Good to know
Good to Know
- Siem Reap runs on a dual-currency system where USD is the de-facto currency for tourists; you do not need to exchange to Riel unless you prefer to
- Bring crisp, undamaged USD bills only—torn or marked notes are regularly refused by merchants
- ATM fees range $4-6 per withdrawal; BRED Bank and ABA Bank are typically the cheapest; since ATM bills come in $100 USD, expect change in Riel for small purchases
- Cash USD is essential for tuk-tuks, street food, markets, and small vendors; card acceptance is limited outside hotels and upscale restaurants
- Tipping is appreciated in tourist-oriented service roles (restaurants, guides, drivers, housekeeping) but is not mandatory; 10% or rounding up are reasonable amounts
- Riel you accumulate as change cannot be exchanged outside Cambodia and is non-convertible; spend it naturally or use as tips
- A mix of $50-100 USD in small denominations plus local knowledge of card acceptance by venue type gives the most flexibility
ATM Access
- Qa Flag
- Multiple sources cite $4-6 range; some recent comments (2024-2025) note BRED has increased to $6-10 for Mastercard; recommend verifying current fees before withdrawal
- Locations
- Concentrated along Sivatha Boulevard and near Old Market; widely scattered throughout city center
- Availability
- Widely available throughout Siem Reap city center
- Currency Dispensed
- USD only (in $100 bills, except ANZ which sometimes offers $50)
Fee Structure
BRED Bank
- Fee USD
- 4
- Note
- Historically lowest, though some recent reports cite $6-10 depending on card type
ABA Bank
- Fee USD
- 4
- Note
- Widely considered best option with lowest fees; some sources cite $4-5
Reliable for foreign cards; $4-5 range typical
- Fee USD
- 4
- Bank Type
- ACLEDA Bank
Consistent USD dispensing with newer bills; $4-5 range
- Fee USD
- 4
- Bank Type
- Canadia Bank
ANZ Bank
- Fee USD
- 4
- Note
- Sometimes dispenses $50 bills instead of just $100; helpful for small transactions
Other ATMs
- Fee Range
- 4-6 USD per withdrawal
Tipping Norms
- Qa Flag
- Multiple sources confirm tipping is not mandatory but appreciated in tourism contexts; no single standardized amount, amounts are flexible
- In Practice
- Appreciated in tourism-related services; tipping is a Western practice increasingly adopted in tourist areas
- Payment Method
- Cash always; bring small bills to avoid change-making issues
- Cultural Baseline
- Not traditionally expected in Cambodian culture
Standard Amounts
Restaurant Staff
Tuk-tuk Drivers
Tour Guides (Full-day)
Drivers (Full-day)
Porters, Bellhops, Housekeeping
Temple Visits
Cash Needs
- Bill Condition
- US dollars must be clean and undamaged; torn, taped, or heavily marked bills refused
Currency To Carry
- KHR Bills
- For small purchases and change; accumulate naturally from transactions, cannot be exchanged outside Cambodia
- USD Bills
- Recommended primary cash; bring $50-100 USD in small denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20 bills)
Cash Requirements By Activity
- Markets
- Cash only (prefer small USD bills)
- Tuk Tuks
- Cash USD only; agree on price before boarding
- Restaurants
- Tourist restaurants accept cards; local/small restaurants cash only
- Street Food
- Cash USD or small Riel
- Temples And Attractions
- Both accepted; Angkor Wat pass $37-72 accepts USD cash or Visa/Mastercard
Card Acceptance
- Availability
- Limited in Siem Reap; widely accepted in hotels, upscale restaurants, and tour operators
Details
- Accepted Types
- Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Card Surcharge
- 5% commission on card payments in most establishments (except supermarkets, which typically charge no fee)
- Where Accepted
- Major hotels, mid-range to upscale restaurants, supermarkets, tour operators, and some temples
- Where Not Accepted
- Small markets, street food vendors, tuk-tuks, family-run guesthouses, traditional markets
Currency System
- Primary
- Dual-currency system (USD + KHR)
- De Facto Primary
- USD for most transactions
- Official Local Currency
- KHR
Digital Payments
- Limitation
- Still secondary to cash and international cards for most tourists
- Khqr System
- Cambodia's unified QR code payment system; accepted at millions of merchants including restaurants, shops, and hotels
- Bakong Tourist App
- Lets visitors scan KHQR codes without a Cambodian bank account
- Adoption In Siem Reap
- Growing; widely available at tourist-oriented and modern establishments
Banking
- Overview
- Foreign nationals can open bank accounts in Cambodia, though procedures and requirements vary by bank and visa status. Limited specific information available for account opening in Siem Reap; most expats establish accounts through Phnom Penh banks or use their home-country accounts with international access.
- General Guidance
- Foreigners typically require a residence visa, proof of address, valid passport, and often a minimum initial deposit. Requirements vary significantly by bank and visa category (tourist visa, business visa, long-stay visa). Some banks may require a local sponsor or employer. It is advisable to consult directly with banks in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh for current procedures.
- Access To Services
- Most major Cambodian banks operate in Siem Reap with ATM networks widely available. USD is widely accepted in Siem Reap alongside Cambodian Riel (KHR), reducing the immediate necessity of a local bank account for short-term nomads.
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.adventurescambodia.com
- 2.indochinatour.com
- 3.backpackmoments.com
- 4.travelcurrencyguide.com
- 5.siemreapwonder.com
- 6.mysiemreaptours.com
- 7.visit-angkor.org
- 8.finder.com
- 9.tax.gov.kh
- 10.siemreaphub.com
- 11.movetocambodia.com
- 12.cambodiatravel.com
- 13.expatden.com
- 14.expatlifecambodia.com
- 15.singjayamedical.com
- 16.gocambodia.tours
- 17.siemreapwonder.com
- 18.expatexchange.com
- 19.cambodiayp.com
- 20.expat.com
- 21.wise.com
More About Siem Reap
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.