Phnom Penh: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026

A newcomer in Boeung Keng Kang quickly trades quiet sidewalks for chaotic motorbike lanes, but an economy month settles at $1,256 once you eat where locals do.

Phnom Penh · CC BY-SA 4.0

Map of places

Now in the cityPhnom Penh+27°CDrizzle · sunset 05:59 PMupdated 04:44 PM

EntryPick a passportThe answer depends on the passport.

Places on the map31 Language on siteKhmerOfficial national language

Your first hour in town

Single ticket: ៛1,500
Local SIM card: $2

Sources: 2 · As of September 13, 2026

Source: Phnom Penh City Bus Guide: Routes, Schedules, Apps, and How to Use Public Transport in Cambodia’s Capital · SIM Cards in Cambodia: Plans (2026) | SIM Guide Travel

Getting around

Single ticket: ៛1,500

Pay exact cash when boarding city buses because drivers give no change and passes do not exist.

Source: Phnom Penh City Bus Guide: Routes, Schedules, Apps, and How to Use Public Transport in Cambodia’s Capital · As of September 13, 2026

Price anchorsall prices

Coffee at the counter: $0.75
Lunch at a canteen: $3.75
Beer at a bar: $1.50
Water, 0.5 l: $0.65
Room per month: ≈ $616

Sources: 3 · As of September 13, 2026

Source: Phnom Penh Cafe Price Guide: Your Ultimate Coffee Cost Handbook · Cost of Living in Phnom Penh. Jun 2026. Prices in Phnom Penh · Cost of Living in Phnom Penh 2026 | Phnom Penh Living Costs - Wise

Language on the groundphrases

Hotels, expat cafes, and bars in Boeung Keng Kang: English
Central Market, Orussey Market, and roadside food vendors: Khmer
Motorbike taxis and independent street tuk-tuks: Khmer

«ថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន?» — Use at markets and street stalls before buying goods or ordering food.

Updated September 13, 2026

What fits initineraries

1 day: Royal Palace, National Museum, Sisowath Quay
3 days: + Wat Phnom, Central Market, Tuol Sleng
7 days: + Olympic Stadium, Peace Palace, Chaktomouk Hall

Updated September 13, 2026

Within two hours

Kampong Cham≈ 1 hr 30 min

About the place

Rebuilt as an administrative and commercial center, the capital operates through cash transactions, riverfront commerce, and rapid development.

The settlement expanded around the sacred shrine raised by Lady Penh on the western riverbank, eventually replacing Angkor as the royal seat. Today the Royal Palace anchors official life where the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers converge. Modern commerce stretches outward from the riverfront boulevard into districts dominated by commercial towers like Vattanac Capital Tower and newer satellite projects.

Read on

Newcomers face a transportation system shaped by heavy scooter congestion and irregular sidewalks. While principal boulevards are paved and logically mapped, pedestrian paths frequently host food vendors, parked motorcycles, and construction materials. Daily transit relies on app-hailed auto-rickshaws and traditional remorques, though municipal air-conditioned buses run across town on flat cash fares.

Daily spending requires managing physical currency with care. The local market economy functions on paper dollars alongside riel, where vendors and taxi drivers reject bank notes showing the slightest tear. Long-term residents split their meals between neighbourhood market stalls serving noodle curries and air-conditioned cafes scattered across the expat enclave of Boeung Keng Kang.

Associations

Wat PhnomHilltop temple where the city was founded by Lady Penh.
Remorque and Tuk-Tuk TransitMotorcycle trailers serve as the standard transport for commuters.
Torn Dollar RejectionsMerchants and drivers routinely reject paper money with small tears.
Water FestivalAnnual gathering marking the seasonal flow reversal of the Tonle Sap.
Bag SnatchingMotorcycle thieves target unattended phones and bags in traffic.

Facts

The settlement sits at the confluence of the Tonle Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers.
The Royal Palace grounds house the monarch as the seat of the national royalty.
Techo International Airport serves as the primary international flight terminal for the metropolitan area.
Municipal transit buses collect flat passenger fares exclusively in cash aboard each vehicle.

Updated September 13, 2026Source: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage · Phnom Penh City Bus Guide: Routes, Schedules, Apps, and How to Use Public Transport in Cambodia’s Capital

Money

Monthly budget and everyday prices

Price examples

Coffee: $0.75
Lunch at a canteen: $3.75
Beer at a bar: $1.50
Room, per month: $616.31
SIM card: $2
Bottle of water: $0.65

IEC ID points

Up to 50% of exchange programmes, internships and other IEC services can be paid with points.

