Cambodia Banknotes: The Cambodian Riel (KHR) and Where to Exchange Your Currency
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-22
The Cambodian Riel is the only legal tender issued by the National Bank of Cambodia, but in practice you’ll use US Dollars for anything over a few dollars. Here’s what every Indian traveller needs to know about Cambodia banknotes ats, KHR denominations, current exchange rates, and where to exchange your money without losing 8% to a bad booth. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub.
You may also find Currency Exchange Cambodia Phnom Penh Airport useful for this trip.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Official currency | Cambodian Riel (KHR), issued by National Bank of Cambodia | ₹0 markup at mid-market |
| Current rate (1 KHR) | ₹0.0238 (1,000 KHR = ₹24) | At current mid-market |
| Current rate (1 USD) | ₹96.3294 | Verified 2026-07-22 |
| USD/KHR peg | 1 USD ≈ 4,000 KHR | ₹96.33 |
| Banknote denominations in circulation | 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 30,000, 50,000, ₹2,385 (~100,000 KHR or ~$24.71) | , |
| Smallest note | ₹2 (~100 KHR or ~$0.02) | Rarely used |
| Largest note | ₹2,385 (~100,000 KHR or ~$24.71) | Commemorative |
| Best payment method | USD cash for big spends, KHR for small change under ₹97 (~1 USD) | ₹0 markup |
| Worst option | Airport exchange booths (Canadia Bank, etc.) | 3%–5% worse than mid-market |
Note: “Cambodia banknotes ats” is a common Google Autocomplete query, often paired with confusion about why Cambodian prices sometimes end in “ats” (the Khmer word for “hundred”). When you see a price like “15,000 riel” and someone says “that’s a hundred and fifty ats,” they’re using the Khmer counting system: 1 at = ₹2 (~100 KHR or ~$0.02). Don’t overthink it. See also: Extreme Budget Travel Guide How to Travel Southeast Asia on 1200 Day Hostels Street Food Free Activities.
How the Cambodian Riel Works
Cambodia runs a unique dual-currency system. The Riel is the official currency, but US Dollars circulate freely and are accepted almost everywhere, especially for hotels, tours, and meals over ₹483 (~5 USD). The National Bank of Cambodia officially uses 4,000 KHR = 1 USD, but in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap you’ll find shops using 4,050 or even 4,100 KHR to 1 USD when giving change in riel.
For an Indian traveller, this matters because:
You need both currencies. Pay small market purchases, moto rides, and street food in riel (you’ll get riel as change anyway). Pay your guesthouse, Angkor Wat pass, and bus tickets in clean USD notes. Torn, marked, or older-series USD bills get refused or discounted in Cambodia.
The math is straightforward. At 1,000 KHR = ₹24, a 10,000 KHR note is ₹238, or roughly $2.50. A bowl of noodles at ₹358 (~15,000 KHR or ~$3.71) runs ₹357 (~$3.70). A tuk-tuk from Pub Street to the Angkor ticket centre at ₹477 (~20,000 KHR or ~$4.94) runs ₹476 (~$4.93).
Bring USD from India. Get ₹4,826 (~50 USD) and ₹9,653 (~100 USD) bills from your bank in India or a trusted forex counter. Forex cards loaded with a USD balance (HDFC, Axis) also work, but you’ll still need physical USD cash in Cambodia because not every restaurant, market, and border crossing accepts cards.
Cambodian Banknotes: Denominations and Designs
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) currently issues 11 denominations of riel banknotes in active circulation: 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 50,000, and ₹2,385 (~100,000 KHR or ~$24.71). Here’s what they look like and what they’re worth in 2026.
₹2 (~100 KHR or ~$0.02): Smallest denomination. Pale green/grey note featuring a deer. Rarely seen; vendors usually treat this as a token.
₹12 (~500 KHR or ~$0.12): Light brown note with a view of Phnom Penh. Occasionally used as small change from large purchases.
