Before your trip
Riel, dollars, cards or your phone: here are the basics for everyday spending in Cambodia. Keep small notes handy and plan to use mostly cash on the islands.
The system
US dollars are widely accepted and many tourist-area prices are quoted in dollars. The riel is the national currency, used for everyday purchases as well as change.
Pay $10 for a $8.50 meal and you’ll typically get $1 back plus 2,000 riel: most places treat $1 as 4,000 riel for change. Keep small riel notes (1,000 / 2,000 / 5,000) for tuk-tuks, markets, street food and small tips.
Outside the main tourist cities, and increasingly everywhere since the central bank has been promoting the riel, prices are quoted in riel. You can pay larger bills in riel too; it is not just for small change.
Bring crisp dollar notes
Some businesses refuse damaged or heavily marked US-dollar notes. Carry usable notes and small denominations; large bills may be difficult to change for a small purchase. Check the notes you receive as change too.
Getting cash
ATMs in towns may offer dollars, riel or both. Before confirming, check the local fee, withdrawal limit and the amount you will receive; your card issuer may charge separately. If the ATM offers to convert the withdrawal into your home currency, you can decline that conversion and use your card’s exchange rate instead.
For breaking big bills or converting leftover riel, compare the posted rate and the final amount offered by a licensed money changer. An exchange can have a cost through the rate even when no separate fee is listed.
On Koh Rong and Samloem, plan to use mostly cash for meals, small purchases and activities. Ask your hotel what you can pay by card before leaving the mainland.
Koh Rong guideGoing cashless
You will see bank QR codes at many shops, cafés and market stalls. Visitors can use Bakong Tourist to pay compatible merchants.
Bakong Tourist is the National Bank of Cambodia’s app for visitors. Add money, then scan a compatible merchant’s QR code to pay, without opening a Cambodian bank account. We tested it as tourists with a foreign card.
Card top-ups can carry a fee, so check the amount before confirming. Keep some cash for when you have no connection.
Budget
| Item | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local meal (khmer restaurant) | $3–6 | Market stalls and street food less. |
| Meal at an international restaurant | $8–20 | Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. |
| Specialty coffee | $2–4 | Cambodia has a serious café scene. |
| Draft beer | $0.50–2 | Happy hours abound. |
| Tuk-tuk in town (Grab/PassApp) | $1.50–3 | Short journey; check the fare in the app. |
| Mid-range hotel double | $25–60 | Varies by season and destination. |
| Angkor pass (1 day) | $37 | 3-day $62, 7-day $72. |
Tipping is optional. Round up the bill or leave something extra if you enjoyed the service. Check whether a service charge is already included.
Good to know
Both can be useful. Small riel notes suit everyday purchases, while usable small US-dollar notes are a common backup. Ask which currency and rate a business is using before paying; dollars are not guaranteed to be accepted everywhere.
Many hotels and restaurants accept cards. A surcharge of around 2% is common, though not universal, often displayed at the counter or explained by staff. For markets and smaller shops, bring riel or use Bakong Tourist.
Start with your next few days’ spending. A $5 fee is 5% of a $100 withdrawal, compared with 1% of $500. Fewer withdrawals can cost less, without taking out your entire travel budget.
Riel is nearly impossible to exchange outside Cambodia. Spend it before you leave, use it for tips, or convert it back to dollars at a money changer.
Continue planning
Practical guides, itinerary ideas and tips from our team in Cambodia.