Cambodia has a fascinating dual payment landscape. In upscale Phnom Penh neighbourhoods like BKK1 and Daun Penh, you can tap a card at a coffee shop, book a Grab with a saved card, and pay a hotel bill with Visa. Yet walk ten minutes to a wet market or hire a tuk-tuk from the street, and you need physical USD in hand.

The rule of thumb: the more local or budget the experience, the more likely cash is required.Tourist infrastructure accepts cards. The real Cambodia runs on USD bills.

Never arrive in Cambodia without cash. Unlike major tourist destinations such as Thailand or Vietnam, Cambodia does not have 7-Eleven convenience stores on every corner or QR code payment systems that tourists can easily use. Cash is your most reliable payment tool.

Cambodia officially uses the Cambodian Riel (KHR) but operates on a de facto dollarised economy. US Dollars are used for virtually all transactions above $1. Riel is primarily used as change for fractions of a dollar.

• Exchange rate: 4,000–4,100 KHR to $1 USD (stable for years)
• USD bill quality matters: Torn, marked, or pre-2006 bills are often refused. Bring crisp notes.
• $50 and $100 bills: Sometimes get slightly better rates at money changers.
• Small bills essential: ATMs give $50s and $100s. Break these immediately at supermarkets.
• No coins: Cambodia has no coins in circulation. Riel notes fill the coin role.

ATMs are plentiful in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampot, and Battambang. They are limited in smaller towns and rare in rural areas — plan ahead. Most ATMs dispense USD; a small number also dispense KHR.

Choosing the right card can save you significant money on ATM fees and foreign exchange charges over the course of a trip. Here are the standout options:

Wise (Recommended for Most Nationalities)

Wise converts at the real mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees (typically 0.4–1.5% depending on currency). At Cambodian ATMs, Wise processes the withdrawal in USD without converting, so you only pay the ATM's local fee ($4). The Wise card is available in most countries and works at all Cambodian ATMs. Free tier allows two ATM withdrawals per month up to $100 each without Wise's own fees.

Revolut

Revolut offers real exchange rates and fee-free ATM withdrawals up to £200/€200 per month (Standard tier). Excellent for short visits. The paid tiers (Plus, Premium, Metal) remove the withdrawal limit. Note: Revolut sometimes uses slightly less favourable rates on weekends when forex markets are closed.

Charles Schwab Investor Checking (US Citizens)

The gold standard for US travellers. Schwab reimburses all ATM fees worldwide — including Cambodia's $4–6 bank surcharges — at the end of each month. There are no foreign transaction fees and no monthly fees. The debit card works at every Cambodian ATM. If you are American and travel internationally, this account is worth opening before your trip.

Starling Bank (UK Citizens)

Starling offers fee-free spending and ATM withdrawals abroad. The exchange rate is excellent (close to mid-market). UK residents will find Starling paired with a Wise account gives near-zero cost banking abroad.

Even when paying a restaurant bill by card, always tip in cash. This ensures the money reaches the person who served you rather than being pooled into a general service fund. USD $1 bills are the ideal tipping currency — carry a supply at all times.

• Restaurants: 10% in cash if no service charge on bill
• Tuk-tuk drivers: Round up or $1–2 for a helpful driver
• Tour guides: $5/day standard, $10 for exceptional service
• Hotel housekeeping: $1–2 per day, left on pillow
• Massage therapists: $1–3 for a 1-hour massage

For a complete guide to tipping amounts and etiquette, see our Tipping Calculator.

Counterfeit USD notes do circulate in Cambodia. While the risk is low if you use ATMs and reputable money changers, it is worth knowing how to verify a genuine note. The key security features on genuine USD bills:

• Security thread: Hold to light — a vertical embedded strip reads "USA" and the denomination
• Watermark: Hold to light — a portrait matching the bill's face appears in the paper itself
• Colour-shifting ink: The numeral in the lower right corner changes from copper to green when tilted ($100, $50, $20)
• Raised print: Run your fingernail over the portrait — genuine bills have distinct ridges
• Microprinting: Tiny text around the portrait border reads "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" or "USA"
• Red and blue fibres: Tiny coloured fibres are embedded throughout the paper