Most Western Countries currently do not offer direct flights to Cambodia and so you will likely have to fly via Thailand or China. The Chinese flights tend to me marginally cheaper with a longer overall journey and transfer time. Be prepared to factor in the long journey when planning your itinerary.
After travelling for a long period, before starting a tour, you may wish to take a day to rest and to adjust to the new time zone and climate.
There are two international airports in Cambodia, Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport. Plan to arrive and leave from the closest airports that suite your itinerary as it will save you many hours travelling by road.
You will be able to get internal flights from each airport and including Sihanoukville airport which is closest to the Islands Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem.
If you plan on visting Thailand, Vietnam or Laos first, then there are Coach services into Cambodia, be prepared to travel 12 hours.
If you want to avoid the hassle of organising the travel logistics, book a multi-day tour with us and we'll be able to help suggest flights so that you arrive in time for your tour and your onward journey home or elsewhere.
2. Passport, visa, and other important documents.
When Travelling to Cambodia insure that you passport is valid for at least 6 months and that you have at least two blank pages free in your passport. You will require one whole blank page for your visa stamp.
Visa's are either obtained prior to your arrival through the Cambodian immigration website or ''visa upon arrival''. As of August 2024 you will be required to fill in an e-arrival form, available 7 days prior to arrival. This can be found here - You will be asked to present this at immigration.
A 30 day Tourist visa fee is $30. If you have chosen to get your tourist visa upon arrival then you must pay this fee at the immigration desk at the airport just before passport control. You must pay in USD and the notes must have no tears or marks.
You can extend a tourist visa once for another 30 days. We can help advice you should you wish to stay longer.
Travel insurance is vital, please insure you have adequate travel insurance and medical cover.
2. Getting around Cambodia.
When in Cambodia, the one thing you'll notice is the abundance of tuk-tuk's and ramourgues (French word for tuk-tuk but referred to the larger motorbike pulled tuk-tuk pictured above). We highly recommend not hiring a car to drive, the roads are quite chaotic and if you are not used to them then they can be very dangerous. For this reason we advise using public transport like a tuk-tuk. They are incredibly easy to find and incredibly cost effective. You can book tuk tuk, taxis and minibuses from apps like 'grab' and 'passapp'. The app will show you the set price also meaning you know what to pay before you have even booked. When paying tuk-tuks they will usually overcharge a tourist. The good rule of thumb is to pay $1 for every 5 minutes travelled.
3. Currency, paying and tipping in Cambodia.
The Currency of Cambodia Is Riel, which is available it denominations 100, 200, 500,1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 15000, 20000 30000, 50000 and 100,000 notes. US dollar is also widely acceptable and is only acceptable in certain situations, for example, your visa at immigration.
The conversion rate is always typically 4000 riel to $1 usd.
Riel currency is not available for exchange in the western world so we recommend for you to bring lots of different denominations of US notes. You'll be able to exchange for Riel inside the country at the many currency exchange kiosks. We can help take you to a branch that has good rates for you to do this although most places will accept usd. Don't be surprised if you sometimes pay with usd and receive riel back, this is very common so as long as you remember that 4000 riel is equal to $1 usd you'll be able to check to make sure you have the right change.
You'll typically pay at the end of your time at a restaurant or bar and although not customary like in America, tipping of 5% to 10% of your bill will really be appreciated Most of waiters and waitresses working in Cambodia are on very little and a tip really makes a big difference to them. Tuk-Tuk drivers, always discuss the price before starting your journey and you'll pay afterwards, round it up to the nearest $1 for a tip or is a ride costs $3 then it's nice to give then $4, they will normally have a family to feed at home.
ATM's, there are plenty of ATM's in Cambodia found on almost every corner of busy shopping areas. They will usually give you a choice of either dispensing usd or riel. Check your fee's and the exchange rate before using them and remember that your cash is dispensed first then your bank card. When I first moved to Cambodia, I lost a couple of bank cards because I had got used to the card coming out first and then the cash, so I had already walked away when receiving my money leaving my card in the machine. Don't make the same mistake as I did.
4. Cambodian Weather and when best to visit.
The most favoured time to visit is between November through to February, temperatures are typically cooler during this period, ranging from 20c - 30c and the weather is dry meaning attractions are easier to get to. This period is peek tourist time.
Between March and May, temperatures peek to around 35c at the hottest part of the day and can be quite humid. This is a perfect time of year to visit to see Cambodia's stunning flowers. We have designed our logistics around keeping our clients comfortable, all our transport is air conditioned and kept stocked with ice cold water and towels.
June to October is rainy season. Rain in Cambodia can be quite intense with plenty of thunderstorms. Although the rain may be heavy, it does not last for more than 1 hour, meaning tours are not disrupted for long. In rural areas where concrete roads are not available, access may be restricted or difficult. Our routes are all planned to avoid areas without concrete roads.
5. Booking Accommodation in Cambodia.
Hotels in Cambodia vary immensely, Whether you like a luxury 5 star hotel, a unique boutique hotel or a humble guesthouse, Cambodia has many different choices to suit any budget.
