5 Best eSIM For Cambodia (Stay Connected While You Travel)

Benefits of Getting an eSIM in Cambodia

The main advantage of getting a Cambodia eSIM is that you can have Internet access at your fingertips everywhere in the country. While you might have some free WiFi access in the bigger cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, if you have any plans to travel to the more remote regions of the country, you will need mobile data access if you want to use maps, at the very least.

Many tourist attractions in Cambodia lack the infrastructure necessary for Internet access, so don’t expect to find free WiFi at tourist hotspots like Angkor Wat or Bayon Temple.

The benefit of getting an eSIM specifically is that you don’t have to take out your existing sim card, or even an SD card. You can add the data plan virtually, and keep using your phone like you normally do.

A Cambodia eSIM will also protect you from having to pay exorbitant data roaming charges. Purchasing a local data plan for Cambodia is significantly cheaper than paying for roaming.

Local Mobile Operators Offering eSIMs in Cambodia

Smart Axiata (formerly known as Smart Cambodia) launched eSIMs in Cambodia back in 2018, and nowadays they offer eSIMs to all their subscribers and even prepaid customers. You can check out more of their prepaid and travel-friendly plans on their website, but they don’t appear to have a valid online shop. Instead, you would have to purchase an eSIM in a physical shop in Cambodia.

That’s not ideal for most travelers, but at the same time, you’ll probably pay a lot less for a local Cambodia eSIM than for one from an international provider.

Metfone is another local operator in Cambodia that offers eSIMs for their prepaid plans. You can purchase an eSIM in a physical store, and it will usually include some prepaid credit to get you started. The eSIM is initially valid for 14 days, but you can extend the validity of their local sim cards by purchasing top-ups, which can be done both in the physical shops and through the online app.

It’s worth noting that Metfone is considered the best network operator in Cambodia. They have more than 50% of the market share and the best coverage in the country, so they’re a pretty safe bet for a Cambodia eSIM.

Devices Compatible with eSIM in Cambodia

All devices that support eSIM technology are going to be compatible with an eSIM in Cambodia. This includes most smartphones released in the last 4-5 years: iPhones from the iPhone XR onward, Google Pixel 2 and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and a few more Android phones from other manufacturers.

One important thing to note is that all iPhones manufactured in 2018 and later (including the SE models) support eSIM technology, but not all Androids doo. Most manufacturers choose not to include this technology in their cheapest phone models, so if you own a mid-range Android device, you should double-check whether your smartphone supports an eSim.

The quickest way of checking is to dial *#06#. When you press call, it will pull up a list of several serial numbers for your device – the EID number is what you should look for. That indicates that your phone is compatible with virtual sims, and if there is an EID number you can use an eSim.

Data Needed When Traveling to Cambodia

Not sure how much data you need for your trip to Cambodia? That depends on a few different factors, most importantly the length of your trip, your Internet browsing habits, and whether you will have free WiFi access at your accommodation.

If you switch between WiFi and mobile data for the majority of your trip and you’re not staying in the country for more than 10 days, you should be fine with most data plans that include 1-3 GB. I sometimes don’t use more than that in an entire month, and I often use mobile data at home instead of WiFi.

However, if you’re going to stream videos or even movies, then look for data plans with a larger allowance. You will burn through a lot more data when video streaming, especially if you’re going to stay in the country longer. Plans that include 10-20 GB should be suitable for you. Unlimited data plans are also an option worth considering, but only if you can actually find a local provider that offers an unlimited data plan for Cambodia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an eSIM in Cambodia?

Yes, you can get an eSIM in Cambodia from either Smart Axiata or Metfone. Both are local providers that offer prepaid eSim data plans for tourists, and they’re a good choice if you’re not satisfied with the data plans from most international eSim providers.

How can I buy an eSIM in Cambodia?

To buy an eSIM in Cambodia, you can just walk into a physical store of Metfone or Smart Axiata. It’s currently not that easy to buy a local eSIM online, but it is possible to purchase a Cambodia eSIM from one of the several international providers.

How do I activate my eSIM in Cambodia?

To activate an eSIM in Cambodia you can just turn on the mobile data and browse the Internet. But this includes you having added the eSim plan to your device previously, either by inputting the data manually through the phone’s network settings or by scanning a QR code included with the purchase of the eSim.