Is Phnom Penh good for remote work?
Phnom Penh draws a steady stream of remote workers, and the numbers explain why. On our scorecard it earns 3.8/5 overall. Internet is rated 4/5 — fast and reliable for video calls and large uploads. Safety comes in at 3.7/5, which in practice means the city is reasonably safe. Regulars particularly mention that it is english friendly.
Compare it directly with Battambang, Kampot, Almaty, or browse every hub in Cambodia.
Cost of living in Phnom Penh
A single remote worker should budget roughly $1,100 per month in Phnom Penh. That places it in the pricier half of Asia — about 61% of the region's hubs cost less. As a working split: expect around $462 for a comfortable one-bedroom or studio, $264 on food and eating out, $99 for a coworking membership or café budget, $88 on local transport, and roughly $187 for everything else. Currency fluctuations move these numbers — check the live exchange rate on this page before you commit.
Internet, workspaces and getting set up
Connectivity in Phnom Penh is fast and reliable (rated 4/5). Fixed broadband in serviced apartments and coliving spaces is usually the safe bet; before signing a longer lease, run a speed test at the actual unit. For mobile data, an eSIM ordered before you land removes airport friction — see the connectivity options listed above on this page. Day to day, the city is rated 3.4/5 for walkability, so plan around transit or ride-hailing for longer hops.
Best time to visit Phnom Penh
Climate scores 4/5 here. The most comfortable window is typically the drier months — locals often point to the period outside peak rainy season. Air quality averages fair (3.2/5) — sensitive travellers should check the live AQI reading above during dry season. Daylight swings matter for remote schedules: sunrise is around 05:39 (solar time) in June and 06:20 in December.
Time zone and working with global teams
Phnom Penh sits in the Asia/Phnom_Penh time zone (UTC+7). There is no daylight saving time, so the offset stays constant all year. In practical terms the city runs 6 hours ahead of London and 11 hours ahead of New York, which shapes your meeting windows with European and US teams. Check the live time in Phnom Penh or plan calls with our Meeting Planner.
Money, language and staying legal
The main language is Khmer, and the international dialing code is +855. Visa rules depend on your passport — the Cambodia guide covers the digital-nomad and remote-work options, and public holidays in Cambodia are worth checking before planning arrival dates. Useful planning tools: Meeting Planner · Jet Lag Calculator · Business Day Calculator · Working Hours Calculator · Age Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What time zone is Phnom Penh in?
Phnom Penh uses the Asia/Phnom_Penh time zone, which is UTC+7 in mid-year. See the live local time on our Phnom Penh clock page.
Does Phnom Penh observe daylight saving time?
No — the UTC offset stays the same all year round.
What is the time difference between Phnom Penh and London?
Phnom Penh is 6 hours ahead of London (mid-year reference; daylight saving can shift this by an hour).
What is the time difference between Phnom Penh and New York?
Phnom Penh is 11 hours ahead of New York (mid-year reference; daylight saving can shift this by an hour).
What is the time difference between Phnom Penh and Los Angeles?
Phnom Penh is 14 hours ahead of Los Angeles (mid-year reference; daylight saving can shift this by an hour).
What is the time difference between Phnom Penh and Paris?
Phnom Penh is 5 hours ahead of Paris (mid-year reference; daylight saving can shift this by an hour).
What is the time difference between Phnom Penh and Dubai?
Phnom Penh is 3 hours ahead of Dubai (mid-year reference; daylight saving can shift this by an hour).
What is the time difference between Phnom Penh and Singapore?
Phnom Penh is 1 hour behind Singapore (mid-year reference; daylight saving can shift this by an hour).
What is the time difference between Phnom Penh and Tokyo?
Phnom Penh is 2 hours behind Tokyo (mid-year reference; daylight saving can shift this by an hour).
What is the time difference between Phnom Penh and Sydney?
Phnom Penh is 3 hours behind Sydney (mid-year reference; daylight saving can shift this by an hour).
What language is spoken in Phnom Penh?
The primary language is Khmer. English is widely usable in nomad circles.
What is the dialing code for Phnom Penh?
Dial +855 for Cambodia, then the local number.
How expensive is Phnom Penh for a digital nomad?
Plan on roughly $1,100 per month for a single person, covering rent, food, coworking and transport.
Is Phnom Penh cheap compared with other Asia cities?
It sits in the pricier half — about 61% of tracked Asia hubs cost less.
Is Phnom Penh safe?
Safety is rated 3.7/5 on our scorecard — reasonably safe.
How fast is the internet in Phnom Penh?
Connectivity is rated 4/5 — fast and reliable.
Is Phnom Penh good for remote work?
It scores 3.8/5 overall for remote work on TimeDateLive, based on cost, internet, safety and lifestyle data.
Is Phnom Penh walkable?
Walkability is rated 3.4/5.
How is the nightlife in Phnom Penh?
Nightlife and fun score 4.3/5.
How is the air quality in Phnom Penh?
Air quality averages 3.2/5; the live AQI reading is on this page.
What is the best time of year to visit Phnom Penh?
Generally the drier months — locals often point to the period outside peak rainy season.
What country is Phnom Penh in?
Phnom Penh is in Cambodia, Asia.
What time is sunrise in Phnom Penh in June?
Around 05:39 local solar time in mid-June; the exact minute varies with daylight saving and longitude.
What time is sunrise in Phnom Penh in December?
Around 06:20 local solar time in mid-December.
Does Phnom Penh have a digital nomad visa?
Visa access depends on your passport — see the Cambodia visa guide for current options.
When are the public holidays in Cambodia?
The full list is on our Cambodia public holidays page.