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Cambodia
Travel Guide
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GETTING THERE
Getting There by Air
Bangkok Airways (website:
www.bangkokair.com)
and Thai Airways International (website:
www.thaiair.com) fly
between Cambodia and Thailand. Malaysia Airlines (website:
www.malaysiaairlines.com) flies from Kuala Lumpur,
Vietnam Airlines (website:
www.vietnamairlines.com) from Hanoi and Ho Chi
Minh City, and Lao Airlines (website:
www.laos-airlines.com)
from Vientiane.
Approximate Flight Times
From Bangkok to Phnom Penh is 1 hour 15 minutes (there are
no long haul flights outside Asia). From London to Bangkok
is 11 hours 20 minutes.
Main Airports
Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) (website:
www.cambodia-airports.com/phnompenh) is 10km (6
miles) from Phnom Penh. To/from the airport: Taxis and
motorbike taxis to the city are available (journey time - 10
minutes). For pre-arranged tours a pick-up service is
available. Facilities: Left luggage, bureaux de change,
shops, duty-free, post office and light refreshments.
Siem Reap International Airport (REP) (website:
www.cambodia-airports.com/siemreap) is 8km (5
miles) from Siem Reap. To/from the airport: Taxis and
motorbike taxis to Siem Reap are available (journey time - 7
to 10 minutes). For pre-arranged tours a pick-up service is
available. Facilities: Left luggage, bureau de change, shops
and light refreshments.
Departure Tax
US$25 levied on international departures at Phnom Penh and
Siem Reap; US$13 for children under 12. Children less than
two years of age are exempt.
Getting There by Water
Main ports: Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.
Phnom Penh can be reached via the Mekong Delta through
Vietnam. This route is served by regular passenger ferry
services from Chau Doc in Vietnam and can be booked through
travel agencies or at the dock. Sihanoukville is reached
from Thailand through the border crossing at Hat Lek and the
boat from Koh Kong. Tickets can be purchased at the dock in
Sihanoukville.
Getting There by Road
The Thai and Vietnamese borders are open for overland
access. The main highway links the capital with the Vietnam
border. Border checkpoints include Poipet, Cham Yeam,
O'Smach, Anlong Veng and Psar Prom (Thailand), Bavet, Kaam
Samnor and Phnom Den (Vietnam). The border with Laos at
Stung Treng is currently closed so travellers should check
the situation as it changes regularly. Cross-border bus
services are from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam operated by
Phnom Penh Sorya Transport Company (tel: (23) 210 359;
website:
www.ppsoryatransport.com).
Note: It is possible to drive from Phnom Penh to Ho
Chi Minh City in a day but there are formalities involved
regarding the use of the same vehicle all the way.
Right-hand drive vehicles (quite common in Cambodia) are not
allowed entry to Vietnam. Vietnamese visas must be obtained
in advance but Cambodian visas can be obtained at the
border.
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GETTING AROUND
Getting Around by Air
Internal flights operate between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
for Angkor (journey time - 45 minutes). The main domestic
carriers are Siem Reap Airways International (website:
www.siemreapairways.com) and PMT Air (website:
www.pmtair.com). PMT Air
has suspended internal flights in 2008 while they upgrade
their fleet, but continue to fly internationally.
Battambang, Sihanoukville, Banlung, Sen Monorom and Stung
Treng all have airports, but at the time of writing there
are only flights to Banlung from Phnom Penh.
Domestic airports: The upgraded Siem Reap Airport,
the main gateway for visitors going to see the ancient
temples at Angkor, is a 7- to 10-minute taxi ride from the
city.
Departure Tax
US$60 for foreign nationals.
Getting Around by Water
Government-run ferries depart from the Psar Cha Ministry of
Transport Ferry Landing between 102 and 104 Streets and go
to Siem Reap, a route popular with travellers. Tickets can
be bought in person at the dock or through a travel agent.
Travel can be difficult in the dry season when the water
level is very low and often boat services are suspended.
Getting Around by Rail
Cambodia has only one functioning train service, running
once a week from Phnom Penh Railway Station to Battambang on
Saturdays and vice-versa on Sundays. Although the carriage
is basic and the trip takes longer than going by bus, it's
an excellent way of viewing rural Cambodia.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Roads vary from excellent to
very poor and there are numbered routes from Phnom Penh with
Route 1 leading to the Vietnamese border. Care should be
taken while driving as accidents are relatively frequent.
