Money in Cambodia: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange

Cambodia has the most confusing finances in Southeast Asia.

Officially the currency is Riel, but the US dollar is more commonly used, except for smaller purchases.

On the other hand, Cambodia is trying to de-dollarize and make people use the local Riel, but only half-successfully. Withdrawing from an ATM with a foreign card, you will likely get US dollars. But only in big denominations. Which you will then have a hard time breaking into smaller notes.

To add to this massive confusion, border regions prefer neighboring currencies – the Vietnamese Dong and the Thai Baht instead of the Cambodian Riel.

Oh isn’t Cambodia a fun place when it comes to money? If fun=stressful, then yeah!

That’s where I come in – your money superhero of the day. I’ve prepared all the useful information about withdrawing from ATMs, using your card to pay, exchanging money, when to use US dollars and when Riel, what to look out for when handling cash, avoiding scams, and what are the prices like in Cambodia.

Sadly, all ATMs charge a withdrawal fee but I know the one that has the lowest. (hint: Sacombank)

Do you wonder if you can use Revolut, Wise, Monese, and other fintech cards in Cambodia? (Yup, of course!)

This is the full guide to money in Cambodia for tourists!

Currency in Cambodia

The official currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel with code KHR (short for Khmer Riel).

The Riel can be used for ALL purchases, big or small, in both cities and rural areas. It is the only official legal tender.

The second main currency in Cambodia, unofficially, is the US dollar.

The US dollar can theoretically be used for all purchases too. However, it is practically not used in rural areas and for amounts lower than 5$. US banknotes of 1, 2, and 5 and all coins will likely NOT be accepted in Cambodia. Change will likely be given in Riel, except for very large amounts, e.g. above 50$.

The US dollar is not an official legal tender but due to its stability and widespread global use (as well as local historical reasons covered later in the guide) it will be accepted in the majority of situations.

There are no coins in Cambodia.

The Riel has no coins and none of the USD coins are accepted.

The banknote denominations of the Cambodian Riel are 50, 100, 200, 500, 1.000, 2.000, 5.000, 10.000, 15.000, 20.000, 30.000, 50.000, and 100.000. In practice, the 50, 15.000, and 30.000 are rarely used, whereas the 100.000 is only commemorative.

For the US dollar, the 2$ note is universally NOT accepted across Cambodia.

With the current de-dollarization efforts, 1$, 5$, and 10$ are also being phased out but most vendors will likely still accept them anyway.

USD to Riel Exchange Rate

Officially, the Cambodian Riel is a floating currency, not pegged to the US dollar. It has fluctuated between 3950 and 4150 Riels to the Dollar in the past 5 years.

Once again, in Cambodia what’s official and how things are in practice differ significantly.

Generally, the rate is 4000 KHR for 1 USD.

This rate may vary depending on where you do the exchange but not by much.

You will get small change in Riel! For example, if you pay with a 10$ note for something that costs 4$, you will get back ~24.000 KHR (6$ x 4000).

When to use Riel and when to use US dollars in Cambodia?

The rule I go by is: Use US dollars for anything larger than 5$ and Riels for anything below that.

Your hostel/hotel, tours, Angkor Wat ticket, a meal in a proper restaurant – use USD.

Street food, small purchases from a convenience store, markets – use KHR.

It’s more out of convenience than anything else – as mentioned already both KHR and USD will be accepted for any amount. But paying, say 40$ (160.000 KHR), in small Riel notes is annoying, whereas paying for a 2$ street food with a 50$ note will put the vendor in a difficult situation regarding returning your change.

You can mix dollars and riel!

Say you have to pay 13.50 USD.

Option 1: You pay 20$ and get 26.000 KHR back (6.5$ changed into Riel at a 4000:1 rate).

Option 2: You pay 10$ and 14.000 KHR

Locals do that all the time in their transactions. While in Cambodia you will too. Just remember the 4000 KHR to 1$ rate.

Dollar notes condition is ultra important

In Cambodia, you can only use new dollar notes that are in pristine condition.

No damaged banknotes

Any US note with rips, tears, holes, marks, writings, or big creases will NOT be accepted by anyone!

If you are finding this a bit too much, let me explain. Cambodia does not print US dollars domestically. All the dollars come from outside. Thus, local banks cannot and will not exchange damaged banknotes. Which means that locals don’t want them either.

If you’re coming with fresh US dollar bills, this should not worry you too much. However, you should be extra vigilant when given notes back! Locals will try to pass off their damaged notes to you and hope you don’t notice or don’t say anything. Simply demand different notes or to be paid back in Riel.

This does not apply to Riel notes – even if your banknotes are crumpled, torn, or looking like they’ve been through the washing machine inside your jeans’ pocket, they will probably be accepted.

New Dollars only

In addition to the very strict rules above, your dollars must be from recent issues. Specifically, your US dollars must be issued in 2009 or later.

A quick way to tell your dollars are new is to look at the portrait in the middle: old dollar bills have a small portrait in a circle whereas new bills have a portrait without a frame.

