Direct flights to Phnom Penh are available from Bangkok, Doha, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Nanning, Pakse, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei and Vientiane. Airlines currently serving Phnom Penh are Air Asia, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Dragonair, Eva Air, Jetstar Asia, Korean Air, Lao Aviation, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Silk Air, Thai Airways International and Vietnam Airlines. 

 

Direct flights to Siem Reap are available from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Danang, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, Luang Prabang, Pakse, Seoul-Incheon, Singapore, Taipei and Vientiane. Airlines currently serving Siem Reap are Air Asia, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Jetstar Asia, Korean Air, Lao Aviation, Malaysia Airlines, Silkair and Vietnam Airlines.

 

PASSPORT AND VISA REGULATIONS 

General Immigration formalities are quicker when travelers already possess their visa. However, Cambodia has very liberal visa regulations. For 20 USD all travelers can obtain a tourist visa valid for 30 days single entry upon arrival.

 

A passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the visit and one passport photo are needed. For travelers joining a HA Travel Cambodia tour departing from Bangkok, visas can be arranged there within two working days. Every traveler has to complete an immigration and a customs form during the arrival flight or upon arrival. Cambodian tourist visa can be extended one time for 30 days.

 

Visa upon arrival can be obtained at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports and at the following border crossings:

 

 

 

 

Visitors can also apply for a tourist visa on the Ministry’s website processing time of three days. Valid ports of entry and exit for e-Visa holders are:

 

A scanned copy of the passport and 25 USD paid by credit card will get you an e-mailed visa which you have to print and bring with you. All ports are equipped with the latest version of terminal system and there will be a special e-Visa lane in each port. For more information and to apply for e-Visa, please log on to www.mfaic.gov.kh. (be aware of fake visa sites)

 

The Commissariat General of National Police announced that the nationals of following 14 countries cannot get E-visa:

 

Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

 

These nationals can get visa on arrival with following procedure: HA Travel has to send a guarantee letter to the Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Interior with the detailed itinerary of the traveler together with:

 

A copy of the international roundtrip ticket of the traveler, a passport copy as well as a passport photo. A handling fee is imposed for this procedure.

 

Visa regulations for ASEAN countries & Visa exemption for the following nationalities:

 

Although no vaccinations are officially required for entry to Cambodia, they are highly encouraged. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding protection against malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B. Any essential medications should be brought with you as there is no guarantee that they will be available in Cambodia

 

Regulations are relaxed and simple formalities should be observed when entering the country. Every traveler has to complete a customs declaration form during the arrival flight and must submit it on arrival. 

 

Any amount of foreign currency can be brought into Cambodia, but the amount of Cambodian currency must not exceed 100.000 Riels per person. Tourist and non-resident carrying over USD 10.000 in cash or its equivalent must declare so in order to ensure they will be allowed to exit the country with that amount. 

 

A HA Travel representative will meet travelers at the exit of the airport building, after airport immigration and customs control points have been passed. For easy recognition, our representative will display a HA Travel sign with the names of the guests or group. It also will be this representative who will be in possession of tickets for ongoing flights of the clients. Should clients have bought international tickets with us they will receive them on their departure day.

 

The local currency is the Riel, however, in Phnom Penh and most major tourist destinations, almost all goods and services are calculated and paid for in the US currency. The rate of exchange (at time of printing) is approximately 4,000.- Riels to one U.S. Dollar. Credit cards, traveler’s checks and currencies other than U.S. Dollars are accepted only at a few places such as major hotels, at some foreigner-owned restaurants and at some souvenir shops. It is best to carry U.S. Dollars in small denominations. Automatic Teller Machine Service (ATM) is offered by ANZ Royal Bank, Cambodian Public Bank, SBC Bank and Canadia Bank. ATMs accept all major credit cards and can be found at various places in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang and Sihanoukville.

 

 

Theravada Buddhism: official religion; Islam (500,000); Christianity (125,000)
 

When visiting temples or pagodas, including those of the Angkor complex, shorts and T-shirts are still acceptable, whereas for a visit to the third floor of the Angkor Wat visitors need to be dressed more formally. Shoes (as well as hats) are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace grounds, visitors are asked to dress more formally. Gentlemen are required to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long trousers or long skirts.

 

Cambodia can be visited throughout the year. However those planning to travel extensively by road should avoid the last two months of the rainy season when some countryside roads may be impassable.
 

The climate is tropical and distinguished by three major seasons. The most pleasant season is the dry season from November to March during which temperatures are cooler (average 20-28 c). The hot season lasts from April to May (average temperatures 30-35 c) and from June to October is the rainy season, which we here like to call the Green Season, during which temperatures are relatively cool (average 25-30 c). At this time of year it rarely rains in the morning: most precipitation comes in the afternoon and even then sporadically. Rainfall varies considerably from area to area. Whereas the seaward slopes of the south-west highlands (Kompong Som and Kampot provinces) receive more than 5,000 mm of rain per annum, the central lowlands average only about 1,400 mm.

 

Khmer is the official language. It is inherited from the Mon-Khmer family and enriched by the Indian Pali and the Sanskrit languages. There are various dialects spoken in areas outside Phnom Penh. 

English is the second language, followed by French, even though they are not widely spoken except in the capital.

 

The voltage in Cambodia is 220V, 50Hz electrical outlets (power sockets) are mainly round two pin type.