Other vehicles cannot always be relied on to use headlights
at night. Given the predominant use of motorcycles for urban
public transportation, travellers should ensure that any
insurance policies provide coverage for riding as a driver
or passenger. Cattle often stray onto the roads. In Siem
Reap, the local police have banned rental outlets from
hiring motorcycles to tourists because of the high number of
accidents.
Coach/bus: Long-distance buses operated by Phnom Penh
Sorya Transport Company (tel: (23) 210 359; website:
www.ppsoryatransport.com) travel to destinations
such as Kampot, Sihanoukville, Battambang and Siem Reap.
Taxi: Taxis can be hired in main cities, although
they are not metered so the price has to be fixed in
advance. Tips are appreciated.
Car hire: It is really only possible to hire a car
with a driver. Car hire can be arranged by private
negotiation with a taxi waiting outside the hotels or
through tour operators.
Regulations: The wearing of seat belts is not
compulsory.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not
recognized in Cambodia, and as car hire does not exist,
visitors are advised to hire a car with a driver.
Around Towns and Cities
There are no public buses in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Taxis
wait outside hotels and restaurants but, as they are
unmetered, the fare should be fixed before leaving. Cyclos
(tricycles) or motodops (motorcycle taxis) are an efficient
and inexpensive way to get around and some of the drivers,
especially those found outside main hotels, speak a little
French or English. Siem Reap also has motorized tuk tuks.
Note: In terms of the greatest risks (particularly in
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville), the greatest
danger faced by visitors is from road traffic accidents,
armed robbery after dark, bag snatching and landmines.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times from
Phnom Penh (in hours and minutes) to other major
cities/towns in Cambodia.
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PASSPORT & VISA
Passport
Required?
British
Yes
Australian
Yes
Canadian
Yes
USA
Yes
Other EU
Yes
Visa Required?
British
Yes
Australian
Yes
Canadian
Yes
USA
Yes
Other EU
Yes
Return Ticket Required?
British
No
Australian
No
Canadian
No
USA
No
Other EU
No
Passports
Passport valid for at least six months after date of return
from Cambodia required by all nationals referred to in the
chart above.
Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in chart above.
Note: Visitors arriving by air can obtain a visa for
stays of up to 30 days on arrival at Phnom Penh
International Airport, Phnom Penh or Siem Reap International
Airport, Angkor. Visas are also available from Immigration
at the border posts of Bavet, Poi Pet and Koh Kong. Visitors
are advised to check current situation before traveling.
E-Visas are only valid for entry via Phnom Penh
International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, Cham
Yeam land border, Poi Pet land border and Bavet land border.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above
are advised to contact the embassy to check visa
requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
Applications by post will only be accepted through a
recognized visa courier. For further details, contact the
nearest consulate (or consular section of embassy).
Nationals flying in to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap International
Airport will be able to apply for a 30-day visa on arrival
in Cambodia.
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist (single-entry): £15 (£30 for express); Business
(single-entry): £20 (£40 for express); Transit: £10 (£20 for
express); E-Visa: US$20 plus an additional US$5 handling
fee. Express visas are issued within 24 hours.
Validity
All visas are valid for a one month period, and visas issued
by the embassy must be used within three months of date of
issue. Extensions of up to one extra month for Tourist visas
or six or 12 months for Business visas (which can be
multiple) may be granted by the Ministry of the Interior at
the Immigration Office in Phnom Penh.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section of embassy); see Contact
Addresses.
Visitors can also apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa)
online through the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs &
International Cooperation (website:
www.mfaic.gov.kh). At
present, visitors traveling on an e-Visa must enter Cambodia
at either Phnom Penh International Airport or Siem Reap
International Airport. Tourists on package tours will
normally have their visas arranged by the tour operator.
Working Days Required
Five from day of receipt of application form. Express visas
are issued within 24 hours. E-Visas are issued within three
working days; the visa is delivered electronically to the
applicant's mailbox.
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MONEY
Currency
Riel (KHR; symbol CR). Notes are in denominations of
CR100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500,
200 and 100.
Currency Exchange
US Dollars are widely accepted and exchanged as are Thai
Baht close to the Thai border, but other currencies are
generally only recognized at banks.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Credit cards are now more widely accepted in upmarket
hotels, shops and restaurants catering to visitors. There
are ATMs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. It is
always best to carry cash (US Dollars if necessary) in small
denominations.