Can you use your card in Cambodia?

Yes, you can use your foreign card to pay in some places in Cambodia.

You can pay by card in Phnom Penh and Siem Riep, perhaps Sihanoukville, Battambang, Kampot, and Kep too, but only in big hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets.

However, you will likely be charged a 2% to 4% commission.

That being said, Cambodia is still mostly a cash-based society. Smaller supermarkets, traditional open-air markets, family-run guesthouses, etc. only accept cash.

And if you’re looking to save money, these 3% commission fees do stack up!

Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost anywhere where card payments are accepted to begin with. Maestro and American Express have smaller acceptance rates.

ATMs in Cambodia

There are so many ATMs in the big cities in Cambodia you won’t have to walk further than the nearby intersection.

You may have problems finding an ATM in very rural areas but in the nearby bigger town there will surely be at least 1 ATM.

ATMs will almost always accept Visas and Mastercards. For Maestro and AMEX you may have to try a few ATMs before you find one that accepts your card.

The maximum withdrawal amount on ATMs is between 1.000 and 2.000 USD. The maximum is at Bred Bank ATMs at 2.000 USD.

What currency to withdraw – USD or KHR?

Assuming you are using a foreign bank card, almost all ATMs will only give you the option to withdraw USD.

You don’t want to withdraw Riel:

• It’s a thicker stack of banknotes for the same value
• You will get a worse rate (wider margins) from your bank than for USD

But if you insist on directly withdrawing KHR, then find an ATM of ABA Bank or Mekong Bank – they may allow you to choose Riels (if they haven’t already removed the option completely).

Withdrawal Fees

I hate paying ATM withdrawal fees. I’m not talking about the fees you get charged by your bank – those you can avoid by using a FinTech solution like Revolut, Curve, or Monese.

I’m talking about the so-called ATM access fees.

Unfortunately, there are no longer any ATMs that do not charge fees in Cambodia!

Most ATMs in Cambodia charge a withdrawal fee between 4$ and 6$. Ouch! I guess they stole the idea from their neighbors in Thailand where ATMs also charge a similar amount.

ATM with the lowest fees

The best ATM for foreigners in Cambodia and the one with the lowest fees is Sacombank.

It charges 1.5% of the withdrawn amount with a minimum of 1.5$ and a maximum of 4$.

Of the other banks, only Vattanac and Bred bank ATMs charge 4$. All the rest charge either 5 or 6 USD.

This means that for amounts larger than 266$, you can pick whichever of the three banks (Sacombank, Vattanac, or Bred). Below 266$, you’re best off with Sacombank.

Beware of ATMs not telling you they charge fees when they indeed do! Wing Bank for example doesn’t disclose that it charges 5$ per withdrawal.

Canadia Bank, Mekong Bank, and Mayback used to offer free withdrawals but do not anymore since late 2023.

You will recognize Sacombank by its sea-blue colors. It’s a Vietnamese bank and you may have seen it if you’ve been in Vietnam. It is however NOT the best ATM to withdraw from in Vietnam.

Exchanging Money in Cambodia

Given that Cambodia uses the US dollar just as much as its own currency, you shouldn’t exchange your money for Cambodian Riel.

If you use a currency different than USD, you should exchange it for USD. The margins are better.

As for USD – don’t exchange them for KHR. The first time you pay with dollars, you will receive change in Riels. You won’t save much, if at all, by exchanging USD to KHR beforehand.

Where to Exchange Money

Cambodia has one of the lowest exchange margins of anywhere in the world. Seriously, have you ever seen an exchange margin of less than 0.1%? In Cambodia that’s common!

To get such a good rate, exchange your money at:

• Jewelry Stores
• Phone Shops
• SuperRich (the super famous Thai exchange bureau)

Other places where you can exchange your money:

• Banks (bureaucratic but reliable)
• Airports (worst rates)
• Hotels (bad rates)
• Tour Agencies (bad rates)
• Dodgy guy at the market (you’re setting yourself up to be scammed)

Tips for Changing Money in Cambodia

When you change money in Cambodia, be it USD or any other currency, note these tips:

• Higher denominations = higher rates;
• Damaged banknotes = lower rates + fee (if accepted at all);
• Don’t accept foreign banknotes with ANY damage (if changing Riel back to USD or receiving change in USD for example);

Common Scams

There is a reason why backpackers unaffectionately call it Scambodia.

I’d argue it’s on par with the scammers in Vietnam. Well, not everybody is a scammer – most locals in both countries are friendly and honest. But there are enough bad apples to necessitate this section. Here are some common money scams in Cambodia.

Foreign Money “Collectors”

He approaches you with some BS story about how he collects foreign money but somehow doesn’t have your 50 euro note. He offers to give you the equivalent amount in Riels. You think you are helping a numismatic complete his collection but he’s actually screwing you over with the exchange rate because you aren’t used to the riel money yet.

Only exchange money at reputable businesses.

“I need small banknotes, do you mind swapping?”

