Cambodia Travel Tips

From Threeland Travel's Blog - September 2012

Tags: Cambodia Travel

Airport Tax: There is an airport tax of US$ 20 upon departure. This tax is usually not included in the price of your airticket, so ensure that you have US$20 spare in cash and per person by the end of your trip which is payable at the airport.

Airport Taxi: We advise you to arrange an airport pick up with the hotel where you will be staying, if however you prefer to go local, then a taxi from Pochentong International Airport (Phnom Penh) will take roughly 15 minutes and cost approximately US$ 7, and from Siem Reap Airport to Siem Reap City roughly 10 minutes and approx. US$ 5.

Banking: Banks are generally open from 8am to 4pm weekdays and from 8am to 12pm on Saturdays.

Business Hours: Generally speaking the official business hours are from 8am to 12 pm and 2pm to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, some businesses are open Saturdays for a half day from 8am to 12pm. Opening times of Government offices are different and they are open 7:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Country Calling Code : 855

Credit Cards: Some but not all banks in Cambodia accept major credit cards as do some of the hotels. Westrongly advise you to check with the hotel where you will be staying at to see if they accept your preferred credit card or not and call your local credit card company for more information.

Currency: Local currency is Cambodia Riels. Denominations are 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100. The US$ are widely used and accepted and it is advisable to bring some with you. Foreign currencies (but we advise you to bring some US$ with you no matter where you are travelling from) can be changed at hotels, airports or markets. Commission is generally not charged at the market moneychangers so they tend to be cheaper, than the alternatives.

Electricity: Voltage in Cambodia is 220 volts AC, 50HZ.

Language: Khmer is the first language, and English the second, French seems to be fading fast as a language within Cambodia.

Photography: Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installations is forbidden and discretion should be used when photographing people, especially monks.

Religion: The official religion is Theravada Buddhism, and roughly ninety percent of Khmers follow this religion.

Social Greetings: Cambodians greet each other with a slight bow and a prayer like gesture called a Sompeah, with the younger or lower ranked person normally initiating the gesture. For foreigners and business handshakes are acceptable.

Visa: Applications for visas can be done on arrival (passport sized photos will be required). The visa on arrival is valid for a thirty day stay and issued to tourists at a cost of US$ 20 and for business visitors at US$ 25 at the Pochentong International Airport, Siem Reap Airport and also International border check points. Visas can also be obtained from certain Royal Cambodian Embassies or Consulates around the world.

Water: Do not drink tap water, only drink bottled water

Weather: Cambodia has a warm / hot tropical climate that is relatively calm and consistent throughout the year. The average temperature is 27 degrees centigrade. There are two seasons, the humid and rainy monsoon season which spans from June to October and the dry season which is from November to May. The coolest period tends to be from December to January.