Cambodia (2024)

Quick facts

Visa & travel permissions

Having a visa is compulsory for any traveler entering Cambodia. The visa can be obtained directly upon arrival at Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap international airports.
Caution: Travelers with a passport from Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Nigeria are not allowed to apply for a visa on arrival. Therefore, holders of these passports must apply for a Cambodian visa before arriving in the country.
Holders of these passports are also required to present the following travel documents:

• The booking confirmations of all the services booked in the host country (for example, hotel, flight tickets, guides, cars, etc.).
• A certificate explaining that the traveler is in Cambodia for travel purposes and,
• A certificate that proves that the traveler is living in a country other than Cambodia (ID card of the country, for example)
• In any case, all travelers must arrive prepared with an identity photo and check their passport validity. It must be valid for at least 6 months after their intended date of departure from Cambodia.

Direct from Cambodia Embassy Abroad Before Departure
The client must fill in the form provided by the embassy and pay the requested fee. The visa delivery time may vary according to the time of year. We urge you to plan for a minimum turnaround of 7 working days.

E-visa
Tourists can obtain a visa online (E-Visa) via the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at www.evisa.gov.kh.
Note: The e-visa is only accepted at seven entry points, which are:

• Siem Reap Airport
• Phnom Penh Airport
• Poipet (Thai border)
• Cham Yeam – Koh Kong / Had Lek (Thai border)
• Bavet / MocBai (Vietnam border)
• Tropaeng Kreal Border Post (Stung Treng)
• Preah Sihanouk International Airport

Visa On Arrival
The visa can be obtained directly at the international airports of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. (Apart from travelers coming from the specific countries listed above).

Visa at the border
The client may obtain the visa directly on arrival in Cambodia at the following land borders:

• From Vietnam: PrekChak – Phnom Den – KaamSamnor (Mekong river) – Bavet – TrapeangPhlong – Trapeang Are – O’Yadav
• From Laos: TrapaingKreal – Dong Krolar
• From Thailand: Poipet – O’Smach– Cham Yeam – ChoamSanguam – Prum – Doung – Preah Vihear

Documents to provide:

• 2 recent passport photographs
• 1 visa form (available at the customs offices)

Note: Be aware that it may take between 10 and 30 minutes and that a few US dollars (unofficial facilitation fee) can be asked for by the police on the spot. Obtaining a visa prior to coming to Cambodia is then the preferred option. Please be aware that some sites in China have been known to deliver false visas.
The visa fees are published as follows:

• 30 USD

Visa With Easia Travel
Visa Express service (VIP):

• Travelers do not have to pay the visa fee at the airport. The agency pays for clients.
• Our staff or the immigration police will help travelers fill in the form.
• Travelers have to prepare 2 passport photos.
• If the client chooses this particular service, no unique documents are needed, as only the information on the passport is required.
• Sometimes, the guide won’t be allowed to enter the visa area. In this case, a person from immigration will take care of the travelers. Our guide will give all the documents to immigration, pay for the visa and wait for the travelers in the reception hall. Once the process is finished, the immigration staff will accompany the travelers to our guide in the reception hall.

Express Visa fees available (surcharge applies)
Special cases:

• Tourist visas are for single entry only and valid for a 30-day period (no multiple entry visas are available apart from the 6 month and 1 year visas).
• Tourist visas can be extended for one month through our services.
• Passport validity: for Cambodia, 6 months beyond returning to the country of origin.
• Business visas can be extended for one month (single entry), 3 months (single entry), and 6 months (multiple entry visa) or one year (multiple entry visa).

Note: The visa is valid for 30 days. Each overstay day costs 10 USD/day for the first 30 days, and after 30 days of overstay, the non-immigrant foreigner has to pay 10 USD/day and needs to leave Cambodia within 7 days. The tourist must pay the overstay fees at the airport or land border when she/he leaves the country. (From the 1st of September, 2016)
A non-immigrant foreigner who uses a visa for a purpose not permitted under the terms of the visa will be fined 100 USD and ordered to leave Cambodia within 7 days. (From the 1st of September, 2016)
For children:
Children from 0 to 12 years old who travel using their own passport or on their parent’s passport shall pay a visa fee of 30 USD. (From the 1st of September, 2016)

Best time to visit

Access & Transportation

Airport Baggage Regulations
Baggage allowances vary depending on which domestic or international airlines you use. For more information about baggage allowances and extra fees please refer to your airline’s website or to the Cambodia airports company: http://www.cambodia-airports.aero/#anchor

Airport Taxes
The domestic airport tax of 6 USD and the international airport tax of $25 are included in the air ticket price and do not need to be paid at the airport when checking in.

