SIM cards, data and useful apps

This is one of the easiest countries in the world to get online in. Coverage is good across the whole country including most islands, 4G is the norm, and a tourist SIM with a generous data allowance costs a few dollars. Do it on arrival — nearly everything else you will do here is easier with a map and a ride app.

Getting a SIM

Counters at both international airports sell tourist SIMs, and shops in every town do too, usually cheaper. Bring your passport — registration is required. The main networks are Cellcard, Smart and Metfone; all three are fine, with Metfone often having the edge in remote countryside. A week of generous data typically costs less than a coffee at home.

An eSIM works too if your phone supports one and saves the counter queue, though a local physical SIM is usually cheaper and comes with a Cambodian number, which matters for ride apps and hotel calls.

Apps worth installing

PassApp and Grab for tuk-tuks and cars. Google Maps with the Cambodia area downloaded offline, and Google Translate with Khmer downloaded — the camera translation on a menu is genuinely useful. Telegram, which is used here more than WhatsApp for business, and is how many hotels, drivers and tour operators expect to be contacted.

Wifi and power

Wifi is free and near-universal in hotels, cafés and restaurants, and often faster than you expect. On the smaller islands, both internet and electricity may run on a generator schedule; ask before booking if you need to work. Power cuts happen in the hot season — a power bank covers you.

Sockets are 230V and mostly accept European two-pin and American flat plugs. A universal adapter removes any doubt.

Common questions