Capital · Cambodia
Phnom Penhភ្នំពេញ
Give Phnom Penh two nights for the Royal Palace and the Khmer Rouge memorial sites, then move on to Siem Reap or the coast; the city rewards a focused two days more than a long stay.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (cooler, dry, lower humidity)
- avoid Mar–May (peak heat, often above 35°C) and Jun–Oct (heavy rain and street flooding after downpours)avoid Mar–May (peak heat, often above 95°F) and Jun–Oct (heavy rain and street flooding after downpours)
- Airport
- PNH
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Cambodia ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra. Some nationalities can also get a visa on arrival.
- Cambodia ↗Angkor Wat and other active temples enforce a dress code: shoulders and knees covered, or you are turned away at the gate.
- Cambodia ↗US dollars are used for most tourist prices; carry clean, undamaged small notes and some riel for change under one dollar.
Phnom Penh is Cambodia's capital and largest city, sitting where the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers meet. The riverfront holds the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum, while Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek preserve the sites of the 1975–79 Khmer Rouge period. It is hot, dense with motorbike traffic and easy to cover in two focused days.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Phnom Penh, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?US dollars for hotels, tours and restaurants; riel (KHR, about 4,000 to the dollar) for change and small street purchases.Cambodia-wide
- SIM or eSIMSmart, Cellcard and Metfone sell tourist SIMs at the airports with passport registration; a week of data costs a few dollars.Cambodia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Cambodia-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Round up or leave US$1–2 where no service charge is added.Cambodia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/G. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Cambodia-wide
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, restaurants and at the Angkor ticket office and main temples; squat toilets with a hose or scoop on the road.Cambodia-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire · 119 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)Cambodia-wide
- Sundays & holidaysMany shops close for Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben; government offices close all public holidays; Angkor temples open every day.Cambodia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPNH Phnom Penh International (About 10 km west of the centre; taxi or ride-hailing app into town).PNH Phnom Penh International (About 6.2 mi west of the centre; taxi or ride-hailing app into town).
- Getting aroundTuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps (Grab, PassApp) are the norm and inexpensive; use the app or agree the fare before you get in.
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PNH Phnom Penh International (About 10 km west of the centre; taxi or ride-hailing app into town)PNH Phnom Penh International (About 6.2 mi west of the centre; taxi or ride-hailing app into town)
Weather and climate
Phnom Penh: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Tuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps (Grab, PassApp) are the norm and inexpensive; use the app or agree the fare before you get in. Central sights along the riverfront are walkable in the cooler morning and evening hours.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Riverside (Daun Penh)
Walking distance to the palace, museum and restaurants.
BKK1
Quieter residential area with cafes and restaurants, a short ride from the river.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Watch out
- Bag snatching from passing motorbikes happens on busy roads: carry bags on the side away from traffic.
- Dress modestly at the Royal Palace and memorial sites; shoulders and knees covered is the safe rule.
- Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek are heavy visits: allow time and plan a lighter afternoon afterward.
- Traffic has few working signals at many junctions; cross slowly and predictably rather than running.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Phnom Penh. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (cooler, dry, lower humidity) · avoid Mar–May (peak heat, often above 35°C) and Jun–Oct (heavy rain and street flooding after downpours)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 4 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialMinistry of Tourism of Cambodia
- secondaryWikivoyage — Phnom Penh