Cambodian Riel (KHR) Calculator

Cambodia's Dual Currency System

Cambodia operates one of the most unusual currency systems in the world: a de facto dual currency economy where the US dollar and the Cambodian riel circulate side by side in daily transactions. Prices in hotels, restaurants, shops, and even street markets are commonly quoted in dollars, and the dollar is accepted everywhere from Phnom Penh boutiques to rural village stalls. The riel serves primarily as small change for amounts under one dollar and for transactions in more remote areas where dollar coins and small bills are scarce.

The National Bank of Cambodia manages the riel and maintains a relatively stable exchange rate of approximately 4,100 KHR per USD. The bank does not formally peg the riel but intervenes to keep the rate within a narrow band. The stability of this arrangement is supported by the widespread use of dollars, which effectively anchors the riel to the greenback without a formal commitment.

Why Dollars Dominate

Cambodia's dollarization traces back to the 1990s, when the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) brought large volumes of US dollars into the country during the peacekeeping and reconstruction period. The dollar provided stability that the riel, associated with decades of conflict and economic disruption, could not offer. Over time, the banking system, real estate market, and commercial sector built themselves around dollar-denominated transactions, and the pattern became self-reinforcing.

The Cambodian government has expressed interest in increasing riel usage, and government salaries and taxes are increasingly denominated in riel. However, the dollar remains deeply embedded in the economy, and any significant shift would take years or decades.

Angkor Wat and Beyond

Angkor Wat and the surrounding temple complex near Siem Reap are Cambodia's primary tourist draw and one of the most visited archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The Angkor pass costs $37 for one day, $62 for three days, or $72 for seven days, all priced in US dollars. Hotels in Siem Reap range from $15 to $150 per night depending on the level of luxury. A meal at a restaurant on Pub Street runs $3 to $8. A tuk-tuk for a full day of temple touring costs $15 to $25.

Phnom Penh, the capital, offers a different experience with its riverside promenade, Royal Palace, and the sobering Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields. The southern coast, particularly Kampot and Koh Rong, has developed a beach and backpacker scene. Prices throughout Cambodia are low by any international standard, and the dollar pricing means American visitors can budget without any currency conversion mental math.

When change is given in riel, the standard rate used is 4,000 KHR per dollar. So if you pay for a $2.50 item with a $5 bill, you may receive $2 and 2,000 KHR in change. This mixed-currency change is normal and expected across the country.

USD/KHR Conversion

USD/KHR = 4,100 means one US dollar buys 4,100 Cambodian riels. Converting $100 gives you 410,000 KHR. Converting 100,000 KHR to dollars gives you roughly $24.39.

Bring clean, unmarked US dollar bills to Cambodia. Torn, marked, or older-series bills may be rejected or accepted at a discount. ATMs dispense US dollars in most tourist areas and larger cities. ABA Bank and ACLEDA Bank ATMs are the most reliable for international card withdrawals. Credit card acceptance is limited to hotels, upscale restaurants, and a few shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Cash is king for nearly everything else.

Siem Reap Beyond the Temples

While Angkor Wat rightfully dominates most itineraries, Siem Reap has developed a personality of its own. The Phare Cambodian Circus, a social enterprise that trains young Cambodians in performing arts, puts on nightly shows that blend acrobatics, theater, and traditional music for $18 to $38 per ticket. The floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake offer boat tours for $20 to $30 that reveal a community living entirely on water, with floating schools, markets, and even basketball courts on pontoons. Cooking classes teaching traditional Cambodian dishes like amok, lok lak, and num banh chok run $15 to $25 per person including a market tour. Pub Street's $0.50 draft beers and $2 cocktails anchor a nightlife scene that draws backpackers from across Southeast Asia. The combination of world-heritage temples, affordable luxury, and a vibrant local scene makes Siem Reap a destination that routinely exceeds expectations.

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