We have made a list of everything that is easily forgotten before leaving for Cambodia — as well as things that may seem trivial but can ruin the first days of a trip (a power adapter, an eSIM, covering clothing for temples). Check everything off before you close your suitcase.

How to use this checklist

The items in red are absolutely essential — without them, you risk being unable to enter Cambodia or facing an emergency without resources. The others are highly recommended for a comfortable and peaceful trip.

Documents & Administration

  • Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining after your entry date to Cambodia ESSENTIAL
  • Confirmed Cambodia visa — e-visa on evisa.gov.kh ($30 / 30 days) or visa on arrival ($35 cash, available at PNH, SAI, KOS) ESSENTIAL
  • Completed E-Arrival Card — mandatory since July 2024 for all arrivals by air, free on arrival.gov.kh, to be done within 7 days before the flight ESSENTIAL
  • Printed or offline accessible flight tickets on your phone
  • Confirmed hotel reservations for the first nights (sometimes requested at immigration)
  • Travel insurance with medical repatriation — assistance number noted in your phone ESSENTIAL
  • Digital copy of all your documents in the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox) — accessible even if you lose your phone
  • Paper photocopy of your passport — to be kept in a different bag

Health & Hygiene

  • Up-to-date vaccinations — consult your doctor or an international vaccination center (CVI): Hepatitis A, Typhoid, DTP minimum
  • Prescriptions for your chronic medications + sufficient quantity of medications for the entire stay +1 week
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+ — cheaper and easier to find than in Cambodia
  • Insect repellent DEET 30-50% or IR3535 — effective against dengue and malaria
  • Small travel pharmacy: Smecta (diarrhea), paracetamol, antiseptic, antihistamine, band-aids, rehydration salts
  • Light travel mosquito net if you plan to stay in basic guesthouses or rural areas

Money & Finances

  • Cash in US dollars — $200 to $300 for the first few days (before finding an ATM) ESSENTIAL
  • International bank card Visa or Mastercard — for hotels and emergencies
  • Revolut or Wise activated and funded before departure — avoids currency exchange fees on ATM withdrawals
  • Clean and undamaged bills — crumpled or pre-2009 bills may be refused
  • Multiple places to distribute your cash (wallet, bag, hotel safe)

Communication & Connectivity

  • Airalo eSIM set up before departure — activate it upon landing to have internet immediately without searching for a SIM shop (see our eSIM guide)
  • Emergency numbers noted offline: French embassy in Phnom Penh (+855 23 430 020), your travel insurance, a local contact if you have one
  • PassApp app downloaded — order tuk-tuks and taxis in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
  • Google Maps with Cambodia areas downloaded offline
  • VPN installed if needed — some services may be restricted depending on local networks
  • Power bank — charged before departure
Recommended Partner — Connectivity
Airalo — eSIM Cambodia without commitment

Set up your Cambodia eSIM from France before you leave. Starting at €5 for 1GB, activatable in seconds upon landing. Compatible with recent iPhone and Android devices.

See our eSIM guide →

Equipment & Luggage

  • Power adapter — type A (flat US plugs) or universal DON'T FORGET
  • Light and breathable clothing — cotton and linen for the tropical heat
  • Covering clothing for temples — shoulders and knees must be covered to enter pagodas and Angkor Wat (sarong available on site, but better to have your own)
  • 1 light jacket or thin sweater — for restaurants, buses, and air-conditioned planes
  • Comfortable walking shoes (sandals for the beach, closed shoes for temples and hikes)
  • Hat or cap — essential under the tropical sun
  • Sunglasses
  • Small padlock for dormitory lockers or guesthouses
  • Light backpack for day trips

Logistics & Organization

  • Transport from the airport booked — especially for Siem Reap SAI (about 50 km from the center, opened in October 2023): taxi or shuttle to be booked in advance
  • Cancellation insurance if your flight exceeds $500 — coverage in case of trip cancellation
  • General itinerary shared with a close person remaining in France (emergency message)
  • Round-trip ticket or proof of onward travel — sometimes requested at Cambodian immigration
  • Plan B for the visa if your e-visa has a problem — visa on arrival is available at the 3 main airports
The 5 essentials to never forget
  1. Valid passport 6 months after the entry date
  2. Cambodia visa (e-visa on evisa.gov.kh or visa on arrival)
  3. E-Arrival Card completed on arrival.gov.kh (mandatory since July 2024)
  4. Travel insurance with medical repatriation
  5. $200-$300 in cash for the first few days

To go further

Each point of this checklist deserves its own guide. Here are our detailed articles to prepare each aspect of your trip:

Associated Guides