Then of course you have amazing resorts, especially on the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem.
When booking we recommend looking at the following.
Location - If a luxury hotel is half the price of similar ones then the reason for this could be because it's far away from the local attractions meaning a tuk tuk could take 30 minutes to take you to where you want to go for an evening meal or shops or the opposite could also apply. The hotel could be in amongst all the bars and nightlife making it a noisy area to try and go to sleep.
All the hotels we have selected for our all-inclusive multiday tours are in the best location at a price that is competitive to similar class of hotel.
Beds - Have a read of recent reviews, if they mention hard beds then the chances are it'll be like sleeping on a board. Cambodians are used to sleeping on hard surfaces and will not give much thought about the softness of mattresses for their western guests.
We have tested the hotels in our all-inclusive tours to ensure they have the comfiest beds.
Pools - After a day travelling in a humid climate, there is nothing like coming back to a refreshing dip in a pool. Make sure that any hotel you book has a nice pool, you'll thank us later.
Booking is fairly straight forward and we like to use Agoda. They will normally have free cancellations within 24 hours of your planned arrival and generally have cheaper rates.
Hotels that have partnered with us give us discounted rates which we then pass onto you when booking an all-inclusive tour with us.
6. Customs and Culture
In order to effectively engage with the local culture in Cambodia, it is essential to have a grasp of certain fundamental customs and traditions. Cambodians are typically known for their friendly and courteous demeanor, and showing respect is greatly valued.
When greeting or expressing gratitude, it is customary to perform a 'sampeah' gesture, which involves clasping the hands together and giving a slight bow as a sign of respect.
It is important to refrain from public displays of affection, as they are not deemed suitable behavior.
The head is seen as the most sacred part of the body, while the feet are viewed as the least. It is considered polite to avoid pointing your feet towards individuals or religious representations.
Upon entering a temple, it is tradition to take off your shoes and ensure your shoulders and knees are covered. Additionally, visitors should maintain a composed and respectful demeanor. Giving gifts is viewed as a friendly act, and it is customary not to open the gift right away as a sign of humility. It is considered polite to offer or accept gifts using both hands.
By adhering to these basic cultural customs, you can develop a deeper understanding of Cambodia's warm and welcoming culture. Demonstrating respect, generosity, and humility is key when engaging with the local community.
7. Ordering food and drink.
Traditional Khmer dishes are definitely not to be missed and are typically less spicy than it's neighbours meaning you can try without the worry of it blowing your head off!
Two of my favourite Cambodian dishes are, beef lok lak and Amok Fish Curry. Beef Lok Lak is marinated tender beef in a lime and pepper sauce served with sliced tomato's, lettuce, onions and rice. Amok fish curry is a mild coconut and pepper based curry which is absolutely delicious.
Try to find a restaurant that is busy with locals, this is a sure sign that the food is good and authentic. You may struggle with the menu, if they solely cater for locals they may not have an English menu but this is a good sign you're in the right place. Use google translation to scan the menu and translate from Khmer into English for you.
Night markets are also a great place to find authentic khmer food.
Drinks! soo many delicious exotic drinks that will cost peanuts. Sugar cane juice and coconut smoothies are my favourite, not mentioning Cambodias own beers and cocktails which are all top notch.
If booking one of our tours you'll be handed a helpful 'what's around you' leaflet which details local attractions and restaurants that we recommend, all are within walking distance or short tuk tuk drive from your hotel.
8. Learn some simple phases in Khmer.
Cambodians really love tourists who try and learn a few words in Khmer. Although in tourist areas you will find a lot of English speaking locals, It will show them that you respect their culture and willing to make an effort. These words are very easy to say.
(Informal) Hello or Hi - សួស្តី (Sous-dey) Pronunciation: (suh-SDEY)
Thank you - អរគុណ (Or-kun) Pronunciation: (aw-koon)
Delicious - ឆ្ងាញ់ (Chnganh) Pronunciation: (ch'nanh)
We'll test you on your khmer! ;)
9. Wifi or roaming data?
You'll find free wifi in almost every hotel, cafe and shopping mall, but you can buy a local sim card at arrivals or a cheaper alternative is to buy from a local shop. It's always good to have data on your phone so you can search maps and bring up other useful information.
Signal in all urban areas is very reliable and even in most rural areas you will still be able to get a very good signal.
10. Stay safe in Cambodia.
Some people have mentioned to me that when they think of Cambodia they imagine an unsafe country rife with crime, this could not be further from the truth. It is true, that in the capital Phnom Penh there is petty crime and tourists that leave valuables laying around are often a target, so like any other capital city you must remain vigilant. To say that Phnom Penh is more dangerous than New York or London would be extremely unfair. Other Towns are incredibly safe, Siem Reap for example is very safe and I solo females travelers have rated Cambodia as a whole a very safe Country to travel to.
My advise is to not tempt opportunistic criminals with easy offerings, don't leave valuables unattended, don't hold your phone outside of tuk-tuks and any bags should be securely fastened. Have back up money, or alternative access to money and make sure your insurance will cover any loses.
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