+300for registering with IEC ID+100for signing in to TravelHub

Points programme rules

4 sources · As of September 13, 2026

Compare with Kampong Cham →

Getting there and staying

Flight, airport, hosts and rent

No free-housing hosts here yet — the nearest city with them:

Bangkok868 hosts · 3 hr 55 min

Step by step on arrival

01Buy a local SIM card at the airport arrival counters for mobile data connectivity.
02Withdraw local currency and crisp banknotes from an airport automated teller machine.
03Board the airport express bus across the parking lot toward the center of the city.
04Check into your accommodation and leave your luggage.

4 sources · As of September 18, 2026

Source: TravelHub · OurAirports (public domain) · SIM Cards in Cambodia: Plans (2026) | SIM Guide Travel · Phnom Penh City Bus Guide: Routes, Schedules, Apps, and How to Use Public Transport in Cambodia’s Capital

Visa and practicalities

Choose a passport

Set your passport — processing time, fee and documents differ between passports.

Good to know

Torn or damaged United States dollar notes are rejected across businesses and transport services; inspect cash before handing it over to ensure bills are pristine.
Municipal buses do not make change, requiring passengers to pay with exact cash in Cambodian riel upon boarding.
Park rented motorbikes solely in designated guarded lots with a lock and chain to deter vehicle theft.

Small things

SIM card
Travelers can obtain physical subscriber identity cards from operators such as Cellcard and Smart Axiata at airport kiosks and local phone shops.
show more
Presenting a passport is mandatory to complete line registration. Account credit vouchers are available at neighborhood convenience stores, and accounts can also be maintained through provider applications.
eSIM
Digital profiles from global roaming providers activate without identity documentation or store visits.
show more
These plans deliver immediate mobile data upon arrival, though rates run higher than domestic physical cards.
Wi-Fi
Reliable wireless connections are widespread in modern cafes and restaurants throughout central districts.
show more
Expatriate housing and long-term apartment rentals typically provide fixed residential broadband.

Frequently asked

How does public city bus ticketing work in Phnom Penh?

Passengers pay a flat cash fare directly to the driver upon boarding. Exact change is required because drivers do not provide change. The network operates without zone pricing, and transit agencies do not issue tourist cards or multi-ride passes.

Source: Phnom Penh City Bus Guide: Routes, Schedules, Apps, and How to Use Public Transport in Cambodia’s Capital · Wikivoyage

What ride-hailing apps work for getting around Phnom Penh?

Travelers can hail transport using smartphone applications such as PassApp and Grab to book auto-rickshaws, traditional tuk-tuks, and standard cars. The TADA service also operates electric tuk-tuks via its own dedicated application. Booking through these platforms provides upfront pricing, which eliminates fare bargaining with roadside drivers.

Source: Wikivoyage

What condition must US dollar banknotes be in when paying in Phnom Penh?

United States currency circulates alongside the local currency throughout the city. Banknotes must be in clean condition without rips, tears, or marks, as damaged bills are widely rejected by drivers and vendors. Carrying pristine notes in small denominations prevents disputes over change.

Source: Wikivoyage

How do travelers buy and register a local SIM card in Phnom Penh?

Travelers can purchase local SIM cards directly from carrier kiosks in airport arrival halls or from mobile phone shops in the city center. Presenting an original passport is required by law to complete identity registration. Major networks such as Cellcard and Smart Axiata activate mobile data quickly upon purchase.

Source: SIM Cards in Cambodia: Plans (2026) | SIM Guide Travel

What common street scams and petty crimes affect visitors in Phnom Penh?

Daytime bag and smartphone snatching by passing riders occurs frequently, so passengers should keep personal belongings shielded inside vehicles rather than exposed. Con artists along riverside promenades invite visitors to private meals that lead to rigged card games. Fake monks also approach foreigners near tourist sights to solicit money.

Source: Wikivoyage

What happens during the annual Water Festival in Phnom Penh?

The city hosts the Water Festival, an annual multi-day celebration marking the seasonal reversal of the Tonle Sap River. Crowds gather along the riverbanks to watch traditional boat races, musical performances, and evening fireworks. The racing tradition commemorates historical naval forces from the Khmer Empire era.

Source: Wikipedia

How can travelers reach the city center from Techo International Airport?

Arriving passengers can travel between the international airport and the city center using shuttle buses, taxis, or rail links. The dedicated Airport Express Bus service picks up travelers outside the arrivals terminal and heads toward central transit roundabouts. Passengers can monitor these public airport buses in real time using the municipal transit application.

