Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Cambodia due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance. Exercise increased caution in Cambodia due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance.”
Updated Tue, 15 Sep 2026
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Is Phnom Penh safe? 🇰🇭
Cambodia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Phnom Penh scores 57/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes. Phnom Penh is moderately safe for visitors who take standard precautions against petty crime and scams. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Phnom Penh 🇰🇭
Cambodia · Assessed 13 October 2026
57
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime56/100FairCrime index 49.2 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment59/100FairModerately cautious
Advisories75Good
Stability63Fair
Health74Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 20km from the land border with Thailand.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:29:21Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Cambodia: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-09T09:50:14.0259934-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
1.6M residents
63
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
87
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging risk exists after dark in poorly lit areas near riversides and outer districts; rare in central tourist zones during day.
Pickpocketing
HighFrequent in crowded markets like Central Market, riverside promenades, and on crowded buses; bags and phones are primary targets.
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03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately cautious
59/100
Reported feel55Moderately cautious
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Travelers report feeling reasonably safe in daylight but express concern about walking alone after dark, particularly in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Yes. Phnom Penh is moderately safe for visitors who take standard precautions against petty crime and scams.
The city has a moderate crime environment with low homicide rates but notable pickpocketing and bag-snatching risks, especially in crowded areas. Visitor sentiment reflects caution at night, though daylight safety perceptions are stronger. Recent government-led crackdowns target online scams, reducing some digital threats but not street-level opportunistic crime.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026Cambodia launched a renewed anti-scam sweep targeting online fraud networks linked to overseas syndicates— The Japan Times
- Sep 2026UK and Cambodia announced a joint operation to dismantle transnational online scam centers operating from the country— GOV.UK
- Aug 2026A Cambodia-US operation uncovered a money laundering link between local networks and the Sinaloa Cartel— The Washington Post
Common scams
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking longer routes
- Online romance scams originating from local networks
- Counterfeit currency or short-changing in markets
Full briefing
Phnom Penh sees frequent pickpocketing in Central Market and along the riverside, especially during peak hours and on crowded buses. While violent robbery is uncommon in tourist areas during daylight, it increases after dark in dimly lit streets near Chroy Changvar and the southern outskirts. Travelers should avoid unmarked taxis and instead use ride-hailing apps with visible tracking. Recent government actions, including a UK-Cambodia task force and a national anti-scam sweep reported in September 2026, have disrupted online fraud operations but have not eliminated street-level theft. Keep phones and wallets secure, avoid displaying valuables, and stick to well-lit, populated routes after sunset. Verified tour operators and official transport reduce exposure to scams and overcharging. Although dengue and polio notices are active globally, the city’s health infrastructure is strong with numerous hospitals nearby. Exercise increased caution, particularly at night, and remain alert in busy public spaces.
Was this Phnom Penh, Cambodia report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Phnom Penh districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Phnom Penh safety map.
Chbar AmpovavoidHigher incidence of drug-related activity and violent incidents; avoid after dark.
Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market)cautionPopular market with pickpocket risks, especially crowded areas and after dark.
Daun Penh (Central Market area)cautionHigh foot traffic increases petty theft risk; vigilance advised with belongings.
Sen SokcautionRapidly developing area; occasional reports of bag snatching near transport hubs.
Russei KeocautionMixed residential-industrial zone; isolated incidents of robbery reported near construction sites.
BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)saferUpscale expat area with good lighting, security patrols, and low petty crime.
Chaktomuk (Riverside)saferWell-patrolled tourist zone along the river; safe by day, avoid isolated stretches late at night.
DangkaosaferSouthern residential district with lower crime density; standard precautions advised.
07 · After Dark
Is Phnom Penh safe at night?
Mugging risk exists after dark in poorly lit areas near riversides and outer districts; rare in central tourist zones during day.
After dark, be most careful around Chbar Ampov, Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market), Daun Penh (Central Market area), Sen Sok. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Phnom Penh safety FAQ (2026)
Is Phnom Penh safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Phnom Penh is moderately safe for visitors who take standard precautions against petty crime and scams. The city has a moderate crime environment with low homicide rates but notable pickpocketing and bag-snatching risks, especially in crowded areas. Visitor sentiment reflects caution at night, though daylight safety perceptions are stronger. Recent government-led crackdowns target online scams, reducing some digital threats but not street-level opportunistic crime. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Phnom Penh safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Phnom Penh report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Phnom Penh should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Chbar Ampov as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Phnom Penh (2026)?
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking longer routes
- Online romance scams originating from local networks
- Counterfeit currency or short-changing in markets
How does Phnom Penh compare with other places in Cambodia (2026)?
Phnom Penh ranks #6 of 6 Cambodia destinations we've assessed, scoring 57/100. See the Cambodia safety overview for the full list.
How is this phnom-penh safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 15+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: phnom-penh.json (CC BY 4.0).