Cambodia, a country steeped in history and natural beauty, is renowned for its ancient temples, vibrant cities, and picturesque landscapes. From the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat to the bustling streets of Phnom Penh and the tranquil beaches of Sihanoukville, Cambodia offers a rich tapestry of experiences. Navigating the financial landscape is key to a seamless trip, so understanding the local currency and cash, ATMs in Cambodia and the payment options is essential for exploring Cambodia with ease and confidence.
Cash or card?
Cash dominates. Tourists often use cash with an estimated 80-90% of transactions in cash.
Cash for:
Visa on Arrival (if applicable, often in local currency or USD), Street shopping, Tuk-tuks and local taxis, Small purchases, Street food vendors, Tips and gratuities in many places, Food from local restaurants, especially in less touristy areas, Entry fees for some temples, museums, and historical sites, Public buses, Many hostels and budget hotels, Local trains (in some areas, ticket machines might not accept cards), Many tour operators, especially local or small-scale ones, Local markets and bazaars
Card for:
Car rentals
Online bookings for hotels, flights, and tours
Entry fees for major tourist attractions and theme parks in major tourist areas
Good looking coffee shops in major tourist areas
Fancy sit-down restaurants in major tourist areas
Expensive tour operators
Shopping in malls and branded stores in major cities
Professional pre-paid taxi booking services (such as in larger cities)
Tailoring services in major tourist areas
Upmarket hotels
Spas in major tourist areas
So where to get cash?
There are 2 main ways to get the cash in Cambodia. They are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange
Pro-tip: Avoid buying Cambodian Riel in your home country. It’s not a popular currency so it’ll be hard to find at home and if you do, the exchange rate will be poor.
Find ATMs in Cambodia?
Cambodia’s 4,500+ ATMs, run by a variety of banks, are easy to find in urban areas and not too rare in smaller towns.
However, they’re not present in remote areas.
You’ll find ATMs at major airports, markets, tourist streets, malls, and near banks.
You won’talways find them at small airports, Islands, Regional bus stops, Interior of the villages, In small towns, off the main streets, Religious places, Remote resorts and retreats.
Popular banks with ATMs
The most popular ATMs in Cambodia are:
Acleda
Campu Bank
Prince Bank
Maybank
BRED Bank
Cathay United
Canadia
Vattanac
Sathapana
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
Some international banks also have their ATMs in Cambodia, namely:
Maybank
ANZ
Global ATM alliance: Global ATM Alliance is a partnership among many banks in the world to allow its customers to withdraw cash from all partner banks abroad without any ATM fee. Many banks in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Latin America are part of the Global ATM Alliance, including Bank of America, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and others. BUT, there is no local bank in Cambodia part of this network. So don’t rely on this.
Where to find currency exchanges?
In Cambodia, consider these places for currency exchange to get cash in Cambodia:
Authorised currency exchange centres: Available in tourist areas, with Ly Hour Exchange being a well-known brand. Local centres are also common.
Banks: Convert your currency to Cambodian Riel or US Dollars at banks, especially for currencies like US dollars, Euros, Pounds, Japanese Yen, Thai Baht, and Singapore dollars. A commission of 0.5% to 2% per transaction is typical.
Gold shops: Unique to Cambodia and some Southeast Asian countries, gold shops often offer currency exchange with excellent rates and no fees.
Hotels and airports: These places offer currency exchange, but rates may not be the best. Some larger hotels may provide rates similar to banks but getting cash in Cambodia from these places will still be a bit expenses.
Tips:
Avoid exchanging at airports for better rates.
Stay away from the black market to avoid scams.
Use new notes for better rates or lower fees.
For US dollars, larger bills typically get higher rates.
Accepted currencies:
Cambodia has two official currencies Cambodian Riel (KHR or ៛) and USD Dollar (USD or $). Note denominations in Cambodian Riel are 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000. Their value is is insignificantly low compared to the US Dollar, Euro or Pound.
US Dollar
You can use US Dollars or Cambodian Riel for any purpose. ATMs will also dispense cash in Riel mostly for foreign cards. It can happen occasionally that the exchange rate on US Dollar to Riel might be poor, so its always better to pay in Riel where possible.
Euro: Not accepted
Pound: Not accepted
Know the ATMs in Cambodia
Foreign debit and credit cards usage:
Indeed, ATMs in Cambodia welcome the use of foreign cards.
Types of cards at ATMs
ATMs in Cambodia will mainly accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, JCB, Maestro, and UnionPay cards. Some Plus cards. Don’t expect them to accept Amex, Diners, Discover, or Rupay cards.
