Cambodia essentials: organise the first day, then the journey

A practical starting point for Cambodia: arrival details, money, communications and a route that gives Battambang time.

In Cambodia

Build a useful arrival note

Before departure, save one small document containing your first accommodation address, check-in arrangements, arrival airport, booking references and a way to reach your host. Keep an offline copy separate from an email inbox that needs roaming data. Include the address in Khmer when the host can supply it. A screenshot of a booking platform is useful, but a clearly identified entrance and meeting point can be more helpful to a driver.

Check entry for your own circumstances

Nationality, travel document, purpose and length of stay all matter. Use the Cambodian authorities and your own embassy for the rules that apply to you. The official Cambodia e-Arrival portal is one place to check arrival formalities; completing an arrival form should not be mistaken for obtaining a visa. Do not use an old blog’s nationality list as permission to travel. Review onward travel requirements with the carrier before buying a difficult-to-change ticket.

Match the airport to the booking

Techo International Airport began operations on 9 September 2025, according to its operator. For a Phnom Penh trip, compare the airport name and code on the actual ticket with the transfer confirmation. Historic descriptions of the former city airport can give the wrong idea of the drive. If you arrive late, confirm reception arrangements before committing to a room; an attractive nightly rate means little if nobody can let you in.

Make everyday spending understandable

Ask which currency a quoted amount uses, how any conversion will be calculated and what is included. Keep modest spending money accessible without displaying the rest of your funds. For a telephone plan, compare data allowance, validity, coverage where you intend to travel and whether your handset supports it. Save your accommodation and a backup contact before relying on the new connection. These are practical checks, not endorsements of a particular bank or operator.

Give Battambang a place in the route

Choose a few bases rather than treating the country as a race between attractions. Battambang can combine heritage streets, food, arts and a separately arranged Kun Khmer encounter. Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and the coast each need their own travel days. Check current border advice before attaching a Thailand leg: a line on a map does not prove that a crossing is operating. Leave a flexible night before an important flight.