₹24 (~1,000 KHR or ~$0.25): Purple-grey note featuring the Royal Palace. Common as change from moto rides and small purchases.
₹48 (~2,000 KHR or ~$0.49): Blue note showing the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh.
₹119 (~5,000 KHR or ~$1.24): Green-brown note featuring King Norodom Sihanouk.
₹239 (~10,000 KHR or ~$2.47): Yellow note featuring King Norodom Sihamoni and the Royal Palace. This is the workhorse note for most everyday transactions.
₹358 (~15,000 KHR or ~$3.71): Issued as a commemorative note marking the 15th anniversary of King Norodom Sihamoni’s coronation. It circulates as regular currency despite the commemorative design. The note depicts the King and Angkor Wat, and is legal tender like any other riel note.
₹477 (~20,000 KHR or ~$4.94): Orange-brown note featuring the King.
₹1,193 (~50,000 KHR or ~$12.35): Larger denomination, blue-green.
₹2,385 (~100,000 KHR or ~$24.71): Highest denomination currently in circulation, primarily issued as a commemorative note for major national anniversaries.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Check the back of every riel note before accepting it. Older 2003–2007 series notes are still legal but get exchanged at the same rate; counterfeit risk is low for riel but exists for USD. Any USD with even small tears, writing, or heavy creases gets rejected in Cambodia. Keep your notes crisp.
Commemorative and Special-Edition Banknotes
Cambodia has a strong tradition of issuing commemorative riel notes, which is why “Cambodia commemorative banknotes” is a frequent search query. The National Bank of Cambodia has released several special editions in recent years, including:
- ₹358 (~15,000 KHR or ~$3.71) note (2018): Marking 15 years since King Norodom Sihamoni’s coronation. Still in active circulation.
- ₹1,193 (~50,000 KHR or ~$12.35) commemorative notes: Issued in limited runs for national anniversaries and the Khmer New Year.
- ₹2,385 (~100,000 KHR or ~$24.71) commemorative notes: Released for major royal and national events; popular with collectors but spendable as regular currency.
If you’re a collector, the NBC issues these through official channels, and numismatic value can run 2–5× face value depending on condition and print run. As regular spending money, treat them like any other riel note, they’re legal tender at face value everywhere.
Where to Exchange Money in Cambodia
Best: Gold/pawn shops and independent exchange counters. In Phnom Penh, the streets around the Central Market (Psar Thmei) and the riverside have dozens of licensed exchange counters with rates within 0.5% of mid-market. In Siem Reap, walk one street off Pub Street toward the Old Market for better rates than the main drag. No commission, no fee, just point at your USD, count the riel they give you, count again.
Good: Banks (Canadia, ACLEDA, ABA). ABA Bank has strong English-speaking staff and ATMs that accept international cards. The exchange rate at bank counters is fair (within 1–2% of mid-market) but you’ll wait 10–20 minutes for paperwork. Use bank ATMs for riel withdrawals if you have a zero-markup Indian debit card.
Acceptable: Hotel and guesthouse exchange. Most guesthouses will exchange USD at 1–2% below mid-market. Fine for emergencies, expensive for large amounts.
Avoid: Airport exchange booths. Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport both have Canadia Bank and other exchange counters offering rates 3–5% worse than mid-market. Only exchange ₹1,931-₹4,826 (~20-50 USD) here to get to your hotel; do your main exchange in the city.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: If you’re arriving late, exchange just enough USD at the airport to cover your first night’s accommodation and a tuk-tuk. The same $100 gets you 397,000 KHR at the airport counter and 400,000 KHR in central Phnom Penh. That ₹72 (~3,000 KHR or ~$0.74) difference (~₹71) is small for ₹9,653 (~100 USD) but compounds across your whole trip.
