India to Cambodia: Visa on Arrival Fee, Best SIM Card, Vaccinations & Travel Apps
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
Cambodia’s visa on arrival for Indian citizens is one of the simplest entries in Southeast Asia. No embassy visit, no appointment, no fixed flight ticket. You land at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, walk up to the visa-on-arrival counter, pay a fixed fee in cash, and clear immigration in about 20 minutes. Indian citizens get a 30-day single-entry visa on arrival, which is extendable once for another 30 days from inside the country.
This guide covers the exact arrival sequence: visa process and fee, SIM card and data, what shots to get before you fly, the apps you need on day one, and the small cultural and money things Indian travellers get wrong on their first 48 hours. I cross-checked the visa fees against the official Cambodia e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.kh) on 17 July 2026, and SIM prices against current Smart and Cellcard tourist plan listings at Phnom Penh International Airport.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Do Indian citizens need a visa for Cambodia? | Yes. Indian citizens get a visa on arrival at the airport; an e-Visa is a separate online option. | |
| Cambodia visa on arrival fee for Indians | ₹2,890 (~30 USD) cash at the airport counter. | ₹2,890 (~30 USD) |
| Cambodia e-Visa fee (apply online) | ₹3,468 (~36 USD), paid by card on the official portal. | ₹3,468 (~36 USD) |
| How long can Indians stay? | 30 days, single entry, extendable once for 30 more days (₹4,335 (~45 USD)). | ₹4,335 (~45 USD) |
| Best SIM card at Phnom Penh airport | Smart or Cellcard tourist SIM, ~10 GB data, 7 days. | ₹289 (~3 USD) |
| Vaccinations recommended before flying | Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, Japanese Encephalitis (rural). | |
| Best app to get from airport to city | Grab (works in Phnom Penh, partially in Siem Reap). | |
| Currency used in Cambodia | Cambodian Riel (KHR), but USD is accepted almost everywhere. |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Carry exact USD bills for the visa on arrival. They will not give change. A torn, marked, or older-series note (anything before 2006) gets refused. Clean, crisp ₹2,890 (~30 USD), and you’ll be out of the queue in 15 minutes.
Visa on Arrival for Indians: The Exact Process
Cambodia’s visa on arrival for Indian passport holders is straightforward, but the airport flow has changed in 2025 to add a pre-check step. Here is what happens at Phnom Penh (PNH) and Siem Reap (REP) international airports:
Step 1: Arrival Form and Photo
Before you reach the counter, you fill in a paper arrival form (scan a QR code posted in the queue for a digital version). You also need one passport-size photo, 4x6 cm, white background. Indian passport photos work, but the size is slightly different. Travellers report that officers at PNH usually accept standard 35x45 mm Indian passport photos without complaint, while REP has occasionally rejected them. Carry two photos, both sizes, to be safe.
Step 2: Visa Counter (Counter A or B)
You line up at the dedicated “Visa on Arrival” counter, which is separate from the immigration desks. You hand over:
- Your passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages)
- The arrival form
- One 4x6 cm photo
- ₹2,890 (~30 USD) cash (exact change, no other currency accepted)
The officer stamps your visa, gives you a receipt stapled into your passport, and directs you to the immigration queue.
Step 3: Immigration
Standard immigration. Fingerprint scan, photo taken, entry stamp. Total time from queue entry to luggage hall: usually 20 to 40 minutes at PNH, faster at the smaller Siem Reap terminal.
Visa Fees: VoA vs e-Visa
| Method | Fee | Payment | Queue | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (airport) | ₹2,890 (~30 USD) | Cash only, exact change | 10 to 30 min | Last-minute flyers, no printer access |
| e-Visa (apply online) | ₹3,468 (~36 USD) | Card on official portal | Skip VoA counter, shorter queue | Anyone with a printer and 3 business days |
The e-Visa costs ₹578 (~6 USD) more, but lets you skip the cash-only VoA counter. Apply at the official portal: evisa.gov.kh. Travellers report a small but real time saving at PNH during peak arrival windows (5 PM to 8 PM).
Safety Alert: Only use the official evisa.gov.kh site. The official fee is exactly ₹3,468 (~36 USD) and the only correct URL is evisa.gov.kh.
Extension: Adding 30 More Days
If 30 days is not enough, you can extend once for an additional 30 days at any immigration office in Cambodia. The fee is ₹4,335 (~45 USD), and you need one more 4x6 cm photo. Phnom Penh’s immigration office near the riverside handles walk-in extensions in about 2 hours. Siem Reap has a similar office closer to the Old Market area.
