Cambodia Tourist SIM Card Price in 2025 - How $5 Gets You 30GB (And Why Most Travelers Overpay)

The $5 Secret That Phone Companies Don't Want You To Know!

Cambodia tourist sim card price starts at just $5 for 30GB of data, making it one of the world’s cheapest mobile connectivity options for travelers. Local SIMs cost 60-80% less than international roaming, with Smart Axiata’s Traveller SIM offering 30GB for $5, while Cellcard and Metfone provide up to 100GB for $10.

The Cambodia sim card price varies by provider, but tourists can expect to pay $0.10-$0.17 per GB compared to $1.80-$2.60 per GB for eSIMs. Airport kiosks at Siem Reap and Phnom Penh offer immediate activation with passport registration required.

What You’ll Actually Pay for a Tourist SIM in Cambodia

Here’s the breakthrough news most travelers miss: Cambodia tourist sim card price is ridiculously affordable compared to global standards. You’re looking at $5-$10 for massive data packages that would cost $50-$100 in Europe or North America.

Key Benefits Covered:

Local SIMs cost $0.10-$0.17 per GB vs $1.80-$2.60 for eSIMs
Airport availability with 24/7 kiosks (Metfone) and daytime options (Smart/Cellcard)
No international roaming fees saving you $40-$80 per week
Includes voice calls and SMS for local coordination
Instant activation with passport registration

Top 5 Benefits of Buying Local SIMs in Cambodia

Massive cost savings – Pay $5 for 30GB instead of $50+ for international roaming
Superior network coverage – Access to Cambodia’s extensive 4G/LTE infrastructure
Local phone number – Essential for booking tours, restaurants, and emergency calls
Voice and SMS included – Most tourist packages include generous calling allowances
Immediate activation – Airport kiosks provide instant setup with passport verification

Cambodia Tourist Sim Card Price Comparison Table (2025)

Provider	Plan Cost (USD)	Data (GB)	Validity	Voice & SMS	Cost per GB
Smart Axiata	$5	30	15 days	300 on-net mins + 30 intl mins + 300 SMS	$0.167
Cellcard Serey+	$6	60	30 days	2,500 on-net mins/SMS	$0.10
Cellcard Premium	$10	100	30 days	5,000 on-net mins/SMS	$0.10
Metfone Tourist	$6	60	30 days	100 on-net mins/SMS	$0.10
Airalo eSIM	$13	5	30 days	Data only	$2.60
Nomad eSIM	$36	20	45 days	Data only	$1.80

1. Smart Axiata: The Airport Champion

Smart Axiata dominates the tourist market with their Traveller SIM package. At $5 for 30GB over 15 days, it’s the most balanced option for short-term visitors.

What makes Smart special?

Available at all major airport kiosks
Includes 300 on-net minutes and 30 international minutes
Leading network experience according to Opensignal’s 2025 report
Perfect for visitors exploring Angkor Wat and central Siem Reap

I’ve personally used Smart’s network during my Private Angkor Wat Sunset Tour experiences, and the coverage at Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and Phnom Bakheng Hill is consistently reliable. The 4G speeds handle live streaming monk blessings and sunset timelapses without buffering.

2. Cellcard: The Data Powerhouse

If you’re a heavy data user, Cellcard’s Serey+ plans offer incredible value. The Cambodia sim card price for Cellcard’s 100GB package at $10 works out to just $0.10 per GB.

Cellcard’s advantages:

Up to 100GB for $10 (incredible value)
Strong urban coverage in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
eSIM options available through their mobile app
Easy airport registration process

For data-hungry travelers visiting remote temples on our Koh Ker and Beng Mealea guided tour, Cellcard’s large data allowances ensure you can backup photos from Prasat Thom and Prasat Neag Kmao without worrying about usage limits.

Koh Ker and Beng Mealea guided tour [breathtaking natural scenery]

Value pick

Cellcard Serey+ 60–100 GB (US$6–$10) or Metfone 60 GB (US$6) for near‑$0.10/GB economics; buy in town or airport, register passport; strong rural suitability reported for Metfone.

3. Metfone: The Rural Coverage King

Metfone, backed by Vietnam’s Viettel, excels in rural areas where other networks might struggle. Their Cambodia tourist sim card price matches Cellcard at $6 for 60GB.