ATMs for Indian Travellers
ATMs work well in Cambodia. ABA Bank, Canadia Bank, and ACLEDA Bank all accept Visa, Mastercard, and most Indian bank cards. Here’s what to expect:
Withdrawal limit: Most ATMs dispense up to ₹48,264 (~500 USD) per transaction (₹47,704 (~2,000,000 KHR or ~$494.19)). Some allow ₹96,529 (~1,000 USD). Compare the per-transaction fee to the withdrawal amount before deciding how much to take out.
ATM fee: ABA charges ₹483 (~5 USD) per withdrawal for foreign cards (~₹482). Canadia charges ₹386 (~4 USD). ACLEDA charges ₹386-₹483 (~4-5 USD).
Your bank’s fee: This is where Indians lose money. Most Indian banks charge ₹100-₹520 (~$1.04-$5.39) per international ATM withdrawal on top of the foreign bank’s fee. HDFC charges around ₹150 + 3.5% currency conversion markup. SBI charges ₹100–₹300 flat.
DCC warning: When the ATM asks “Convert to your home currency?”, always say NO. If you let the ATM convert USD/KHR to INR at its own rate, you lose an extra 5–8%. Always choose to be charged in the local currency (USD or KHR).
For a full breakdown of which Indian debit cards work best in Cambodia, see our ATM fees and limits guide for Indian travellers.
India-Specific Gotchas (RBI & TCS)
Travelling with cash from India triggers RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) rules. Here’s what applies in 2026:
LRS limit: ₹2,500,000 per financial year (April. March) per PAN card for all foreign travel combined. Travelling as a couple? Use both PAN cards and double your limit.
20% TCS rule: Any forex purchase above ₹7 lakh in a financial year attracts 20% Tax Collected at Source. This is a deposit, not a tax, you claim it back at ITR filing. The threshold was ₹7 lakh in Union Budget 2024 and remains unchanged for 2026.
Cash declaration at Indian customs: If you’re carrying more than USD 3,000 (₹2,89,000) in cash, declare it at the red channel on departure. Failing to declare can lead to seizure and a penalty.
Documents to carry: PAN card, Aadhaar, forex purchase receipts, and a printed forex card statement. Customs officers occasionally ask for proof of legitimate forex sourcing.
Strategy: Most Indian travellers spend ₹50,000-₹80,000 (~$517.98-$828.77) on a two-week Cambodia trip, well under the ₹7 lakh threshold. Buy your forex (USD cash + forex card balance) from a single bank in one transaction to keep paperwork clean.
For a complete walkthrough of how to legally manage forex under current RBI rules, see our UPI and payment guide for Indian travellers in Cambodia.
What Indian Travellers Carry
Here’s what works in practice:
Carry ₹57,917-₹77,223 (~600-800 USD) in clean USD notes. Break it into $50s and $20s, not $100s. Smaller bills get better rates at exchange counters. A mix of USD and KHR gives you flexibility: USD for the Angkor pass (₹3,572 (~37 USD)), KHR for ₹48 (~2,000 KHR or ~$0.49) coconuts.
Use one zero-markup Indian debit card for ATMs. Fi and Niyo both offer 0% currency markup with modest ATM fees (₹100-₹200 (~$1.04-$2.07) per withdrawal). Withdraw USD from ABA or Canadia ATMs; the machine gives you a choice between USD and KHR. Choose USD; you can exchange it at any counter for a better rate than what the ATM offers for KHR.
Keep ₹19,306 (~200 USD) in emergency backup. Split between USD and an Indian debit card. If your main card gets blocked (fraud alert, daily limit hit), you have cash to get to an ATM.
Skip forex cards unless you’re spending ₹289,587 (~3,000 USD)+. For a two-week Cambodia trip, the hassle of reloading and tracking balances doesn’t beat the convenience of a debit card.
For a real-world cost breakdown of what a Cambodia trip costs from India, see our trip cost guide from India.
