Cambodian currency is the Riel but use Dollars...
Do I use US
dollars or Riel for Cambodian money?
Cambodian
currency is the Riel but US dollars are widely accepted and exchanged. This is
in no way 'black-market' or unofficial; the Cambodia Tourist Visa payment must be paid in US dollars and cannot be settled in
Riel - Thai Baht are accepted at the Thai border crossings.
Exchange
rate
The Riel per
US$ exchange rate on the streets of Siem Reap has been stable at around 4,100 -
but most shops will round to 4,000 for ease. When receiving change from a
dollar, the cents will be returned to you in Riel - if you give a 10 dollar
note for a $2.50 item, you will usually get 7 dollars and 2,000 Riel change.
Travel budgeting
Cambodia is
an inexpensive place to vacation. Some example costs for day to day living: a
roll of film costs from US$4 to US$5, large bottle of water from US$1.00,
Angkor beer (excellent by the way) costs US$0.50 to $1 for a can. Meals are
roughly - breakfast from US$0.50 to $5, lunch from US$2 to US$5 and dinner from
US$2 to $10. For more information, check out our Cambodia
travel costs page.
If you are
concerned about the total costs for a holiday in Cambodia you perhaps should
consider one of our sample
itineraries so that your costs are known up-front. All transportation,
hotels, entry fees and guided tours are included and you can even ask us to add
meals to the package as you prefer.
Damaged or
Torn Cambodian currency
Even
slightly torn US dollar bills will not be accepted by many places and banks.
Reject any torn, well worn or damaged US dollar bills which you receive in
change.
Credit card
use in Cambodia
Visa or MasterCard
are accepted in many hotels and most souvenir shops but in only the largest
restaurants. You should carry enough Cambodian money or US Dollars (in fairly
small denominations) to cover your immediate costs. Note also that American
Express is not as widely accepted. It is the custom to pass on Cambodian bank
transaction fees to the customer on credit card transactions.
Tipping
Tips are an
important income in the service and tourist industries. There is no tradition
of tipping in the country, but tips are (very) gratefully received - in
restaurants and bars we suggest rounding up a dollar or two for most bills (or
use up some Riel). These tips make a real difference for most Cambodians. For
guides who have make a special effort tip US$10-30 per day.
Banks and ATM's
Banking hours are generally from
8am until 3pm Monday to Friday. ATM's now operate in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and
most other cities and give $US for a $2-4 fee per transaction. Most banks will
exchange travelers’ cheques of most major currencies for withdrawal in US$.
Generally commission is charged at 2% by the bank. Credit card cash withdrawals
also incur a 2% charge.
Travel Advice
DO
carry plenty of US$1 notes: Most daily transactions are conducted in cash and
you should carry plenty of US$1 bills with you. A surprising number of things
cost US$1; 2 flutes for US$1, 10 bracelets for US$1, 10 post cards for US$1
etc.
DO NOT carries
more that US$10,000 into or out of the country.
DO NOT
change dollars into Riel, particularly at the borders - there is no point, and
you may get a poor exchange rate.
Exchange rates online
Check your exchange rate for Cambodian
currency to US Dollars through this real
time currency exchange rate converter