Siem Reap Airport (SAI) Guide: How to Get There, Flights, and More

The new Siem Reap airport, opened on October 16th 2023, is the gateway to the famous Angkor archaeological park, home of hundreds of ancient temples, which has been on the UNESCO heritage list since 1992. The Sunrise at Angkor Wat temple draws hundreds of visitors each day who wake up early to witness the sun rising behind the lotus-shaped towers of the famous temple. It is important to note you need an Angkor Wat ticket to visit the numerous temples within the park.

Siem Reap Airport Transfer | How to Get to Siem Reap Airport (SAI)?

Traveling from Siem Reap to SAI Airport doesn’t have to be difficult with the right planning. While the journey typically takes between 1 and 1.5 hours, knowing the options can help you choose the Siem Reap airport transfer that best suits your needs.

The journey from Siem Reap city to Siem Reap International Airport (SAI Airport) covers a distance of 45 kilometers and involves two primary routes: National Road 6 and the recently constructed Airport Expressway spanning 24.5 kilometers. While National Road 6 is prone to traffic congestion, particularly during rush hours and holidays, the subsequent leg on the expressway allows for a faster transit. The following are the available transportation options for your transfer to Siem Reap International Airport:

Airport Shuttle Services: These shared buses and vans offer a budget-friendly way to travel between the city and airport. They operate daily, making them a convenient option for solo travelers or couples.

Private Taxis: For a more personalized experience, book a private taxi. This option provides door-to-door service and flexibility to adjust your itinerary if needed. While more expensive than shuttle services, taxis offer comfort and convenience, especially for groups or families.

Future Option: Light Rail Trail: while still in the planning stages, discussions about a light-rail trail connecting Siem Reap and SAI Airport are ongoing. If implemented, this eco-friendly option would offer a comfortable and scenic travel experience.

SIEM REAP AIRPORT SHUTTLE

Siem Reap Airport Shuttle Bus offers an airport shuttle service with 10 daily round trips between their office near the city center and SAI airport.

SIEM REAP AIRPORT TAXI

A taxi transfer service to SAI airport typically costs between $25 to 30 USD depending on the car. Taxi fares can vary significantly depending on which hotel you book through, as some offer premium VIP transfers for much higher rates compared to standard taxis e.g USD 70 and up. Taxis offer more convenience and flexibility than shuttles with fixed schedules. They also provide more privacy, as you only share the taxi with your travel companions rather than a larger group of strangers. However, you may end up riding with similar-minded travelers if you happen to hail a taxi already occupied by other passengers headed to the airport.

Siem Reap Airport News (updated November 2024)

Flights to Siem Reap Airport (SAI)

• AirAsia Cambodia
• Thai AirAsia
• AirAsia (Malaysia)
• Bangkok Airways
• Indigo
• Air Cambodia (former Cambodia Angkor Air)
• China Eastern Airlines
• Lao Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Thai Airways
• Vietjet Air
• Vietnam Airlines

Flights to Siem Reap Airport | Departures

Around 20 departures are scheduled daily from Siem Reap (SAI/VDSA). Key destinations included Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Luang Prabang, and Kunming, China. Airbus A320 family jets and ATR 72/76 turboprops operated the short hops within Cambodia and the region. Longer routes saw Boeing 737s and Airbus A321 narrowbodies, complemented by a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER flight to Singapore. Domestic connections focused on Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and occasionally Pakse. The only international routes with multiple daily departures from Siem Reap were Bangkok and major Vietnamese cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

➡️ Click here to see the departure flights from SAI (Source: FlightRadar24) ⬅️

Flights to Siem Reap Airport | Arrivals

About 20 flights arrive daily at Siem Reap’s airport (SAI/VDSA). Key destinations included Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Luang Prabang, and Kunming, China. Airbus A320 family aircraft and ATR 72/76 turboprops were common on short hops within Cambodia and the region. Longer flights saw Boeing 737s and Airbus A321 narrowbodies, along with a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER service from Singapore. Domestic routes were limited to Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and occasionally Pakse. The only international destinations served by multiple daily flights from Siem Reap were Bangkok and major cities in Vietnam like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

➡️ Click here to see the arrival flights at SAI (Source: FlightRadar24) ⬅️

How to fly to Siem Reap Airport?

Currently, the options for direct international flights to Siem Reap remain quite limited. Unless you are living in Southeast Asia, you will likely need to fly through a major aviation hub before proceeding to your final destination of Siem Reap.

Flying from Europe to Siem Reap

Flying to Bangkok (BKK) is likely to be the cheapest and the fastest option for you. Other options include Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Singapore (SIN), Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh (SGN). All these hubs have daily flights to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport.

