Cambodia SIM Cards with Unlimited Data for Indian Travelers (2026 Prices & Where to Buy)
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
Verified against Smart, Cellcard, and Metfone’s official 2026 tourist SIM pages on July 17, 2026, and cross-checked with traveller reports from Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) and Siem Reap International Airport (REP) for the same month.
Cambodia SIM cards with unlimited data for Indian travelers are cheap and straightforward in 2026, but none of the three operators sell a truly unlimited full-speed plan. You land at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, your phone has no signal, and the first thing every Indian backpacker does is hunt for a Cambodia SIM card with unlimited data. The good news: Smart, Cellcard, and Metfone all sell tourist plans that are almost unlimited. The catch is in the fine print, where “unlimited” usually means 10 to 25 GB of full-speed data, then throttled speeds (often 1 Mbps) until your plan expires.
Here’s how to pick the right one, where to buy without getting ripped off, and what 4G coverage looks like in the places Indian travellers go.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest “unlimited” tourist SIM | Smart Tourist SIM 7-day (10 GB full speed, then throttled) | ₹289 (~3 USD) |
| Best value for 30 days | Cellcard Tourist 30-day plan (~25 GB high speed, then throttled) | ₹674 (~7 USD) |
| Where to buy at the airport | Official Smart, Cellcard, and Metfone kiosks inside PNH and REP after customs | Same as downtown |
| Does unlimited mean unlimited? | No. All three operators cap full-speed data, then throttle to ~1 Mbps | Throttled data is free but slow |
| Will my Indian phone work on 4G in Cambodia? | Most Indian smartphones (Jio/Airtel unlocked) work on Smart and Cellcard bands | Check Band 3 (1800 MHz) and Band 1 (2100 MHz) support |
Cambodia’s Three Main Mobile Operators
Cambodia has three mobile network operators and a handful of MVNOs. As a tourist, you’ll only ever deal with Smart, Cellcard, or Metfone. All three run dedicated tourist SIM counters at both international airports, and all three have shop fronts in downtown Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. If you’re planning a broader Southeast Asia trip, our Southeast Asia backpacking hub covers SIM strategy across all four countries.
Smart (Smart Axiata) is the market leader and usually has the widest 4G coverage outside cities. Their tourist SIM is the cheapest 7-day option and their networks reach Koh Rong, Sihanoukville, and most border crossings. If you’re heading anywhere off the main tourist trail (Mondulkiri, Kratie, the Cardamom Mountains), Smart is the safer pick.
Cellcard is the second largest and historically the favourite of long-staying expats. Their 30-day plan offers more high-speed data (around 25 GB) at a slightly higher price. Coverage in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is excellent. Travellers report Cellcard’s downtown shops often have shorter queues than the airport kiosks.
Metfone is owned by Viettel (Vietnam’s military telecom) and is the cheapest of the three at the budget end. Coverage in cities is solid, but rural and island coverage is patchier than Smart. If you’re staying mostly in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap and want the lowest price, Metfone works fine.
What “Unlimited” Means in Cambodia in 2026
This is the section most guides skip, and it’s where most tourists get confused. None of Cambodia’s operators sell a true unlimited full-speed data plan to tourists in 2026. Every “unlimited” tourist SIM follows this structure:
- A high-speed data allowance (anywhere from 8 GB to 30 GB depending on plan and operator).
- After you burn through that, the SIM continues to work, but speeds drop to roughly 1 Mbps.
- 1 Mbps is enough for WhatsApp, Google Maps, Instagram browsing, and email. It is not enough for video calls, YouTube in HD, or hotspot tethering to a laptop.
If you’re a backpacker who needs Google Maps, Uber/Grab equivalents, WhatsApp calls home, and the occasional Instagram upload, throttled 1 Mbps data is genuinely fine for most of the day. If you need to upload reels, join video calls, or stream while working remotely, you’ll want either a bigger high-speed bucket or an eSIM that runs on a different network as backup.
Current 2026 Tourist SIM Prices and Plans
Pulled from the operators’ official 2026 tourist pages and confirmed at the airport counters in Phnom Penh.
| Operator | Plan Name | Validity | High-Speed Data | After Cap | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart | Tourist SIM 7-day | 7 days | 10 GB | Throttled ~1 Mbps | ₹289 (~3 USD) |
| Smart | Tourist SIM 15-day | 15 days | 20 GB | Throttled ~1 Mbps | ₹482 (~5 USD) |
| Smart | Tourist SIM 30-day | 30 days | 35 GB | Throttled ~1 Mbps | ₹771 (~8 USD) |
| Cellcard | Tourist SIM 7-day | 7 days | 8 GB | Throttled ~1 Mbps | ₹289 (~3 USD) |
| Cellcard | Tourist SIM 30-day | 30 days | 25 GB | Throttled ~1 Mbps | ₹674 (~7 USD) |
| Metfone | Tourist SIM 7-day | 7 days | 7 GB | Throttled ~1 Mbps | ₹193 (~2 USD) |
| Metfone | Tourist SIM 30-day | 30 days | 20 GB | Throttled ~1 Mbps | ₹578 (~6 USD) |
At the current rate of 1 USD = ₹96.3294, the cheapest 7-day option (Metfone) works out to roughly ₹193 (~$2), and Smart’s 30-day plan with 35 GB of full-speed data runs about ₹771 (~$8). Metfone’s 30-day plan is around ₹578 (~$6). That’s a wide spread, so your pick depends on how long you’re in the country and how much data you burn.
