Essential Cambodia Holiday Information
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Cambodia visa and passport requirementsPlease make sure you passport is up to date, it's a good idea to have at least 6 months validity beyond your intended return date left on your passport.All Australian passport holders require a Cambodian visa, which are easily arranged on arrival at the land borders with Thailand or Vietnam, or at the main international airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Cambodia-Laos Border: The land borders between Cambodia and Laos are a slightly different story, and you MUST get your Laos visa in advance if you're arriving from Cambodia overland. It is not possible to do it on the spot. This is most likely to happen if you take our Mekong, Dolphins and Laos module into Laos, crossing the border at Stung Treng. It is possible to organise your Cambodian visa on arrival if you enter from Laos overland. If, however, you are arriving into Cambodia from Laos by boat, you MUST arrange your Cambodian visa in advance. |
Cambodian-Vietnamese Border: The international border crossing points at Bavet, Phnom Den and Khmorm Samnor on the Mekong River on the Cambodian-Vietnamese border are open to foreigners. Cambodian visas can be obtained at the international crossing points at Bavet in Svay Rieng Province and Khmorm Samnor on the Mekong River. However, Vietnamese visas must be purchased prior to travelling to the border.Cambodian-Thai Border: Six legal international border crossing points are open for foreign travellers on the Cambodian-Thai border at Cham Yeam (Koh Kong), O'Smach, Poipet, Prum, Dong and Caom. Cambodian visas can be obtained at these border crossings. Cambodia to Thailand: If you arrive into Thailand overland, you'll automatically be issued a 15-day visa. However, if you are hoping to stay in Thailand longer than 15 days, you'll need to to organise your Thai visa prior to your departure from Australia. To be granted a Cambodian visa your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your expected departure from Cambodia. The price of a Cambodian visa is usually USD25 dollars per person, and the visa has a one month validity. You need to pay in cash and in US Dollars, and provide two recent, identical passport photographs. These details can change suddenly, so for the most up to date information please contact the Cambodian Embassy. You can also obtain your visa prior to departure through the Cambodian embassy in Australia. The Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Canberra 5 Canterbury Crescent, Deakin, ACT. The Business Hours: 09.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. Monday through Friday except Public Holidays.Tel: (02) 6273 1259, (02) 6273 1154, Fax (02) 6273 1053. |
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Cambodian Currency The Cambodian currency is the Riel. $1 Australian Dollar (AUD) is currently worth approximately 4000 Riel; however currency exchange rates fluctuate all the time so check a good currency conversion website. The Riel is not widely used by tourists as everything tends to be quoted and accepted in US Dollars, so make sure you take some US Dollars with you, as it's quite easy to be a Riel Millionaire! |
Debit cards can be used at most locations during your Cambodia holiday. There are ATM's in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, mostly at airports and banks in the city centres. Debit cards can only usually be used if your card has a Cirrus, Maestro or Visa logo on it. It's a bit more difficult to get cash from ATM's beyond these two large cities, but they are slowly springing up. During our travels to Cambodia, we purchased US Dollars before departure, as Dollars are widely accepted and are an easy way of calculating prices. Dollars can also be exchanged for Riel once you're there, as it can be helpful to have some of the local currency available for things like tips.Credit Cards are only accepted in large hotels, several restaurants and in more expensive souvenir shops. You'll usually pay around a 2% commission for using your credit card. Only larger banks accept Traveller's Cheques and foreign currency other than US dollars. Don't forget to save some dollars for the departure tax that must be paid at the airport when departing Cambodia. Departure tax for international flights is currently $25 US Dollars, and $6 Dollars for domestic flights. |
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Safety Cambodia is one of the safest countries in the world. Despite the multitude of people living in Cambodia, crime is very sporadic and you can easily walk across the streets in the evening, even beyond the larger cities. For the most up to date travel advice for Cambodia, visit Smart Traveller. In smaller towns and in the vicinity of Angkor there are hidden landmines in some areas. It's important to remain vigilant and keep an eye out for warning signs in these areas. Currency, passports and other important documents are best kept in a safe in your hotel. Nearly all Cambodia online hotels have a safe available to you. Never leave important documents unattended in your room. All cleaning personnel have keys to your room. It's also best to avoid walking around with all your valuables, especially in the evenings. |
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Travel BudgetThe amount of money that you'll spend in Cambodia depends largely on your own personal spending habits. It's best to set aside approximately $300 per week for food, drinks, tips, entrance fees (for those not included in the price of your trip) and small souvenirs. Naturally this amount is only an estimate.It is not customary to give tips in Cambodia. However since salaries in this country are extremely low, tips are obviously appreciated. Tipping is becoming more and more common for those working in the tourist industry in Cambodia. Salaries for local guides and drivers are often partially determined based on the fact that they also receive tips. A tip totalling 5% -10% of the total bill is standard. Naturally the amount of a tip should also reflect whether the person receiving the tip provided an adequate level of service. |
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