Domestic Airlines
Domestic flights enable you to travel quickly from one city to another one, but lately it seems airlines just keep appearing as quickly as they disappear.
For the moment, the most established domestic airline of Cambodia is Cambodia Angkor Air (www.cambodiaangkorair.com), which essentially works as a branch of Vietnam Airlines. The company has flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap using Airbus ATRs. Flights between Sihanoukville and Siem Reap are operated once a week.
Checked Luggage is limited to 20 kilograms per passenger on domestic flights and 7 kilograms for hand baggage.

Dos & Don’ts

Cultural
The Cambodian culture was founded over a long history and is an original synthesis of both Buddhism and Brahmanism. Nowadays, Cambodians are raised in accordance with these traditions which hold an important place in their daily life. As required by the teachings of Buddhism, hospitality is a very important quality to demonstrate in Cambodia. However, as in any Asian country, it is important to respect the local cultures and manners, which are sometimes totally different than the ones practiced in Europe. Here is a list of the principal DO’s and DON’Ts to respect in Cambodia.

• Wear appropriate clothes: Shirtless tourists in public places are poorly looked upon by locals and naturism on the beach is even worse. When visiting temples, you have to dress neatly with clothes covering your shoulders and your knees (for men and women), or you may not be allowed to enter the temple.
• Manners are important. In public, you may have to call a person by his/her name preceded with “sir” or “madam”. Calling someone directly is rude.
• It is unacceptable to criticize the royal family and the King. More than a politician, he is the symbol of the Khmer unity and traditions.
• In Cambodia, a broke “white person” is an anachronism. Visitors to Cambodia who dress in a casual beach style in places other than the beach will appear as a homeless person and will cause the locals to lose all interest in them. Khmers want and expect westerners to be as they imagine wealthy people to be. Do not attempt to challenge or change this point of view and bear in mind that a clean and well-kept person is better respected than an unkempt backpacker and therefore will be more welcomed and better treated… it is not intolerance, but a tradition based on elementary good manners.
• Never touch the head of a person (even the one of a child), this gesture is considered as an offense. However, Cambodians can walk together by holding each other’s little fingers.
• Do not point at people. It’s considered rude and inappropriate.
• In temples, you must bypass the Buddha in an anticlockwise direction. You mustn’t sit with your back to the Buddha and point you feet in its direction. A woman can never touch a monk; this would cause him to lose all his merit.
• Always ask for permission before taking a picture of someone.

Angkor Visitor Code Of Conduct, By APSARA The National Authority
APSARA (Authority for the Protection of the Site and Management of the Region of Angkor) National Authority was created in 1995 to ensure the conservation and the sustainable development of Angkor Complex. The organization is thus in charge of research, protection, conservation as well as urban and touristic development of the Archaeological sites. Thus, to raise awareness among tourists on Angkor’s preservation and to harmonize tourists’ experiences with public safety and respect towards the local community they created a code of conduct that need to be respected by each visitor.

• Dress Code: Revealing clothes such as shorts and skirts above the knees and showing bare shoulders is prohibited in sacred places. Respectful dress should be strongly encouraged in Angkor.
• Monuments: Touching carvings, sitting on fragile structures, leaning on temple structures, moving or taking archaeological artifacts and graffiti are strictly prohibited. Backpacks, umbrellas with sharp tips, tripods and high heels are discouraged from being brought into, or worn inside the temples.
• Sacred Sites: As Angkor is a sacred site, loud conversation and noise and other inappropriate behaviur in Cambodian culture is considered to be offensive and may disturb other visitors. Please keep calm and respectful.
• Restricted Areas: For your own safety and for the conservation of Angkor, please comply with all signs on the site and be mindful of where you step at all times. Do not climb on loose stones.
• Smoking and Littering: As a member of the World Health Organization, Angkor has been smoke free since 2012. Smoking cigarettes disturbs others and can start bush fires. To protect the environment please do not smoke and litter.
• Candy and money to children: Buying items, giving candy or money to children encourages them not to attend school and to beg instead. If you wish to help children, please consider donating to a recognized charity.
• Monks: Monks are revered and respected. If you want to take pictures, please ask for permission first. Women should not touch nor stand or sit too close to monks.
• Follow Childsafe Policy here

