How do I manage money as a tourist in Cambodia?
Cambodia uses USD as its de facto currency — bring clean, crisp US dollar bills. ATMs (ABA, ACLEDA) dispense USD and charge $4-5 per withdrawal. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and upscale venues in cities but cash is king elsewhere. The local currency, Riel (KHR), is used for change under $1.
- Bring clean USD bills (no tears, marks, or pre-2006 bills)
- ATMs everywhere in cities: $4-5 withdrawal fee (Wing: $2-3)
- Visa/Mastercard accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants
- Exchange rate: ~4,100 KHR = $1 USD (fixed)
Money in Cambodia — Overview
Cambodia operates on a dual-currency system: the US dollar (USD) and the Cambodian riel (KHR). In practice, USD is the primary currency for all transactions over approximately $1. Riel is used for small change — when your purchase is $2.50 and you pay with $3, you will receive 2,000 KHR (~$0.49) in change rather than US coins.
This system makes Cambodia one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia for American and international travelers to manage money. You do not need to exchange currency before arrival — USD works immediately. ATMs in every city dispense USD, and most tourist-facing businesses price everything in dollars.
Critical: Cambodians are extremely picky about USD bill condition. Any tear, mark, stain, or heavy crease will get your bill rejected. Even a small pen mark can cause refusal. Bring clean, new-looking bills. $50 and $100 bills from before 2006 (small portrait) are often refused entirely.
ATM Networks & Fees
| Bank | ATM Fee | Daily Limit | Cards Accepted | Network Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABA Bank | $4-5 | $2,000/day | Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB | 300+ ATMs nationwide |
| ACLEDA Bank | $4-5 | $2,000/day | Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay | 500+ ATMs (largest network) |
| Canadia Bank | $4-5 | $1,500/day | Visa, Mastercard | 200+ ATMs |
| Wing | $2-3 | $500/transaction | Visa, Mastercard | 8,000+ agents |
| Prince Bank | $4-5 | $2,000/day | Visa, Mastercard, JCB | 100+ ATMs |
| Maybank | $4-5 | $1,500/day | Visa, Mastercard | 50+ ATMs |
Pro tip: Use a bank card with no foreign ATM fees (Charles Schwab Investor Checking, Wise, or Revolut) and you'll only pay the local $4-5 fee. Withdraw the maximum amount each time to minimize total fees.
Card Acceptance in Cambodia
Card acceptance is growing but varies significantly by location:
- Hotels (3-star+): Visa and Mastercard widely accepted. Some add 2-3% surcharge.
- Upscale restaurants: Cards accepted in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap tourist areas.
- Shopping malls (AEON, The Point): Cards accepted at most stores.
- Supermarkets (Lucky, Thai Huot): Cards accepted at larger branches.
- Local restaurants and street food: Cash only in most cases.
- Tuk-tuks and local transport: Cash only (Grab accepts cards in Phnom Penh).
- Markets: Cash only, always.
- Rural areas: Cash only, everywhere.
UnionPay is accepted at many ATMs and some larger stores (useful for Chinese travelers). JCB works at ABA and Prince Bank ATMs. American Express has very limited acceptance — only at major hotels and a few high-end restaurants.
Currency Exchange
| Location | Rate Quality | Convenience | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport exchange counters | Poor (3-5% markup) | High | Only change enough for a taxi/tuk-tuk to your hotel ($10-20). Bad rates. |
| Banks (ABA, ACLEDA, Canadia) | Good (official rate) | Medium | Best for large amounts. Need passport. Open Mon-Fri 8:00-15:30, Sat 8:00-11:30. |
| Licensed money changers (Central Market, Russian Market) | Good to Very Good | High | Often slightly better than banks. Count your money carefully. Use established shops only. |
| Hotel reception | Poor to Average | High | Convenient but poor rates. Only for small emergency amounts. |
| Street money changers | Variable — RISKY | High | AVOID. Risk of counterfeit bills, short-changing, and scams. Not worth the risk. |
Money Transfers
If you need money sent to you in Cambodia, or want to transfer funds:
| Service | Speed | Fees | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise (TransferWise) | 1-2 business days | 0.5-1.5% | Bank transfer to ABA/ACLEDA account |
| Western Union | Minutes (cash pickup) | $5-15 per transfer | Cash pickup at ACLEDA, Wing agents |
| Wing Money | Instant (domestic) | $1-3 | Mobile wallet |
| MoneyGram | Minutes to hours | $5-10 | Cash pickup at partner banks |
| PayPal | 3-5 business days | 3-5% | Linked to bank account |
Digital & Mobile Payments
Cambodia has leapfrogged into mobile payments, especially among locals:
- ABA KHQR: QR code payment system by ABA Bank. Increasingly accepted at local shops, cafes, and restaurants. Link your ABA bank account to pay by scanning QR codes. Tourists can open an ABA account with just a passport.
- Wing Money: Cambodia's largest mobile money platform with 8,000+ agents. Used for bill payments, peer-to-peer transfers, and cash-in/cash-out at Wing agents (small shops with the Wing logo).
- Bakong: Cambodia's central bank digital currency (CBDC) launched by the National Bank of Cambodia. Works with KHR. Growing domestic adoption but not practical for most tourists yet.
- Grab (ride-hailing): Accepts Visa/Mastercard in Phnom Penh for rides and food delivery.
- Nham24 (food delivery): Accepts cards and local payment methods.
If staying more than a week, consider opening an ABA Bank account (passport only, $10 minimum deposit, 15-minute process). The ABA mobile app is excellent and gives you access to KHQR payments accepted at thousands of local businesses.
Money Tips for Tourists
- Bring small bills: $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills are most useful. Many small shops and tuk-tuk drivers cannot break $50 or $100 bills.
- Inspect your bills: Before leaving home, check every USD bill for tears, marks, and stains. Bring only clean, crisp notes.
- Keep riel for small purchases: Accumulate riel change for purchases under $1 (bottled water, small snacks, temple donations).
- Notify your bank: Tell your bank you are traveling to Cambodia to prevent card blocks for suspicious activity.
- Carry backup: Bring 2 different bank cards from different networks (Visa + Mastercard) plus emergency cash.
- Use hotel safes: Keep most of your cash in the hotel safe. Carry only what you need for the day ($30-50 typically).
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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