Dreaming of visiting the ancient temples of Cambodia? If you’re arranging a holiday to explore this mysterious kingdom, you will likely pass through at least one of Cambodia’s major airports. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have both been extended recently to cater to the country’s booming tourist industry.
There still aren’t many direct flights to Cambodia though. If you are travelling here from Europe or the USA, you will most likely fly into elsewhere in Asia first and then transfer flights to the Kingdom of Cambodia from there.
Read on for more information about airports in Cambodia to help your trip get off to a flying start!
Want to get your travel paperwork sorted before you jet off? You can apply for your Cambodia e-Visa right here.
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What is the Main Airport in Cambodia?
There are about 17 airports in Cambodia in total; however, only 3 of these are major operating airports with international flights.
They are:
1. Phnom Penh International (PNH)
The busiest and largest of the country’s airports, located in the capital (which has the same name).
2. Siem Reap International (REP)
The second-largest aviation hub in the kingdom. Its architectural design is inspired by the country’s unique cultural tapestry.
3. Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS)
The third-largest in the country. It is named after the charismatic former King Norodom Sihanouk.
In 2018 the nation’s 3 international airports hit 10 million passengers, a big milestone for the country.
Why Is Siem Reap Airport Known as the Angkor Wat Airport?
If you’re travelling to Cambodia, the temples of Angkor Wat, (one of the seven wonders of the world), are probably top of your “To visit” list. Over 2 million people visited the world’s largest religious structure in 2019.
Well, Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat. It is a relatively small airport located less than 2 miles from the incredible Angkor Wat temple complex and about 5 miles from the centre of Siem Reap.
There are no direct flights here from Europe at present. However, if you are already in the country, then you can fly here from Phnom Penh. It’s 146 miles (235 km) from there to Siem Reap by plane and the flight takes 50 minutes.
A Closer Look at Phnom Penh International Airport
Want to explore the palaces and visit the fascinating museums of the capital? Your best bet is to fly into Phnom Penh International. It is just a 30-minute taxi or tuk-tuk drive into the city centre from here so you can start your adventure in no time.
Some of the major airlines that fly to here include:
- AirAsia
- Air France
- Bangkok Air
- Vietnam Airlines
Phnom Penh has all the facilities you would expect from a capital city airport including unlimited wifi and business lounges (which even have a shower and a wellness spa!).
If you want to book accommodation near to the airport for when you arrive/leave, you can book into a Phnom Penh airport hotel; there are a number of convenient options depending on your budget.
Cambodia Airport Codes & Other Info
Although tourists are only likely to pass through one of the main aviation hubs, here is a full list of Cambodia’s airports along with their International Air Transport Association (IATA) geocodes:
Name |
Location |
IATA Airport Code |
|---|---|---|
| Battambang Airport | Battambang | BBM |
| Kampong Cham | Kampong Cham | KCA |
| Kampong Chhnang Airport | Kampong Chhnang | KZC |
| Kampong Thom Airport | Kampong Thom | KZK |
| Kampot | Kampot | KMT |
| Koh Kong Airport | Koh Kong | KKZ |
| Krakor Airport | Krakor Disrtrict, Pursat | KZD |
| Kratié Airport | Kratié | KTI |
| Mondulkiri | Mondulkiri | MWV |
| Pailin Airport | Pailin | PAI |
| Phnom Penh International | Phnom Penh | PNH |
| Ratanakiri Airport | Ban Lung, Ratanakiri | RBE |
| Siem Reap International | Siem Reap | REP |
| Sihanouk International | Sanihoukville | KOS |
| Stung Treng | Stung Treng | TNX |
| Svay Rieng | Svay Rieng | SVR |
| Thbeng Meanchey | Thbeng Meanchey | OMY |
Flight Time to Cambodia
If you have been planning your trip for a while, you may have already noticed from your research that there are few direct flights to Cambodia.
If you are travelling from Australasia, Europe, North America or South Africa, you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in Southeast or East Asia.
There are plenty of flights from other parts of Southeast Asia though and, seen as countries like Thailand and Vietnam are so close by, why not make it an extended trip?
Wondering how long it takes to get from the kingdom to other parts of Asia? Look no further!
- Flight time from Bangkok (Thailand) – just over 1 hour.
- Flight time from Ho Chi Minh City Airport (Vietnam) – 1 hour.
- Flight time from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) – just under 2 hours.
- Flight time from Singapore Changi (Republic of Singapore) – just over 2 hours.
FAQs
What Are the Main Airlines in Cambodia?
If you want to familiarise yourself with the country’s main airlines before you embark on your adventure, this list will come in handy.
- Bassaka Air (previously known as PP Air).
- Cambodia Airways (company slogan: The Wings of Cambodia).
- Cambodia Angkor Air (company slogan: Proudly Serve the Kingdom).
- JC International Airlines (has the rice flower as its logo).
- Lanmei Airlines (“Lanmei” is an abbreviation for the Lancang-Mekong River).
- Sky Angkor Airlines (a joint venture of Korean and Cambodian investors).
How Much Are Flights From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap?
Want to travel from the capital to Siem Reap? You have a number of options.
Cambodia Angkor Air is the national carrier and the most expensive option on offer. Depending on which airline you go with, flights can average between 30-120 USD.
Don’t want to fly there? You have a few other possibilities. By road, it takes between 5 and 6 hours and you can travel by private taxi, bus, or van. Between July and March, there are also ferries running between the two.
Can You Get a Cambodia Visa at the Airport?
Yes, travellers can get a Visa on Arrival at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap airport.
However, if you want to save yourself the hassle and avoid the queues you can apply for your travel visa in advance with Byevisa. You can do this from any device of your choice; all you need is your passport and some basic personal details.
