Before I go changing my sterling into $, which bills are currently accepted in KOW?

Have they done away completely with $1, $5 and $10s?

Bonus question: are 100s as much of a pain in the arse to use/change as I've read?

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 5:27 pm Before I go changing my sterling into $, which bills are currently accepted in KOW?

Have they done away completely with $1, $5 and $10s?

Bonus question: are 100s as much of a pain in the arse to use/change as I've read?

ONLY bring new $100 bills with the security features and brand new in mint condition.

$1 are rare, $5s are in terrible condition and to be avoided.

$100's are easy to change into KHR at the money changers.

In bars and restuarants, they are difficult to exchange if you spend $1. If you spend $99 they are easy.

If you change them in a bar and get back any $'s, check them closely for tears and other damage.

Just get rid of them for KHR when you get here and you'll have no problems.

USD is widely accepted without any issues. You are less likely to receive USD in change..

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 5:27 pm Before I go changing my sterling into $, which bills are currently accepted in KOW?

Have they done away completely with $1, $5 and $10s?

Bonus question: are 100s as much of a pain in the arse to use/change as I've read?

Have they done away completely with $1, $5 and $10s? - Nope - they are fine

Bonus question: are 100s as much of a pain in the arse to use/change as I've read? - no problem at all - maybe over a decade back slight headache but unless they are grubby or ripped non issue

Doc67 wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 5:44 pm

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 5:27 pm Before I go changing my sterling into $, which bills are currently accepted in KOW?

Have they done away completely with $1, $5 and $10s?

Bonus question: are 100s as much of a pain in the arse to use/change as I've read?

ONLY bring new $100 bills with the security features and brand new in mint condition.

$1 are rare, $5s are in terrible condition and to be avoided.

$100's are easy to change into KHR at the money changers.

In bars and restuarants, they are difficult to exchange if you spend $1. If you spend $99 they are easy.

If you change them in a bar and get back any $'s, check them closely for tears and other damage.

Just get rid of them for KHR when you get here and you'll have no problems.

In bars and restuarants, they are impossible to exchange if you spend $1.

FTFY

Thanks guys. I'll get a few hundreds and a few smaller notes to get me started.

I'm sure I read a thread about the best places to change money once I'm there (not the airport IIRC)...any hot tips on that front?

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 6:35 pm Thanks guys. I'll get a few hundreds and a few smaller notes to get me started.

I'm sure I read a thread about the best places to change money once I'm there (not the airport IIRC)...any hot tips on that front?

From your bank account, you might want to use the likes of WorldRemit (WR) and pick up the cash, instantly, at a Wing. Or any money transfer company that you can deposit money directly into a wallet, and avoid the bank's "interrogations" and hurdles, and their greedy exchange rates, altogether. From there you can transfer $1,000 at a time, up to 3 transactions per day (that should get most people through to the next day), at the money transfer company's rate.

If you really want to save every penny possible, and you already have a SIM/phone number, you can send the money to yourself in Cambodia, before you leave:
1. Set up account at whatever website.
2. Put your details as recipient.
3. Pay.
4. You will receive a code via SMS and/or email. Scribble this on a piece of paper, and include your Cambodian phone number and amount you sent (in USD or Riel, whichever you chose). Put paper in pocket of travel attire or easy access point in carry-on.
5. Take off, land, get your tuk tuk, taxi, whatever to stop at a Wing on the way - green signage, white writing (to assist your peripheral), and there are 23,509,395,229,001 agencies, give or take a B - give the prepared paper (get out of tuk, first) and your, SIM-inserted, phone at the counter and receive your cash in ~37 seconds.
6. Resume journey, pay and tip (hat).

If you don't have a SIM, now, you can also get one on the way (often at the Wing outlet), finish your transfer on your mobile app account that you previously set up back home, with your new number as recipient phone number, and refer to the above to work out the rest.

WR also deduct all fees for the first 3 transfers.

There are other advantages and alternatives, like a Mobile Money wallet, you can set up when here, and receive higher amounts, plus more.

The above info is based on my presumption you are in the UK.

Pseudonomdeplume wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 7:43 pm

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 6:35 pm Thanks guys. I'll get a few hundreds and a few smaller notes to get me started.

I'm sure I read a thread about the best places to change money once I'm there (not the airport IIRC)...any hot tips on that front?

The above info is based on my presumption you are in the UK.

Thanks, that's good info. WR charge £15 for $1000 which, I'm assuming, is less than Lloyds. I'll open a bank account once I'm set up.

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 5:27 pm Before I go changing my sterling into $, which bills are currently accepted in KOW?

Have they done away completely with $1, $5 and $10s?

Bonus question: are 100s as much of a pain in the arse to use/change as I've read?

All USD notes are still accepted as long as their condition is OK (1$ note) to crisp (100$ note).
Some places will deny a 100$ note because of a small tear, a stamp, a crease.... So be careful. Bring crisps as suggested to avoid disappointment in the KoW.