How to Get a Cambodian SIM Card
Getting a Cambodian SIM card is one of the first things to do upon arrival. Mobile data is cheap, coverage is decent, and you'll need a local number for ride-hailing apps, deliveries, and banking.
How do I Get a Cambodian SIM Card?
Buy a SIM at the airport ($2-5) or any phone shop. Smart (best coverage), Cellcard (fastest data), or Metfone (cheapest). Tourist packs: 15-30 GB for $3-5. Monthly plans: unlimited data from $5-10. Bring your passport for registration.
Choose your carrier
Smart: best overall coverage including rural areas, strong 4G. Cellcard: fastest data speeds in cities, premium network. Metfone: cheapest plans, adequate coverage in cities, weaker in rural areas. For most expats, Smart or Cellcard is the best choice.
Buy the SIM card
Airport kiosks (best for immediate setup): $3-5 with starter data. Phone shops and convenience stores: $1-2 for the SIM alone. Brand shops (Smart, Cellcard centers): best for explaining plans in English. Supermarkets (Aeon, Lucky) also stock SIMs.
💡 Airport SIM kiosks set everything up for you — easiest option for new arrivals.
Register with your passport
Cambodia requires SIM registration with a valid passport or ID. The seller scans your passport and takes a photo. Registration is instant. Unregistered SIMs are deactivated within 30 days.
Choose your data plan
Tourist (short stay): 15-30 GB for 7-30 days, $3-7. Monthly unlimited: $5-10 for "unlimited" (typically 2-3 GB at full speed, then throttled). Premium monthly: $10-20 for 30-50 GB at full speed. Top up via phone shops, convenience stores, or banking apps.
Set up essential apps
Use your new number to register: Grab, PassApp, Telegram (most popular messaging app in Cambodia), ABA Bank, and food delivery apps (Nham24, FoodPanda). Your Cambodian number becomes your digital identity.
💰 Costs
| SIM card (airport) | $3-5 (with starter data) |
| SIM card (phone shop) | $1-2 |
| Tourist data pack (7 days, 15 GB) | $3-5 |
| Monthly plan (unlimited basic) | $5-10 |
| Monthly plan (premium, 30-50 GB) | $10-20 |
| International call credit | $1-5 top-up |
💡 Tips
- • Smart has the best rural coverage — essential if traveling outside PP and Siem Reap.
- • Telegram is the preferred messaging app in Cambodia, not WhatsApp or LINE.
- • Top up credit using ABA Bank app — instant, no shop visit needed.
- • Consider an eSIM if your phone supports it — Airalo and Holafly offer Cambodia eSIMs from $5.
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