Quick answer
Before flying to Cambodia, check the current entry rules for your nationality on official government sites, install your eSIM on Wi-Fi, and download Grab or PassApp and offline maps. Then, when you land, you only need to switch the eSIM on and turn on Data Roaming for it.
Do I need a visa for Cambodia?
It depends on your nationality, and the rules can change. Cambodia offers an official e-visa for many nationalities at evisa.gov.kh. Check current entry requirements on official government sites before you book, and be careful with look-alike sites that charge extra fees.
What should I do with the eSIM before the flight?
Plan days start when you install, so the timing matters. Installing the day before you fly counts that day as part of the plan; installing on airport Wi-Fi when you arrive does not.
- 1Check the phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked.
- 2Buy the plan and wait for the QR email. The QR also stays on your order page.
- 3Install it on Wi-Fi the day before you fly, or on airport Wi-Fi when you land, and label it Cambodia.
- 4Keep Data Roaming off on your home SIM.
- 5After landing, turn on Data Roaming for the Cambodia line and choose it for mobile data.
Which apps are useful in Cambodia?
- Grab and PassApp for rides in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
- Google Maps, with offline maps downloaded for places you will visit.
- Telegram and WhatsApp, which many hotels, guides, and drivers use for messaging.
- Your airline app, for domestic flights and boarding passes.
What else should I sort out before I go?
- Carry some small US dollar notes. Dollars are widely used alongside the riel.
- If you are visiting Angkor, plan to buy your temple pass through the official channels.
- Save your hotel address and booking codes as screenshots, in case you land without signal.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for a Cambodia e-visa?
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On the official site, evisa.gov.kh, if your nationality is eligible. Check the current rules on official government sites before you travel.
Should I install the eSIM before or after the flight?
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Either works. Installing at home the day before is easiest, because you can scan the QR from another screen, but it uses one day of the plan. Installing on airport Wi-Fi when you land saves that day.
How long is the QR code valid?
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30 days. It scans once, so install it on the phone you will travel with and do not delete the eSIM afterwards.
Related guides
Does my phone support eSIM? Cambodia eSIM compatibility check
A 30-second check before you buy.
How to install a Cambodia eSIM on iPhone
Scan the QR, label the line, and turn on Data Roaming.
How to install a Cambodia eSIM on Android (Samsung, Pixel)
Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel steps, from the same QR.
Techo International Airport (KTI) eSIM guide
Phnom Penh’s new international airport, south of the city.