Money & budget

National Currency
The RIEL: bills of: 100.000, 50.000, 20.000, 10.000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100.
However, the US Dollar is commonly used throughout the whole country. If you have enough cash, you won’t have to go to any banks as you will be able to exchange small amounts of dollars into Riels at hotels, restaurants and markets. We recommend you to always have the equivalent of 10 dollars in Riel in order to pay for moto-taxis, tuk-tuks or for small purchases in markets. If you buy a low priced item in dollars, they will give some change in Riels. Local inhabitants from remote areas in the north or northeast of the country only accept Riels or small bills of dollars.
The only foreign currency that is accepted in addition to the USD is the Thai Baht, mainly used in the west of the country. Prices are often written in Baht in certain cities like Koh Kong, Poipet and Sisopon.
To simplify your travels, take some dollars with you before coming to Cambodia. You will also be able to exchange currencies such as Euros in banks and at the markets of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Most banks do not have an advantageous exchange rate for currencies other than the dollar, so it is better to exchange your currency at foreign exchange counters located near markets.
Western Union, represented by the SBC and Acleda Bank, and Moneygram represented by the Canadian Bank, do fast money transfers, but this service is expensive.
We recommend you to have plenty of small bills (1 USD and 5 USD). Be careful with damaged bills, which most often will not be accepted or large bills of 50 USD and 100 USD which may not be easily exchanged.

Credit Cards
Superior hotels, airlines, luxury boutiques, high-end restaurants or supermarkets are and more likely to accept the main credit cards such as: Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Cirrus and sometimes American Express). As in every Asian country, a fee will be charged on top of the purchase fee when using your card (around 3%).

ATMS
ATMs are available in most cities. You can even find ATMs at the Cham Yeam, Poipet and Bayet land borders when arriving from Thailand and Vietnam. All ATMs give out US Dollars and the maximum amount you can withdraw at once is 2 000 USD.
Like anywhere in the world, be careful when using ATMs at night. Just up from the Canadian Bank, the ANZ Royal Bank is the one that offers the best ATM network, with ATMs in gas-stations, hotels, restaurants and famous shops.
The Acleda Bank (the national bank) is the bank that has the most agencies in the country, including in provincial cities. This bank has also improved its ATM services, so they now accept international cards, which makes traveling in remote areas much easier.

Tips
Even though tips are not part of the tradition in Cambodia, they are well appreciated.
1 USD tip can represent the equivalent salary of half a day’s work. Many luxury hotels charge 10% service tax, but the money is not always given to the staff. If you stay 2 or 3 nights in the same hotel, think about tipping the staff that cleans your room.
Drivers, guides and service staff will always be happy to accept your tip. In a different way, if a local helps you in the street or finds someone to help you, he would be looking for you to provide a small amount of money for their help. It is advisable to have some small change in Riel for these kinds of occasions.
In temples, it is common to put some money in the donation boxes strategically located at the end of the visit, particularly if a monk is living in the place.

Import & Export Restrictions

Import regulations:

Free import for passengers aged over 17:

• 2 liters of wine;
• 400 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or 400 grams of tobacco;

free import for all passengers:

• 350 milliliters of perfume.
• medicines for personal use

Goods worth more than USD 100.- are subject to customs duty and taxes. Goods with a value of more than USD 300.- must be declared on a Customs Declaration Form.

Arms and Ammunition regulations:

A valid license from Ministry of Interior or Ministry of National Defense and import permit from General Department of Customs and Excise is required.

Pets:

Cats and dogs must be accompanied by Veterinarian Good Health and Rabies Inoculation Certificate issued at the port of origin.

Baggage Clearance regulations:

Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Cambodia.

Exempt: baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside Cambodia.

Currency Import regulations:

Foreign currencies: up to a max. of USD 10,000.- or equivalent is allowed. Exceeding amounts must be declared on arrival.

Currency Export regulations:

Foreign currencies: up to a max. of USD 10,000.- or equivalent is allowed, or up to the amount imported and declared.

