💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money in Phnom Penh: card acceptance by neighborhood, where to find ATMs, how to pay for tuk-tuks and ride apps, and what to carry for market visits and temple tours. For Cambodia-wide ATM tips, tipping norms, and the dual-currency system:
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Order USD → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Phnom Penh?
Yes. Phnom Penh is increasingly card-friendly for a Southeast Asian capital, but cash remains essential for most daily spending. US dollars are the primary currency. Prices are quoted in dollars at restaurants, hotels, and shops. You will receive Cambodian riel (KHR) as change for sub-dollar amounts, at the fixed rate of 4,000 KHR = $1. Cards are accepted at malls, upscale restaurants, and hotels. Markets, street food vendors, and tuk-tuk drivers all require cash (USD or riel).
Where You Will Need Cash
Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung) for crafts and textiles. Central Market (Phsar Thmei) for gems, clothes, and food stalls. Street food vendors ($1–3 per dish). Tuk-tuks hailed on the street. Moto-dops (motorcycle taxis, $1–2). Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum ($5 entry). Tips at restaurants and for guides.
Where Cards Work Fine
Hotels at all levels (even many guesthouses). AEON Mall (fully card-friendly, the city's largest mall). BKK1 restaurants and cafes (the expat neighborhood). Riverside tourist restaurants along Sisowath Quay. Supermarkets (Lucky, Thai Huot). Royal Palace ticket office (card accepted). Grab and PassApp (card via app). Modern Phnom Penh is approaching Bangkok-level card acceptance in tourist and expat areas.
Paying by Card in Phnom Penh
Card acceptance has improved rapidly in recent years. Visa and Mastercard work at modern establishments. Amex has very limited acceptance (international hotels only). Contactless payments work at newer terminals in malls and chain restaurants. The split is clear: the expat and tourist areas take cards, while local markets and street life run on cash. Carry $20–50 in small, clean US bills when heading out.
Riverside / Sisowath Quay
The tourist heart of Phnom Penh along the Tonle Sap riverfront. Tourist restaurants and bars accept cards. Foreign Exchange Cambodia (FEC) and other riverside shops take cards for larger purchases. Night Market stalls are cash-only. Hotels on the quay all accept cards. Budget $5–15 in cash for street-level food and drinks.
Russian Market / Toul Tom Poung
Phnom Penh's most popular market for tourists. Silk scarves, clothing, souvenirs, and knockoff goods are all cash. Bargaining is expected. Surrounding cafes and restaurants on Street 440 and Street 450 increasingly take cards. Budget $10–30 in cash for market shopping. The market is best visited in the morning before the heat builds.
Central Market / Phsar Thmei
The iconic Art Deco dome building. Jewelry, gems, electronics, clothing, and food stalls are all cash-only. The surrounding street vendors and food carts require cash. A great place to try Cambodian snacks for $1–2. Carry $5–15 in small bills. Pickpockets operate here, so keep cash secure.
BKK1 / Tonle Bassac
The expat neighborhood south of the Independence Monument. Cafes (Brown Coffee, Tribe), international restaurants, and co-working spaces all accept cards. AEON Mall on the edge of the district is fully card-friendly. This is Phnom Penh's most card-friendly area. Many places accept contactless payments.
Royal Palace Area
The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda ($10 entry) accept card at the ticket office. The National Museum ($10) also takes cards. Restaurants near the palace vary. Upscale spots like Malis and Topaz accept cards. Street vendors and smaller cafes along Sothearos Boulevard are cash-only. Bring $15–25 in cash.
ATMs in Phnom Penh
For Cambodia-wide ATM advice, see the Cambodia guide.
Look for these logos. Cambodian bank ATMs dispense US dollars and accept foreign Visa and Mastercard.
ABA Bank
ACLEDA
CanadiaATM Locations
Sisowath Quay: Multiple ABA and ACLEDA ATMs along the riverfront. BKK1: ATMs on nearly every block, especially along Street 51 and Street 308. Central Market area: ACLEDA and Canadia Bank branches nearby. AEON Mall: ATMs inside the mall. Phnom Penh International Airport: ATMs in the arrivals hall. Most ATMs dispense USD in $50 and $100 notes. ABA Bank ATMs also offer $1, $5, and $20 denominations, making them ideal for getting small bills.
⚠ Bring Clean, Crisp US Bills
Cambodians are very particular about the condition of US banknotes. Torn, marked, heavily creased, or pre-2006 $100 bills may be refused by shops and even banks. ATMs dispense clean notes. If you bring cash from home, make sure your bills are in good condition. Also bring plenty of $1 and $5 bills for everyday purchases.
Paying for Tuk-Tuks, Motos & Ride Apps
Tuk-Tuks
The classic Phnom Penh transport. Tuk-tuks hailed on the street are cash only (USD). A short ride costs $2–3. Across town is $3–5. Always agree on the price before getting in. From the airport to the city center: $12–15 (or use a ride app for $7–9). Tuk-tuk drivers often offer half-day or full-day tours ($15–25) covering the Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng, and the Killing Fields.
PassApp & Grab
PassApp is the most popular ride-hailing app in Cambodia and often cheaper than Grab. Both accept card payment through the app, making them the easiest cashless transport option. Rides across town cost $2–5. Motorcycle rides (remorque-moto) are even cheaper at $1–2. Download PassApp before you arrive. It works well and drivers arrive quickly in the city center.
