What currency is used in Phnom Penh?

Phnom Penh uses the Cambodian riel (KHR); US dollars are widely used, with change under a dollar often given in riel.

What is the emergency number in Phnom Penh?

In Phnom Penh, call 117 for police, 119 for an ambulance, 118 for fire.

How much does a day in Phnom Penh cost?

Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $60-110 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Phnom Penh?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Phnom Penh without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Phnom Penh travel guide

Cambodia

Cambodia's capital sits where the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers meet, with royal pagodas, French-era buildings and busy markets. It is also the place to understand the country's painful recent history.

Essentials

Language: Khmer; English is common in tourist areas, hotels and restaurants
Currency: Cambodian riel (KHR); US dollars are widely used, with change under a dollar often given in riel
Plugs: Types A, C and G, 230 V
Emergency number: 117 for police, 119 for an ambulance, 118 for fire
Tipping: Not traditional, but appreciated, especially by tuk-tuk drivers and guides.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $25-40, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $60-110, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Phnom Penh

Riverside: the promenade along Sisowath Quay, near the Royal Palace and the National Museum.
BKK1: a leafy area of cafés, restaurants and mid-range hotels south of Independence Monument.
Tuol Tom Poung: the area around the Russian Market, with local food, crafts and small cafés.

Getting around Phnom Penh

Tuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps such as Grab and PassApp are the easiest way around, and using an app avoids haggling over fares. The centre is walkable in the cooler morning and evening hours.

Best time to visit Phnom Penh

November to February, the cool and dry season.

Top things to do in Phnom Penh

Tour the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda with its floor of silver tiles
See Khmer sculpture from the Angkor era at the National Museum
Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek memorial
Browse the Art Deco dome of the Central Market and the stalls of the Russian Market
Take a sunset boat trip along the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers

What to eat in Phnom Penh

Fish amok: fish steamed in a fragrant coconut and kroeung curry paste, often served in a banana leaf
Kuy teav: a clear pork-broth noodle soup, eaten for breakfast
Bai sach chrouk: grilled marinated pork over broken rice with pickled vegetables
Num banh chok: fresh rice noodles with a green fish curry and raw vegetables

Day trips from Phnom Penh

Oudong: hilltop stupas at a former royal capital, around an hour north by road
Koh Dach: a rural Mekong island known for silk weaving, around 30 to 60 minutes north-east of the centre
Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre: a sanctuary for rescued animals, roughly an hour south by road

Local etiquette

Cover shoulders and knees for the Royal Palace and temples, and remove shoes where asked. Women should avoid touching monks or handing things to them directly.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs are cheap at the airport and phone shops (bring your passport), eSIMs are widely available, and most cafés and hotels have Wi-Fi.

Staying safe

Bag and phone snatching from passing motorbikes is the most common crime, so keep valuables out of sight, especially in tuk-tuks. Traffic is chaotic, so cross carefully and allow extra time.

A local tip

Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek memorial with an audio guide, and leave the rest of the day free to reflect.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Phnom Penh on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Phnom Penh for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Phnom Penh, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Phnom Penh

What currency is used in Phnom Penh?: Phnom Penh uses the Cambodian riel (KHR); US dollars are widely used, with change under a dollar often given in riel.
What is the emergency number in Phnom Penh?: In Phnom Penh, call 117 for police, 119 for an ambulance, 118 for fire.
When is the best time to visit Phnom Penh?: November to February, the cool and dry season.
How much does a day in Phnom Penh cost?: Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $60-110 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Phnom Penh?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Phnom Penh without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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