Cambodia is cheap to stay connected in, and coverage along the main tourist route — Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Angkor, Kampot and Kep — is good. The main question is whether to install an eSIM before you fly or buy a local SIM at the airport, which is easy and inexpensive in Cambodia.
Short answer: a travel eSIM installed at home gets you online the moment you land, with no counter and no SIM swap. For a long stay, a local SIM is usually cheaper per gigabyte.
What a Cambodia eSIM costs
At the time of writing (October 2026), Wanderly's Cambodia plans start at $2.99 for 1GB, with 5GB for 30 days around $8. The median across data-only Cambodia plans is about $1.22 per GB, under the $1.43 median across 187 countries in the Wanderly eSIM Price Index.
The 5GB/30-day plan suits most one- to three-week trips.
eSIM vs a local SIM
- Travel eSIM: install at home, online on landing, keep your home SIM in the phone.
- Local SIM (Smart, Cellcard, Metfone): sold at the airports with your passport; very cheap data. Best for long stays.
Networks and coverage
Cambodia's main networks are Smart, Cellcard and Metfone. Travel eSIMs connect to a partner network automatically.
- Phnom Penh: strong 4G.
- Siem Reap and Angkor: good in town and at the main temples (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm). Further-out temples like Beng Mealea are patchier.
- Kampot and Kep: good in town.
- Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem: coverage around the main beaches; weaker on the far sides of the islands.
- Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri: coverage in towns; limited in the forests.
- Long-distance buses: usable most of the way, with gaps.
How much data you need
| Trip | Suggested data |
|---|---|
| Siem Reap, 3 days | 1–3 GB |
| One to two weeks | 5 GB |
| A month or remote work | 10 GB+ or a local SIM |
Grab and PassApp (tuk-tuk booking), maps and messaging are light. See how much data you need for travel.
Cambodia on a Southeast Asia trip
Crossing to Vietnam or Thailand by land? A Cambodia plan will not cover them. See the best eSIM for Vietnam, the best eSIM for Thailand and the best eSIM for Southeast Asia.
Setting it up
- 1Confirm your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked on our compatibility checker.
- 2Install the eSIM over WiFi before you fly — iPhone or Android steps.
- 3On landing, select the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for that line.
FAQ
Is there signal at Angkor Wat? Yes, at the main temples. Remote temples have weaker coverage.
How much does an eSIM for Cambodia cost? Wanderly Cambodia plans start at $2.99 for 1GB, with a median of about $1.22 per GB.
Is a local SIM cheaper in Cambodia? For long stays, usually yes. An eSIM saves the airport counter and keeps your home SIM in place.
Which networks work in Cambodia? Smart, Cellcard and Metfone are the main networks.
Does a Cambodia eSIM work in Vietnam? No, unless the plan lists Vietnam.