Are There Extra Fees for Using Foreign Cards at Cambodian ATMs?

Swipe the wrong card and lose up to $10 per withdrawal—here’s the one simple quick guide that saves you real cash every time!

Are there extra fees for using foreign cards at Cambodian ATMs? Yes, absolutely—most Cambodian banks charge between $4-8 USD per withdrawal, with some banks like Wing Bank hiding these fees until after your transaction.

BRED Bank offers the best deal at $4 per withdrawal with a $2,000 limit, while ABA Bank can charge up to $8. Smart travelers save 60-80% on fees by choosing the right banks and withdrawal strategies.

Are there extra fees for using foreign cards at Cambodian ATMs becomes a non-issue when you know which ATMs to target and avoid the tourist traps that cost you extra money.

I learned this the hard way during my first trip to Siem Reap. After three days of random ATM withdrawals, I’d racked up $24 in fees alone—money that could have funded an entire day of street food adventures. That’s when I realized most travelers have no idea about the massive differences between Cambodian banks and their foreign card charges in Cambodia.

Yes, All Cambodian ATMs Charge Foreign Card Fees

Every single ATM in Cambodia charges Cambodian ATM withdrawal fees ranging from $4 to $8 USD per transaction. Unlike many Western countries where you might find fee-free options, Cambodia’s banking system universally applies these charges to non-Cambodian card ATM fees.

The fees break down into two categories:

ATM operator fees: Charged by the Cambodian bank ($4-8)
Your bank’s fees: International transaction fees from your home bank (varies)

Top 3 Fee Facts You Need to Know:

• BRED Bank charges the lowest fees at $4 with $2,000 withdrawal limits

• Wing Bank often doesn’t disclose fees upfront—you’ll see the charge on your receipt

• Most banks cap withdrawals at $500, forcing multiple transactions and higher total costs

Complete ATM Fee Comparison: Every Major Bank

Bank	Fee	Max Withdrawal	Rating
BRED Bank $2,000 limit • Clear fees	$4	$2,000	★★★★★
ACLEDA Bank $500 limit • Clear fees	$4	$500	★★★★★
Vattanac Bank $500 limit • Clear fees	$4	$500	★★★★☆
ABA Bank $500 limit • Variable fees	$4-8	$500	★★★★☆
Canadia Bank $500 limit • Clear fees	$5	$500	★★★★☆
Maybank $500 limit • Sometimes hidden	$5	$500	★★★☆☆
Wing Bank $500 limit • Hidden fees ❌	$5	$500	★★★☆☆
Cathay United $500 limit • Clear fees	$6	$500	★★★☆☆

Source: Compiled from field research and banking data (2024)

The Real Cost Breakdown: What Every Tourist Actually Pays

Here’s where things get expensive fast. Most tourists don’t realize that ATM withdrawal limit Cambodia restrictions force multiple transactions. A typical week in Siem Reap requires $350-500 in cash for temples, food, and activities.

Weekly Cost Scenarios:

Budget Traveler ($300 weekly spending):

Single $300 BRED withdrawal: $4 total fees

Three $100 ABA withdrawals: $12-24 total fees

Difference: $8-20 extra for poor planning

Mid-Range Traveler ($500 weekly spending):

Single $500 BRED withdrawal: $4 total fees

Five $100 Wing withdrawals: $25 total fees

Difference: $21 extra—enough for a nice temple lunch

The math is brutal. Poor ATM choices can cost you $50-100 extra during a two-week Cambodia trip. That’s a full day’s budget for many travelers.

Are There Extra Fees for Using Foreign Cards at Cambodian ATMs? 5 Best ATM Banks for Foreign Cards in Cambodia

1. BRED Bank: The Clear Winner for Tourists

BRED Bank dominates the best ATM for tourists Cambodia category for good reason. Their $4 international ATM fee Cambodia combined with $2,000 withdrawal limits makes them unbeatable for cost-conscious travelers.

Why BRED Bank wins:

Lowest total fees per dollar withdrawn
Reduces transaction frequency by 4x compared to other banks
Clear fee disclosure before confirming withdrawals
Reliable USD dispensing in tourist areas

Pro tip: BRED ATMs are common in Siem Reap’s Pub Street area and near major hotels.

2. ACLEDA Bank: Most Reliable Network

While ACLEDA’s $500 limit isn’t ideal, their extensive network and consistent Cambodian bank ATM fee structure makes them a solid backup option. Their ATMs often dispense mixed denominations, giving you smaller bills alongside $100 notes.

ACLEDA advantages:

Largest ATM network in Cambodia
Consistent $4 fee structure
Mixed bill denominations available
English language interface standard

3. Canadia Bank: Good Middle Ground

Canadia Bank’s $5 ATM service charge Cambodia positions them as a reasonable middle option. They’re particularly useful in areas where BRED and ACLEDA aren’t available.