Traveler's Cheques
Limited acceptance. Traveler's cheques are generally not
recommended. Traveler's cheques in US Dollars can be changed
at banks and some hotels, but can be difficult to change
outside major cities.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0800-1500. Some banks are open on Saturdays
0800-1130.
Exchange Rate Indicators
Date Jan 09
£1.00 CR5,865.35
$1.00 CR4,047.95
1.00= CR5,490.47
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DUTY FREE
The following goods may be
imported into Cambodia without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or equivalent in tobacco.
Reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.
One opened bottle of liquor.
Note: Currency must be declared.
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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
7 Jan Victory Day.
Feb* Meak Bochea Day.
8 Mar Women's Day.
Apr* Cambodian New Year.
1 May Labour Day.
May* Visaka Buja Day (Birth of Buddha).
May* Royal Ploughing Day Ceremony.
13-15 May King Sihamoni's Birthday.
1 Jun International Children's Day.
18 Jun Former Queen's Birthday.
24 Sep Constitution and Coronation Day.
Sep/Oct* Pchum Ben Day.
23 Oct Paris Peace Agreement.
31 Oct Former King Sihanouk's Birthday.
Nov* Water Festival.
9 Nov Independence Day.
10 Dec Human Rights Day.
*Date to be confirmed.
Note
The religious festivals are determined by the Buddhist lunar
calendar and are therefore variable. Public holidays falling
on a Saturday or Sunday are carried forward to the following
working day.
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HEALTH
Vaccinations
Special Precautions
Diphtheria
Yes
Hepatitis A
Yes
Malaria
Yes
Rabies
Sometimes
Tetanus
Yes
Typhoid
Yes
Yellow Fever
No*
Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please
take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where 'Sometimes'
appears in the table above, precautions may be required,
depending on the season and region visited.
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by
travelers arriving within 10 days from infected areas.
Food and Drink
All water should be regarded as being potentially
contaminated. Water for drinking, brushing teeth or making
ice should first be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled
water is widely available. Milk is unpasteurised and should
be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is
advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been
made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish.
Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Cholera may be a serious risk in this country and
precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be
sought before deciding whether these precautions should
include vaccination.
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and
paddling in fresh water. Giardiasis, dysentery, typhoid
fever and dengue fever are common throughout Cambodia.
Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Japanese encephalitis occurs in
rural areas from May to November and is relatively common in
the highlands, where there are rice fields and pigs, as both
are needed for the disease to occur. The vaccine is only
usually given for people traveling in rural areas for four
weeks or more.
Epidemics of avian influenza (bird flu) were reported in
Asia in 2004 and again in 2005, and some human cases were
confirmed. Visitors should avoid bird farms or markets,
where contact with poultry might occur.
HIV/AIDS is endemic and safe sex practices are essential.
Health Care
Health insurance, including emergency evacuation, is
absolutely essential. Doctors and hospitals expect cash
payments for any medical treatment. The cost of medical
evacuation is high. The hospital in Phnom Penh is reliable.
It is suggested that any visitors bring adequate supplies of
any essential personal medication, since that medication may
not be available in Cambodia.
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ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Accommodation standards have improved greatly, especially in
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, with a variety of
hotels and hostels. Elsewhere there is usually one good
standard hotel in town, although facilities are limited.
There is no official grading of hotels and the prices are
the only way to decide the quality of a hotel.
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have some superb hotels with all
the facilities and services expected in
international-standard properties, such as air conditioning,
satellite TV, room service, restaurants, bars and swimming
pool. There is also a good selection of mid-range hotels
with many of the same facilities apart from room service and
swimming pool.
Guest Houses
There is a variety of good guest houses available in the
capital and in most towns around Cambodia. Facilities are
limited but often include air conditioning or a fan and a
restaurant. Some have shared bathrooms. Some budget guest
houses do not have restaurants so guests have to buy
breakfast in a local cafe.
Budget hotels and hostels are plentiful, although they tend
to be very basic and are best suited to backpackers.
Camping/Caravanning
There are no campsites in Cambodia. A few travel companies
arrange camping for organized groups who are traveling right
off the beaten track, and all camping equipment is supplied.
There are plans to build an extensive campsite at Kampot
River, with a provisional opening date of October 2009.
Youth Hostels
These are available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and
Sihanoukville.
Self Catering
Many companies offer villas for long stay breaks in
Cambodia. The best are centered around major cities like
Phnom Penh.