Why choose Metfone:

Superior coverage on routes to Beng Mealea and Koh Ker
24/7 airport kiosk availability at Siem Reap International
Competitive data pricing
Strong signal strength in remote temple complexes

Private Angkor Wat Sunset Tour | Guided Full-Day Temple Tour [with Phnom Bakheng sunset]

eSIM Options: Convenient but Costly

While eSIMs offer instant activation convenience, the Cambodia tourist sim card price comparison shows they’re significantly more expensive:

Popular eSIM Providers:

Airalo: $4.50-$32 for 1-20GB (7-30 days)
Nomad: $6-$36 for 1-20GB (7-45 days)
Holafly: ~€5.90/day for unlimited data

When eSIMs make sense:

Your phone doesn’t support physical SIM swapping
You need immediate connectivity before landing
You’re only staying 2-3 days with light data needs

1 Day Angkor Wat to Siem Reap Floating Village

Network Quality Rankings (2025 Data)

According to Opensignal’s February 2025 Cambodia Mobile Network Experience report:

Smart Axiata – Leading overall user experience and consistency
Cellcard – Strong urban performance, expanding rural coverage
Metfone – Best rural reach, reliable in remote areas

Regulatory Requirements: What You Need to Know

SIM Registration (Mandatory)

Passport verification required for all purchases
Airport kiosks handle registration process
Up to 5 SIMs allowed per foreign passport

IMEI Device Registration

Tourist exemption for stays ≤60 days
Your phone automatically goes on “conditional authorized list”
No action required from travelers

Cambodia Sim Card Price Trends (2025-2027)

Year	Average Cost per GB	Projected Change
2025	$0.10-$0.17	Baseline
2026	$0.095-$0.159	-5% decrease
2027	$0.090-$0.151	-10% from 2025

Market factors driving prices:

Intense competition between three major operators
Cambodia ranked 5th globally for cheapest mobile data
Rising data caps at stable price points
Continued tourist market growth

Continued SIM KYC enforcement and the ≤60‑day IMEI exemption for tourists likely persist; still, travelers should be prepared to show passports at purchase.

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

Things to Consider Before Buying

Budget Considerations:

Light users (maps/messaging): 5-10GB sufficient for one week
Content creators (photos/videos): 30-60GB recommended
Family hotspotting: 60-100GB monthly packages optimal

Coverage Requirements:

Urban Siem Reap/Phnom Penh: All operators perform well
Remote temple routes: Metfone often preferred for reach
Dual-SIM phones: Consider local SIM + eSIM backup for redundancy

Duration Factors:

Short stays (3-5 days): Smart’s 15-day validity works well
Extended visits (2-4 weeks): Cellcard/Metfone 30-day packages
Multi-country travel: eSIM might offer regional convenience

Alternative Options: Beyond Traditional SIMs

Multi-Country eSIM Packages

Airalo Regional Asia: Covers Cambodia + neighbors
Nomad Asia Pass: Flexible data sharing across countries
Good for: Multi-destination itineraries

Pocket WiFi Rentals

Cost: $8-15 per day
Benefit: Share with multiple devices
Drawback: Battery management and carrying extra device

Private Angkor Wat Sunrise tour – Private Sunrise Guided Tour [Go to Angkor Wat early and avoid the crowds]

Conclusion: Your Next Steps for Cambodia Connectivity

The Cambodia tourist sim card price landscape in 2025 offers remarkable value that most travelers completely underestimate. At $5-$10 for massive data packages, you’re getting connectivity that costs 10x more through international roaming plans.

Key Takeaways: 💰 Local SIMs deliver 60-80% savings vs international roaming
📱 Smart Axiata offers best airport availability and user experience
🏛️ Cellcard provides maximum data value for temple photography enthusiasts
🗺️ Metfone excels for remote temple routes like Koh Ker and Beng Mealea
⚡ eSIMs cost more but offer instant activation convenience

Your Implementation Roadmap:

Check phone compatibility before departure
Choose provider based on your usage patterns and destinations
Buy at airport arrival for immediate activation
Register with passport at kiosk (takes 2-3 minutes)
Test connectivity before leaving airport area

Future Outlook: Expect even better value through 2027, with data allowances increasing while prices remain stable. Cambodia’s position as having the world’s 5th cheapest mobile data means tourist packages will continue offering exceptional value.

The bottom line? That $5 Smart SIM or $10 Cellcard package isn’t just a good deal—it’s genuinely transformative for your travel experience. Whether you’re live-streaming sunset from Phnom Bakheng or navigating jungle roads to hidden temples, reliable connectivity enhances every aspect of your Cambodian adventure.

Planning your temple tours with guaranteed connectivity? Connect with our local experts who can recommend the perfect SIM solution for your specific itinerary needs.

For media inquiries about Cambodia travel connectivity, visit our press resources.

Useful Resources

Essential Cambodia Travel Planning:

Angkor Enterprise Official Ticketing – Official temple pass information and pricing
Cambodia Telecommunications Regulator – Latest mobile network statistics and regulations
OpenSignal Cambodia Reports – Current network performance data
Smart Axiata Tourist Plans – Official pricing and coverage maps
My Siem Reap Tours – Expert local guidance for temple visits and connectivity planning

These resources provide official pricing, coverage maps, and regulatory updates to ensure you have the most current information for your Cambodia travel planning.