Moto-Dops (Motorcycle Taxis)
The cheapest way to get around. Hail them on any street corner. Cash only, $1–2 for short trips. Not for the faint-hearted in Phnom Penh's chaotic traffic. Helmets are sometimes provided but not always. Use a ride app for the safer, metered alternative.
Airport Transfers
Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) is 10 km west of the city center. Ride apps: PassApp or Grab cost $7–9 (card via app). Tuk-tuk: $12–15 from the taxi stand (cash, negotiate). Metered taxi: about $9–12 (cash). The ride app is cheapest and most transparent.
Tipping in Phnom Penh
The Cambodia guide covers general norms. In Phnom Penh: Restaurants: 10% is generous and appreciated (not expected at local eateries). Cafes: round up or leave $0.50–1. Tuk-tuk drivers: round up to the nearest dollar. Hotel staff: $1–2 per bag or service. Massage therapists: $1–2. Tour guides: $3–5 for a half-day tour. Always tip in cash (USD or riel).
Prices in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is one of Southeast Asia's most affordable capitals. Street food is incredibly cheap. Western-style restaurants in BKK1 and Riverside are pricier but still excellent value by international standards. Beer is famously cheap, especially during happy hour.
| Item | Price (USD) | Price (KHR) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | $1–3 | 4,000–12,000 |
| Restaurant meal (local) | $3–8 | 12,000–32,000 |
| Restaurant meal (Western) | $5–15 | 20,000–60,000 |
| Draft beer (happy hour) | $0.50–1 | 2,000–4,000 |
| Draft beer (regular) | $1–2 | 4,000–8,000 |
| Coffee (cafe) | $1.50–3 | 6,000–12,000 |
| Tuk-tuk (short ride) | $2–3 | 8,000–12,000 |
| Tuk-tuk (across town) | $3–5 | 12,000–20,000 |
| Royal Palace entry | $10 | 40,000 |
| Tuol Sleng Museum | $5 | 20,000 |
| Killing Fields entry + audio | $6 | 24,000 |
| Budget hotel (per night) | $15–40 | 60,000–160,000 |
KHR estimates based on the fixed rate of 4,000 KHR = $1 USD.
Day Trips from Phnom Penh
Killing Fields at Choeung Ek
The most important historical site in Cambodia. Located 15 km south of the city. Entry costs $6 and includes an excellent audio guide (highly recommended). A tuk-tuk round trip with waiting time costs $10–15. Most visitors combine it with the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum ($5) in the city for a sobering half-day. Both sites accept cash. Bring $15–20 total.
Silk Island (Koh Dach)
A peaceful island in the Mekong River, 20 minutes from the city. The ferry costs about $1 (cash). The island is famous for traditional silk weaving. You can watch weavers at work and buy silk scarves and fabrics directly (cash, $5–30). Rent a bicycle on the island ($2–3) to explore. A quiet escape from the city with no card acceptance at all. Bring $10–20 in cash.
Oudong (Former Royal Capital)
Located 40 km north of Phnom Penh. Once Cambodia's royal capital (1618–1866). The hilltop temples and stupas offer panoramic views of the countryside. A tuk-tuk day trip costs $20–25 round trip. Entry is $3. Small food stalls at the base are cash-only. A less-visited alternative to the temples at Siem Reap. Bring $10–15 in cash beyond transport.
Phnom Penh Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BKK1 / AEON Mall | ✅ Everywhere | Not needed | Most card-friendly area |
| Royal Palace | ✅ Cards accepted | $5 tips/vendors | $10 entry, card at ticket office |
| Riverside / Sisowath Quay | ✅ Tourist spots | $5–15 | Restaurants take cards, stalls don't |
| Russian Market | ❌ Cash only | $10–30 | Bargaining expected |
| Central Market | ❌ Cash only | $5–15 | Small bills essential |
| Tuk-tuk (street) | ❌ Cash only | $2–5 | Agree price first |
| Killing Fields day trip | ❌ Cash only | $15–20 | $6 entry + tuk-tuk |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Phnom Penh?
Yes. Cards work at hotels, malls, and upscale restaurants, but markets, street food, tuk-tuks, and smaller shops are cash only. US dollars are the primary currency. Carry $20–50 in small bills when exploring. You will receive riel as change for sub-dollar amounts.
Can I use US dollars everywhere?
Almost everywhere. USD is the main currency for daily transactions. Prices are quoted in dollars. You will receive Cambodian riel (KHR) as change for amounts under $1, at the fixed rate of 4,000 KHR per dollar. Bring crisp, undamaged bills.
How much does the Royal Palace cost?
$10 for foreign visitors. Card accepted at the ticket office. A guide costs an additional $10. Dress code enforced: cover knees and shoulders. Open daily except during royal ceremonies.
How do I get to the Killing Fields?
The Killing Fields at Choeung Ek are 15 km south of the city. A tuk-tuk costs $10–15 round trip with waiting time. Entry is $6 including an audio guide. Most visitors combine it with Tuol Sleng Museum ($5) in a half-day trip.
What is the exchange rate for riel?
The fixed unofficial rate is 4,000 KHR to $1 USD. This rate is used universally. You do not need to exchange money. ATMs dispense US dollars. Spend your riel before leaving Cambodia, as it is difficult to exchange elsewhere.
Is Grab available in Phnom Penh?
Yes. Grab and PassApp both operate in Phnom Penh. PassApp is more popular locally and often cheaper. Both accept card payment through the app. Rides across town cost $2–5.
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