Cambodia - Travel Information
Flights Both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have international airports. Although not large they both have all the facilities that you need including ATM's and currency exchange (dispensing USD) in the arrival hall. Flights from Australia and most other international destinations outside of Asia will mean you need to fly through one of the major South East Asian airport hubs such as Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur to get to Cambodia. At this time these are the only operational airports. The route between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is the only domestic route in the country, there has in the past been flights to Sihanoukville on the coast, however this route is now cancelled. |
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Getting around
As noted above there is a domestic service between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. This flight is great if you only have limited time and takes around 50 minutes. Alternatively there are a host of large tourist coaches which cover this route and takes around 6.5 hrs. There is a large network of local and tourist coaches which travel to all the major destinations such as Sihanoukville, Battambung, Kampong Cham and Kratie. It is also possible to hire a car and driver - the cost of this will vary depending on where you want to go. Hiring a car in both Siemp Reap and Phnom Penh for visiting local sites start at around $30USD per day.
Climate
The cooler, dry period of the year is from November to March, and is regarded as the best time to visit Cambodia. From May to early October, the southwestern monsoon brings strong winds, high humidity and heavy rains. Please note that even in the wet season, it rarely rains in the morning and that, generally, the rain is sporadic rather than continuous.
Food
In general, Khmer cuisine is similar to Thai, but with fewer spices. As in many South East Asian countries, rice is the staple food of the Khmer diet. This is usually served with dried, salted fish, seasoned with chillies, mint, and garlic, although chicken, beef and pork are also eaten. Soup accompanies most meals and is eaten at the same time as the main dishes. Some of the legacies left over from the French colonial period include crispy baguettes, pate, and pastries. Other foreign cuisines including, Italian, Chinese and Vietnamese are available becoming readily available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Battambang.
Money
Cambodia's currency is the riel. Notes are in denominations of 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200 100. US dollars are widely used, but make sure they are in good condition or they may be refused by local businesses. There is an increasing number of ATM's located in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap that dispense US dollars. There are a number of ATMs located just outside the arrivals hall of the Phnom Penh airport. Most of the major banks within Phnom Penh and Siem Reap will cash traveller's cheques and exchange foreign currency for you. There are also a number of money change booths and shops located around the markets and riverside area of Phnom Penh and the restaurant areas in Siem Reap. In Cambodia.
Phones & the Internet
Most hotels and an increasing number of Internet café's have international phone/fax facilities and internet services. Overseas calls are around the $1.60-$3.00/minute. Domestic calls are 500-700 riel/minute from street side phone booths. Internet access speeds continue to improve and are extremely cheap at $0.50 - $1.50/hour. The international dialing code for Cambodia is +855. If you do not have international roaming on your mobile phone (make sure you check with your service provider to see if your mobile phone is compatible with the networks used in Cambodia) it has not been possible to purchase a SIM cards until very recently. .
As noted above there is a domestic service between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. This flight is great if you only have limited time and takes around 50 minutes. Alternatively there are a host of large tourist coaches which cover this route and takes around 6.5 hrs. There is a large network of local and tourist coaches which travel to all the major destinations such as Sihanoukville, Battambung, Kampong Cham and Kratie. It is also possible to hire a car and driver - the cost of this will vary depending on where you want to go. Hiring a car in both Siemp Reap and Phnom Penh for visiting local sites start at around $30USD per day.
Climate
The cooler, dry period of the year is from November to March, and is regarded as the best time to visit Cambodia. From May to early October, the southwestern monsoon brings strong winds, high humidity and heavy rains. Please note that even in the wet season, it rarely rains in the morning and that, generally, the rain is sporadic rather than continuous.
Food
In general, Khmer cuisine is similar to Thai, but with fewer spices. As in many South East Asian countries, rice is the staple food of the Khmer diet. This is usually served with dried, salted fish, seasoned with chillies, mint, and garlic, although chicken, beef and pork are also eaten. Soup accompanies most meals and is eaten at the same time as the main dishes. Some of the legacies left over from the French colonial period include crispy baguettes, pate, and pastries. Other foreign cuisines including, Italian, Chinese and Vietnamese are available becoming readily available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Battambang.
Money
Cambodia's currency is the riel. Notes are in denominations of 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200 100. US dollars are widely used, but make sure they are in good condition or they may be refused by local businesses. There is an increasing number of ATM's located in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap that dispense US dollars. There are a number of ATMs located just outside the arrivals hall of the Phnom Penh airport. Most of the major banks within Phnom Penh and Siem Reap will cash traveller's cheques and exchange foreign currency for you. There are also a number of money change booths and shops located around the markets and riverside area of Phnom Penh and the restaurant areas in Siem Reap. In Cambodia.
Phones & the Internet
Most hotels and an increasing number of Internet café's have international phone/fax facilities and internet services. Overseas calls are around the $1.60-$3.00/minute. Domestic calls are 500-700 riel/minute from street side phone booths. Internet access speeds continue to improve and are extremely cheap at $0.50 - $1.50/hour. The international dialing code for Cambodia is +855. If you do not have international roaming on your mobile phone (make sure you check with your service provider to see if your mobile phone is compatible with the networks used in Cambodia) it has not been possible to purchase a SIM cards until very recently. .
