Cambodia

Cambodia rewards both slow wanderers and short-stay visitors, so start by thinking in regions. Most first-time trips link Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and the southern coast (Kampot, Kep, or the islands near Sihanoukville). Allow at least 3–4 days for Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor, 2–3 for Phnom Penh’s history and riverfront, and a few days to unwind by the sea.

Use Hello’s trip planning tools to map out travel days, temple-hopping, and beach time in one place, then adjust easily as plans change. Domestic flights connect Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, while buses and minivans link most major towns; factor in extra time, as road journeys can be slower than expected.

In high season (roughly November–March), popular guesthouses in Siem Reap and island bungalows can book out, so reserve ahead. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds but occasional showers—great for flexible travellers.

Build in “buffer days” for longer temple routes or a spontaneous detour to places like Battambang or the Cardamom Mountains. As you go, use Hello budget tracking to log costs in riel and spot when you’re splurging on sunset cocktails or boutique stays, helping you keep the trip aligned with your overall budget.

Cambodia is surprisingly easy to navigate once you know your options. For city hops, buses and minivans are the workhorses, linking Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and coastal towns for around 30,000–60,000 KHR (about 7–15 USD) depending on distance and comfort level. Overnight buses can save a night’s accommodation, but choose reputable companies and keep valuables with you.

In towns, tuk-tuks are your best friend: always agree a price before riding or ask the driver to use an app-based meter where available. Short rides in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh often start around 4,000–8,000 KHR (1–2 USD). For more freedom, consider renting a motorbike in places like Kampot or the islands—but only if you’re confident and always wear a helmet.

Staying connected makes navigation much easier. Activate a Hello eSIM before landing so you have data at the airport, can book rides, and use maps without hunting for Wi‑Fi or worrying about roaming charges.

For scenic detours, river boats between cities or trips on the Tonlé Sap can be memorable, though slower and pricier than buses. When sharing taxis, private drivers, or boat charters with new friends, use Hello’s expense splitting to divide costs fairly and avoid awkward money chats.

Cambodian cuisine is subtle, fragrant, and deeply regional. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, start with classics like fish amok (a rich coconut curry steamed in banana leaves), samlor korko (a rustic vegetable stew), and grilled river fish at local eateries. Street stalls serve skewers, noodle soups, and num banh chok (rice noodles with fish gravy) from morning till late night.

For budget-friendly dining, small family restaurants and market food courts often offer plates for 12,000–20,000 KHR (around 3–5 USD). In tourist areas, Western-style cafés and cocktail bars cost more but are great for a break; use Hello’s budget tracking to see how those extra iced coffees and sunset gin tonics add up over your trip.

Tap water isn’t generally recommended; stick to bottled or filtered water, and bring a refillable bottle where filtered stations are available. Ice is usually fine in busy eateries with high turnover, but trust your instincts.

In coastal towns like Kampot or on Koh Rong Sanloem, don’t miss fresh seafood—think crab in Kep’s famous crab market or barbecued squid by the sea. If you join new friends for a splurge dinner or a food tour, Hello’s expense splitting makes it easy to tally shared plates and keep everyone’s share clear without fuss.

Cambodia uses the riel (KHR), but in many tourist areas you’ll also see prices quoted in US dollars. You’ll likely pay for small items—street food, short tuk‑tuk rides, market snacks—in riel, and larger expenses like hotel bills or long bus journeys may be quoted in dollars. ATMs are common in cities and tourist hubs, dispensing both currencies; check fees with your bank before you go.

To keep spending under control, log payments in Hello’s budget tracking by category—transport, food, activities—and in local currency so you always know what that beach bungalow or Angkor day pass really costs relative to your plan.

For day‑to‑day transactions, carry some small notes for rural shops and market vendors; card payments are growing but far from universal outside upscale places. A small stash of emergency cash is useful for island trips or remote villages.

Staying online helps with translation, maps, and in‑app ride booking. With a Hello eSIM, you can arrive already connected, skip the airport SIM queues, and immediately look up your guesthouse address or confirm your tuk‑tuk price. When travelling with companions, use Hello expense splitting to settle shared guesthouse rooms or bus tickets as you go, so no one ends the trip trying to piece together receipts.