Good to know
Good to Know
- Cambodia is heavily cash-dependent; always carry both USD and KHR in small denominations for street vendors and tips
- ATM fees ($4–$8) add up quickly—plan withdrawals carefully to minimize charges over a longer stay
- Most ATMs dispense USD for foreign cards, which is convenient in Phnom Penh where USD is standard, but get KHR if traveling to provincial areas
- Visa and Mastercard are the safest card choices; other networks may face acceptance issues
- While Bakong (national mobile payment system) and QR codes are growing, cash remains essential for day-to-day life
- Always select 'Decline Conversion' at ATMs to avoid dynamic currency conversion markups
- Expect all ATMs to demand a fee; none are free. BRED, ABA, and ACLEDA are generally most competitive
- Large USD bills ($100 notes) can be difficult to change; ask ATMs for smaller mixed denominations where possible
- Local taxis and tuk-tuks do not take cards and must be negotiated in cash (typically quoted in USD or KHR)
ATM Fees
- Overview
- All ATMs in Cambodia charge withdrawal fees for foreign cards. No fee-free options exist.
- Range Typical
- KHR 32,040
Most common is $4–$6 per transaction; some banks charge up to $8
- Currency Conversion Choice
- ATMs may ask 'Accept or Decline Conversion.' Select 'Decline' to use your bank's exchange rate and avoid ATM markup
Bank Specific
BRED Bank
- Visa fee
- KHR 32,040
Increased to $8–$10 per withdrawal (recently raised from $4)
- Limit
- $2,000 per transaction
- Note
- Among the most competitive, especially for larger withdrawals
ABA Bank
- Visa fee
- KHR 16,020
- Note
- Inconsistent; some report $4, others $8
ACLEDA Bank
- Visa fee
- KHR 16,020
- Limit
- $500 per transaction
Canadia Bank
- Visa fee
- KHR 20,025
- Note
- Middle-range option; reasonable fee and network coverage
Wing Bank
- Visa fee
- KHR 20,025
- Note
- Does not always disclose fees until after transaction (deceptive practice)
Banking Setup
- ATM Fees
- International cards charged USD 6–8 per withdrawal; local cards avoid these fees; most ATMs dispense USD 50 and 100 notes only
- Overview
- Opening a bank account as a foreigner is relatively straightforward. Most banks require a valid passport, long-stay visa, proof of residence, and a nominal deposit. The process typically takes 20–40 minutes.
- Digital Banking
- ABA, ACLEDA, and Wing offer strong English digital platforms; KHQR (QR code payments) increasingly standard; cross-border QR payments with Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Japan operational as of 2025
- Currency Notes
- Both KHR and USD accounts available; USD often preferred for stability; 80% of transactions in Cambodia still in USD
Basic Requirements
- Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining validity)
- Valid long-stay visa (traditionally 1-year extended visa; shorter durations increasingly accepted)
- Proof of residence in Cambodia (lease agreement or utility bill)
- Nominal initial deposit (varies by bank)
Account Setup Process
- Timeline
- Usually 20–40 minutes in-branch if all documents ready
- Card Issuance
- ATM/debit card issued immediately or within 1–2 days
- Online Banking
- Mobile and internet banking available at most major banks with English interfaces
- Currency Options
- Most banks allow both KHR and USD accounts opened together
Major Banks For Expats
ABA Bank
- Branches
- 67 nationwide; 100+ self-banking kiosks; 210+ ATMs
- Ownership
- Canadian (subsidiary of National Bank of Canada)
- Strengths
- Most sophisticated online banking app; fastest international transfers; English-friendly; popular with expats and tourists
- Minimum Balance
- KHR 40,000
- Minimum Deposit
- KHR 50,000
- Note Non Residents
- KHR 50,000
ACLEDA Bank
- Branches
- 230+ across country; major presence in Phnom Penh
- Strengths
- Largest bank in Cambodia; strong digital platform; 230+ branches nationwide; widespread ATM network; bill payment integration
- Minimum Deposit
- KHR 4,030,000
- Minimum Balance Required
- KHR 2,015,000
J Trust Royal Bank (Formerly ANZ Royal)
- Branches
- Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Poipet, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Sihanoukville
- Strengths
- Good international transfer rates; 127 ATM locations; popular with expats
- Minimum Deposit
- KHR 2,015,000
- Monthly Maintenance
- KHR 4,030
Canadia Bank
- Founded
- 1991
- Branches
- Extensive network; 60 in Phnom Penh and major cities
- Strengths
- Largest local bank; 60+ branches in Phnom Penh and major cities; multi-currency accounts; worldwide correspondent banking
BRED Bank
- Strengths
- Growing presence; 22+ branches; European banking style; Phnom Penh and other major cities
- Minimum Deposit
- KHR 403,000
- Monthly Maintenance
- KHR 403
Additional Documents Sometimes Requested
- Passport-sized photo (white background)
- Employment letter or work permit
- Proof of Cambodian address
ATM Access
- Dispenses
- Most ATMs dispense USD for foreign cards; some (ABA Bank, Mekong Bank) offer KHR option
- Availability
- Abundant in Phnom Penh; ATMs on nearly every block in central areas
- Accepted Cards
- Visa and Mastercard most widely accepted. Some ATMs accept UnionPay, Cirrus, Plus, JCB. Avoid Amex, Discover, Diners
- Operating Hours
- Standalone ATMs: 24/7. Bank-located ATMs: typically 9am–3pm
- Withdrawal Limits Per Transaction
- $500–$2,000 USD depending on bank
Cash Needs For
Cash Needs For
- Street food and markets (only accept cash, especially KHR small denominations)
- Local taxis, tuk-tuks, and moto-drivers (negotiate fare beforehand; cash only)
- Traditional open-air markets
- Small family-run restaurants, cafes, and shops
- Temple donations and offerings
- Household help and tips
Card Acceptance
- Where Accepted
- Major hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and tourist-oriented businesses in central areas accept cards
- Credit Card Surcharge
- KHR 50,000
Standard 2-4% commission on credit card payments at most venues (supermarkets typically no surcharge)
- Description
- Card acceptance is limited to larger establishments in Phnom Penh. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted networks.
- Note On Cash Reliance
- Cambodia remains primarily cash-based; smaller businesses, traditional markets, guesthouses, and local vendors only accept cash
Dual Currency Landscape
- KHR
- Preferred for small transactions, street vendors, tips, and everyday local spending. Locals prefer KHR tips over USD
- USD
- Accepted for larger transactions, hotels, restaurants, tourist businesses, and most formal transactions
- Description
- Both USD and KHR are widely accepted in Phnom Penh, though each is preferred in different contexts
- Practical Note
- Small change almost always returned in KHR, even if paying in USD. Keep small KHR notes (1,000–5,000 notes) for minor purchases
Practical Cash Withdrawal Tips
Practical Cash Withdrawal Tips
- Withdraw larger amounts in fewer transactions to minimize fees (e.g., $900 instead of three $300 withdrawals)
- Request withdrawal amounts that are not multiples of $50 to receive mixed denominations (e.g., $380 instead of $400)
- ATMs often dispense large bills ($100 notes); breaking large bills can be difficult, especially with vendors
- Inspect banknotes carefully before accepting—torn, taped, or creased USD notes are not accepted in Cambodia
- Use ATMs inside banks or shopping malls for better security; avoid street ATMs, especially at night
- Exchange money before traveling if possible to avoid repeated ATM fees
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.backpackmoments.com
- 2.atmfeesaver.com
- 3.mysiemreaptours.com
- 4.ips-cambodia.com
- 5.movetocambodia.com
- 6.finder.com
- 7.wise.com
- 8.exchange-rates.org
- 9.finder.com
- 10.cambodia.embassy.gov.au
- 11.kh.usembassy.gov
- 12.bangkokhospital.com
- 13.expatden.com
- 14.ips-cambodia.com
- 15.movetocambodia.com
- 16.realestate.com.kh
- 17.movetoasia.com
- 18.ips-cambodia.com
- 19.khmertimeskh.com
- 20.cambodiakingdom.com
- 21.expatexchange.com
- 22.pharmacie-delagare.com
- 23.healthcenter.puthisastra.edu.kh
- 24.tax.gov.kh
- 25.tradingeconomics.com
More About Phnom Penh
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.