Essentials
- City
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Population
- Approximately 2.3 million
- Internet Speed
- Average 45-60 Mbps on fiber; 5G widely available in city center
- Currency & Banking
- Dual currency system: US Dollar (USD) and Cambodian Riel (KHR). 1 USD ≈ 4,100 KHR. ATMs dispense USD.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. High-quality bottled water (e.g., Kulen) costs $0.50 per 1.5L.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz. 🔌 Type A, C, and G (UK style) sockets are all common.
- SIM Card
- Cellcard or Smart. Tourist SIM: $10 for 40GB data valid for 30 days.
- Banking for Expats
- ABA Bank is the gold standard for nomads due to their excellent mobile app and KHQR payments.
- Accommodation
- Serviced apartments are standard. Range: $450 - $1,200/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, via KHQR (ABA Bank app). Most vendors from malls to street stalls accept QR pay.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local Facebook groups like 'Phnom Penh Housing'.
- Budget Accommodation
- Mad Monkey Hostel ($8-12/night for dorms) or Onederz ($12/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Daun Penh (Riverside) for proximity to the Royal Palace and National Museum.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1) for upscale cafes, or Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market) for a hipster, local vibe.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Factory Phnom Penh ($10/day, $120/month) - a massive creative hub on National Road 2.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Brown Coffee (Roastery location BKK1) or Backyard Cafe ($5-10 for lunch/coffee).
- Networking Events
- Nerds Night Phnom Penh (monthly tech talks) and BritCham/EuroCham weekly mixers.
- Social Events for Expats
- Phnom Penh Expats Facebook Group and events at Botanico Wine & Beer Garden.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Grab and PassApp (for local TukTuks). A city ride costs $1.50 - $3.00.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Cambodia Motorbike Rental ($70-120/month for a Honda Airblade).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Kep or Sihanoukville (approx. 3 hours via the new Expressway).
- Top Regional Airline
- Cambodia Angkor Air
- Top International Airline
- Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways.
- Highway Access
- Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway (E4) - Toll is approx. $12.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Phnom Penh Royal Railway Station (Monivong Blvd).
- Public Transport Passes
- City Bus (via City Bus App) - $0.40 per ride, no monthly pass used by expats.
- Regional Travel
- Giant Ibis Bus for high-quality travel to Siem Reap ($15).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Royal Phnom Penh Hospital (JCI Accredited) or Calmette Hospital.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Phnom Penh in BKK1 ($12 per drop-in class).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Place (Premium, $80/month) or SuperFit ($40/month).
- Laundry Services
- Expat Laundry on St 454 ($1.50/kg including pick-up/delivery).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda and Nham24.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fish Amok (Steamed curry in banana leaf) - best at Khmer Surin ($6).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Vibe Cafe (BKK1) - 100% plant-based bowls ($7-9).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bloom Cafe (Social enterprise cakes) or Eric Kayser for French pastries.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung) or Central Market (Phsar Thmey).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- L192 and Smile Shop.
- Grocery Delivery
- Grocerdel or Aeon Online.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Bassac Lane (Boutique bars and cocktails) and St. 172.
- Local Brewery
- Kingdom Breweries (Taproom on the river) or Hops Craft Beer Garden.
- Wine Bars
- Khema Pasteur or Bouchon Wine Bar.
- Street Food Stalls
- Night Market (Phsar Reatrey) near Riverside.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Yi Sang (Cantonese) and Terrazza (Italian).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda ($10 entrance fee).
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Museum of Cambodia ($10) and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum ($5).
- Historical Sites
- Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (The Killing Fields) - 15km from city center.
- Religious Sites
- Wat Phnom (The city's namesake hill temple) and Wat Ounalom.
- Annual Events
- Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) in November; Khmer New Year in April.
- Cultural Districts
- The Riverside district for traditional architecture and colonial buildings.
- Theater Venues
- Chaktomuk Conference Hall for traditional dance performances.
- Local Markets
- Orussey Market (deeply local, everything from hardware to food).
- Music Scene
- Oscar's on the Corner (Live rock/blues every night).
- Street Art
- Street 93 (Boeung Kak area) for murals and urban art.
- Cooking Classes
- La Table Khmère ($25 for a half-day course).
- Art Galleries
- Java Creative Café and Meta House.
- Historic Buildings
- Central Market (Art Deco masterpiece from 1937).
- Local Heritage
- The Krama (traditional checkered scarf) which represents Khmer identity.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Silk Island (Koh Dach) - a short ferry ride ($0.25) across the Mekong.
- National Parks Nearby
- Kirirom National Park (approx. 2 hours drive).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Riverside Walkway (Sisowath Quay) is the primary walking path.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Rosewood Phnom Penh Sky Bar (Sora) for the best sunset city views.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center (offering birding tours).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Riverside campsites on Koh Dach (Silk Island).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- J&T Express or DHL on Monivong Blvd.
- Tech Repair Services
- Fix It (Street 155) or Unicase for Apple repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Cambo Ping Pong Club on St 310.
- Language Classes
- G Gateway (Khmer language lessons for foreigners).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- National Library of Cambodia (near the US Embassy).
- Community Centers
- Friends-International (social enterprise hub).
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber City (various branches) for high-end PC gaming.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- NagaWorld Integrated Resort (The only licensed casino in the city).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000 in BKK1).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $56,000 in Sen Sok).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $126,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $72,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $160,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $88,000).
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate is 20%.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 14% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Residency-based; residents are taxed on worldwide income, non-residents on Cambodian source income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 20% (for income over approx. $3,125 USD per month).
- VAT
- 10% standard rate.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None/Limited.
- Property Tax
- 0.1% annually on property valued above $25,000.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% stamp duty on property transfers.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Low personal income tax and long-term business visas (Type E) are easily renewable.