Best Travel Bank Cards for British People in Cambodia

Travel Bank Cards
Photo: nomadicmatt

Once upon a time, using your bank card abroad was a guaranteed way to get screwed by fees. Every cash withdrawal or hotel payment came with hidden charges, poor exchange rates, and long waits to get your money. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case.

Today there are several modern travel bank cards designed for British people who travel or live overseas, including Cambodia. The right card can help you dodge ATM fees, manage multiple currencies, and even earn rewards for your spending. CambodiaLifestyle.com takes a look at the best travel bank cards for British people in Cambodia right now.

Click to read about the best banks in Cambodia.

Best for cheap ATM withdrawals in Cambodia – Wise and Revolut

Wise and Revolut are the kings of low-cost international banking and both work extremely well in Cambodia.

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the most transparent when it comes to fees. You can hold balances in dozens of currencies, including GBP, USD, and EUR, then spend or withdraw in Cambodia without getting stung by bad exchange rates. Since Cambodia uses both riel and US dollars, Wise is perfect for handling dual-currency spending. It also supports local transfers to Cambodian banks such as ABA or ACLEDA.

Revolut is the more app-focused of the two. It offers free withdrawals abroad up to a set limit, instant transfers, and interbank exchange rates. The card also has travel-friendly features such as spending analytics, virtual cards, and optional insurance. If you’re hopping around Southeast Asia — say, from Phnom Penh to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City — Revolut lets you manage all currencies from one clean interface.

Both are ideal for everyday use in Cambodia, whether you’re a backpacker or a long-term expat.

You can sign up for Wise or Revolut  through these links.

Best for airport lounge access – American Express Platinum

If you like a bit of luxury when travelling in or out of Cambodia, American Express Platinum is still the card to beat. It gets you into hundreds of airport lounges around the world — including Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Singapore Changi, which are the main transit hubs for most flights from Cambodia.

Amex Platinum also comes with premium travel insurance, purchase protection, and a concierge service that can help with last-minute bookings or lost luggage. You earn Membership Rewards points on all purchases, which can be turned into flight upgrades or hotel stays.

Yes, it’s expensive. But if you’re a regular traveller between the UK and Cambodia, the perks quickly outweigh the annual fee. Think of it as your all-in-one comfort pass for long-haul travel.

You can apply directly on the American Express via our affiliate link.

Travel Bank Cards

Best for travel perks and experiences – Yonder

Yonder is one of the newest and most exciting British fintech cards to hit the market. It’s built for people who travel often and value experiences over cashback.

Yonder’s metal card includes travel insurance, global Wi-Fi access, and airport lounge entry, but where it really shines is its rewards system. Points can be spent on hotels, bars, restaurants, or events — perfect for travellers who prefer experiences to air miles.

In Cambodia, where dining and nightlife are cheap but excellent, Yonder’s lifestyle-focused rewards fit perfectly. The monthly subscription might seem like an extra cost, but if you travel between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and international destinations regularly, the benefits easily pay for themselves.

You can apply for Yonder through our affilate link.

Best for freelancers and business travellers – Revolut Business

If you run a small business or work remotely or get paid to travel (PaidToTravel.net) from Cambodia, Revolut Business is hands down the most practical choice. It supports multiple currencies, allows you to issue team cards, and makes sending and receiving payments effortless.

For British freelancers or digital nomads based in Phnom Penh or Kampot, it’s particularly handy. You can bill clients in GBP, get paid in USD, and withdraw in Cambodia without dealing with multiple bank accounts. Revolut’s in-app expense management and budgeting tools are also far ahead of most UK business banks.

Wise Business is a good alternative for those who want simple, low-fee transfers, but Revolut remains the more feature-rich option for international operations.

You can open a Revolut Business account online in minutes.

Bonus: Make money back on your own travel bookings

Here’s a little-known travel hack for Cambodia. By signing up for Travelpayouts, you can earn small commissions from your own bookings. It connects to major platforms like booking.com (for Cambodian buses, ferries, and trains), and AirAlo (for eSIMs).

That means when you book your hotel in Siem Reap or your bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, you get a payout back. Combine that with cashback or points from your travel card, and you can triple-dip on the same transaction. It’s free to join, and it works anywhere in Southeast Asia.

You can sign up for Travelpayouts through their official site (link)

Final thoughts

For British travellers and expats in Cambodia, using the right travel card means avoiding the nasty surprises that still catch newcomers out — ATM withdrawal fees, dodgy conversion rates, and unreliable banking apps.

Wise and Revolut are unbeatable for daily use. American Express Platinum takes care of your flights and lounges. Yonder adds some fun lifestyle perks. And Revolut Business is the best all-rounder for freelancers and entrepreneurs working between time zones.

Cambodia’s banking system is modernising quickly, but international-friendly cards still make life infinitely easier. Just remember that while you can use your UK cards almost anywhere here, you’ll still need cash in smaller towns and markets.

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Gareth Johnson
Author: Gareth Johnson

Gareth Johnson is the founder of Young Pioneer Tours and has visited over 180+ countries. His passion is opening obscure destinations to tourism and sharing his experience of street food.