Where to buy a SIM card at Techo International Airport
Techo International Airport is Cambodia’s main international gateway serving Phnom Penh. Its official website describes a single passenger-terminal operation, but the public shop directory does not currently provide a searchable listing for telecom counters or a dedicated SIM-card category.

Cellcard airport store
Cellcard’s official store locator lists a store “Inside Techo International Airport” at Taprum Village, Boeng Khyang Commune, Kandal Stung District, Kandal Province. This confirms an official Cellcard presence at KTI, although the listing does not state whether the counter is before or after customs, its exact arrivals-hall position, or its operating hours.
At the counter, ask staff to explain the complete amount before registration begins. The published Traveller SIM price may not necessarily equal the final airport price if the branch applies a separate physical-card, activation or service charge.
Cellcard’s Traveller SIM is intended for visitors and includes a Cambodian mobile number, mobile data, Cellcard-to-Cellcard call minutes and on-network SMS. Staff should register the SIM against your passport and can normally help insert or configure the card, but KTI-specific activation assistance is not officially documented.
Independent mobile-services counter
Recent passenger reports mention a mobile-services counter in the arrivals area, opposite or near the public exit. The seller has been described as an independent service counter rather than an official operator shop.
Because Techo International Airport’s current directory does not identify this retailer, its operator inventory, packages, payment methods and prices cannot be treated as verified. Availability may also change. Check the branding carefully and ask for an itemized total before handing over your passport or paying.
Airport SIM packages and current prices
Cellcard publishes four Traveller SIM packages effective in 2026:
These are Cellcard’s official Traveller SIM tariffs, not confirmed total prices at Techo International Airport. The operator does not publish a KTI-specific card fee, activation charge or airport markup, so the final amount payable at the counter remains unverified.
The included calls and SMS are on-network benefits, meaning they are intended for communication with other Cellcard numbers. They should not be interpreted as unrestricted calls to all Cambodian networks or international destinations.
Cellcard states that Traveller SIM bundles do not renew automatically. Once the allowance or validity expires, travelers may renew manually through the Cellcard app or an operator short code. Unused benefits do not carry forward to the next Traveller package.
No reliable current airport package or total price could be verified for Metfone at KTI. Although Metfone is a major Cambodian operator, its official showroom locator did not clearly identify a Techo Airport branch during this check. Avoid assuming that a Metfone counter will be open when you arrive.
Registration, activation, and payment
Cambodian prepaid SIM cards must be registered to the user. Cellcard specifically requires a valid passport or national identity document for Traveller SIM purchases and limits registration to five Cellcard numbers per identity document.
The Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia has reinforced that operators and sellers must collect and verify proper identification before selling or activating a mobile SIM. Do not purchase a supposedly “pre-registered” card from an unofficial seller, as the number may not be legally registered in your name and could later be suspended.
Bring the physical passport you used to enter Cambodia. A photo stored on your phone may not be accepted. The seller may need to record or scan the identification page and associate it with the Cambodian number.
Before leaving the counter:
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Confirm that mobile data works with airport WiFi switched off.
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Ask staff to show the number and remaining allowance.
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Check the plan’s expiry date.
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Keep the receipt or package card.
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Confirm whether any pay-as-you-go charges apply after the bundle is used.
The airport store’s accepted payment methods are not officially published. Cambodian airport businesses often accept US dollars, Cambodian riel, cards or KHQR, but this should not be assumed for the Cellcard counter. Carrying a small amount of cash provides a backup, while checking the final amount before payment protects against confusion between an official tariff and a dealer total.
Airport SIM vs city store vs Roafly eSIM
Buying at the airport
An airport SIM is useful when you need a Cambodian phone number immediately for local calls, accommodation contact or services that require SMS verification. Staff can also handle passport registration and physical installation.
The limitation at KTI is uncertainty. The Cellcard location is verified, but its hours, stock and full airport price are not published. Late-night arrivals could find fewer service options, and registration may take longer when several flights arrive together.
Buying from an official city store
Cellcard and Metfone both operate official service locations in Phnom Penh. Cellcard lists branches including its head office on Preah Sihanouk Boulevard and another outlet along National Road 1. Official city stores are generally better places to compare standard prepaid products, obtain account support and resolve registration issues.
A city store is not automatically cheaper. A price advantage should only be claimed when the airport’s complete retail total and the city store’s total are both known. In this case, the KTI total is not reliably published, so no confirmed savings can be calculated.