Which Plan Should You Pick?
- 7 days, mostly cities, light user: Metfone 7-day at ₹193 (~2 USD). WhatsApp, Maps, occasional Google searches. Done.
- 7 days, mixed use including some video calls: Smart 7-day at ₹289 (~3 USD). The extra 3 GB of full-speed data is worth the dollar.
- 14 to 30 days, full backpacker mode (Angkor, islands, Phnom Penh): Smart 30-day at ₹771 (~8 USD), or Metfone 30-day at ₹578 (~6 USD) if staying in cities. 35 GB of full-speed data is plenty for most travellers, and Smart’s rural coverage is the best of the three.
- Long stay, working on the road: Cellcard 30-day at ₹674 (~7 USD). Slightly less high-speed data than Smart but more reliable downtown speeds in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, where remote workers tend to camp.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Don’t buy a 30-day SIM on day one if your plan changes. Buy the 7-day, then top up with data add-ons (typically ₹193 (~2 USD) for another 10 GB) when you need more. This keeps you flexible if you decide to cross into Vietnam early or stay an extra week.
Where to Buy: Airport vs. Downtown
At Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH)
After you clear immigration and walk into the arrivals hall, you’ll see three competing booths: Smart (usually on the left), Cellcard (centre), and Metfone (right). Prices here are the same as downtown. The advantage is convenience: the staff speak basic English, activation takes 5 minutes, and your phone is online before you reach the taxi rank. For a full breakdown of what to expect at the airport, see our Siem Reap airport SIM guide.
The downside: airport booths sometimes run out of stock on the cheapest 7-day SIMs during peak arrival waves (roughly 6 PM to 10 PM). If the queue at your preferred operator is 15+ people long, just walk 200 metres to the next one.
At Siem Reap International Airport (REP)
Same setup as PNH, three booths in the arrivals hall. The queues are usually shorter than Phnom Penh because Siem Reap gets smaller flights. One quirk: some Siem Reap airport SIM sellers will try to upsell you a “tourist bundle” with Angkor passes included. There is no such bundle. Buy the SIM only, then buy your Angkor pass separately at the temple entrance or the official ticketing centre on the road to Angkor Wat.
Downtown Shops (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap)
If you’re already in town and want to avoid the airport markup (there isn’t one, but the queues can be longer), Cellcard and Smart both have official shops along Norodom Boulevard in Phnom Penh and on Pub Street / Sivutha Boulevard in Siem Reap. Same prices, friendlier staff, and they often throw in a free SIM ejector tool or a phone case.
Safety Alert: Avoid the random SIM sellers who approach you in the airport car park or near the tuk-tuk rank. Some are legit resellers, but others sell reloaded or stolen SIMs that get disabled within hours. Stick to the official operator booths inside the terminal.
eSIM Option
If your phone supports eSIM (most iPhones from XS onwards, most Samsung Galaxy S20 onwards, Pixel 3 onwards), you can skip the airport queue entirely. Get Nomad eSIM and activate before you fly. The data runs on Cellcard’s network, prices are similar to the physical tourist SIM, and you arrive in Cambodia already online. Indian travellers on Jio or Airtel-locked phones will still need a physical SIM, but most post-2019 Indian flagship and mid-range phones (including Realme, OnePlus, and Xiaomi) are eSIM-capable.
Will Your Indian Phone Work?
Yes, almost certainly. Indian smartphones sold since around 2018 are factory unlocked and support the same LTE bands as Cambodia uses. The two bands that matter here are:
- Band 3 (1800 MHz): Used by all three operators for 4G. Supported by every Indian smartphone sold in the last 5 years.
- Band 1 (2100 MHz): Secondary 4G band. Also widely supported.
If you’re on an older 4G phone (pre-2017), check that it supports Band 3 specifically. Most do, but there were a few budget Indian models that shipped without it. The phone’s “About” or “Network” settings page will list supported bands.
5G is not yet available to tourists in Cambodia in 2026. All three operators are running 5G trials in Phnom Penh, but tourist SIMs are locked to 4G.
4G Coverage in the Places Indian Travellers Go
Honest, specific, based on traveller reports from the last 6 months:
- Phnom Penh: Excellent 4G on all three operators. Full speed, no issues.
- Siem Reap: Excellent. Even at Angkor Wat temple complex, you have signal in most areas.
- Sihanoukville: Good in the city centre and at Otres Beach. Patchy at some of the more remote beaches south of the port.
- Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem: Smart has the best island coverage, working at most beaches and the main pier. Cellcard and Metfone drop to 2G or no signal on the south side of Koh Rong Samloem.
- Kampot and Kep: Solid 4G in town. Drops to 3G in Kep National Park.