4. Banks to Avoid: ABA and Wing Bank

ABA Bank has become unpredictable, with some travelers reporting $8 fees instead of the advertised $4. Their inconsistent pricing makes budget planning difficult.

Wing Bank earns the “worst transparency” award. They often don’t display fees until after your transaction completes—a practice that feels deceptive to tourists managing tight budgets.

5. Fee Disclosure: What to Watch For

Always look for clear fee disclosure before confirming any withdrawal. Legitimate banks display the ATM surcharge Cambodia amount prominently on the confirmation screen. If you don’t see fees listed, cancel the transaction and find a more transparent ATM.

Cambodian Currency vs US Dollars in Angkor and Siem Reap – What Tourists Need to Know in 2025

Smart Withdrawal Strategies That Save Money

Strategy 1: Maximum Single Withdrawals

The golden rule: withdraw the maximum amount possible to minimize per-transaction foreign transaction fee Cambodia costs. BRED Bank’s $2,000 limit means you could handle a two-week trip with just two withdrawals.

Strategy 2: Strategic Bank Selection

Create a mental hierarchy:

First choice: BRED Bank (if available)

Second choice: ACLEDA Bank

Third choice: Canadia Bank

Avoid: Wing Bank, unpredictable ABA locations

Strategy 3: Timing Your Withdrawals

Withdraw during banking hours (8 AM – 3 PM) when possible. If something goes wrong—card gets stuck, transaction fails—you’ll have immediate access to bank staff for help.

Are There Extra Fees for Using Foreign Cards at Cambodian ATMs in Siem Reap & Angkor?

Siem Reap’s tourist infrastructure creates unique ATM considerations. The area around Angkor Archaeological Park requires cash for entrance fees, temple donations, and vendor purchases.

ATM Locations for Temple Visits:

Best ATM spots before Angkor tours:

> Pub Street area: Multiple BRED and ACLEDA options

> Old Market: ACLEDA and Canadia readily available

> Major hotels: Usually ACLEDA or ABA machines

Cash requirements for temple visits:

> Angkor passes: $37 (1-day) to $72 (7-day)—USD only

> Temple donations: $2-5 per temple in small bills

> Vendor purchases: $5-15 daily for souvenirs and snacks

When booking our Private Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour or Private Angkor Wat Sunset Tour, we always advise clients to withdraw sufficient cash beforehand. Remote temples like Beng Mealea have limited ATM access, making pre-planning essential.

Beng Mealea Siem Reap – Angkor Wat with Banteay Srei and Beng Mealea Temple from Siem Reap

Avoiding ATM Fees in Cambodia: Digital Payment Alternatives

Cambodia’s digital payment landscape is evolving rapidly. The National Bank of Cambodia’s Bakong system and increasing QR code acceptance offer alternatives to traditional cash withdrawal fee Cambodia scenarios.

Modern Payment Options:

QR Code Payments: Growing acceptance at restaurants and hotels Credit Cards: Major establishments accept Visa and Mastercard
Mobile Banking: Bakong app integration increasing among local businesses

However, cash remains king for:

> Temple entrance fees and donations

> Street food and local markets

> Tuk-tuk transportation and tips

> Small vendor purchases

The reality? You’ll still need cash, but smart digital payment usage can reduce your total ATM withdrawal needs by 30-40%.

Key Takeaways:

• BRED Bank saves you the most money with $4 fees and $2,000 limits

• Wing Bank often hides fees—avoid their ATMs completely

• Strategic withdrawals reduce costs by 60-80% compared to random ATM usage

• Siem Reap temple visits require cash planning due to limited remote ATM access

• Digital payments are growing but cash remains essential for authentic experiences

The bottom line? Smart ATM strategy transforms from travel headache into simple money management. Plan your withdrawals, choose your banks wisely, and spend your savings on temple adventures instead of banking fees.

Ready to plan your Cambodia adventure without the ATM fee stress? Connect with our team for personalized travel advice, or check out our media coverage to see how we help thousands of travelers navigate Cambodia’s unique financial landscape each year.

Conclusion

Are there extra fees for using foreign cards at Cambodian ATMs? Absolutely, and they can seriously impact your travel budget if you’re not prepared. After years of guiding travelers through Cambodia’s financial landscape, I’ve seen too many tourists lose $50-100 to avoidable ATM fees during their temple adventures.

The solution is surprisingly simple: choose BRED Bank whenever possible, withdraw maximum amounts to reduce transaction frequency, and always verify fee disclosure before confirming withdrawals. These strategies can cut your ATM costs by 60-80%, leaving more money for the experiences that truly matter—like sunrise over Angkor Wat or discovering hidden temples with local monks.

Essential Cambodia ATM Resources:

Learn more about Cambodia’s currency system and make informed decisions for your temple adventures with these trusted resources from banking experts and experienced Cambodia travel guides.

Master your Cambodia travel finances with our complete guides—your wallet will thank you, and your temple experiences will be priceless.