Dont want to carry too much or too little. Whats the average cash people carry when travelling around Cambodia?
I travel pretty light and prefer digital payments where possible but Cambodia is still mostly cash-based outside the big hotels and malls. I carried around 60 USD plus a few hundred thousand riel, which is roughly 15 to 20 dollars in local currency. That worked well for buses, street food, and tips. Also remember that many ATMs have withdrawal limits between 300 and 500 dollars, so it’s not always easy to get big chunks at once.
On a recent trip with a family group, we found carrying between 100 to 150 USD per person handy because we stayed in places without easy ATM access. We mixed in some riel too, especially for markets and small vendors. It gave us peace of mind to have enough cash for a couple of days without constantly hunting for ATMs. But if you’re mostly in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, 50 dollars should cover you comfortably.
I’m a budget traveler, so I tried to keep it lean. Usually around 30 to 40 dollars in cash worked fine for me in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Since most ATMs are easy to find, I preferred withdrawing cash as I needed it. For taxis, tuk tuks, and meals at street stalls, cash is king. But I also had my Revolut card for bigger purchases or hotels. If you carry more than 100 dollars on you, I’d say that’s probably overkill unless you’re staying in more remote areas.
When I was in Cambodia for a month, I usually carried around 50 to 70 US dollars in cash on me. Most places accept USD for everyday things like food, transport, and small shopping, plus some local riel for smaller purchases or street food. I kept some smaller denominations too like ones and fives because getting change can be tricky. That amount felt comfortable enough without being bulky or risky.