- Cambodia Special Tips & Tours -

SWISS TRAVELERS

The best time to visit Cambodia is between November and April, when it sees very little rain. During this time, you’ll see clear blue skies making it a great time to enjoy a relaxing getaway on the southern coast.

Outside of this period, humidity increases, and the rains come, assisting Cambodian farmers in the growing of their crops. However, you shouldn’t be deterred from travelling – the countryside is lush and green, rivers are full and flowing, and the temples are quiet. This is the best time to visit some of the outer-lying temples, which will often be deserted.

At the end of the summer one of Cambodia’s true wonders comes to life – The Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and home to Cambodia’s floating villages.

You can check the detailed guide to know exactly where and when to go in Cambodia throughout the year.

Swiss passport holders need to have valid visa to visit Cambodia. Those wishing to travel to the kingdom of wonders have 3 ways to do so: Visa on arrival, Visa online (e-Visa), or visa applied via a Cambodian embassy.

Visa on arrival

There are two different types of visas that you can get on arrival: 

• The single-entry Cambodia Tourist visa (T-class) costs US $30, is valid for 30 days and can be renewed once for a further 30 days without leaving the country.
• If you know you will be staying in Cambodia for longer than 60 days, do not get a tourist visa. A renewable Cambodia Business visa (E-class) is a better option. This single-entry visa costs US $35 and is again valid for 30 days, after which you can extend it for longer period up to a year.

Visa on arrival is available at 3 international airports in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Sihanoukville and various international border checkpoints with Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos. 

Check more information on Cambodia visa on arrival here

Visa online (e-Visa)

Since 2006, Swiss citizens may apply for an eVisa online for US$36 before arrival. It allows a single entry and a maximum stay of 30 days for tourism purposes.

The application can be done online via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dedicated platform: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/

There are 7 immigration checkpoints that e-visas are accepted including:

• 3 International airports:
  • Phnom Penh International Airport 
  • Siem Reap International Airport
  • Sihanouk International Airports
• 4 International land borders: 
  • Poipet/Aranya Prathet (Thailand)
  • Cham Yeam/Hat Lek (Thailand)
  • Bavet/Moc Bai (Vietnam)
  • Tropaeng Kreal/Stung Treng (Laos)

Note: E-visa holders can use all international border crossings to exit Cambodia, even the ones not mentioned in the list above

The e-visa cost US $30, plus a US $7 processing fee, and allow you to stay up to 30 days. The validity of the visa is 3 months starting from the date of issue. 

Check more information on Cambodia visa online here

Visa applied via a Cambodian embassy

If you prefer a physical contact, you can apply for Cambodian visa via the Cambodian embassy in Geneva. Detailed contact as below:

• Address: Chemin Taverney 3, Case postale 213, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Genève, Suisse
• Phone: (+44) 20 8451 7850
• Tél: (+41) 022 788 77 73
• Fax: (+41) 022 788 77 74
• E-mail : [email protected] // [email protected]
• Website : http://www.cambodiaembassy.ch
• Business Hours: from Monday to Friday (not including public holidays): 09:00am to 12:00pm & 14:00pm to 17:00pm
• Business Hours for Visa Section: from Monday to Friday (not including public holidays): 10:00am to 12:00pm & 14:00pm to 16:00pm

Moreover, you can also visit one of the Cambodian embassies along the way to Cambodia. For example, in case you visit Vietnam, you can spend time visiting Cambodian embassy in Hanoi to get your visa done before continuing your journey to the Kingdom of wonders.

Requirements

Whichever visa type you are going to apply, below is the standard requirements:

• 1 valid passport with at least 6-month validity on the date of arrival and having at least 2 blank pages.
• 2 recent passport-sized color photos (electronic copy in case you apply for e-Visa)
• Visa fee: $30/passport (30-day single entry visa)

There may be some extra requirements depending on the port you enter or the embassy you visit. In case you need further information, we are always available to help. CONTACT US

Here is our guide for Cambodia tourist visa policy

For the flight cost, check the information below in this article (Getting to Cambodia from Switzerland)

Our recommended spending for your journey in Cambodia is about $120-150/person/day (group of 2 people). Of course, you can either spend less at about $90-100/person/day (even $30-40/day - backpacker style) or you can spend much higher depending on the services you expect on spot.

Here is our detailed guide for Budget & Currency for travelling in Cambodia

You can find the flight to Cambodia from Switzerland at some popular airport in Zurich or Geneva.

Taking flight to Cambodia will land you at one the of 2 main international airports in Phnom Penh, the capital city, and Siem Reap, the ancient capital famous for its Angkor temples. 

This will depend on your travel plan in Cambodia and the flight route that you choose to have the best price.

Whatever the plan you have, as there are no direct flights from Switzerland to Cambodia, you need to make at least one stop somewhere before getting to Cambodia. We recommend choosing the transit via Bangkok as you can find fruitful connections for your onward flight to the Kingdom of wonders.

Flight FAQs

Q. When is the best time to book flights to Cambodia?

Aim to have your flight tickets secured at least four months in advance to give yourself a chance of finding the cheapest flights to Cambodia. If you can then book them even further ahead, especially if your dates coincide with a major event or the peak season. Once you’ve narrowed down your destination by choosing a city, usually either Phnom-Penh or Siem Reap, you’ll be able to figure out what dates offer the cheapest flights to Cambodia and go from there. Flexibility is the key to securing discounted flight tickets so if you’re not governed by a particular set of weeks or to a specific location then you’ll give yourself the best chances of finding the cheapest flights to Cambodia. Don’t worry too much about which side of the plane to sit on as each has their benefits and offer equally impressive view through your flight.

