Monnaie au Cambodge : Riel, mais pourquoi le dollar américain?

Visiting Cambodia is an amazing experience, whether you’re coming for Angkor Wat, island beaches, or local culture. But before you dive into your trip, you’ll want to understand how money works here. The currency in Cambodia is a little unusual, the country officially uses the Cambodian Riel (KHR), but the US Dollar is also widely accepted. Here’s a clear, practical guide to handling money in Cambodia.

Les tours à Siem Reap Angkor et au Cambodge sont généralement payés en dollars ou même en euros.

Comprendre la monnaie cambodgienne : le Riel et le dollar américain

Riel : la monnaie officielle

Les Cambodian Riel (KHR) is the country’s official currency. At the time of writing, 1 USD = around 4,100 KHR. While the Riel is mostly used for small, everyday transactions, you’ll quickly notice that US dollars dominate the economy.

You can check the daily exchange rate on the National Bank of Cambodia website, but the rate rarely changes significantly.

Dollar américain : largement accepté

In practice, Cambodia runs on a dual-currency system. Almost everything — hotels, tours, visas, and dining — is priced in USD. When you pay in dollars, you’ll usually receive change under $10 in Riel.

💡 Traveler tip: Keep in mind that US dollar bills must be in good condition — torn or damaged notes may be refused.

Changer de l'argent au Cambodge

Bring USD, not Riel. You cannot get Riel outside Cambodia, and it cannot be exchanged back in your home country.
Avoid airport exchanges. Rates at the airport are much worse than in town.
Where to exchange. Exchange shops are easy to find, especially in markets. They display currency in glass cabinets at the entrance and generally offer better rates than banks or airports.
Euro to Dollar. If you’re traveling with euros, you’ll usually get a better rate changing them in Cambodia than in Europe.

J'ai souvent échangé des euros contre des dollars ou vice versa lorsque je suis sur le point de rentrer là-bas, et les taux de change ont été plus favorables que si j'avais échangé des dollars contre des euros en Europe.

Fini les petites coupures en dollars américains, pourquoi ?

To reduce reliance on the dollar, the government began phasing out $1 and $5 bills. Don’t worry — they’re still accepted, but for payments under $10 you’ll typically receive change in Riel.

Alerte : Attention aux Dollars Endommagés –Changement !

Dollars Américains Teints ou Endommagés – Bonne Nouvelle à Siem Reap

For years, damaged or marked US dollar bills were a nightmare in Cambodia. Banks and businesses often refused them, and penalties were charged for deposits. Recently, however, new rules in Siem Reap require banks to accept slightly marked or tinted notes.

That said, it’s still wise to:

Use Riel if in doubt — it’s always accepted.
Refuse badly torn or taped notes.
Ask for a clean note when receiving change.

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Pourquoi les dollars endommagés posaient problème

Auparavant, les banques refusaient les billets en dollars américains endommagés, imposant des pénalités allant de 5 à 10 dollars. Cela poussait les commerçants à refuser ces billets pour éviter des pertes importantes. Grâce à la nouvelle loi en vigueur à Siem Reap, ce problème devrait être atténué, rendant les transactions plus fluides pour tout le monde.

Distributeurs automatique au Cambodge

Availability: Easy to find in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. Scarcer in small towns, and almost nonexistent on islands.
Fees: Most ATMs charge $3–6 per withdrawal.
Currency dispensed: Withdrawals are in USD.

💡 Traveler tip: Carry cash before heading to remote areas or islands.

Conseils avec votre argent au Cambodge

Carry a mix of USD and Riel.
Use Riel for purchases under $10 — it’s often cheaper.
Don’t exchange USD into Riel directly; you’ll naturally receive Riel as change.
Stick to $10 and $20 bills for everyday use.
Avoid torn or damaged dollars. If you have them, exchange them once you return home.

Lisez notre article sur: Sécurité : Le Cambodge est-il sûr ?

Nouveau mode de paiement

Digital payments are slowly becoming more common, especially in cities:

Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, ABA Pay are increasingly accepted in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Many restaurants, hotels, and shops now accept credit cards or mobile payments.
In rural areas and small businesses, cash is still king.

Chez Adventures Cambodge, we make it easy — you can pay online for your Angkor Wat tours or directly on-site by card and even Sombai accept Apple Pay.

FAQ sur la monnaie au Cambodge

What is the official currency of Cambodia?
- Les Cambodian Riel (KHR).
Do I need US dollars in Cambodia?
- Yes. Most transactions are in USD, with small change in Riel.
Can I get Riel before I travel?
- No, you can only exchange for Riel inside Cambodia.
What about damaged dollar bills?
- Slightly marked notes are now more accepted, but avoid torn bills.
How much cash should I carry?
- Enough for daily expenses, especially if heading to islands or rural areas without ATMs.