Cambodia
Cambodia is the land of Angkor Wat — the world's largest religious monument and one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites on earth — but it offers far more than its temples. Over 1,000 temples spread across 400 km² were built by the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries; sunrise over Angkor Wat reflected in its moat is a moment that stays forever. The Bayon temple with its 216 mysteriously smiling stone faces, Ta Prohm where giant silk-cotton trees have engulfed the temple walls (the Tomb Raider filming location), and the exquisite pink sandstone carvings of Banteay Srei are just the beginning. Siem Reap at the foot of the temples has become a traveller magnet: night markets, street food, Pub Street bars and a growing arts scene. Phnom Penh, the capital, impresses with the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda on the riverside, the Art Deco Central Market, and major twentieth-century memorial museums (Tuol Sleng, Choeung Ek). The Tonle Sap Lake with its floating villages is Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake. And the southern islands — Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem — offer Caribbean-quality beaches and bioluminescent plankton at night. E-visa and visa-on-arrival options cover most nationalities for around a month, with extensions possible — check current fees before travel. Cambodia uses both the Cambodian Riel and US Dollar — ATMs dispense dollars.
Also required: digital arrival card
Cambodia Visa & Entry Options
Cambodia offers convenient visa options for most travellers. The e-visa for tourism is available online at evisa.gov.kh, processed within 3 business days, costing USD 36 including service charge. Visa on arrival is available at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports and most land borders for USD 30 (bring a passport photo and exact change in dollars). A business visa on arrival costs USD 35 and allows multiple extensions up to 1 year. ASEAN nationals from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Brunei can enter visa-free for 14-30 days depending on nationality. Passport must be valid at least 6 months with at least one blank page. Tourist visas are extendable once for 30 additional days through immigration offices (USD 45-80 depending on agency). E-visa is valid only at specific entry points — check the official website for the current list.
Visa types
E-Visa (Tourism)
For tourism, available to most nationalities through the online system at evisa.gov.kh. Apply online, receive approval by email within 3 business days, print and present on arrival. Valid at specific entry points only (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, some land borders).
Visa on Arrival (Tourist - T)
For tourism at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports and most land borders. Bring a passport photo and exact change in US dollars. Faster than e-visa but may involve queues at busy entry points.
Visa on Arrival (Business - E)
For business visitors, NGO workers or those planning extended stays. Allows multiple extensions up to 1 year and multiple re-entries with valid extension. The practical choice for longer-term stays.
ASEAN Visa-Free Entry
For citizens of ASEAN member states (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei) for tourism or business. No fee required.
Guides
Cambodia rewards travellers with ancient grandeur, warm hospitality and prices that make Southeast Asia's neighbours look expensive. Angkor Archaeological Park is the centrepiece: over 1,000 temples across 400 km², built by the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Angkor Wat at sunrise — the world's largest religious monument reflected in its moat as the sky turns gold — is one of travel's great moments. The Bayon's 216 enigmatic stone faces smile down from every angle. Ta Prohm's giant silk-cotton trees consuming the temple walls feel like a scene from another world. Banteay Srei's intricate pink sandstone carvings are the finest Khmer craftsmanship anywhere. Siem Reap, the gateway town, has evolved from a dusty temple base into a destination of its own: night markets, street food (insects included, if you dare), Pub Street for backpacker nightlife, and an increasingly sophisticated restaurant and gallery scene. Phnom Penh on the Mekong-Tonle Sap confluence combines the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda with major twentieth-century memorial museums — Tuol Sleng (S-21) and Choeung Ek — among the city's main cultural sites. The Tonle Sap floating villages show a way of life lived entirely on water. And the south coast delivers genuine tropical paradise: Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem have white sand, turquoise water and bioluminescent plankton glowing at night. Cambodia is also one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia — a full meal for USD 2-3, a guesthouse room for USD 10-15.
Cambodia travel guide →
The full guide — the memorials, the Cardamoms, the Mekong towns and the Angkor-anchored plan.
Money in Cambodia →
Dollars, riel and ATM-fee reality — the practical money guide.
Eating in Cambodia →
Prahok and kroeung as the two foundations, the Cambodian morning, the tabletop grill and Skuon's insect market.
Getting around Cambodia →
Buses as the default, the revived railway and the Tonle Sap boat crossing.
Health & safety in Cambodia →
Petty theft and the common scams, road and motorbike reality, the landmine rule of staying on marked paths, and water, heat and mosquitoes.
Cities & planning
Plan your trip
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Regions
Embassies & missions
Accredited missions for Cambodia
Austrian Embassy in Bangkok
Based in Bangkok, Thailand
Canadian Embassy in Bangkok
Based in Bangkok, Thailand
Poland Embassy in Bangkok
Based in Bangkok, Thailand
Spanish Embassy in Bangkok
Based in Bangkok, Thailand
Swiss Embassy in Bangkok
Based in Bangkok, Thailand
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Cambodia?
Yes, most nationalities do, but it's straightforward — apply for the e-visa online at evisa.gov.kh (USD 36, processed within 3 business days) or get a visa on arrival at the airport or land border (USD 30) with a passport photo and exact change in dollars.
What's the difference between the e-visa and visa on arrival?
The e-visa is approved before you travel, which is convenient for planning, but it's only valid at specific entry points. Visa on arrival is faster to use but may involve queues at busy border crossings — both cost roughly the same.
Can I extend my Cambodia tourist visa?
Yes — a tourist visa can be extended once for 30 additional days (USD 45-80 depending on the agency used), while the business visa on arrival allows multiple extensions up to a full year.
What currency should I use in Cambodia?
Cambodia uses both the Cambodian Riel and the US Dollar, but USD is preferred for most transactions and ATMs dispense dollars — bring clean, undamaged US bills, since small change is usually given in Riel.
Do I need a separate ticket for the Angkor temples?
Yes — the Angkor Pass is bought separately from your visa, at USD 37 for one day, USD 62 for three days, or USD 72 for seven, from the ticket office near Siem Reap. For sunrise at Angkor Wat, plan to arrive by around 5am.
What should I wear when visiting the temples?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering temple buildings — this is strictly enforced at Angkor Wat and the other major sites.
When is the best time to visit Cambodia?
Dry season, November to April, gives the clearest skies and cooler temperatures for temple visits, with December-February as peak season. Rainy season (May-October) brings greener landscapes, fewer crowds and lower prices.
Is Cambodia an affordable destination?
Yes — it's one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia, with a full meal typically costing USD 2-3 and a guesthouse room USD 10-15, well below neighbouring Thailand or Vietnam.
Planning a trip to Cambodia? Check what you need to enter and apply online in minutes.
Also required: digital arrival card
This overview comes from Visaja's worldwide missions database (visaja.com), checked against official government sources; for binding answers, the mission itself always has the final word.