Types of cards to swipe
You’ll find widespread acceptance for swiping Visa and Mastercard. While possible, using your Amex or other cards may be limited to fewer establishments.
Opening hours
The availability of ATMs is largely constant, functioning 24/7. Standalone ATMs provide access anytime, whereas bank-located ATMs might be limited to 9 am to 3 pm.
Workings and functionalities of the ATMs
Cambodia’s ATMs align with global standards, echoing the look and operation of those found in the US, UK, and other countries. Some ATMs might hold onto your card until the transaction concludes, so ensure to retrieve it.
ATM names
Word ATM is widely used
PIN type
ATMs in Cambodia primarily accept 4-digit PINs. Some ATMs may accept longer PINs, but 4 digits are standard.
Also, many merchants used old machines which require a magnetic stripe on the card and not just a chip-and-pin card.
Language options
Cambodian ATMs provide Khmer and English, and occasionally Chinese. If you’re unsure about the language, using Google Translate’s live camera translation can be a useful tool, but remember to be patient with the process.
Know the foreign exchanges in Cambodia
Foreign debit and credit cards usage:
Currency exchanges prefer hard cash for exchange, especially at gold shops. Visa is accepted at many places, mastercard next. Please be mindful of the fees you will pay if you use your card at a currency exchange.
Opening hours
In the realm of currency exchange, especially within gold shops, hard cash is the primary method preferred. Visa is a common alternative, with Mastercard as a backup. Be vigilant about fees when using cards.
Languages to interact in
Staff at currency exchanges in Cambodia can usually interact in 2 language options – Khmer and English, with some in Chinese too.
Exchange names
Currency exchange spots, including some Gold Shops, might be listed under ‘Currency Exchange’, ‘Forex’, or ‘Money Exchange’.
ATM withdrawal limit and ATM Fees
Withdrawal limit: ATMs typically restrict the withdrawal per transaction from US$250 – US$2000, most common being US$500.
ATM fees: Unfortunately, there are no ATMs in Cambodia which are fee-free for foreign card holders, except one bank which does not charge fees for a limited specific type of foreign cards. ATM Fee ranges from US$4 to US$10, most common being US$5 per transaction.
Ways to avoid high fees
Use fee-free ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
For more in-depth insights and alternative methods, check out our detailed article, Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Avoid no-fee exchange offices at all costs to get cash in Cambodia – If they say no fee, which means they account for their fee in the exchange rate. Nothing is ever free in currency exchanges
Avoid using credit and debit cards for direct transactions
Don’t buy Cambodian Riel in your home country – Its not a popular currency and you’ll get poor exchange rates
Don’t carry a lot of Cambodian Riel back home – Again, exchange rate to sell will be poor. And mostly, it wont even be bought back by currency exchanges outside of Cambodia.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Cambodia
Find ATMs in Cambodia that offer fee-free withdrawals, along with currency exchange and money transfer services, through the ATM Fee Saver mobile and web application. It includes details on fees for foreign card users and withdrawal limits at these ATMs. The app’s calculator simplifies the process of determining the exact fees for withdrawals in Cambodia. Choose an ATM, and the app provides navigation to it, offering information for 50 countries, Cambodia among them.
Cash in Cambodia and safety
Carrying cash
It’s generally safe to carry a sensible amount of cash in Cambodia. To ensure the safety of your cash:
Spread your cash across various locations.
Use a safety belt or fanny pack for some of your cash.
Avoid showing a large amount of cash in public.
Don’t reveal all your cash when making payments.
Preferably store your wallet in your front pocket.
Be cautious with your belongings in crowded public spaces.
Safety at ATMs & currency exchanges
ATMs in Cambodia are commonly equipped with security cameras and guards. Nonetheless, vigilance against pickpocketing is advised. Prefer using ATMs inside bank branches for added security, carry a backup card, regularly monitor your transactions, avoid public Wi-Fi for banking, and ensure your card remains visible during transactions. Only use authorised currency exchanges. For more tips, explore our articles on ATM safety while traveling abroad.
FAQs
Fee-free ATMs in Cambodia and possible to withdraw cash free of cost?
Only 1 bank offers fee-free withdrawals for certain types of foreign cards. Otherwise expect to pay ATM fees at ATMs in Cambodia.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe accepted?
Absolutely yes! You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Cambodia
Bitcoin ATMs?
No, there are no Bitcoin ATMs in Cambodia.
Foreign banks’s presence in Cambodia
Bank of America: Not present
Citbank: Not present
Barclays: None at all
HSBC: Yes, there are about 3 HSBC ATMs in Cambodia.
Standard Chartered: Not present