SIM Cards and Connectivity: Smart, Cellcard, and eSIM
You will want data the moment you clear immigration. Grab does not work without it, Google Maps is useless offline, and your family back home will start WhatsApping before you’ve even found the exit.
Smart Tourist SIM (Most Common)
The Smart Axiata tourist SIM is the most widely available option and works immediately after activation. The standard 7-day plan gives you about 10 GB of 4G data, plus free local minutes. It is sold at every airport kiosk, most convenience stores, and any Smart branded shop in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Price at Phnom Penh airport: ₹289 (~3 USD) for the 7-day pack. In town, the same SIM is ₹193 (~2 USD) to ₹289 (~3 USD) at convenience stores.
Cellcard Tourist SIM
Cellcard is the second major carrier. Coverage is comparable in cities, slightly weaker in rural provinces like Mondulkiri and Kratie. Tourist packs are similar in price and data. Travellers who plan to spend time outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap tend to prefer Smart for the wider 4G footprint.
eSIM Option (Skip the Kiosk Queue)
If your phone supports eSIM (most iPhones from XS onward, most Samsung Galaxy S20+ and newer, Pixel 3+), Get Nomad eSIM and similar regional plans give you data before you even board the plane. This is especially useful if you need Grab or Google Translate working the moment you land, before you find the SIM kiosk.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: If you’re spending more than 2 weeks in Cambodia, buy a 30-day Smart plan for ₹482 (~5 USD) to ₹674 (~7 USD) instead of stacking 7-day SIMs. It’s the same per-GB rate and you avoid running to a shop mid-trip.
Vaccinations: What Indians Need Before Flying
Cambodia does not require any specific vaccinations for entry, but several are strongly recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the WHO for Southeast Asian travel.
Recommended Vaccinations
| Vaccine | Why | When to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Contaminated food/water, common in the region | 2 weeks before travel |
| Typhoid | Same as above, street food exposure | 2 weeks before travel |
| Tetanus-dT booster | Cuts, minor injuries in rural areas | Already covered if recent |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Rural provinces (Mondulkiri, Kratie, Ratanakiri) | 4 weeks before travel |
| Hepatitis B | Optional but cheap, recommended for longer stays | Anytime before travel |
| Rabies | Optional, recommended if you’ll handle animals | 1 month before travel |
Indian travellers flying directly to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh for a week or two of temple-hopping usually get just Hepatitis A and Typhoid. The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine becomes relevant only if you’re heading to the eastern provinces or doing jungle treks.
The standard travel vaccines for India to Cambodia are covered in more detail in our Cambodia travel essentials guide, which also lists which clinics in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore stock all of these.
Safety Alert: Carry your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you’re transiting through any African or South American country before arriving in Cambodia. Even a 6-hour transit at Addis Ababa or Nairobi triggers the requirement at PNH immigration. Indian travellers coming direct on Thai Airways, VietJet, AirAsia, or Cambodia Angkor Air do not need it.
Travel Apps: The 6 You Need on Day One
You don’t need 20 apps cluttering your phone. These six cover 95% of situations in Cambodia:
1. Grab (Ride-hailing and food)
Grab works in Phnom Penh and is partially available in Siem Reap. Use it for airport transfers, tuk-tuk rides, and food delivery. Standard airport to Riverside hotel in Phnom Penh: ₹482-₹771 (~5-8 USD) via Grab, vs ₹771-₹1,445 (~8-15 USD) for an unmarked taxi.
2. Google Maps (with offline download)
Download the Cambodia map offline before you leave India. Google Maps handles Phnom Penh and Siem Reap well, including walking directions through the Old Market and Pub Street areas. Battambang, Kampot, and Koh Rong have decent coverage. Rural areas are hit or miss.
3. Google Translate (with Khmer offline pack)
English is widely spoken in tourist areas but Khmer is the language everywhere else. The offline Khmer language pack is small (~50 MB) and saves you in markets, tuk-tuk conversations, and small restaurants. The camera-translate feature is especially useful for menus.
4. 12go (Bus and ferry bookings)
12go.asia is the cleanest aggregator for Cambodia’s bus, ferry, and minivan routes. Use it for Phnom Penh to Siem Reap buses, the Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City border crossing, and Koh Rong ferry tickets. The platform shows schedules, prices, and operator reviews in one place.
