Your first 48 hours in Phnom Penh: a practical arrival guide

The first day in a new city sets the tone. Phnom Penh is easy to arrive into once you know the current setup, which changed in 2025 with the new airport. Here is a clean walkthrough.

At the airport

Most international flights now use Techo International Airport, about 20 km south of the centre. Steps on arrival:

• Visa: most nationalities can get a 30-day tourist visa (T-class) on arrival or via the official e-Visa beforehand. Bring a passport photo and around US$35–40 in cash to save time at the counter. The e-Visa is the smoother option if you can do it in advance.
• Money: ATMs in the arrivals hall dispense US dollars (and some give riel). Withdraw enough for the first day or two. Cambodia runs a dual-currency economy: dollars for most things, riel for change under a dollar (roughly 4,000 riel = US$1).
• SIM: Smart, Cellcard and Metfone have desks in arrivals. A tourist data SIM with plenty of gigabytes costs a few dollars. Get it here: you'll want data for maps and ride-hailing immediately.
• Transfer: the drive into town is 45–60 minutes. Options: airport taxi at a fixed rate, a pre-arranged hotel pickup, or a Grab/PassApp booked from the app once you're outside. For a first arrival, especially at night, a pre-booked car is worth the small premium.

Getting oriented

Phnom Penh's tourist core sits along the river. Key reference points: the Royal Palace and Sisowath Quay (the riverfront promenade) in Daun Penh; BKK1 just inland for cafés, bars and mid-range hotels; Riverside for sunset drinks; and Tuol Tom Poung (the "Russian Market" area) for a more local, design-shop feel.

Ride-hailing basics

Install PassApp and Grab before you arrive. PassApp's metered tuk-tuks are the cheapest way around town; Grab cars are comfortable in the heat and for longer hops. Short rides in the centre are US$1.50–3. Always match the plate and driver name in the app.

A gentle first day

Don't over-schedule. A workable plan:

• Morning: sleep in, then an easy breakfast near your hotel. Browse brunch & breakfast spots if you want a specific target.
• Midday: walk the riverfront, see the Royal Palace exterior and Wat Phnom. Keep it short, because the heat peaks around 1–3pm.
• Afternoon: a long coffee somewhere air-conditioned. See the best coffee shops.
• Evening: a rooftop for sunset over the Mekong, then a relaxed dinner. The rooftop & views list has options.

Day two

Save the heavier history for when you're rested. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are essential but emotionally demanding. Do them in the morning, together, and leave the afternoon light. Then decompress over a normal, ordinary meal. The directory covers the whole city when you're ready to explore properly.

Small things that help

• Carry US$1, US$5 and US$10 notes; vendors rarely break large bills.
• Check bills for torn or heavily marked dollar notes, since damaged notes are sometimes refused.
• Tap water isn't for drinking; bottled and filtered water is cheap and everywhere.
• Evenings are the pleasant part of the day. Plan outdoor things for after 4pm.