Ruth Haines
Phnom Penh International Airport, the largest international airport in Cambodia, offers a range of services and amenities for travellers, including the option to purchase a local SIM card. With several major providers available, such as Smart Axiata, Cellcard, and Metfone, tourists can conveniently acquire a SIM card upon arrival at the airport. This guide will provide an overview of the process and considerations for buying a SIM card at Phnom Penh Airport, ensuring travellers can stay connected during their visit to Cambodia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Availability | SIM cards can be purchased at Phnom Penh International Airport |
| Ease of purchase | SIM cards can be purchased as soon as travellers arrive in the country, with several major providers available |
| Providers | Smart Axiata, Cellcard, Metfone, Yes Seatel |
| Cost | Typically between $5 and $10, depending on the package and provider |
| Payment methods | Most SIM card retailers only accept cash, so it is recommended to have dollar cash or KHR on hand |
| Data plans | Range from short-term packages (e.g. 3–7 days) to longer-term options (up to 15–30 days), with data allowances from 21 GB to unlimited |
| Additional benefits | Some providers offer free calls or SMS, while others provide tourist-specific deals |
| Activation | It is recommended to validate and activate the SIM card before leaving the airport |
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What You'll Learn
SIM card providers at Phnom Penh airport
Yes, it is possible to purchase a SIM card at Phnom Penh International Airport, Cambodia's biggest international airport. The airport offers a range of services, including the option to buy a SIM card from several major providers. This is a convenient option for tourists who want to stay connected as soon as they arrive in the country.
There are a number of SIM card providers at Phnom Penh Airport, including Smart Axiata, Cellcard, and Metfone. These companies are established telecom providers in Cambodia and offer tourist-specific SIM card deals. Their kiosks can be found in the arrival area, near the exit gates, and their opening hours typically align with flight schedules.
In addition to the three major providers, Yes Seatel is also available at the airport. They offer Mobile Tourist Pass bundles with unlimited data for a few days, but with limited non-internet call allowances.
The cost of SIM cards at Phnom Penh Airport varies depending on the provider and the plan chosen. Prices for standard tourist SIM card packs start at $6, and plans can range from short-term data packages (e.g., 7 days) to longer-term options (up to 30 days). Some providers may offer free SIM cards with the purchase of a plan.
It is recommended to have cash on hand when purchasing a SIM card at the airport, as most retailers only accept cash. It is also a good idea to validate your SIM card before leaving the airport to ensure it is set up correctly and the data is activated.
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Where to find SIM card kiosks at the airport
When you arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport, you can easily purchase a SIM card at the Arrival Public Concourse. There will be a row of kiosks for all of Cambodia's mobile phone companies between the customs table and the exit of the arrivals area, on your right.
The major providers with kiosks at the airport include Smart Axiata, Cellcard, and Metfone. In February 2020, Yes Seatel was also present at the airport. These companies offer quick activation and a range of data plans tailored for travellers.
The staff at the mobile phone company kiosks speak basic English to assist with queries and help you set up your SIM card. It is recommended that you ask the vendor to set up the Cambodian SIM card on your phone and verify that the data is activated and working before you leave the airport.
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Cost of SIM cards at Phnom Penh airport
The cost of SIM cards at Phnom Penh airport depends on the mobile network operator and the plan chosen. The cost is also affected by the package's data volume, calling length, and validity period. SIM cards at the airport are competitively priced, but may have slightly higher costs for the convenience they provide.
In February 2020, four mobile phone companies offered SIM cards at Phnom Penh airport: Metfone, Smart, Yes Seatel, and Cellcard. Metfone offered deals such as $5 for 40GB of data for 7 days, $7 for 40GB of data for 14 days, and $12 for 100GB of data for 30 days. Smart offered a traveller SIM deal of $6 for 21GB of data for 7 days, but their standard offering was better value, with deals such as $3 for 25GB of data for 7 days. Yes Seatel offered unlimited data for $3 for 3 days, $5 for 5 days, and $10 for 10 days, but these deals only included a small allowance for non-internet calls. Cellcard's main tourist SIM card pack costs $6 and provides 5GB of data per day, plus $50 worth of calls for 7 days.
It is recommended that you validate your SIM card before leaving the shop, and ask the vendor to set up the SIM card and verify that the data is activated and working.
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Tourist-specific SIM card deals
Metfone
- $5 for 40 GB data for 7 days
- $7 for 40 GB data for 14 days
- $12 for 100 GB data for 30 days
Smart
- $6 for 21 GB data for 7 days (advertised Smart Traveller SIM airport deal)
- $3 for 25 GB for 7 days
- $5 for 35 GB across 15 days
- $10 for 60 GB across 30 days
Yes Seatel
- $3 for 3 days of unlimited data
- $5 for 5 days of unlimited data
- $10 for 10 days of unlimited data (including $2.5 of non-internet calls)
Cellcard
$6 for 5 GB data per day plus $50 worth of calls per day for 7 days
While the airport SIM cards are competitively priced, they may have slightly higher costs due to the convenience they offer. It is recommended to compare plans based on your data needs and the duration of your stay. Additionally, keep in mind that most SIM card retailers at the airport accept cash only, so it is advisable to have some US dollars or the local currency, KHR, on hand.
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Payment methods for SIM cards
SIM cards at Phnom Penh International Airport are competitively priced, ranging from $5 to $30 depending on the data needs and validity. Most SIM card retailers at the airport accept cash only, so it is advisable to have some dollar cash or KHR handy.
When buying a SIM card at Phnom Penh Airport, you can choose from several major providers, including Smart Axiata, Cellcard, and Metfone. These companies offer tourist-specific SIM card deals with data packages that are easy to activate. The cost of the SIM card may vary according to the mobile network operator and plan chosen, as well as the package's data volume, calling length, and validity period.
For example, Metfone offers SIM card deals such as $5 for 40 GB of data for 7 days, $7 for the same data for 14 days, and $12 for 100 GB data for 30 days. Smart Axiata offers a $6 SIM card deal for 21 GB of data for 7 days, but their standard offering is a better deal at $3 for 25 GB across 7 days, $5 for 35 GB across 15 days, or $10 for 60 GB across 30 days.
Cellcard's main tourist SIM card pack costs $6 and provides 5 GB of data per day plus $50 worth of calls per day for 7 days. If you're staying longer than a week, you'll need to top up with a data bundle ranging from $2 to $10.
Yes Seatel also has a presence at the airport, offering Mobile Tourist Pass bundles of $3 for 3 days of unlimited data, $5 for 5 days, and $10 for 10 days. However, these deals only include a limited amount of non-internet calls.
If you prefer a hassle-free experience, you can purchase an eSIM online before your arrival, which provides instant activation upon landing and eliminates the need to search for kiosks.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy a SIM card at Phnom Penh Airport.
You can find SIM card kiosks for major providers like Smart Axiata, Cellcard, and Metfone in the arrival area, specifically in the Arrival Public Concourse or the Arrival Hall near the exit gates.
SIM cards at Phnom Penh Airport are competitively priced, ranging from $5 to $30 depending on data needs and validity. The standard tourist SIM card pack starts from $6.
Buying a SIM card at the airport is convenient and provides instant connectivity upon arrival. It offers a hassle-free experience with easy activation and a variety of tourist-friendly plans. The process is straightforward, and you can compare different providers' offerings at the kiosks.
Most SIM card retailers at Phnom Penh Airport only accept cash, so ensure you have some dollar cash or KHR on hand. It is also recommended to validate your SIM card before leaving the airport by asking the vendor to set it up on your phone and verify that the data is activated.
