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Cambodia

Use local ride apps, official entry portals, and current border advice

17 apps10 essentialSoutheast Asia

Check current travel advice before fixing any overland route.

The essentials

What to know before you go to Cambodia

As of this review, all Cambodia-Thailand land border crossings are closed, armed conflict has affected the border region, and several governments advise against travel within 50 kilometres of that border. Never enter remote ground or leave marked paths around former conflict areas because landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a risk. Air arrivals must submit Cambodia e-Arrival free of charge within the seven days before arrival; a visa is separate, and eligibility depends on the passport, so use only arrival.gov.kh and evisa.gov.kh. Cambodia uses Khmer riel alongside US dollars.

Carry clean riel and some clean US notes, expect change in riel, inspect high-value notes, and keep a physical card as another option. Grab and PassApp are the practical ride apps, but PassApp may need a working phone number and cash or KHQR is the safest payment fallback. At Phnom Penh's Techo International Airport, use the official Airport Express bus, licensed counters, or an in-app Grab or PassApp pickup. Road travel is risky, especially at night.

Protect phones and bags from snatch theft in open tuk-tuks. Save 117 for police, 118 for fire and 119 for ambulance, while recognizing that English and emergency response can be limited outside Phnom Penh.

Ride Hailing2 apps · 2 essential

Grab app icon

GrabEssential

The easiest all-round ride app for upfront car, tuk-tuk and other live options across many Cambodian cities.

Pro tip: Add a precise entrance pin, verify the plate and prefer an enclosed car when carrying luggage. Keep cash ready if the saved card is declined.

PassApp app icon

PassAppEssential

Cambodia's major local ride app for tuk-tuks, rickshaws and cars in Phnom Penh and several tourist cities.

Pro tip: Registration needs an active mobile number, and recent foreign-number users report failed SMS codes. Set it up before you need a ride and carry exact cash unless the live app clearly offers another method.

Food Delivery2 apps · 2 essential

Foodpanda app icon

FoodpandaEssential

A current restaurant and grocery delivery option in Phnom Penh and supported Cambodian tourist areas.

Pro tip: Enter the exact address first, then compare the full total and ETA with Grab. Keep cash ready if card payment fails.

Grab app icon

GrabEssential

The same app used for rides also provides GrabFood in Phnom Penh and other live supported delivery zones.

Pro tip: Check coverage at the actual property, pin the correct entrance and compare the complete basket with Foodpanda.

Bakong Tourists app icon

Bakong Tourists

The National Bank of Cambodia's visitor wallet for funding a balance and paying participating merchants by KHQR.

Pro tip: Optional, not essential. Check card compatibility and top-up fees, load conservatively and plan how to use any balance before leaving.

Messaging2 apps · 1 essential

WhatsApp app icon

WhatsAppEssential

The most useful first messenger for hotels, drivers, guides, tour operators and airport pickup coordination.

Pro tip: Verify the number, confirm the complete price and meeting point in writing, and keep screenshots available offline.

Telegram app icon

Telegram

A widely used Cambodian communication channel for local businesses, groups and some official information sources.

Pro tip: Install it when a verified contact actually uses it. Treat unsolicited accounts, links and payment requests as untrusted.

Navigation2 apps · 1 essential

Google Maps app icon

Google MapsEssential

The best general map for Cambodian accommodation pins, businesses, road orientation and saved places.

Pro tip: Download each region, save exact entrances and never follow an unverified shortcut off a marked road or path.

Organic Maps app icon

Organic Maps

A free offline OpenStreetMap backup for roads, paths and places when data coverage is weak.

Pro tip: Download Cambodia and test airplane mode, but treat rural paths as map data rather than proof of safety or access.

Transit1 app

City Bus Official App app icon

City Bus Official App

The Phnom Penh City Bus Authority's current app for routes, stops and live bus locations.

Pro tip: Use live vehicle locations, verify direction and leave a large buffer. Recheck the official airport route on travel day.

Travel & Booking3 apps · 2 essential

Cambodia eVisaEssential

The official Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for checking eligibility and applying for a Cambodian eVisa.

Pro tip: Use only evisa.gov.kh, check passport and port eligibility, and prefer the website over the poorly reviewed mobile app.

Cambodia e-Arrival app icon

Cambodia e-ArrivalEssential

The free official arrival declaration required within seven days before entry through Cambodia's international airports.

Pro tip: A visa is separate. Submit free at arrival.gov.kh, check every imported detail and save the confirmation offline.

Angkor-Pass app icon

Angkor-Pass

Angkor Enterprise's official service for buying 1, 3 or 7 day Angkor Archaeological Park admission.

Pro tip: Verify the date and face image, save the ticket offline and switch to the official website if app payment fails.

Language1 app · 1 essential

Google Translate app icon

Google TranslateEssential

The most practical Khmer translation tool for downloaded text, camera and basic conversation support.

Pro tip: Download Khmer, save destinations in Khmer and use a human interpreter for medical, legal or high-stakes communication.

Intercity Transport2 apps · 1 essential

BookMeBus app icon

BookMeBusEssential

Cambodia's local marketplace for comparing and booking buses, vans, ferries and selected private transfers.

Pro tip: Verify the operator, exact terminal, vehicle and baggage terms, then save the ticket and support details offline.

redBus app icon

redBus

A second current marketplace with broad Cambodian bus and ferry inventory and international card payment.

Pro tip: Use it to compare inventory, not as proof a border is open. Reconfirm the terminal and operator before departure.

Utilities1 app

Cambodia Tourist Police

The official contact directory for tourist police units plus Cambodia's police, fire and ambulance numbers.

Pro tip: Save 117, 118 and 119 plus a nearby hospital and insurer offline. Ask a trusted Khmer speaker to help if needed.

Internet in Cambodia

Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling

Guac app icon

Guac

Recommended

Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.

Airalo

One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.

Holafly

Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.

Buying a local SIM card ID registration required

Registration
Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.
Tourist plans and prices
Typical prepaid offers include around 30 GB, while starter prices begin near $5.
Where to buy
Buy at an official carrier counter at the airport or at an official city store, and test the SIM before leaving.

Good to know

Internet access or device rules can change quickly; check current restrictions before relying on a local SIM.

Local carriers

  • Smart Axiata

    Strong in major cities, with weaker rural coverage.

  • Metfone

    Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.

  • Cellcard

    A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.

  • Yes Seatel

    The weakest network here; choose it only for a clear price advantage.

Sources and how current this is

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-have apps for traveling in Cambodia?

The essential apps for Cambodia are Grab, PassApp, Foodpanda, WhatsApp, Google Maps.

How many travel apps does Cambodia have?

We've curated 17 apps across 10 categories for traveling in Cambodia, including 10 essential apps.

What is the best ride hailing app in Cambodia?

Grab. The easiest all-round ride app for upfront car, tuk-tuk and other live options across many Cambodian cities.

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