Only a few major towns and cities across Cambodia have
ATMs. Travelers should therefore carry a fair amount of riel or US dollar at
all times. Visitors must be aware that there are no banks near Cambodian land
borders. Traveler’s checks can be cashed at all major banks in Phnom Penh,
Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and a few banks in Battambang.
Visa and MasterCard are accepted in upscale restaurants, boutiques, hotels,
airlines, and travel agents. Although the US dollar is readily accepted, it is
worth keeping a few riel on hand. The exchange rate hovers at 4,200 riel to a
US dollar.
BANKS AND BANKING HOURS
Cambodia’s leading banks are SBC Bank, Acleda Bank, Cambodia
Commercial Bank, Cambodia Asia Bank, and Canadia Bank. ANZ Royal Bank is the
most well-known international bank. All these banks
have an ATM presence across the major cities and withdrawing
money from them is safe, quick, and more efficient than going into the bank
itself.
That said, foreign travelers should be aware that they
will be charged for withdrawals.
While timings can
vary from bank to bank, most remain open Monday to Saturday from 7:30 to
11:30am and from 2 to 5pm or 6pm. Bureau de change in international chain
hotels are usually open
through the weekend.
CHANGING MONEY
The Thai baht is readily accepted in towns such as Poipet
and Battambang. However, travelers should keep in mind that the riel is not
accepted or changed in Thailand. The US dollar can be
used everywhere but getting change for higher denomination
notes can prove difficult unless it is in a top hotel or restaurant. Banks may refuse
to change US dollar notes with a slight rip or tear.
However, this is not the case with ragged riel notes.
Changing any non-dollar currency will result in a poor exchange
rate; however, money-changers in the markets will give better rates. Markets usually
operate from around 6am till sundown. Western
Union and Moneygram money transfer services are represented
by a number of banks such as Cambodia Asia Bank. It is futile to think of black
market operators for changing money as they no longer exist in Cambodia.
CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS
Visa and MasterCard are accepted by hotels, airlines, and
upscale restaurants, as is JCB and, to a lesser extent, American Express.
However, shops, restaurants, and hotels in smaller towns do not accept credit
cards and it is best to carry the local currency or US dollars to make
payments.
Using a credit or debit card often means a 3 percent
charge on the spot.
Credit card advances are available at Battambang, Phnom
Penh, Sihanoukville, Siem Reap, Kampot, and Kompong Cham. All banks, apart from
Canadia Bank, which offers free advances, levy a US$5 charge.
TRAVELER’S CHECKS
Traveler’s checks can be cashed in most banks, major hotels,
and upscale restaurants. American Express, although not the most useful credit
card to have, is the most widely accepted traveler’s check. Acleda Bank, with branches
throughout the country, even in far-flung northeast provinces such as Mondulkiri
and Ratanakiri, now accepts traveler’s checks.
The standard commission rate for exchanging checks is
about 2 percent and checks should be in US dollars rather than other
international currencies.
Bank Notes
The riel comes in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000,
2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000.
CURRENCY
The official unit of currency in Cambodia is the riel,
however, the US dollar is the de facto currency and the one travelers will find
it most useful to carry. The riel cannot be exported, so it must be
spent or exchanged before leaving the country. 500 and 1,000
riel notes are the most convenient denominations to have when paying for
tuk-tuk rides. There is no coinage in Cambodia, only notes.
