Travel essentials for Cambodia
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Power & adapters
Type A, C, G adapter required
Sockets are a mix of Type A, C and G, often in the same building. A universal adapter is the sensible buy. The voltage is 230V, the same as Australia, so only the plug shape is the issue.
230V, 50Hz
Tap water
Not safe to drink
Do not drink the tap water anywhere in Cambodia. Bottled water is cheap and universal; avoid ice in places that look improvised, though established restaurants use commercial ice which is fine.
Staying connected
Good in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and along main roads; thin in rural provinces.
Cambodian data is very cheap and an eSIM is worth having for ride-hailing apps, which are the safest and most transparent way to get around.
Compare Cambodia eSIMsHealth risks
- Dengue fever year-round, peaking in the wet season
- Traveller's diarrhoea from water and ice
- Road trauma - Cambodia has one of the highest road death rates in the region
- Unexploded ordnance in some rural areas away from marked paths
Emergency numbers in Cambodia
| All emergencies | 117 police / 119 ambulance |
|---|---|
| Police | 117 |
| Ambulance | 119 |
| Fire | 118 |
| Australian consulate | Australian Embassy Phnom Penh - +855 23 213 470 |
Tipping and everyday costs
Not traditional but increasingly expected in tourist areas. USD $1-$2 for a tuk-tuk driver, 10% in a tourist restaurant, and a few dollars a day for a guide.
What screening will actually let you pack
Half of what goes in the bag is decided by someone else. What you can take on a plane sets out the Australian rules item by item - power banks, liquids, scissors, aerosols - and what has to be declared at the border on the way home.
More Cambodia essentials
Further reading: Power adapters by country: what Australians actually need to pack
How these comparisons are made
Plug types, voltages and frequencies come from the international electrotechnical standards data for each country, stated per destination with what that means for Australian appliances specifically - what needs an adapter, what needs a converter, and what should stay home. Read the full editorial policy.
Cambodia travel essentials FAQs
Can I drink the tap water in Cambodia?
No. Drink bottled water, which is cheap and available everywhere. Ice in established restaurants is commercially produced and generally fine; be more cautious at street stalls.
Planning Cambodia?
We will send you the Cambodia guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.