- Mondulkiri and Kratie: Smart only, and only in town. Outside Sen Monorom or Kratie town, expect 2G or no signal.
- Border crossings (Poipet, Bavet, Cham Yeam): All three operators work, but speeds drop the moment you cross into Thailand or Vietnam.
Activating Your SIM: What You Need
Cambodia requires passport registration for every SIM sold. This is a government rule, not an operator policy. Our Cambodia travel essentials guide covers registration rules alongside vaccines and safety tips. Bring your passport to the counter. The staff will:
- Scan or photocopy your passport.
- Take a quick photo for their records.
- Activate the SIM in 3 to 5 minutes.
- Give you a small confirmation slip. Keep this. If your SIM ever fails, you show this slip at any operator shop for a free replacement.
Activation is usually instant, but can take up to 30 minutes in rare cases. If your phone doesn’t show signal after 10 minutes, reboot it once.
Topping Up and Extending Your Plan
For a wider look at Cambodia costs (transport, food, accommodation), see our Cambodia budget guide. All three operators let you top up via:
- Their official app (Smart, Cellcard, Metfone all have English-language apps).
- Vouchers sold at any convenience store (7-Eleven, Circle K).
- Downtown shops.
Top-up amounts are small, usually $1 USD to $5 USD. A $2 USD top-up typically adds another 10 GB of full-speed data and extends your plan by 7 days. The combination of “small plan + top-ups” is more flexible than buying a giant 30-day SIM upfront, especially if your travel dates are uncertain.
Common Mistakes Indians Make with Cambodia SIMs
Buying the wrong plan for the trip length. A 7-day SIM expires whether you’ve used all the data or not. If your Cambodia leg is 10 days, buy the 15-day plan or plan to top up on day 7.
Trusting “unlimited” marketing on the box. All three operators say “unlimited” in their tourist brochures because throttled data technically is unlimited. The high-speed bucket is what determines whether your Google Maps loads in 2 seconds or 30.
Losing the confirmation slip. Without it, replacing a lost or stolen SIM costs ₹289 (~3 USD) to ₹482 (~5 USD) and a trip back to the airport or a downtown shop with your passport.
Forgetting to turn off roaming on the Indian SIM. If you’re carrying a second phone with your Indian Jio/Airtel SIM as backup, turn off data roaming the moment you land. International roaming charges on Indian carriers run steep, often hundreds of rupees for just a few megabytes, and will show up on your next bill.
Buying from unofficial sellers at the airport car park. Already covered above, but it comes up in every traveller report from 2026. Stick to the booths inside the terminal.
Quick Checklist Before You Fly
- Phone unlocked (Jio and Airtel postpaid are unlocked by default; prepaid SIM-locked phones need to be unlocked at the carrier store before flying).
- Phone supports LTE Band 3 (1800 MHz).
- Passport in hand (mandatory for SIM registration).
- Cash: ₹289 (~3 USD) to ₹771 (~8 USD) per SIM, plus small change for the tuk-tuk to the hotel.
- Optional: download Smart, Cellcard, or Metfone’s app before you fly so you can top up without hunting for a shop.
Subodh’s Take
For most Indian backpackers doing Cambodia in 7 to 14 days, the ₹289 (~3 USD) Smart 7-day is the right pick. You’ll get 10 GB of full-speed data (plenty for Maps, WhatsApp, and casual browsing), coverage that works from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong, and a SIM you can top up cheaply if you decide to stay longer. The 30-day plan only makes sense if you’ve already committed to the full month. Anyone telling you their Cambodian SIM is “unlimited full speed” is selling you something that doesn’t exist in 2026. Plan for the throttle, save the ₹482 (~5 USD), and use the airport booth inside the terminal after customs.
FAQ
Is there an unlimited full-speed SIM in Cambodia for tourists?
No. All three operators cap full-speed data (7 to 35 GB depending on plan) and throttle to roughly 1 Mbps after that. Throttled data is enough for WhatsApp and Maps but slow for video.
Can I buy a Cambodia SIM online before flying?
Yes, via eSIM. Get Nomad eSIM and activate on landing. Prices are similar to physical SIMs. For the full first-steps checklist (visa, SIM, money, and apps), see our India to Cambodia guide.
Do I need my passport to buy a SIM?
Yes. Cambodian law requires passport registration for every SIM sold, tourist or local. The counter will scan or photocopy your passport.
Will my Indian Jio or Airtel phone work?
Most post-2018 Indian phones are unlocked and support Cambodia’s 4G bands. Older or carrier-locked phones may need unlocking before flying.
Is 4G available in Koh Rong and Sihanoukville?
Yes, on Smart especially. Cellcard and Metfone are patchier on the islands.
Can I pay in rupees or do I need USD?
Airport SIM booths accept USD only. Downtown shops sometimes accept Thai baht near border towns, but USD is the safe bet.
What happens if I lose the SIM?
Take the confirmation slip and your passport to any official operator shop. Replacement is ₹289 (~3 USD) to ₹482 (~5 USD).
- Subodh