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GOING OUT
Food and Drink
Eating out is big business Cambodia, with many good
restaurants in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Food
stalls are also common in all towns and cities, and are a
great place to sample Cambodian food. Khmer cuisine is very
similar to Thai, but with fewer spices involved and a
preponderance for coconut milk.
National specialties:
Prahok (fermented fish paste) is used to flavor most
dishes.
Succulent fruits include banana, coconut, the durian fruit
(known for its distinctive odour), jackfruit, longan fruit,
lychee, pineapple and rambutan fruit (which has translucent
white flesh).
Crispy fried spiders are a snack for the adventurous in
Northern Cambodia.
Amok trey (fish in a thick coconut curry sauce, wrapped in
banana leaves and steamed).
Rice noodles proliferate and can be bought covered in
curry sauce from street vendors.
National drinks:
Fresh coconut juice.
Green tea.
Rice wine.
The local beer is called Angkor.
The most popular, and refreshing, Khmer drink is soda
water with a squeeze of lemon.
Legal drinking age: There are no age restrictions.
Tipping: Tips are appreciated in hotels and
restaurants where no service charge has been added, and by
tour guides.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and to a lesser
extent in Sihanoukville, is pretty vibrant, mainly because
of the large number of visitors and expat residents. There
are bars and restaurants but very few clubs and live music
venues. Bars and restaurants range from dingy, smoky bars to
upmarket cocktail bars and elegant restaurants. Major
tourist areas of Phnom Penh can be pretty seedy, with
numerous strip clubs, so make sure you check out a venue
before paying the cover charge.
Major hotels offer entertainment, and weekly Apsara
(traditional Khmer dance) performances are often held from
November to March in hotel gardens, mainly in Siem Reap.
Gambling is a major past time in Cambodia and there are
several casinos in Sihanoukville and on the border with
Thailand.
Shopping
Cambodian artisans are very skilled and there is no shortage
of handicrafts to buy. Unique to Cambodia is the krama, a
checked scarf made of cotton or silk. Silk is still
handwoven in Cambodia and is a must buy' either as lengths
of material or in the form of scarves, bags or purses.
Silver is another great buy in Cambodia. Khmer silversmiths
craft delicate anklets and necklaces, which make fantastic
souvenirs. You can also buy silver cutlery and dining-ware.
The markets in Cambodia are always a great source of
souvenirs. Try the Central Market, in Phnom Penh, which is
well worth a visit as it sells clothes, gifts and jewellery.
Gems are a particularly good buy but only spend large
amounts if you know a bit about what you are buying. The
Russian Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung) is crammed with stalls
holding a vast selection of bargain souvenirs including
clothing, silverware, jewellery, silk, bags, DVDs, CDs and
ceramics, as is the Old Market in Siem Reap. Bargaining is
expected in the markets, which are open daily from around
0700 to 1700 hours. Look out for shops selling handicrafts
to raise money for disadvantaged Cambodians.
Shopping hours: Daily 0800-2000.
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TOP THINGS TO DO
Take a river cruise along the Tonle Sap from Phnom
Penh to Siem Reap. It's a great way to laze through
Cambodia's wetlands.
Go for an elephant ride in Rattanakiri and
Mondulkiri; remember to grab a tour guide.
Be a part of the extravagant Water Festival. Taking
place in October/November, it is around this time that the
Tonle Sap changes direction, leaving behind an abundance of
fish. Crowds mingle on the river banks in Phnom Penh to
watch hundreds of brightly coloured boats and their paddlers
battle it out for top honours.
Watch a traditional Cambodian Apsara dance. Siem Reap
is probably the best place to watch a dance display,
although travellers can occasionally catch a spontaneous one
in the villages.
Go dolphin-spotting near Kratie. Viewing Cambodia's
fresh water dolphins is immensely rewarding. The best time
to go is early morning or late afternoon.
Swim in volcanic Yak Lom lake near Banlung
town in Rattanakiri province. The water is clear and cool
and the surrounding forest is ideal for a picnic.
Fire a rocket launcher or M-16 in Phnom Penh. There
aren't many other places in the world that would let you
near such lethal weaponry. A serious reminder of the
troubles Cambodia's been through.
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TOP THINGS TO SEE
Delight in Cambodia's Buddhist temples, such as
Preah Vihear. Located in the Dangrek Mountains,
the site is home to various festivals, especially during the
Cambodian New Year.
Visit the interrogation centre of Pol Pot's regime in
Phnom Penh, the chilling Toul Sleng Museum of
Genocide, also called S-21 (security office 21).
