In Cambodia the dollar is the second currency and change comes back in riel. Which notes are accepted and which are not, where to exchange, and what a week-long trip costs.
Cambodia is a rare country where you can pay in dollars practically everywhere, from the airport to a village market. There is one catch: the dollars must be in perfect condition, and your change will come back in riel. Let’s look at how this two-currency system works and where travelers lose money.
What currency is used in Cambodia: two at the same time
The official currency is the Cambodian riel (KHR). But the economy is effectively dollarized:
- Prices are quoted in dollars — in hotels, cafés, shops and from tuk-tuk drivers.
- You pay in dollars — they are accepted everywhere.
- Change of less than a dollar is given in riel — because there are no cents in circulation.
The rate used for everyday calculations is rounded and stable: roughly 4,000 riel to the dollar. So 2,000 riel is half a dollar. It is easy to do in your head, and you get used to it within a day.
You do not need to exchange dollars for riel on purpose: they will pile up in your pocket by themselves. Spend them before you leave — outside the country they are worth nothing.
Banknotes: the main trap
This is where tourists most often end up in an awkward position.
- Only new, clean dollars without tears are accepted. A note with a torn corner, a smudge or a deep fold may be refused in a shop, at an exchange booth or at the border.
- Older series (with the small portrait) are often refused.
- Small denominations ($1, $5, $10) are needed constantly: for a tuk-tuk, an entrance fee, a bottle of water. Break larger notes in advance — a street vendor will not have change for a hundred.
A practical tip: before the trip, ask your bank for new notes and be sure to take a stack of one-dollar bills.
What about cards and ATMs
| Tool | Status |
|---|---|
| Mir | Does not work |
| Visa / Mastercard from Russian banks | Do not work |
| Card from a foreign bank | Works: ATMs and larger venues |
| Cash dollars | The main way to pay |
ATMs in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap dispense dollars and charge a fee per transaction. As everywhere, withdraw less often and in larger amounts. In the provinces ATMs are scarce, and on the islands there may be none at all — when you leave a city, take extra cash with you.
How much a trip costs
Rough guidelines per person for a week, excluding flights:
- Budget — guesthouses, local food, tuk-tuks: the trip is cheap even by Asian standards.
- Comfortable — decent hotels, a guide at Angkor, air-conditioned transport.
The main expenses are not food or accommodation but Angkor entrance tickets and transport between cities. A three-day Angkor pass is better value than a one-day ticket and is valid for a week.
Where they may try to shortchange you
- Unofficial $5–10 “processing fees” when getting a visa at a land border. Keep exactly $30 separately.
- Change in riel at their own rate. Count it yourself: 4,000 riel = $1.
- A tuk-tuk without an agreed price. Settle the fare before you get in, or better yet use a ride-hailing app.
- A “special” entrance to a temple. Angkor tickets are sold only at the official ticket offices.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to exchange money for riel?
Not on purpose. They will appear on their own as change. Keep them for small expenses: water, toilets, the market.
Will they take euros?
Usually not. The universal currency here is the US dollar. Euros will have to be exchanged.
Do I need to tip?
It is not required, but it is customary and noticeably appreciated: a dollar or two for a guide, a driver or a waiter. Wages in the country are low.
How much cash should I bring?
If you do not have a foreign card, bring the whole budget in new dollars, split between different places. There will be nowhere to withdraw more outside the big cities.
Do I need a visa?
Yes: $30 on arrival or an e-Visa for $37. Plus the mandatory electronic arrival card. Details are in the article on the visa for Cambodia.
What’s next
With the money sorted, plan Angkor properly: ready-made routes in Cambodia, when to go so you don’t get burned and practical safety.
Sources
The riel-to-dollar rate has been stable for years, but prices and fees change. Check the status of your own card with the issuing bank.
