Cambodia
Best SIM and eSIM for Cambodia: data plans, Wi‑Fi and phone tips
Buy a tourist eSIM for your unlocked phone if supported; otherwise pick a local SIM at the airport (Smart, Cellcard or Metfone) – both give 4G in towns, patchy in remote areas, and cost a few dollars for a week of data.
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GuideCambodia
Key facts
- eSIM compatibility
- Works on unlocked phones; check your device’s list before travel
- Local SIM providers
- Smart, Cellcard, Metfone sell tourist SIMs at airports with passport registration
- Typical costcheck
- Around $5‑$8 for 7 days of 4‑5 GB data
- Network coverage
- 4G in major towns; patchy in remote provinces
- Messaging apps
- Telegram and WhatsApp are widely used
- Country code
- +855
- Wi‑Fi
- Free in most hotels, cafés and many tuk‑tuks
Best SIM and eSIM options
If your phone is unlocked, purchase an eSIM from a global provider (e.g., Airalo, Holafly) before you leave. Activation is instant, you avoid airport queues, and you can compare data bundles easily.
If you prefer a physical SIM, buy one at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap airport. Staff will register your passport, give you a SIM card and a small data voucher. Prices are transparent and low.
- eSIM: instant activation, no SIM swap, works on iOS 15+ and Android 10+ devices.
- Physical SIM: available from Smart, Cellcard, Metfone kiosks; 7‑day data packs start at $5.
Phone compatibility and network coverage
Cambodia uses GSM/4G LTE on bands 3, 7, 8, 20. Most recent smartphones support these bands, but verify your model’s specs. Rural provinces (e.g., Cardamom Mountains) may have 3G only or no signal.
In cities like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville you’ll get reliable 4G speeds for streaming and video calls.
Wi‑Fi availability
Free Wi‑Fi is common in hotels, guesthouses, cafés and many tuk‑tuks. It is usually open‑access or requires a password shown on a sign. In remote guesthouses the signal can be weak; consider a data backup if you need constant connectivity.
Questions people ask
What is the best eSIM for Cambodia?
For most travellers an eSIM from a reputable global provider (Airalo, Holafly) is easiest – you can buy a 7‑day 5 GB plan for about $5 and activate instantly without swapping cards.
Does my phone work in Cambodia?
If your phone is unlocked and supports GSM/4G LTE bands 3, 7, 8, 20 it will work. Check the device specs before you travel; most smartphones from the last five years are compatible.
Is Wi‑Fi easy to find in Cambodia?
Yes. Free Wi‑Fi is standard in most hotels, cafés and many tuk‑tuks in towns. Rural guesthouses may have slower or no Wi‑Fi, so keep a data plan as backup.
Can I buy a SIM card at the airport?
Yes. Smart, Cellcard and Metfone have kiosks at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports. You need your passport for registration; a 7‑day data pack costs about $5.
Which mobile network has the best coverage in Cambodia?
Smart and Cellcard have the widest 4G coverage in towns. Metfone is also reliable. All three are patchy in remote provinces like the Cardamom Mountains.
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Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialCambodia Tourism Authority
Ask about Cambodia
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