Source: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage

7 sources

Source: Wikivoyage · Phnom Penh Cost of Living 2026: $1,150/mo · Nomada · Phnom Penh Cafe Price Guide: Your Ultimate Coffee Cost Handbook · SIM Cards in Cambodia: Plans (2026) | SIM Guide Travel · Wikivoyage · Wikivoyage · Phnom Penh City Bus Guide: Routes, Schedules, Apps, and How to Use Public Transport in Cambodia’s Capital

Safety and health

Official travel advice and the medical minimum

Safety · official adviceour data as of Sep 15, 2026

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Essential travel only to partsEssential travel only, and only to part of the country.

Full text

New information about global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

Source: UK FCDO Foreign Travel Advice

US State DepartmentLevel 2Watch your surroundings and belongings more closely than usual.

crime

Full text

The advisory level was increased to 2. The “unrest” risk indicator was added. An area of increased risk was added. The advisory summary was updated. Exercise increased caution in Cambodia due to crime and landmines . Some areas have increased risks. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to: Areas along Cambodian and Thai border due to armed conflict.

Source: US Department of State Travel Advisory

Keep bags and mobile phones secured toward the center of tuk-tuks or between yourself and the driver on motorbike taxis to counter drive-by theft.

Legitimate Buddhist monks do not solicit money from pedestrians; decline demands from individuals in robes begging for cash.

Decline dinner invitations from strangers who strike up conversations in tourist areas, as these encounters often lead to staged card gambling scams.

Source: UK FCDO Foreign Travel Advice · US Department of State Travel Advisory · Wikivoyage

Getting here

Airports, distances and public transport

Getting hereOurAirports (public domain)

Techo International Airport KTI22 km from the centre

Sihanouk International Airport KOS178 km from the centre

Rach Gia Airport VKG179 km from the centre

Public transport៛1,500Single ticket · Pay exact cash when boarding city buses because drivers give no change and passes do not exist.

Source: OurAirports (public domain) · Phnom Penh City Bus Guide: Routes, Schedules, Apps, and How to Use Public Transport in Cambodia’s Capital · As of September 18, 2026

When to go and itineraries

When to come and what fits into a day, three days and a week

Ready-made itineraries

Central Heritage2 km on foot

09:00Wat PhnomClimb the wooded sanctuary hill that marks the founding point of the city.
11:00Central MarketBrowse regional produce and trade stalls sheltered under the central dome.
14:00National Museum of CambodiaExamine preserved stone carvings and historic art near the riverfront.
16:00Royal PalaceWalk through ceremonial grounds and sacred buildings near the Tonle Sap.

National History and Landmarks2.5 km on foot

09:30Tuol Sleng torture centerWalk through the preserved complex that documents the Khmer Rouge era.
13:00Independence Monument, Phnom PenhObserve the historic memorial marking freedom from colonial rule.
14:30Norodom Sihanouk MemorialVisit the commemorative park statue honoring the late king.
16:30Chaktomouk HallConclude at the riverfront auditorium beside the river confluence.

Updated September 13, 2026

Language and culture

Five phrases for the first day and where you can’t do without the language

English is common in central business districts, expat enclaves like Boeung Keng Kang, riverside establishments, and large hotels. Airport service counters and modern cafes operate easily in English.

Five phrases for the first day

ថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន?Thlay ponman?
How much is this? — Use at markets and street stalls before buying goods or ordering food.
ចុះថ្លៃបន្តិចបានទេ?Choh thlay bontech ban te?
Can you discount it a little? — Use politely when negotiating long-term rent or purchasing goods at open markets.
គិតលុយKit loy
Check, please. — Use to call for the bill at local eateries, street stalls, and casual dining spots.
ជួយខ្ញុំផងChuoy khnhom phorng
Please help me. — Use when seeking urgent assistance, encountering mechanical trouble, or navigating unfamiliar streets.
កុំដាក់ស្ករKom dak skor
Do not add sugar. — Use when ordering coffee, tea, or fruit shakes to avoid excessive sweetness.

3 more phrases

មានបន្ទប់ជួលទេ?Mien bantoup chuol te?
Is there a room for rent? — Use when searching for housing directly from local property owners.
ឈប់ទីនេះChhup ti nih
Stop here, please. — Use to instruct tuk-tuk drivers or bus conductors upon arriving at your destination.
ជំរាបសួរChoum reap sour
Hello. — Use accompanied by hands pressed together when meeting landlords, elders, or officials.

Where you will need the language

Situation	Language
Hotels, expat cafes, and bars in Boeung Keng Kang	English
Central Market, Orussey Market, and roadside food vendors	Khmer
Motorbike taxis and independent street tuk-tuks	Khmer
Airport arrival counters and primary telecom branches	English
Municipal city buses and bus stops	Khmer
Serviced apartment leasing offices and travel agencies	English
Local residential landlords and neighbourhood repair shops	Khmer
Ride-hailing booking applications	English in app; basic Khmer for phone calls