Cambodia runs on both riel and US dollars, but for daily budgeting think in riel and expect mixed change. A handy rate is 4,000 KHR for 1 USD. Cash rules, especially for street food, markets, tuk-tuks, and small guesthouses. Cards work more in hotels, chains, and bigger restaurants. ATMs are the normal way to get money, but foreign-card fees can be about 16,000 to 40,000 KHR, so larger withdrawals hurt less. Some machines have lower fees, so compare. Decline currency conversion on the ATM screen. Keep small notes, because change for big bills can be annoying.

Cambodia splits into a few clear zones. The central lowlands, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, stay hot year-round, usually around 25°C to 35°C. The southwest coast and Cardamom area get the heaviest rain. The northeast highlands are a bit cooler. Dry season is roughly November to April. Rainy season is May to October, usually heavy showers for 1 to 2 hours, then hot humidity again. April to early May is the worst heat, often above 35°C. Late wet season is lush, but roads can get messy and flooded.

The main real risk is theft, especially phone and bag snatching in Phnom Penh. Do not stand near the road using your phone like a target sign. After that, the usual trouble is transport overcharging, tuk-tuks, taxis, and some border staff asking for small extra fees. Agree prices first, or just use PassApp or Grab and skip the argument. Main tourist spots are generally easy and fairly safe. Siem Reap is comfortable to walk. Remote jungle or border areas need more care, and off-trail wandering is a bad idea because UXO can still exist in remote places.

Buses and minivans do most of the work. Giant Ibis, Larryta, Virak Buntham, Mekong Express, Seila Angkor Express, Mey Hong Bus, and Bayon VIP cover the main routes. Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is often around 40,000 to 72,000 KHR, with Giant Ibis higher. Book on 12Go, BookMeBus, redBus, Camboticket, or through hostels, many include pickup. In cities, Grab and PassApp save hassle and overcharging. Ferries are needed for Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem. Royal Railway exists, but it is more for slow scenery than speed.

Drink bottled or filtered water, and be careful with ice, raw vegetables, and rough-looking seafood. Stomach bugs are common enough. Dengue is a real risk, and the mosquito bites in daytime, so use repellent then, not just at night. Malaria risk is more about remote forested areas than Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Heat is another issue, especially April to May, when days can push above 35°C. Big cities have the best care, but outside them medical help gets thinner, so good travel insurance is worth having.

For a normal trip, a local SIM is better value than a travel eSIM. The big names are Smart, Metfone, and cellcard. Easy airport deals include Smart with 30 GB for 20,000 KHR over 15 days, Metfone with 40 GB for 20,000 KHR over 15 days, and cellcard with 150 GB for 40,000 KHR over 30 days. Buy at airport kiosks or official shops with your passport. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have solid coverage and Wi-Fi. Remote areas and islands, especially Koh Rong Sanloem, are less reliable.

Khmer is the main language. In Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, hostels, tour desks, and bus counters, basic English is usually enough. Airport staff and tourist-facing apps are easy to use. In local markets, small eateries, and rural areas, English drops fast, so a few Khmer words help a lot. Some travellers find people switch straight to Khmer if you look local. Keep things simple, use maps, and do not expect deep English outside the main backpacker route.

Daily travel in Cambodia can feel warm one minute and very transactional the next, especially in heavy tourist zones. Siem Reap and Phnom Penh have plenty of people selling, pushing tours, or asking again after a no. Stay polite, but firm. Agree prices before the ride or use PassApp. Tipping is not fixed, though some travellers add extra on app rides. Dress modestly at temples, shoulders covered and shorts below the knee is the safe play. The country’s recent history is still close, so places linked to the Khmer Rouge need quiet respect, not selfie energy.

Food is underrated, but tourist strips can be overpriced, so wander a street or two away. Street snacks and simple dishes can be around 4,000 to 16,000 KHR, local restaurant meals often 10,000 to 48,000 KHR, and beer usually 4,000 to 12,000 KHR. Look for kuy teav noodle soup, fish amok, lok lak, num banh chok, and grilled meat with rice. Markets are the budget friend here. In tourist areas, some meals jump fast in price, so lunch at local spots and save the polished restaurants for when the craving wins.