Before you set off on your tuktuk adventure through Cambodia’s breathtaking landscapes, it’s crucial to understand how the local currency works. From the bustling streets of Phnom Penh to the tranquil temples of Angkor Wat, being prepared with the right financial know-how will allow you to focus on the experiences that matter.
Currency in Cambodia
There are two currencies in use in Cambodia with the US dollar widely accepted along with the Cambodian Riel. It is nearly impossible to trade Riel outside of Cambodia (other than border towns in the neighbouring countries) so if you have any left over at the end of your trip it’s best to change for $ before you leave. There are many money exchange shops in all of the major cities.
Most places will use an exchange rate of USD 1:4,000 KHR but the actual exchange rate fluctuates around 1:4,100. Previously there has been an issue about ripped $ notes being rejected but a recent government decree has removed this issue and vendors should now accept (slightly) damaged notes as you would expect in most other countries.
However, you should be aware that market vendors or small stores are still unlikely to be able to change anything above $20 for a small purchase
Can I withdraw money in Cambodia?
There are ATMs throughout the major cities in Cambodia. Most of these will accept your local Visa or Mastercard card, including digital banks such as Revolut and Monzo. However, some ATMs will simply not accept foreign cards.
ABA, Canadia Bank, ACLEDA and Bred are the banks that typically accept international cards. However, any ATM that does accept foreign cards will charge material fees, often over $5 per withdrawal.
Can I use a card to pay in Cambodia?
Card payment is generally accepted at the majority of tourist destinations but even some of these will still require cash. You are best to withdraw larger amounts of cash from ATMs at a single time to avoid paying multiple fees during your stay.
Cambodia has also recently launched the Bakong Tourists App which works by pre-loading money onto an app and then making payment at local retailers via a QR code. The app is available on both Apple and Android systems. We recommend pre-loading a small amount of money onto the app to test how commonly accepted it is before making it your default payment method. Also remember you will need to have enough battery on your phone!
