City, Cambodia
Battambang
Cambodia's calm second city for culture: colonial buildings, a youthful art scene, countryside tours and the bamboo train. Cheap and relaxed; limited nightlife and tourist services and few ways to arrive other than by road.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$800–1,300Comfortable, one person · $800–1,300Details
- Value for money73/100Better value than 72% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–FebWarmest: Mar, 36°CDetails
- Air quality35 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Very pollutedDetails
- Internet55 MbpsFixed broadband, Cambodia medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; many cafés and guesthouses have refill stations.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$15–50Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTuk-tukWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashDollars everywhere; cards in a few hotels and restaurants, cash for tuk-tuks, markets and small cafés.Details
Where to stay in Battambang
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old Town (Psar Nath area) | Colonial buildings, cafés, galleries, guesthouses |
| Riverside (Sangkae River) | Calm evening walks and boutique stays |
| Sangkat Svay Por | Cheaper local stays and eateries |
Apps that work in Battambang
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Telegram
- Bakong Tourists: Pay KHQR codes with a foreign card
- Taxis: No ride apps. Tuk-tuk drivers wait in the Old Town; agree the fare first. Guesthouses arrange day trips.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Cambodia.
- Mixed: cards and cash Dollars everywhere; cards in a few hotels and restaurants, cash for tuk-tuks, markets and small cafés. ATMs in town.
- Currency: Riels (KHR). US$1 ≈ ៛4,053.39 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs dispense US dollars and usually charge foreign cards about $4–6 per withdrawal.
- Tipping: Not expected but appreciated: round up, $1–2 for tuk-tuk drivers and hotel staff, more for guides.
- Paying by phone: KHQR codes are everywhere; the Bakong Tourists app lets visitors pay them with a foreign card.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Flying in: submit the free Cambodia e-Arrival card at arrival.gov.kh within 7 days before arrival.
- Tourist e-Visa (30 days) at evisa.gov.kh at least 4 days ahead; visa on arrival also exists, paid in US dollars.
- Land crossings with Thailand have been suspended since the 2025 border fighting; Vietnam and Laos crossings work.
Emergency numbers
Police 117 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 118
Plugs
Type A, C, G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Airport kiosks and phone shops sell tourist packs with large data allowances for about $5–15; passport required. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Cambodia
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.