5. Wise or Revolut (Currency conversion)
Cambodia uses both KHR and USD. Most prices are quoted in USD for amounts over ₹96 (~1 USD), but KHR is used for small change. A good multi-currency card lets you see real-time FX rates and avoid the airport money changers, who routinely give poor rates.
6. SafetyWing (Insurance claim filing)
If anything goes wrong (food poisoning, a motorbike scrape, a stolen phone), SafetyWing’s app lets you start a claim from your phone in 5 minutes. For the recommended insurer with broader medical coverage, see the travel insurance section below. Keep SafetyWing installed before you fly, not after.
Money: USD, KHR, and How to Avoid Bad Rates
Cambodia is one of the few countries in the world that runs a dual-currency system. Both USD and Cambodian Riel (KHR) are legal tender, and most prices for tourists are quoted in USD.
The KHR-USD Trick
Cambodians convert at roughly 4,000 KHR per USD (rates fluctuate around 4,000–4,100 KHR). The locals call this “four thousand to the dollar.” When you receive change in KHR for a small purchase paid in USD, double-check the math. Many travellers, especially on their first day, end up with a wallet full of unused KHR notes at the airport exit.
Where to Exchange
- Airport counters: Bad rates, but convenient. Only exchange ₹1,927 (~20 USD) to ₹3,853 (~40 USD) here for tuk-tuk and snacks.
- Hotel reception: Mid-range rates, OK if you’re already a guest.
- City money changers in Phnom Penh: The best rates are on Street 51, near the riverside, and in the BKK1 district. Look for shops with large electronic boards showing live rates.
- ATMs: Withdraw USD from any ABA Bank, Canadia, or Sathapana ATM. Most accept Visa and Mastercard. Withdraw in USD, not KHR, the KHR conversion at ATMs gives a noticeably worse rate than USD withdrawal.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Tell the ATM to dispense USD, not KHR. The conversion difference is 2 to 4%, which adds up across a 10-day trip.
Cards and UPI
UPI does not work in Cambodia. Indian debit cards on RuPay, Visa, or Mastercard work at most mid-range and high-end hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets. Smaller guesthouses, street food stalls, and tuk-tuks are cash only. Carry USD in small denominations (₹96 (~1 USD)) at all times.
Local Scams Indians Hit in the First 48 Hours
Most Cambodian scams are not aggressive or dangerous, but they do target first-time visitors who look like they’ve just landed. These four come up repeatedly in traveller reports:
1. “The Meter Is Broken” Tuk-Tuk
Tuk-tuk drivers at PNH airport and the Phnom Penh riverside often claim the meter is broken and quote a flat rate of $8 to $15 USD for a ride that should be $3 to ₹482 (~5 USD). Fix: insist on the meter, or open Grab and book there. If the driver won’t use the meter, walk to the next one.
2. The Unmarked Taxi at Airport Exit
After clearing immigration at PNH, you’ll be approached by men in polo shirts offering “taxi.” They quote ₹1,445 (~15 USD) to ₹1,927 (~20 USD) for a city ride. Real airport taxis (official stand) charge ₹674 (~7 USD) to ₹963 (~10 USD), and Grab is ₹482 (~5 USD) to ₹674 (~7 USD). Walk past the unmarked touts to the official taxi stand, or open Grab outside the terminal.
3. The Baby Milk Powder Charity
Some travellers report that children or young women at Phnom Penh’s riverside and tourist markets approach you holding a baby and asking you to buy baby formula. If this happens, politely decline and walk.
4. The “Temple Is Closed” Tuk-Tuk Diversion
At the Angkor Wat ticket checkpoint, tuk-tuk drivers sometimes tell tourists the main temple is closed for a “Buddhist holiday” and offer to take them to “alternative temples” that pay the driver a commission. Cross-check temple closures against your hotel reception or the official Angkor Enterprise site. If a driver pushes an itinerary change hard, that’s your signal.
For more on Cambodia-specific scams, see the Cambodia scams and safety guide for tourists.
Cultural Etiquette: 4 Small Rules That Matter
1. The Head and Feet Thing
The head is sacred, the feet are the lowest part of the body. Do not touch anyone’s head, even a child’s, in greeting. Do not point your feet at people, monks, or Buddha statues. When sitting on temple floors, tuck your legs behind you.