What to Eat and Where (Money in Action)
Here’s how your riel and dollars move in Cambodia:
Street food in Phnom Penh: A bowl of kuy teav (noodle soup) at a market stall runs ₹119-₹239 (~5,000-10,000 KHR or ~$1.24-$2.47). Sit down at a proper local spot like Smokin’ Pot Authentic Cambodian Restaurant and Cooking School and a full amok curry with rice is ₹835-₹1,193 (~35,000-50,000 KHR or ~$8.65-$12.35), or roughly ₹772-₹1,158 (~8-12 USD).
Indian food in Cambodia: When you need dal-chawal, hit Galaxy Indian Restaurant in Poipet near the Thai border for a thali at ₹596-₹954 (~25,000-40,000 KHR or ~$6.18-$9.88). Poipet has a heavy Indian traveller flow, so prices are competitive. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Indian restaurants cluster around BKK1 and Pub Street respectively.
Cooking class in Siem Reap: Smokin’ Pot runs half-day cooking classes including market tour for around ₹2,413-₹3,379 (~25-35 USD). Worth it if you want to understand what goes into a real Khmer curry.
Angkor Wat pass: ₹3,572 (~37 USD) for a one-day pass, ₹5,985 (~62 USD) for three days. Pay in USD, exact change. The ticket counter doesn’t accept torn notes.
For a full food cost breakdown, see our cost of food in Cambodia per day guide.
Getting Connected
You’ll want data on your phone to check exchange rates on the go, compare what an ATM is offering to mid-market, and avoid DCC traps. Cambodia has good 4G coverage in cities, patchy in rural areas.
For a short trip, the easiest option is an eSIM you can activate before you land. Get Nomad eSIM offers Cambodia-specific data packages that activate on arrival. Otherwise, buy a Cellcard or Smart SIM at the airport for ₹483-₹965 (~5-10 USD) with 10–30 GB of data.
FAQ
Are Cambodian riel banknotes accepted everywhere? Yes for small purchases. USD is preferred for anything over ₹483 (~5 USD). Vendors in markets, tuk-tuk drivers, and small shops often have no USD change, so they’ll give you riel back.
What is the “Cambodia banknote 15,000 ats”? The ₹358 (~15,000 KHR or ~$3.71) commemorative note is sometimes called “150 ats” because 1 at = ₹2 (~100 KHR or ~$0.02). It’s a real, current, circulating note.
Should I bring USD or KHR from India? USD. Every forex counter in India and abroad deals in USD. Buy USD at your Indian bank, then exchange for riel on arrival in Cambodia.
Can I use Indian debit cards at Cambodian ATMs? Yes, Visa and Mastercard are accepted at ABA, Canadia, and ACLEDA. Watch for DCC and your bank’s own international markup.
What’s the best way to carry money in Cambodia? A mix of USD cash (60%), an Indian zero-markup debit card for ATMs (30%), and a small backup stash of USD (10%).
Are torn USD notes accepted in Cambodia? Not always. Even small tears, heavy creases, or pen marks can get a note rejected. Keep your dollars crisp.
How much riel should I keep as a souvenir? A complete set of ₹2-₹2,385 (~100-100,000 KHR or ~$0.02-$24.71) notes is a popular souvenir and costs about ₹3,733 (~156,500 KHR or ~$38.67) at face value. Commemorative notes (₹358 (~15,000 KHR or ~$3.71) coronation anniversary, ₹1,193 (~50,000 KHR or ~$12.35) special editions) are sought after by collectors.
Subodh’s Take
The thing that surprises new travellers most is how little they need to think about riel. You arrive with USD, your guesthouse quotes you USD, your Angkor pass is USD, your bus ticket is USD. The riel shows up as change and small market purchases, and you’ll spend it down to a few thousand before you leave. The biggest financial mistake I see is overthinking the exchange rate, hunting for “the best counter,” and losing more in taxi fares getting there than they save on 0.3% rate difference. Find any licensed exchange with a posted rate within 1% of mid-market, exchange, walk away.