Q. How long is the flight to Cambodia?

The duration for the direct flight from Switzerland to Cambodia is about 11 hours 31 minutes covering the distance of about 5,880 miles / 9,463 km
However, as there are no direct flights from Switzerland to Cambodia, you need to add up 4-5 hours or more depending on the route you choose and the number of stops you make along the way.

Q. Which airlines fly from Zurich Airport to Siem Reap Airport?

Thai Airways International, Thai Smile, Cathay Pacific and eight other airlines offer flights from Zurich Airport to Siem Reap Airport.

Q. How much does it cost to fly to Cambodia?

Compared to Thailand and Vietnam, the price ticket to Cambodia is a little bit higher ranging from $550 to $850 depending on your flight route and date. It is because you need to add up the cost for the onward flight from those countries.

We recommend using some online ticket booking platform (Kayak, Cheapflights, or SkyScanner) to look for the cheapest flight possible according to your travel plan. They do have alert system when there is the price change on your travel date

Here is how to get the cheapest flight possible to Cambodia

Getting around Cambodia is all part of the adventure. Massive improvements to the national highway network in the past few years have made getting around the country much easier than it once was, with many formerly dirt roads now surfaced and new highways built. Even so, getting from A to B remains time-consuming: roads are still narrow and bumpy, while regular wet-season inundations play havoc with transport (and often wash away large sections of tarmac in their wake).

Check How to get around in Cambodia here

1. Do I need vaccines for Cambodia?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Cambodia. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Cambodia: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. 

Here is the article for recommended vaccinations for Cambodia.

2. How safe is Cambodia?

Cambodia is a pretty safe country for travellers these days, with few incidences of petty crime.

Remember the golden rule: stick to marked paths in remote areas (due to the possible presence of landmines).

• Phnom Penh Post (www.phnompenhpost.com) is a good source for breaking news, so check its website before you hit the road to check the political pulse and catch up with any recent events on the ground such as demonstrations.
• Take care with some of the electrical wiring in guesthouses around the country, as it can be pretty amateurish.

Here is our guide for Safety and Precautions in Cambodia

3. Do I need a travel insurance for Cambodia?

Travel insurance for Cambodia is an absolute must!

Cambodia, if you take common-sense precautions, is a safe place to travel but accidents happen. You’ll want to be covered for medical treatment as well as missed flights, theft, and other unforeseen circumstances.

Holidays are for relaxing, de-stressing and not worrying about what could happen if…x, y, or z should occur. Buying reputable travel insurance before you go alleviates you of this worry. Make sure you check that the insurance you are buying covers you for the activities that you are planning.

Check the detailed article for Cambodia travel insurance here

4. What should I take to Cambodia?

A trip to Cambodia is an unforgettable experience. Make sure you bring everything you’ll need to enjoy it to the fullest.

• A money belt – Due to the amount of pick-pocketing that occurs, a money belt will allow you to keep your money and passport safe.
• A sweater/pashmina – Many of the religious sites have a strict dress code, but the temperature outside will be very warm. A sweater or pashmina that one can wear inside and then remove is a great idea.
• Sunscreen – Cambodia very warm and gets a lot of sunlight, meaning sunscreen is important.
• Walking shoes – Visitors will likely want to explore the huge religious sites or the gorgeous outdoors, making good shoes a must.

Here is the detailed guide for what to pack for Cambodia

5. Are you supposed to tip in Cambodia?

First things first, remember that tipping is never compulsory in Cambodia and that you should think of it only when you are really satisfied by someone’s service. It is an individual reward that aims at supporting high-level service, helpfulness and friendliness.

Contrary to many others Asian countries, tipping in Cambodia is not traditionally expected, but in such a poor country, a small tip can go a long way.

There are no hard and fast rules about tipping in Cambodia, and travelers who decide not to will not be frowned upon. 

Check out the Cambodia tipping guide & other local etiquettes here

6. Do I need to buy a Cambodia SIM Card? And where can I buy it?

It is recommended to buy a local SIM card why travelling in Cambodia as it surely has a stable connection and also the cheaper price for calling & data usage.

You can buy the SIM Card almost everywhere in Cambodia, especially inside the big cities like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.

Check out the detailed guide for Internet & phone in Cambodia here

7. Do I need to bargain while shopping in Cambodia?

Bargaining and haggling for a better deal is all part of the experience when shopping at markets in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville. The first price offered is rarely the true price, especially in overly tourist areas.

Tips: 

• Remember that while bargaining is common in markets, it is not accepted or possible in convenience stores like Smile Minimart or upscale shopping malls.
• Look around and check with your guide to have the idea of what you are going to buy. You can check the 8 tips for bargaining in Cambodia for more detail

Here is our guide for Buying and bargaining in Cambodia

When traveling it is very helpful to find out exactly where the Swiss embassy or consulates are located. Keep the address written down in case you have a legal problem, you lose your passport, or you want to report a crime. Be sure to keep a copy of your passport with you in case you lose the original.

Switzerland Consulate in Phnom Penh

• Address: # 50, Street 334, Beung Kengkang 1 / Khan Chamkarmon 12302 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Phone: +855-23-218305; +855-23-218209
• Fax: +855-23-218063
• Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]