2. Monk Interaction
Women should not touch monks or hand things directly to them. If you need to give a monk something (food, alms), place it on a cloth or on the ground for him to pick up. Always step aside on the pavement to let monks pass.
3. Temple Dress Code
Shoulders and knees must be covered at all major temples, including Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Banteay Srei. Travellers who show up in tank tops or short shorts are turned away at the dress-code checkpoint. Carry a lightweight scarf or sarong in your daypack.
4. Bargaining Politely
At markets like Phnom Penh’s Russian Market and Siem Reap’s Old Market, start your counter-offer at 50% of the asking price for clothes and souvenirs, then settle around 60 to 70%. For fixed-price stalls and convenience stores, do not bargain. A smile and a “too expensive” goes further than aggressive haggling.
Common First-Trip Mistakes Indians Make
Mistake 1: Paying in INR Out of Habit
Some Indian travellers at small shops try to pay in rupees. This does not work and embarrasses both sides. Cambodia uses USD and KHR only.
Mistake 2: Treating All Money Like Cash
Cambodia’s USD bills get worn out fast in circulation. A torn, taped, or heavily creased note often gets refused. Carry crisp bills and break large notes at supermarkets or your hotel.
Mistake 3: Skipping the Visa Photo
Indian passport photos are 35x45 mm. Cambodia wants 4x6 cm. Some counters accept both, others reject. Carry two 4x6 cm photos to avoid paying ₹193 (~2 USD) at a counter-side photo booth.
Mistake 4: Trusting Unmarked Airport Taxis
The official PNH airport taxi stand is right after customs exit, with fixed fares posted. Anyone approaching you before that stand is a tout. The fare difference is ₹482 (~5 USD) to ₹963 (~10 USD) per ride.
Mistake 5: Overstaying by Accident
The 30-day stamp is checked at departure. Overstaying by even one day carries a ₹963 (~10 USD) per day fine, and Cambodian immigration is strict about it. Set a phone reminder a week before expiry.
FAQ
Is Cambodia visa free for Indian citizens?
No. Cambodia is not visa-free for Indian passport holders. You either get a visa on arrival at the airport for ₹2,890 (~30 USD) or apply for an e-Visa online for ₹3,468 (~36 USD). Both give 30 days, single entry.
Can I get a Cambodia visa on arrival at the land border?
Yes, but the fee structure and accepted currencies vary. The Poipet (Thailand border), Bavet (Vietnam border), and Koh Kong (Thailand border) crossings all issue visas on arrival. Carry exact USD and passport photos. Some land borders are slower than airports, and queues can stretch 30 to 60 minutes during peak times.
Do I need a Yellow Fever certificate to enter Cambodia?
Only if you’re transiting through a country with Yellow Fever transmission (parts of Africa and South America). If you’re flying direct from India to Cambodia, no certificate is required.
Is tap water safe to drink in Cambodia?
No. Stick to bottled water (every corner shop sells 500 ml bottles for ₹36-₹71 (~1,500-3,000 KHR or ~$0.37-$0.74)). Ice in mid-range and high-end restaurants is usually factory-made and safe. Avoid ice at small roadside stalls.
Which vaccinations are mandatory for Indian travellers to Cambodia?
None are mandatory for entry. Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and a Tetanus booster are strongly recommended. Japanese Encephalitis is for rural stays.
Should I use UPI in Cambodia?
No, UPI does not work in Cambodia. Use Visa/Mastercard debit cards for hotels and supermarkets, USD cash for everything else.
Is the Cambodia e-Visa fee refundable if my visa is rejected?
No. The ₹3,468 (~36 USD) e-Visa fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected for photo or document errors. Double-check your details before paying.
Subodh’s Take
Cambodia is one of the easier first-Southeast-Asia trips for Indian travellers. The visa on arrival is fast, the food scene is genuinely good once you know where to look, and the cost of living is lower than Thailand or Vietnam. The two things that catch first-timers off guard are the dual USD/KHR currency and the airport touts. Once you sort those out, the rest of the trip runs itself. Carry ₹2,890 (~30 USD) cash on landing, buy a Smart SIM, install Grab, and you’re functional in 30 minutes.
Where to Stay: For backpackers and first-time visitors, the BKK1 and Riverside neighbourhoods in Phnom Penh and the Old Market area in Siem Reap are the easiest bases. Tap the Bananarchy trip card in the sidebar to compare hostels and guesthouses trusted by Indian travellers.
