of payments. You can even withdraw US dollars from ATMs in Cambodia. The local currency is the Riel. It’s pretty common to pay for something in US dollar bills and receive change in Riel or a mixture of dollars and Riel. Credit cards are accepted in large businesses but not in smaller, family-owned businesses.

Phnom Penh is a very international city when it comes to dining out. All world cuisines are readily available: French and Italian bistros, American fast-food chains, and barista coffee shops are all over the place in the central areas. The local cuisine should be sampled of course (Anthony Bourdain was a big fan!), but food from neighboring Asian countries is also easily available – great quality Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean too. There are even craft beer pubs.

Cambodia's 3G and 4G networks work well and are pretty affordable.

As a cheaper alternative to roaming charges, you can get a one-week local SIM card with a local number for your phone for only USD $5 ... with unlimited data (or close to it). These are offered at the airport arrivals hall but also in mobile operator shops scattered throughout the city. You need to have your passport with you to get a SIM card.

Apart from that, hotels, coffee shops and restaurants often offer free Wi-Fi.

Phnom Penh is not a large city (2.2 million people) and quite easy to get around. Taxis can be easily, cheaply and conveniently booked using the Grab mobile app (similar to Uber). These are fixed-price rides.

However, you can also flag a taxi or 3-wheel minicab called a Tuk-Tuk on the street quite easily, too. There are drivers hunting for customers most of the time on main streets. For these, it's recommended to ask the price and agree on it before getting in. Rides within central Phnom Penh usually run USD $2 to $3.