He asks to take your 10s and 20s USD in exchange for a nice single 100$ banknotes. He needs change, alright. He could even be someone in charge, like the immigration officer or the guy who you pay for your visa on arrival.

You then try to spend this 100$ only to find out it has a fatal flaw – it’s torn and taped or has a cut or something else. Nobody in Cambodia wants to take it.

Always scrutinize US banknotes super carefully! Look at them under bright light and reject all banknotes with even the smallest cuts or creases.

Baby food

She stops you, baby in hands, maybe crying even. The baby is hungry. She doesn’t want money – just baby food. Perhaps powdered milk.

You wouldn’t give her money, because who knows what she would spend it for. But baby food? Yeah, seems legit.

She then runs back to the store and returns it for cash. Which is, I bet, not going towards other baby food.

Stamping fee at the border

The immigration officer cheekily shows you a 5$ bill while you are waiting for him to stamp your passport, either entering or exiting Cambodia. You have already paid for a visa. What the mangoes is that fee?

It’s corruption, that’s what. It’s illegal but border oversight is so weak in Cambodia that officers feel empowered to ask for money. And most people do give them something.

If you don’t give any, they will just stall and stall, making you wait longer at the border. It’s annoying.

I know it sounds risky, but my advice here is to make a scene. Pull out your phone and threaten to record a video. Tell them this is corruption and you won’t stand up for it. Show them this is not a proper way to greet (or wave goodbye to) tourists.

They will be embarrassed and will give up. After all, they are the ones breaking the law and you’re the one who’s decided to spend money in their country.

How much cash to bring to Cambodia?

If you’re bringing US dollars, bring as much as you think you’d need.

If you’re bringing another currency, it doesn’t matter all that much if you use a card to withdraw directly or exchange your money for USD.

When I went to Cambodia I had 300$ which was enough for 10 days. I paid for some things with a card (Angkor Wat for example) and had some dollars left over at the end of the trip.

Example prices

Owing to the prevalent use of dollars, Cambodia is a bit more expensive than its neighbors in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Nonetheless, it remains a relatively cheap country.

These are actual price ranges from 2024

• Noodles soup: 1.5-2.5$
• Chicken skewer on the street: 0.25$ (1000 KHR)
• Fruit smoothie: 1$
• 1.5 L bottled water: 0.8$
• Can of beer (street bar): 0.25-1$
• Royal Palace + Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh: 10$
• Killing Fields + audio guide: 6$
• Angkor Wat day ticket: 37$ (3-day pass is 62$)
• Visa: 30$
• Budget hostel: 3-7$
• Guesthouses: 8-12$
• Mid-range hotels – 20-45$
• Half-day group tour – 20-80$

Bargaining

The golden rule is to never accept the first offer in Cambodia.

Bargaining is a must.

The first price you will hear will almost always be at least double what the locals pay.

It’s not uncommon to get a price 10 times higher than the actual, especially in touristy places.

As a foreigner, you will never get the locals’ price. But if you bargain playfully and politely, you can easily get at least a 50% discount most of the time.

Do not bargain in supermarkets, museums, and proper restaurants.

Do bargain at open-air markets, for taxis & tuk-tuks, street food, and guesthouses.

Tipping

Tipping is mostly not expected in Cambodia.

If you want to tip, do so. Go for 10-15% of the bill.

Trendier restaurants have started putting a 10% service tax, in which case I would say tipping is a bit over the top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s answer some of the most common questions about money in Cambodia.

Why does Cambodia use US dollars?

The short answer is that Cambodian people have higher confidence in the US dollar than in the Cambodian Rial.

The longer answer involves a bit of history about the Khmer Rouge – a repressive and bloody regime that controlled Cambodia until 1979. Under it, Cambodia didn’t use money – almost all transactions were barter.

After the regime fell, foreign aid came into Cambodia in the form of US dollars. The people didn’t trust the new Rial currency, so they stuck to dollars. If you want to learn more, read about the dollarization in Cambodia.

It’s been like this ever since. However, things are starting to change. Cambodia is trying to de-dollarize and bring confidence into the Rial back.

What is the ATM withdrawal limit in Cambodia?

ATMs commonly have a withdrawal limit of 2.000 USD.

Can you use US dollars in Cambodia?

The US dollar is an unofficial second currency in Cambodia and you can pay for anything and everything using dollars.

The exceptions are that you cannot use coins, 2$ banknotes, old dollars (issued before 2009), or with any damage.

Dollar notes of 5$ and 10$ are also slowly being phased out.

Can you use Revolut in Cambodia?

Yes, Revolut cards work in Cambodia. Both VISA and Mastercard work. You can withdraw from ATMs and pay on POS terminals with your Revolut card.

Similar fintech apps like Wise, Monese, Curve, N26, and Starling also work there.

---

If you are going to other Southeast Asian countries, you may want to read my money guides for them too:

• Tourist Guide to Money in Thailand
• Tourist Guide to Money in Vietnam
• Tourist Guide to Money in Laos
• Tourist Guide to Money in Timor Leste
• Tourist Guide to Money in Indonesia