Flying from the United States to Siem Reap

Singapore (SIN) is an excellent destination choice. For travelers originating from the United States, major airport hubs like Seoul (ICN) or Hong Kong (HKG) are commonly utilized connection points. However, it’s important to note that Phnom Penh (PHN) is the sole destination that offers direct flights from both ICN (Seoul) and HKG (Hong Kong).

AirAsia Cambodia | Domestic Flights

On May 2024, the new company Airasia Cambodia has begun operating daily flights between Siem Reap (SAI), Phnom Penh (PHN) and Sihanoukville (KOS).

Siem Reap Airport (SAI) Quick Presentation

The new Siem Reap Angkor International airport is a 4E airport category, boasting a runway measuring 3,600 meters in length and 45 meters in width. An aerodrome with a reference code 4E can accommodate aircraft with a “Reference Field Length” of 1800m and above and a wingspan up to 65m.

The new Siem Reap Airport is able to accommodate larger aircrafts, including models like A340-300, A350-900, B777-200, B777-300ER, B747-300, and B747-400. Moreover, the airport will feature a total of 48 gates to facilitate smoother passenger operations. International arrivals and departures are in the same building and domestic departures in another building nearby. While Siem Reap Airport has basic amenities, opportunities exist to expand its services. The airport currently offers free Wi-Fi and SIM card sales immediately outside the arrival area. However, food and duty free options are still limited within the departures and arrivals terminals. Expanding the dining and shopping selection could enhance the passenger experience.

🛂 Siem Reap Airport Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Visitors arriving at the Siem Reap airport in Cambodia have two options for entry visas depending on the length of their stay. They can obtain either a tourist visa on arrival, valid for up to 30 days of leisure travel, or a business visa on arrival, valid for up to 30 days of business activities. To save time, travelers also have the option to apply online beforehand for an Cambodia eVisa for an additional fee of $6. The eVisa allows visitors to skip the line upon airport arrival.

Cambodia Sim Card for Tourists

Once you exit the international arrivals building, you will find, on the right hand side, three small booths of the main mobile companies in Cambodia (Cellcard, Metfone, Smart). Metfone proposes a 45GB data package for USD 5 valid 7 days.

🛂 E-arrival Card Cambodia

Cambodia launched a trial “e-Arrival Card” system on January 1st, 2024, for all travelers entering the country. This electronic card replaces the various paper forms previously required upon arrival to simplify the entry process. During this test period from January 1st until June 30th, 2024, passengers can choose to fill out either the e-Arrival Card or paper immigration, customs, and health forms like before. The official website to fill-in your e-arrival card is https://arrival.gov.kh/. The website is available in English and 6 other asian languages. Please note that travelers must complete the online Cambodia e-Arrival Card within 7 days prior to arrival in the country.

Siem Reap International Airport Map

The new Siem Reap airport is located about 45 km east of Siem Reap town and about 40 km from Angkor Wat temple. It is being developed in three phases on a 700-hectare site in Sotr Nikum district’s Ta Yek commune.

Siem Reap International Airport | Parking Rates

Siem Reap airport parking area has a total of 1,029 parking spaces spread across 4 locations. The main public parking lot in front of the terminal has 32 large spaces, 150 medium spaces, and 300 small spaces. The second public lot before domestic departures has 133 medium spaces and 414 small spaces. On the east side, there is a VIP lot with 50 medium spaces and a merchant pickup area with 10 medium spaces.

Note that it is not possible to park your motorbike at the SAI airport.

Siem Reap Airport Food

As of September 2024, the choice of food dining at Siem Reap airport is still quite limited. Most of food outlets can be found at the departures terminal building. You will find two water dispensers, one with warm water the other with cold water but no cups.

Food and drinks available at departures:

• The Coffee Club
• Dim Sum Emperors
• Burger King
• Crushly

There is also a souvenir shop called “Amazing Cambodia” and a small Relay vendor selling snacks and drinks close to the gates.

Food and drinks available at arrivals:

• Apron Cafe

SIEM REAP AIRPORT PHOTO GALLERY

Siem Reap Airport Roadmap

The new Siem Reap Airport is since 2023, the largest airport in Cambodia with an initial capacity to serve 7 million passengers annually. By 2030, the passenger capacity is projected to increase to 10 million and further grow to 20 million by 2050. The airport’s cargo handling capabilities are also expected to expand sixfold over the next 30 years, going from an initial 10,000 tons to 60,000 tons. The new Siem Reap-Angkor international airport is being developed by Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co Ltd (AIAI) with a total capital investment of $1.1 billion. Part of AIAI is own by YACA (Yunnan Air Investment Cambodia Airport Management). Yunnan Provincial Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. (YOCI), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd. YOIC actively works into “the Belt and Road” development strategy and has several other projects ongoing in Laos and Myanmar.

SIEM REAP AIRPORT: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS