SIM Cards in Cambodia: How & Where to Purchase Them — And Best Alternatives in 2024

Regardless of whether you're visiting Cambodia to marvel at the enormity of the Angkor Wat complex or feast on some delicious coconut fish curry, you'll probably be wondering how to connect your smartphone to the internet as soon as possible after you arrive.

That's where getting a local SIM card comes into the picture. Fortunately for you, in most cases, finding and purchasing a Cambodian SIM card should be a breeze, and in this short guide, we show you the two major ways in which you can get the job done affordably and effortlessly!

How To Get a SIM Card in Cambodia

If you're planning your trip to Cambodia, it shouldn't be a surprise to learn that you won't be able to call, text, or access the web on the go with your smartphone as you usually would at home. And if you do manage to get connected via roaming, it can result in hefty additional charges. That's where SIM cards come into the picture. By getting yourself a local Cambodian SIM card (or, as we'll see, a digital eSIM), you'll be able to connect to the internet via mobile data while on the move and, depending on the bundle you choose, even send SMSes or make local phone calls.

To get a SIM card in Cambodia, you basically have two options:

Option 1: Local Physical SIM Cards

Buying a local SIM card in Cambodia works in much the same way as buying a SIM card does in your home country: you purchase a small microchip with a fixed prepaid amount of data loaded onto it for a once-off fee. (Especially as a tourist visiting the country for a shorter period, you probably won't need a recurring monthly contract or a more advanced bundle with additional minutes or text, but the option is normally available too, if you like.) You then insert this chip into your smartphone — and away you go!

These physical SIM card microchips come in three main sizes:

• Standard SIM: 25x15mm (about the size of a standard postage stamp)
• Micro SIM: 15x12mm (a bit smaller than a dime)
• Nano SIM: 12.3x8.8mm (about the size of a peanut)

The image below illustrates the differences in size, with the three smaller SIM cards on the right side representing standard, micro, and nano SIMs respectively, and the larger SIM card on the left (known as 1FF) no longer being used these days:

Eu Sou Wikipedista (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Most SIM card retailers offer only nano SIMs these days, including in Cambodia. But if the retailer you visit doesn't offer nano SIMs (or in case the SIM cards sold don't fit into your phone), you can ask for a SIM card adapter, which is normally very cheap and available in most cell phone shops or kiosks.

If you run out of data, you can normally recharge your SIM with ease, too. To do this, visit your network provider's website or go to the counter of pretty much any cell phone shop, convenience store, kiosk, or tourist information in Cambodia and ask about data recharge. Many Cambodian retailers countrywide offer data packages for major networks like Smart, Metfone, and Cellcard, making it a quick and accessible option.

If you don't plan on using your Cambodian SIM for a future vacation after you arrive home, make sure you cut your SIM card chip in two with a sturdy pair of scissors to prevent fraudsters from pulling any personal data from your card, and, if possible, recycle it with other electronic waste.

Option 2: eSIM Cards

A digital alternative to physical SIM cards, eSIMs are regular SIM cards that don't require inserting an actual microchip into your device while providing the exact same benefits. Newer smartphones (but also smartwatches, tablets, and other devices) can be equipped with eSIMs, and since you don't need a physical microchip to install an eSIM, you can also get one before you even take off on your trip to Cambodia. To do this, you just need to visit an online eSIM service, purchase the eSIM you want, and follow the instructions to download and install it onto your device.

Like regular SIM cards, prepaid eSIMs come bundled with a certain fixed amount of data (or, more rarely, SMSes or telephone minutes) which you can use at your leisure while traveling in Cambodia. You get to choose the package you want, and you can generally also extend your eSIM's validity easily right from an app.

In general, eSIMs cost about the same as physical Cambodian SIMs or are slightly more expensive per gigabyte, but in our opinion, their accessibility and eco-friendliness make them the better option for most travelers. We delve into why a bit later in this article.

Network Providers in Cambodia

Whether you use a physical SIM or eSIM, it's good to keep in mind that Cambodian telecommunications are dominated by a handful of network operators. These networks provide the infrastructure that allows you to use mobile data on the go. In Cambodia, the biggest players are listed below, so be on the lookout for their names on storefronts (if you're looking for a physical SIM card) or on the top right-hand corner of your smartphone (which shows you which network you're currently connected to):

• Smart Axiata
• Viettel
• Cellcard
• and others...

In general, network connectivity for mobile data in Cambodia is quite poor, meaning that unless you're in the general region of a town or city, you'll probably run into some unreliable connectivity or spotty signal here and there.

Where to Buy a SIM Card in Cambodian Cities

In general, it's very easy to buy a Cambodian SIM card. Normally, you can buy a SIM once you arrive at the airport, but you can typically also do so at shops, convenience stores, and kiosks in city centres, malls, or business or market districts. (Don't forget that SIM cards aren't only sold in brick-and-mortar outlets and sometimes in pop-up booths or temporary stalls, depending on where you are.)

In Cambodia, you'll easily find SIM card dealers in the following locations:

• Siem Reap International Airport,
• Phnom Penh International Airport,
• Official network stores countrywide,
• Shops and vendors in towns.

Digital eSIMs: A Better Option in Cambodia

As we saw earlier, eSIMs generally have numerous advantages and are often a better alternative to using a regular SIM card for most tourists. In our opinion, the most significant advantages include:

• internet immediately upon arrival in Cambodia,
• no negotiating with SIM card sellers at the airport,
• transparent and fair pricing,
• online extension is often possible,
• credit card payment is possible,
• local telecom provider networks are used.

However, there is one potential issue around compatibility. Not all devices support eSIMs. If your device was released before late 2019, we recommend double-checking on the internet or contacting a representative from an eSIM service to confirm whether your device is compatible before you purchase an eSIM. In general, the following devices will support eSIMs though:

Airalo is an excellent eSIM provider for Cambodia. Its online platform offers global access to eSIMs through collaboration with big local telecom providers. In Cambodia, for example, Airalo works directly with Smart, Metfone, and Cellcard to provide you with high-speed coverage directly from their networks, wherever you are in the country.

Once-off prices for eSIMs for Cambodia range from $4.50 to $13.50 and include between 1GB and 20GB of data. Most travellers should be able to get by with these amounts without any problems.

We recommend Airalo in general, and especially if you travel often, the service provides an excellent connectivity companion while you're abroad.