It is also possible to visit The Killing Fields/Cheoung
Ek Memorial, just outside the city.
Do not miss Phnom Penh's gorgeous Royal Palace,
which has a stunning and famous Silver Pagoda. Be
sure to pay extra attention to the floor - it contains 5,000
silver tiles.
Explore the magnificent temples of Angkor,
the remains of the once mighty Khmer civilisation. Angkor
Wat is the most famous temple, but the surrounding areas
are worth visiting too. Go at sunrise or sunset.
See the much photographed Ta Prohm at Angkor,
easily recognisable because of the roots of massive trees
growing through the building. They are left there to show
how many of the temples looked before they were reclaimed
from the jungle.
Examine the extensive collection of Khmer artifacts in the
distinctive, red-brick, pseudo-Khmer-style National
Museum, constructed by the French in 1917.
Hold your nose at Stung Meanchey Garbage Dump. A
visit here will show you how many children spend their days:
sifting through rotting rubbish for food and things to sell.
A shocking and humbling experience.
Travel to the little-visited northeast province of
Rattanakiri, where there are hill tribes, gem mines
and unspoilt national parks.
Climb up to abandoned Bokor, the former French hill
station, where there are the eerie remains of a hotel,
casino, church, villas and a former royal residence. Equally
as eerie, take time to visit Kep, once a beach resort
which was destroyed in the 1970s.
Relax at Sihanoukville, Cambodia's only beach
resort, with its sandy beaches and offshore islands which
are ideal for scuba-diving.
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COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone
Country code: 855. Prepaid telephone cards are available in
post offices, hotels and shops for public phones around
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile
phone companies. Coverage is good in major towns and cities
and patchy elsewhere.
Internet
Available in some areas. Internet cafes are available in
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and other major towns.
Post
Airmail to Europe takes at least a week, and longer to the
USA. The main post office in Phnom Penh is located on the
western side of 13 Street between 98 Street and 102 Street,
open 0630-2100.
Post office hours: Generally Mon-Fri
0730/0800-1700/1730, sometimes closed for lunch.
Media
Much of Cambodia's media depends on support from political
parties. Press freedom is not guaranteed but Prime Minister
Hun Sen has declared his public support for press freedom.
There are no restrictions on satellite dish ownership and
neighbouring foreign radio broadcasts are easily received.
Press
Cambodia Daily and the Phnom Penh Post (fortnightly) and
are printed in English.
Reaksmei Kampuchea and Kaoh Santepheap are pro-government
dailies.
TV
National Television of Cambodia (TVK) is a state
broadcaster.
Aspara TV and TV3 are commercial stations.
CTN, CTV9, Bayon TV and TV5 are private broadcasters.
Radio
National Radio of Cambodia is a state broadcaster.
FM 95 (operated by Bayon Radio and TV News Agency), Radio
FM 97 (operated by Aspara Radio and TV Radio) and Radio FM
103 are all commercial broadcasters.
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CLIMATE
Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate. The monsoon
season runs from May to November. The most pleasant season
is the dry season, from November/December to April. In the
north, winters can be colder, while throughout most of the
country temperatures remain fairly constant. There is often
seasonal flooding in Phnom Penh and the rest of Cambodia in
late July and early August, and travel may be disrupted at
these times.
Required Clothing
Lightweight clothing is worn all year. Rainwear is essential
during the monsoon season.
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MAP
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TRAVEL TIPS
Most visits to Cambodia are trouble-free, however public
order is fragile. Travelers should be aware of the global
risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be
against civilian targets, including places frequented by
foreigners. The greatest risks to travelers are from road
traffic accidents, armed robbery after dark, landmines and
unexploded ordnance in rural areas.
Travelers should be aware of the risk of robbery and other
crime (including sexual offences) in Phnom Penh,
Sihanoukville and Siem Reap, particularly after dark, and
take sensible precautions. Travelers should be on their
guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers, especially when
traveling around the cities.
Outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) in Cambodia have
resulted in a small number of human fatalities. As a
precaution, travelers should avoid live animal markets,
poultry farms and other places where they may come into
close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure
poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
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Cambodia major places of interest:
Phnom
Penh,
Mondulkiri,
Siem Reap/ Angkor,
Kratie,
Battambang,
Kampot,
Preah Vihear
Banlung (Ratanakiri),
Sihanoukville,
Kampong Thom |