Waiting until Phnom Penh also means arranging transport without mobile data unless you use airport WiFi or roaming. Techo Airport is around 20 kilometres south of Phnom Penh, so visiting a city store adds time and may require a separate journey.
Using a Roafly Cambodia eSIM
A Roafly eSIM can be installed before departure, so there is no dependence on airport inventory, opening hours or passport registration at a SIM counter. It also lets you retain your primary physical SIM for calls and messages from home.
Roafly Cambodia plans are data-only and may connect through Metfone or Cellcard according to the purchased plan and local availability. They do not include a Cambodian phone number, standard voice minutes or SMS. Hotspot use draws from the same purchased data allowance and does not have a separate hotspot quota.
For a broader comparison of Cambodia travel-data choices, see Best eSIM for Cambodia – 8 Providers Ranked.
A physical local SIM remains the better choice when you specifically need a Cambodian number, expect to make regular local calls, plan to stay for an extended period or find a verified local package that offers better value for your usage.
Airport WiFi
Techo International Airport advertises free WiFi in the passenger terminal. However, the airport does not currently publish the network name, login method, session duration, international-phone verification support or reconnection policy on its public facilities pages.
Use airport WiFi as a temporary arrival connection for messaging, retrieving a booking, checking transport information or installing an already purchased eSIM. Do not rely on it as your internet solution for the journey into Phnom Penh or the rest of your trip.
Avoid entering sensitive banking information over an open airport network. Confirm that you are joining the airport’s legitimate network rather than a similarly named hotspot.
Best option by arrival situation
You arrive during normal daytime hours and need a local number: Visit the official Cellcard store inside KTI. Bring your passport and ask for the complete price before registration.
You arrive late at night: An eSIM is safer than assuming the airport counter will remain open, because KTI-specific Cellcard hours are not published.
You only need maps, messaging and ride-booking apps: A Roafly Cambodia eSIM avoids a SIM swap and provides data without waiting at a counter.
You are staying for several weeks: Compare the 30-day Cellcard Traveller SIM with standard prepaid products at an official Phnom Penh store. Confirm whether the local number and call benefits justify the store visit.
You are traveling beyond Phnom Penh: Roafly’s supplied Cambodia network options include Metfone and Cellcard. Actual connection depends on the purchased plan and network availability in your location.
Your phone does not support eSIM: Use the official Cellcard airport store or wait for an official city showroom. Confirm that your phone is unlocked before buying.
FAQs
Can I buy a SIM card at Techo International Airport?
Yes. Cellcard’s official store locator lists a branch inside Techo International Airport. The exact arrivals location and hours are not currently published.
How much is a SIM card at KTI?
Current airport price not reliably published. Cellcard’s official Traveller SIM tariffs run from about 20,500 KHR (US$5) for 3GB over three days to about 82,000 KHR (US$20) for 30GB over 30 days, but the final KTI counter total may include other fees.
Is Metfone available at Techo Airport?
A current official Metfone counter at KTI could not be verified. An independent airport retailer may sell more than one operator, but stock and packages should be checked after arrival.
Do I need my passport?
Yes. Cambodian SIM registration requires valid identification, and Cellcard specifically accepts a passport for Traveller SIM registration.
Does an airport SIM include a Cambodian number?
The Cellcard Traveller SIM includes a local mobile number. A Roafly Cambodia eSIM is data-only and does not include a Cambodian number, calls or SMS.
Is the Cellcard airport shop open 24 hours?
There is no reliable official publication confirming 24-hour operation. Travelers arriving overnight should have a backup connection.
Can staff activate the SIM for me?
Official operator stores normally handle registration and account setup, but the exact scope of activation assistance at KTI is not published. Test data before leaving the counter.
Is airport WiFi free?
The airport advertises free WiFi, but it does not publish detailed access limits or verification requirements.
Final recommendation
For travelers who need a Cambodian phone number, the official Cellcard store inside Techo International Airport is the most clearly verified physical-SIM option. Bring your passport, choose a Traveller SIM that matches your trip length and request the complete airport price before paying.
For immediate data without relying on counter hours, airport stock or SIM registration, a Roafly Cambodia eSIM is the more predictable choice. Install it before departure, retain your primary SIM and use the included allowance for both phone data and hotspot access.