 

Since Cambodia has a hot and humid tropical climate, casual and lightweight clothing is best. Clothing made from natural fibers is the best option. A jacket might be needed on cool winter evenings or in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. 
 

A hat and high-factor sun block is advisable as protection against the hot sun when sightseeing outdoors. 
 

When visiting temples or pagodas, including those of the Angkor complex, shorts and T-shirts are still acceptable, whereas for a visit to the third floor of the Angkor Wat visitors need to be dressed more formally. Shoes (as well as hats) are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace grounds, visitors are asked to dress more formally. Gentlemen are required to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long trousers or long skirts.

 

Drink lots of water. Purified, bottled water is available everywhere. Never drink tap water and avoid ice cubes, if you have a sensitive stomach.

 

Begging is not widespread in Cambodia (only in touristic places) and visitors are requested not to encourage development of this practice by giving money or sweets to children. Think twice before buying anything from children on the street, beaches or at temples and refrain from giving money to begging children or parents with infants. It keeps them on the street and places them at risk. If you want to help, don’t give directly to children. Instead find and support local charity organizations that help these children have a better future.

 

Cambodia Angkor Air operates flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and between Siem Reap and Sihanoukville with ATR7 and accepts 20 kg luggage.

 

 

Post is routed by air through Bangkok and is reliable. Most hotels have IDD lines, but calls and faxes are very expensive with the average cost of a call to Australia, Europe and USA approximately USD 2.5 per minute. Public phones that use pre-paid phone cards are common in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Phone cards can be purchased at the post office, most hotels and supermarkets. 

 

Visitors can buy SIM cards from several network operators at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports. So called Travel-SIM cards have a validity of 1 or 2 weeks with different advantages depending on the network. These cards are non-refundable and can be topped up in town. The visitor will have to present his passport of which a copy will be made.

 

Internet access is available in most hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. There are also plenty of internet cafes with reliable connections at very reasonable prices. 

Following are Internet addresses, which access relevant information on Cambodia: 

 

There is a wide variety of items available for purchase in Cambodia. The country was once well known for its superior silk weaving, metal work and woodcarving. After decades of neglect, many of these arts are being revived. Visitors can find silver items, jewelry, gems, colorful cloth for sarong and hols (variegated silks), wood carving, paper maché masks, stone copies of ancient Khmer art, brass and bronze figurines and oil paintings in the different markets and shops on main avenues. The traditional clothing for both men and women is the krama, a long, narrow checked silk or cotton cloth available in most markets and shops. Jewelry is generally not up to international standards for design and workmanship and buyers should use caution when purchasing gold and gems, many gems are fake and we recommend not to follow anybody’s recommendations. The export of antiques is subject to approval of the Ministry of Culture. Bargaining is essential for all souvenirs shopping, if travelers are to obtain reasonable prices.,

 

Tipping is not obligatory in Cambodia, but is nonetheless widely practiced in hotels and restaurants in addition to the service charges shown on bills. (Porters, 1,000 Riels per bag.)

 

Khmer cuisine is closely related to those in neighboring Thailand and Laos, although it is not as spicy. Curries, stir-fried vegetables, rice, noodles and soups are staples of the Khmer diet. Fresh river fish and shellfish are both abundant and delicious. Western food is provided only in the major cities although other Asian dishes are widely available. Cambodia is well known in the region for its Prahok, a strong, fermented fish paste used in a variety of traditional dishes. Tap water should never be drunk. Bottled mineral water and bottled drinking water are available in all reputable hotels and restaurants. Similarly, salad and fruit served at these establishments are safe. 

 

Some HA Travel tours are based on breakfast only in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville and on full board arrangements in other destinations. For full-day excursions, picnic lunch can be provided if no adequate restaurants are available.

 

After years of political and social upheaval, Cambodia now enjoys relative stability. Continuing efforts are made to reconstruct the country from decades of war, to upgrade the infrastructure (roads, bridges, airports etc) and to ensure security. Cambodia is now once again safe for travel. 
 

However some simple common sense precautions with possessions lessen the chances of becoming a victim to theft. Carry your handbag or rucksack to the front of you and be aware that handbag snatches/theft from motorbikes occur especially in the larger cities as Phnom Penh.

 

Airport Tax for international and domestic flights is included in the airfare.
 

Drink lots of water. Purified, bottled water is available everywhere. Never drink tap water. 
 

Use an insect repellent against mosquitoes. It is the only way to be sure of protection against mosquito-borne diseases. 
 

Since Cambodia has a hot and humid tropical climate, casual and lightweight clothing is best. Clothing made from natural fibers is the best option. A jacket might be needed on cool winter evenings or in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. 
 

A hat and high-factor sun block is advisable as protection against the hot sun when sightseeing outdoors. 

 

When visiting temples or pagodas, including those of the Angkor complex, shorts and T-shirts are still acceptable, whereas for a visit to the third floor of the Angkor Wat visitors need to be dressed more formally. Shoes (as well as hats) are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace grounds, visitors are asked to dress more formally. Gentlemen are required to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long trousers or long skirts. 

 

Photos are inexpensive to process in the country. Any specialized photo or video equipment should be brought with you. Photography and video in airports, railway stations and near any military installations is forbidden and discretion should be used when photographing people, particularly monks and those in hill tribes.

 

Visa upon arrival can be obtained at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports and at the following border crossings: 
 

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY / REFERENCES