Health

Before going to Cambodia, consult a doctor and make sure that all your vaccinations are current and that you are vaccinated for Tetanus, Polio and Diphtheria. Other vaccines recommended include Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, Typhus and Tuberculosis, vaccinations against rabies and Japanese encephalitis are also advised. However, officially, there are no vaccinations required to enter Cambodia.
In case of emergency: you can find the vaccinations against rabies and Japanese encephalitis in the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia.
In some regions, you may come across venomous animals (snakes, spiders): if bitten, you should be able to readily find antivenins in Cambodia.

Prevention Against Insect T-Borne Diseases
Dengue Fever: precautions must be taken in the whole country. This viral disease is transmitted by mosquitoes so we recommend travelers to protect themselves with the usual means of protection (long sleeves shirts, mosquito repellent for skin and clothes, electric diffuses). As coming down with Dengue fever is potentially serious, it is recommended to see a doctor in case of fever (the use of aspirin is not recommended). Other viral diseases can also be transmitted by mosquitoes.
Malaria: This parasitic disease, transmitted by mosquitoes requires individual protection measures (repellent, creams, mosquito nets etc) but also a preventative medical treatment has been adapted. Do not forget to wear long sleeves shirts and long trousers (if possible with some repellent on them) from sunset to sunrise and to use a repellent impregnated mosquito net when sleeping. Use a lot of efficient repellent (DEET 50%). It is recommended to use it on the whole body and to renew application every 4 hours.
In case of fever during or after your journey, you are urged to see a specialist.
Cholera:
It is recommended to check carefully the quality of the food and the cooking environment. We recommend avoiding eating any raw vegetables, shells or unpeeled and unwashed vegetables and fruits. Never drink tap water and wash your hands frequently.
Rabies:
Rabies can be transmitted by cats, dogs, pigs and monkeys. Any bite, even small, or just licking on a wound must be carefully considered as potentially life-threatening and should be followed up with a rabies vaccination as soon as possible. In this case, we recommend travellers to go to the Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh where they will be able to be vaccinated with a quality vaccine.
Avian flu:
Cambodia is one the countries that has been touched by the epizootic avian flu. This disease is viral and is transmitted by poultry. The virus is transmitted by in-air particles and by direct contact, particularly with secretions and faecal matters of the infected animals or with other infected matters (food, water, clothes etc). Confined spaces increase the risk of contamination.
In the endemic period, it may be recommended to wear a mask (medical mask).
Recommendations in Cambodia:

• Avoid raw meat and fish
• Prefer boiled or cooked vegetables instead of raw vegetables, except if you are sure that it was washed with purified water or peeled.
• Drink a lot of water to keep your body hydrated, and avoid strong physical exercise before you get used to the heat.
• Use insect repellent several times a day if you are in a humid region of Cambodia, and at night time in the whole country. Wear long sleeved/legged clothes to avoid mosquito bites, mostly at night time also.
• Do not drink tap water and request bottled water. Otherwise drink well-boiled water.

Emergency contacts

What to prepare?

Pre-departure Tasks

• Make sure your passport is valid with at least 6 months before the expiry date
• Consider medical, baggage and trip cancellation insurance.
• Check with your doctor regarding vaccinations and medicines needed.

Clothes

• Light clothes (the weather can be hot and humid)
• Long t-shirts and trousers to protect yourself against mosquitoes (mostly during the evening, and in remote areas like the jungle)
• Hat and sunglasses
• Clothes with covered shoulders and knees for sacred buildings and temples
• Good shoes for trekking and for walks around temples

Pharmacy

• Insect repellent
• Antiseptic wipes for hand washing and emergency toilet paper
• Personal First Aid Kit (bring in small amounts and in small containers)
• Aspirin/ibuprofen, etc. (paracetamol is recommended – aspirin can be dangerous in case of dengue fever)
• Cold-symptom relief tablets, antihistamine, cough drops
• Adequate quantity of sweat-resistant sun screen with at least an SPF 15 rating or higher, and lip balm with sunscreen
• Antibiotics
• Prescription medicines in their original bottles. Acidophilus enzyme (available in capsules in health-food stores). This often helps your digestive system get in shape for “new” flora.
• Immodium, Lomotil, or similar anti-diarrhea medicine. Pepto-Bismol tablets and/or liquid (in leak-proof bottle).
• Medical prescriptions if you travel with prescription drugs.

Others

• ID pictures for visa
• At least 30 USD in cash for the visa fee
• Passport and important documents’ photocopies in case of loss