First 24 Hours in Cambodia

Since January 2025, all air arrivals must submit the e-Arrival card online. Do this before you board your flight.

• Go to arrival.gov.kh
• Fill in immigration, health, and customs declarations
• Save or screenshot the QR code you receive
• It's free — no payment required

At immigration, you'll go to either the e-Visa lane (if you applied online) or the Visa on Arrival counter.

Visa on Arrival: Have ready:
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- One passport photo
- $30 USD cash (exact change preferred)
- Your e-Arrival QR code

e-Visa holders: Go directly to the immigration counters with your printed/digital e-visa approval.

The whole process typically takes 15-30 minutes.

Immediately after exiting immigration, look for the mobile carrier booths in the arrivals hall — they're in both Techo International Airport (Phnom Penh) and Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport.

Recommended: Smart Traveller SIM — $5 for 30GB/15 days with calls.

You'll need your passport for registration. The staff will set it up for you in about 5 minutes.

This is critical — you need a local number to register for PassApp (Cambodia's cheapest ride-hailing app).

Cambodia's national currency is the Cambodian riel (KHR), and the US dollar is an official secondary currency. You can pay in either — but riel is the one accepted everywhere, without exception.

• Bring small USD bills ($1, $5, $10) from home if possible, then withdraw riel once you land
• There are ATMs at the airport. Fees run $5-10 per withdrawal whichever bank you pick — Canadia and ACLEDA charge a flat $5, while BRED charges more but lets you take out $2,000 at once instead of $1,000
• Exchange counters are available but rates are slightly worse than in the city
• You'll pick up riel automatically as change — but it's worth withdrawing some deliberately too, since it's accepted everywhere and dollars aren't

With your new SIM card working, download these apps:

1. PassApp — Ride-hailing (cheapest option). Register with your new Cambodian number
2. Grab — Backup ride-hailing (works with international number)
3. Google Maps — Navigation (works well in Cambodia, download offline maps)
4. Bakong Tourists — QR code payments at 4.5M+ merchants (link your Visa/Mastercard)
5. Telegram — Cambodia's #1 messaging app (not WhatsApp)

Pro tip: Download offline Google Maps for "Cambodia" before you leave WiFi range. Cell data can be spotty in some areas.

Now that you have PassApp installed:

From Techo International Airport (KTI) to Phnom Penh:
- PassApp/Grab: $10-20 depending on your neighbourhood
- Airport taxi counter: $17-30 (fixed price)
- Allow 45-60 minutes — Techo is ~20 km south of the city

Note: Phnom Penh's airport changed in September 2025. Techo replaced the old Phnom Penh International Airport, which sat much closer to town. If your hotel quotes you an old $9-12 transfer price, it's quoting for an airport that no longer takes flights.

From Siem Reap→Angkor International Airport (SAI) to Town:
- PassApp/Grab: $10-15
- Note: The airport is 45km from town (farther than the old one)

Tip: If PassApp hasn't activated yet, use Grab (works with your international number) or the airport taxi counter for your first ride.

You're set! A few final tips for your first evening:

• Eat local: Try Bai Sach Chrouk (grilled pork rice, ~$1.50) or Kuy Teav (noodle soup, ~$1)
• Stay hydrated: Buy bottled water ($0.25-0.50) — never drink tap water
• Keep safe: Wear bags on the side away from the road (bag snatching happens)
• Tipping: Not expected but appreciated. Round up or leave $1 at restaurants
• Electrical outlets: Cambodia uses Type A, C, and G plugs. Voltage is 230V. Bring a universal adapter

Check our Fair Price Guide so you know what things should cost, and browse the Essential Guides for deep dives on any topic.

Welcome to the Kingdom of Wonder! 🇰🇭