Practical A–Z

e-Visa (recommended)

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss need a visa for Cambodia. The easiest option is the e-Visa, which you apply for online:

• Website: evisa.gov.kh (official site — beware of third-party sites that charge extra fees!)
• Cost: 36 USD (30 USD visa + 6 USD processing fee)
• Validity: 30 days from entry, single entry
• Processing time: 3 business days (sometimes faster)
• Required: Passport (valid for at least 6 months), digital passport photo, credit card
• Entry: Valid at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports and some land border crossings (Poipet, Bavet)

Visa on Arrival (Alternative)

Available at the airport or most land borders:

• Cost: 30 USD (cash, in USD — bring exact change!)
• Required: Passport, 1 passport photo, entry form (at the counter)
• Waiting time: 15–45 minutes (airport), sometimes longer at land borders

Extension

The 30-day visa can be extended once for 30 days (45 USD, through an agency in Phnom Penh, 3 business days). Overstay: 10 USD fine per day — calculated upon departure.

The Dual Currency System

Cambodia has one of the most unusual currency situations in the world: There is a national currency (Riel, KHR), but in everyday life, almost everything is paid for in US dollars. Both currencies circulate in parallel:

• US dollars: Accepted everywhere — hotels, restaurants, tuk-tuks, supermarkets. Prices are quoted in USD.
• Riel: For small amounts under 1 USD. Change is often given in Riel (1 USD = 4,100 KHR). Also common in markets and street food stalls.

USD — Important Rules

• Bring USD cash! Preferably fresh, undamaged bills. Torn, marked, or heavily worn bills are REJECTED.
• Small bills: 1-, 5-, and 10-dollar bills are worth their weight in gold. 50- and 100-dollar bills are hard to change, except in hotels and banks.
• Coins: US coins are NOT accepted — only bills.

ATMs

ATMs are available in all cities and tourist areas. Most dispense USD (some also Riel):

• Withdrawal limit: Usually 200–500 USD per transaction
• Fees: 4–5 USD per withdrawal (plus your home bank's fees)
• Recommended banks: ABA Bank (lowest fees, reliable), ACLEDA Bank, Canadia Bank

Credit Cards

Accepted in upscale hotels and restaurants in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (often with a 2–3% surcharge). On the islands, in Kampot, Battambang, and the northeast: cash only!

Vaccinations

No mandatory vaccinations for entry from Germany. Recommended are:

• Standard vaccinations: Tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles (get boosters)
• Hepatitis A: Strongly recommended (transmission through food/water)
• Hepatitis B: Recommended for longer stays
• Typhoid: Recommended for travel to rural areas
• Rabies: Recommended for close animal contact or travel to remote areas (Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri). Stray dogs are ubiquitous!
• Japanese Encephalitis: For longer stays in rural areas during the rainy season

Malaria & Dengue

• Malaria: Risk in remote forest areas (Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, border areas). No risk in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and the coast. Prophylaxis (Malarone, Doxycycline) only needed for travel to the northeast — consult a travel doctor!
• Dengue: Nationwide, especially during the rainy season (May–November). No vaccine, no prophylactic medication. Mosquito protection is the only prevention: DEET-based repellent (at least 30%), long clothing at dusk, mosquito net at night.

Tap Water & Stomach

NEVER drink tap water — not even for brushing teeth in basic accommodations. Bottled water is cheap everywhere (0.25–0.50 USD). Ice in tourist restaurants is generally safe (industrially produced). Street food is generally safe — look for high turnover.

Medical Care

There are good private clinics in Phnom Penh (Royal Phnom Penh Hospital, SOS International). In Siem Reap: Royal Angkor International Hospital. Outside major cities: very limited care. In serious emergencies: Evacuation to Bangkok (1h flight). Travel health insurance with repatriation is MANDATORY!

Important: Pharmacies

Pharmacies in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are well-stocked. Outside: only basic medications. Bring: Imodium, electrolyte powder, painkillers, band-aids, disinfectant, malaria prophylaxis (if needed).

General Safety

Cambodia is generally safe for tourists. Violent crime against foreigners is rare. What does occur:

• Pickpocketing: In Phnom Penh (Riverside, markets) and Siem Reap (Pub Street). Wear your backpack in front, don't keep your phone in the outer pocket.
• Bag snatching: In Phnom Penh, motorcyclists snatch bags from shoulders. ALWAYS carry bags towards the building side, never the street side. Or: Use a crossbody bag.
• Scams: Overpriced tuk-tuk fares, fake Angkor guides, "my restaurant is closed, come to my friend's" tricks. Agree on prices beforehand, stick to your line.
• Nightlife: Pub Street in Siem Reap and the bars in Phnom Penh are safe, but watch your drinks (spiking is rare, but there are reports).

Landmines — The Invisible Danger

Cambodia is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Between 1970 and 1998, millions of landmines and cluster bombs were laid — by all sides of the conflict (Khmer Rouge, Vietnamese, Cambodian army, US bombings). An estimated 4–6 million mines remain in the ground.

The good news: All tourist areas are demined. Angkor, Phnom Penh, the coast, main roads — all safe. The mines are in remote rural areas, border regions, and off-trail areas in the northwest.

Golden Rule

Stay on marked paths! Never venture into unknown terrain, especially not off-trail in rural areas. Red and white mine signs (skull symbol) mark mined areas — they are not decoration, but deadly serious.

Landmine Museum (Siem Reap)

The Cambodia Landmine Museum (16 km north of Siem Reap, on the way to Banteay Srei) is an impressive small museum, founded by Aki Ra — a former child soldier of the Khmer Rouge who has dedicated his life to demining. 5 USD entry, which goes directly to demining efforts.

SIM Card & Mobile Data

A local SIM card is dirt cheap and indispensable:

• Providers: Smart (best network, recommended), Cellcard (good coverage), Metfone (cheapest rates)
• Price: 1–3 USD for the SIM + 2–5 USD for 5–15 GB data (30 days)
• Purchase: At the airport (counter right after baggage claim), in mobile shops, or at street stalls. Passport required!
• Network coverage: 4G in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and major cities. 3G on the islands. In the northeast (Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri): patchy to nonexistent.

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi in almost all hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and cafes. Speed is acceptable in cities (5–20 Mbps), sometimes painfully slow in rural areas and on the islands.

Electricity

230V, various socket types (A, C, G — all mixed!). A universal adapter is essential. Power outages occur, especially on the islands and in rural areas. On Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, some accommodations have electricity only for certain hours (generator).

Clothing

Cambodia is hot and humid — light, breathable clothing is a must:

• Angkor Temples: Shoulders and knees MUST be covered (checked!). Light long pants and a T-shirt. No miniskirts, no tank tops.
• Pagodas: Same rules as temples. Remove shoes when entering.
• Beach: Bikini/swim trunks at the beach are normal. Topless is not common and is frowned upon.
• Evenings: In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, everything is relaxed — shorts and a T-shirt are enough.
• Jungle (Northeast): Long pants, sturdy shoes, mosquito protection. The leeches in the rainy season are no joke.

Tipping

Tipping is not traditionally customary in Cambodia, but is increasingly expected in tourism:

Useful Packing List

• Mosquito repellent (DEET 30%+) — expensive in Cambodia, bring your own!
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ (expensive locally)
• Universal plug adapter
• Flashlight/headlamp (for islands and power outages)
• Rain poncho or light rain jacket (rainy season)
• Copy of passport (digital + paper)
• Small USD bills (1s, 5s, 10s)