Phnom Penh, Cambodia Travel Guide

Phnom Penh sits where the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers meet at the Chaktomuk confluence, and that geography still shapes the city: the Royal Palace and most hotels sit along the riverside, while the harder history is a short tuk-tuk ride south. Most travelers give the capital about 2-3 days, usually paired with Siem Reap or the south coast on a wider Cambodia trip. That’s an honest amount of time for a city this size, not a compromise.

Getting there and getting in

Phnom Penh’s air gateway changed in 2025: the old Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) closed to commercial flights on 8 September that year, replaced the next day by the new Techo International Airport (KTI), about 25-30km south of the city, a 45-75 minute transfer. Older guides still pointing you to PNH are out of date.

Most nationalities need an e-visa (about $36 total, filed at evisa.gov.kh) or visa on arrival for the same price; a passport valid 6 months is required, and ASEAN nationals get 30 days visa-free. Since January 2025, every air arrival also has to file a Cambodia e-Arrival Card at arrival.gov.kh within 7 days before landing, separate from the visa itself.

Money and getting around

Cambodia runs on the US dollar; riel covers small change under $1, at roughly 4,000 to the dollar. ATMs dispense USD but charge $4-6 per withdrawal, and Cambodia is strict about condition: torn or pre-2006 notes get refused, so bring clean $10s and $20s. Tipping around 5-10% is appreciated, not expected.

There’s no metro. Tuk-tuks, booked through PassApp or Grab to skip the haggling, and motodops cover the city; the riverside and central core are walkable. Hold bags away from the road and keep your phone off the curb, since motorbike snatching is a real problem around the riverfront and BKK1, and don’t resist if it happens. Watch too for tuk-tuk overcharging, gem and fake-monk scams, and drink-spiking reports around Street 51. Tap water isn’t safe to drink, and dengue circulates in the rainy season.

What to see

The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda (about $10) is a working royal residence, so it only opens for morning and afternoon sessions rather than all day, and the dress code, shoulders and knees covered, is enforced at the gate. The National Museum of Cambodia next door (about $10) holds the country’s finest Khmer and Angkorian art. Wat Phnom ($1) is the hilltop temple the city is named for, and Wat Ounalom, free with a donation, is Cambodia’s Buddhist headquarters. For markets, the yellow Art Deco Central Market and the denser Russian Market both reward an early start.

Two sites carry more weight than any other stop in the city: Tuol Sleng (S-21) and Choeung Ek, the former prison and execution site from the Khmer Rouge period of 1975-79, when an estimated 1.7-2.2 million Cambodians died. They deserve their own sober half-day; the full Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng guide covers what to expect and how to visit respectfully.

Food, where to stay, and next steps

Cambodia’s national dishes, fish amok and nom banh chok, along with lok lak and kuy teav, are covered in the best places to eat guide . For a base, riverside Daun Penh puts you closest to the Palace, BKK1 has the cafĂ© and nightlife scene, and Tonle Bassac is quieter; the full breakdown is in where to stay .

Once the core sights are done, usually by day 3, the better move is a day trip rather than hunting for a fourth central sight that isn’t there. Pick your pace with the 2-day or 7-day itinerary, and check the travel tips guide for the etiquette and safety details before you land.