About Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap Rivers, is the capital of Cambodia and its largest city. Having been liberated in the late 1970s from Khmer Rouge oppression, the city has exploded in activity in the 21st century and now a thumping little metropolis, small at heart but big in vibe. While not yet a rival to Bangkok, it's getting there; get it while it lasts, before it becomes Bangkok.

Source: Wikipedia

Essential Information

Currency

Cambodian riel (KHR)

Symbol: ៛

Language

Khmer

Phone Code

+855

International dialing code for Cambodia

Driving

Drive on the right

Standard for Cambodia

Region

Asia

South-Eastern Asia

Connectivity

Cheap SIM cards from US$2 for GSM phones are available on almost any major street. A vendor should have an activated test card to be used to make sure your phone will operate on that network. Calls between mobile networks can be spotty and video calls from abroad to mobiles in Cambodia are sometimes dropped, so be prepared to redial frequently. SIM cards, phone credit and internet packages can be bought and activated at the airport located just after passing through customs. A great time and pla

How to Get to Phnom Penh

Transportation options and arrival information

Getting there and away (Techo International Airport):

Getting Around Phnom Penh

Local transportation and navigation tips

Phnom Penh's main streets are in good shape. Some smaller streets and footpaths are rutted and potholed, clogged with garbage, stagnant water, parked motorbikes, sleeping people, and building materials. Street signage is clear and Phnom Penh is logically laid out (seeorientation) and navigating is not too difficult.

Safety in Phnom Penh

High Safety (Global Peace Index: 1.882)

About the Global Peace Index: Global Peace Index measures peacefulness on a scale of 1 (most peaceful) to 5 (least peaceful)

As in any big city, be wary walking alone at night.

Source: Institute for Economics & Peace (2022)

Where to Stay in Phnom Penh

Accommodation tips and recommendations

A good range of accommodation is available around the city. The budget traveller area was area known asLakeside, near the now filled in Beoung Kak lake. The colony of guesthouses has been decimated, but not eradicated. Remaining businesses are desperate for clients, which makes prices very cheap. Guesthouses 10 and 11 still exist and offer rooms from US$4/night and US$3/night respectively. Services include such laundry, Internet, money exchange, ATMs, and restaurants, including an excellent Indi