(Last updated: 18 May 2011)

Visas

One month visas are available at the international airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and at all overland border crossings except Moc Bai. Two passport sized photos are required. Tourist visas cost US$20 and business visas, US$25. Both can be renewed, although tourist visas can only be extended once. Visa extensions are granted in Phnom Penh by the Direction des Etrangers, an office of the Ministry of Information located on St.200, 100m east of Norodom Boulevard.

A non-tourist visa can be extended for various periods of time up to one year. Cambodian citizenship can be obtained through marriage to a Cambodian citizen or through a naturalisation process. Foreigners must satisfy a number of requirements in such a process, including no criminal record and an ability to speak and read Khmer.

Australians can apply for a visa prior to arrival in Cambodia by contacting:

Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Australia and New Zealand
5 Cantebury Ct
Deakin Canberra
ACT 2600
Tel: +61 2 6273 1259
Fax: +61 2 6273 1053

Climate

Cambodia has a tropical monsoonal climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season usually begins in April/May and lasts until late October, bringing strong winds, high humidity and heavy rains. During this time, almost all of the annual rainfall occurs, mostly in the form of afternoon or evening thunderstorms.

In the dry season from November to March/April, there are generally cloudless days, morning fogs and smoke haze. Relative humidity exceeds 80 per cent in the wet season and rarely drops below 70 per cent in the dry season.

In Phnom Penh, temperatures are high throughout the year, ranging from average maximums in the high 20s during the coolest month, January, to about 33-34°C during April/May, the hottest months, when temperatures can approach 38°C on occasions. During the wet season, electrical storms can flood the streets of the city within minutes. This during the cooler season from November to February.

For weather details in Cambodia, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

At present there are domestic flights from Phnom Penh to seven airports in the major provincial capitals: Siem Reap, Battambang, Stung Treng, Rattanakiri, Mondulkiri, Koh Kong and Sihanoukville. Air travel to Siem Reap to view the Angkor Temple complex by air is recommended over other transport options, although travel by boat is possible. The three domestic airlines are Royal Air Cambodge, President Airlines and Phnom Penh Airways. Passengers should check in half an hour before flights.

There are two international airports in Cambodia, Pochentong Airport (Phnom Penh) and Siem Reap Airport (to access Angkor Wat). There are direct flights to Phnom Penh from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Guangzhou (two per week), Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Vientiane. Airlines operating into Phnom Penh are:

• Thai Airways International
• Royal Air Cambodge
• Lao Aviation
• Vietnam Airlines
• Dragonair
• Malaysian Airlines
• Silk Air

There are also direct flights to Siem Reap from Bangkok, Phuket and Ho Chi Minh City. Remember to keep US$20 for departure tax which is payable for all flights on departure from Cambodia.

At Pochentong Airport, there are only limited facilities, including a money exchange counter (offering the same rates as those in the city), a hotel reservation desk, a cafeteria, and several shops. There is a counter outside the entrance to Pochentong Airport where you can hire a taxi at the fixed rate of US$7 into town. Pochentong International Airport is located 12 kilometres from the city, a 20-30 minute drive into town in normal traffic.

Ground transport

Taxis can be booked by phone and are increasingly reliable. They are also available at the larger hotels. Meters are usually not used and drivers prefer a fixed rate around town of around US$4 per trip. For longer trips out of town, however, taxis can be rented for a full or half day for more negotiable rates.

There is no public transport system operating in Phnom Penh. The main mode of transport for the local population and some expatriates is by man-powered 'cyclo' taxis or by motorbike taxis. Prices are usually negotiated in advance, but would be around 2000 riels for a 10-minute journey. For security and safety reasons you should not use cyclos and motorbikes at night. Accidents are frequent and personal injury rates quite high.

Travelling by train, bus, taxi, boat, helicopter and aircraft outside of Phnom Penh have varying degrees of risk attached. The train services from Phnom Penh to Battambang and to Kampot have in the past been attacked by bandits.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Cambodia. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Robbery is a main problem and particular care needs to be taken at night.

Health

While there is no legal requirement to have vaccinations before arriving in Cambodia, it is recommended that visitors ensure they have had the following vaccinations:

• Tetanus and diphtheria
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Tuberculosis

Doctors also advise that visitors receive immunisation against Japanese encephalitis, cholera and rabies. Given the number of vaccinations needed, it is worth planning these well in advance of your trip to Cambodia.

Cambodian medical and health care services are still fairly poor. If requiring unusual medicines it would be advisable to bring a plentiful supply as obtaining drugs can take some time. There are several dentists who are well-equipped to handle most procedures, but it is advisable to have teeth examined prior to any long-term visits.

Malaria is still present in a number of areas in Cambodia, although in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap there is very little risk of contacting this disease. If travelling into the country and coastal areas, it is important to take malarial prophylactics such as a course of lariam (mefloquine) and doxcycline (Vibramycin, Doryx), as well as taking the appropriate preventative measures such as wearing light-coloured clothing, using mosquito repellents and avoiding highly scented perfumes or aftershave. Such measures would also help to prevent the onset of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease present in Cambodia particularly in the rainy season from July to October.

Tap water is unsafe in Cambodia and visitors should drink bottled water, which is widely available. Tea and coffee are generally safe, but avoid ice in drinks. Visitors should avoid undercooked meat, shellfish and more generally, food which has been left out for hours. Fruit which can be peeled or food which has been boiled or cooked properly is usually safe.

Tipping

Usually, tips in Phnom Penh amount to five per cent of the bill in restaurants, cocktail lounges. However, most of the larger establishments have a service charge to cover the tip. Nothing else is necessary but small 'riel' change is usually left. There is usually an added charge of 10 per cent government tax as well. When there is no monetary amount on which to base a tip, the amount is determined according to one’s assessment of the worth of the service.

Time zones and time differences

Cambodia is three hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.

To find out the current time in Phnom Penh, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Cambodia's country code is 855.

For calls to Cambodia from Australia dial: 0011 + 855 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from Cambodia to Australia dial: 001 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Office hours are usually from 8.00am-12.00 noon and 2.00pm-5.00pm, Monday to Saturday with a lunch-time siesta in between.

Bank hours vary, but are generally open from 8.30am-3.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Government offices are open from 8.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year's Day
January 7 – Victory Day
March 8 – International Women's Day
April 14-16 – Traditional Khmer New Year
May 1 – Labour Day
May 3 – Royal Ploughing Day Ceremony
May 15 – King Sihamoni's Birthday
June 18 – Former Queen Monineath Sihanouk’s Birthday
October 29 – Coronation Day
October 31 – Former King Sihanouk's Birthday
November 9 – Independence Day
December 10 – UN Human Rights Day

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The basic monetary unit in Cambodia is the Cambodian riel, with notes being in 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 riel denominations. Trade is generally carried out in US dollars (preferred) or Thai baht near the Cambodia/Thai border.

Electricity and water

Cambodia's power supply is 230 volts, 50Hz. The twin round-pin plugs are the most common.

Dining

Phnom Penh has a growing range of restaurants of Western standard which are suitable and/or safe to dine at. Local versions of Malaysian, Thai, Japanese, French, Chinese, Italian and European food are represented at varying standards and prices. Vegetarians are not usually catered for in most restaurants and you may have to request a meal without meat, chicken or fish. BYO is accepted in most restaurants, usually with no charge, but it is best to ascertain in advance as some larger hotels and Western restaurants levy expensive corkage charges. English is spoken in all the international restaurants, but to a limited extent in the local Cambodian restaurants.

Bills are usually paid in US dollars though most down-market restaurants or eateries will accept riel. Credit cards are accepted only in the larger hotels.