Siem Reap Airport (SAI) 2025 Guide: Flights, Transfers & Travel Tips
If you’re planning a trip to Cambodia and Angkor Wat is on your bucket list (as it should be), there’s a good chance you’ll be flying into the new Siem Reap Airport. Officially known as Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), this shiny new hub replaced the original REP airport in late 2023, and it’s a game changer for anyone arriving in the north of Cambodia.
The opening of the new Siem Reap airport was initially controversial among locals, who were used to the ease and convenience of the old airport – which was much closer to the town centre and easier to get to – but is a welcomed addition to the province and should help elevate Siem Reap as a hub for international tourism.
In this guide, I’ll do my best to break down everything you need to know about the airport – from how far it is from town to how to get through immigration without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re a first time visitor to Siem Reap, or just a first time arrival at the new airport – read on for everything you’ll need to know!
Quick Facts About Siem Reap Airport
- IATA Code: SAI
- Opened: October 16, 2023
- Location: About 45 km east of Siem Reap town
- Travel time to town: Around 50-60 minutes with private taxi or shuttle bus, depending on traffic
- Runway length: 3,600 metres
- Annual capacity: 7 million passengers (expanding to 12 million by 2040)
Where Is the New Siem Reap Airport?
The new airport is roughly 45 kilometres from the centre of Siem Reap. That’s quite a bit further than the old airport, which was only about 7km away and easily accessible by tuktuk. But don’t worry – there are several easy ways to get into town from Siem Reap airport (more on that below). The drive usually takes around an hour depending on traffic.
How to Get From Siem Reap Airport to Siem Reap Town
Here are your main options for getting from the Siem Reap airport to your hotel in town:
1. Airport Shuttle Bus
If you’re arriving solo and don’t mind a short wait, the Siem Reap airport shuttle bus is probably your best option if you want to save a few bucks. Shuttle buses run frequently from the airport to town and there are actually multiple companies running them. The official airport shuttle bus does not require booking and you can just wait for the next one to depart and hop on. There are other shuttle bus services which can be booked in advance such as the Siem Reap Post Office shuttle bus;
The official shuttle bus is $8 one way, or $15 round trip if you’re arriving via air and also departing from the airport at a later date. Other services vary in cost, but expect to pay $8-9 for a one way trip. All of the shuttle buses have drop off points that are central to town, so regardless of which one you choose, you won’t have a long journey to your hotel from the drop off point. In general, shuttle buses run roughly every hour or so. If you’re arriving late, this may not be your best option as currently it seems the latest shuttle bus (from any company) is at 8.45pm.
2. Taxi or Private Car
If there’s 2-4 people in your group, or you’re travelling with a lot of luggage, a private taxi may be your best option for getting from Siem Reap airport into town. In general, a pre-booked taxi from the airport to town should cost somewhere in the region of $25-$35, though you may be able to find some cheaper deals if you shop around.
Many taxi drivers offer their services through Siem Reap community and travel Facebook groups, though you can also find plenty through google search too, just make sure to select one with good reviews! If you consider that a shuttle bus would cost $8-$9 per person, if there’s more than 2 of you this actually works out quite cost effective and also means you can get dropped off directly at your hotel, saving you those extra couple of dollars in tuktuk money.
Personally, we highly recommend Kun Thea – an enterprising local woman who provides excellent service and offers both car and van taxi services to and from the airport, so if you have a larger group you can also arrange a larger vehicle. Kun Thea charges $25 for a private car and $30 for a private minivan. You can expect safe driving, a comfortable journey, and good conversation!
You can get in touch with Kun Thea and the team by visiting Siemreapyellowcab.com
💡 Tip : Transport from Siem Reap Airport into town can also be booked through 12Go Asia if you like to have everything arranged and paid for in advance! Click HERE to search available options
3. Remork (Tuk-Tuk)
Okay, so we’re not saying this is the best way to get from Siem Reap airport into town, but it’s definitely an option. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to feel the wind in your hair, you could grab a tuktuk – but be aware that it’ll be a long and slow journey, and you might have to deal with dusty roads, or getting wet if you’re arriving during rainy season! Due to how far away from town the airport is, there won’t be a bunch of tuktuks waiting for rides like there was at the old Siem Reap airport.
Although there may be one or two tuktuks waiting around for a ride if they’ve just dropped a customer off – your best bet would be to arrange this in advance. Your hotel or accomodation should be able to arrange this for you. Expect to pay around $20 – don’t forget, it’s a pretty long drive! If you’re wanting to get a tuktuk from Siem Reap town to the airport, speak to a local driver to find out how much they would charge, and if they’d be willing to make the journey!
If you’ve got a lot of luggage, or you’re travelling in rainy season, this might not be a great option, but if you want to do things a little differently, then sure – why not!
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4. Ride Hailing Apps
It is possible to book a private car through ride hailing apps such as Grab or PassApp. If you’re arriving at Siem Reap airport and you book a Grab taxi into town, please be aware that you’ll probably find that some random guy will come up to you with a mobile phone (from a big box of mobile phones!) and tell you your ride will be there in a moment.
This is because the drivers themselves will usually wait outside the airport grounds to avoid paying the fees that the airport charges. They’ll all hand their phones to one guy they trust, who will take care of the bookings and call them in to pick up their customer when they have a ride.
Booking a taxi from Siem Reap town to Siem Reap airport through the ride hailing apps is simple and works just like it would for any other booking. Prices can fluctuate, though from personal experience our last 5 journeys have had an average cost of $28 USD.
💡 Tip: If you’re arriving at night or with lots of bags, a pre-arranged taxi or private transfer is your best bet. The shuttle is handy if you’re on a budget and don’t mind waiting a bit. Don’t count on there being cars available through ride hailing apps.
Airlines and Destinations
As of 2025, Siem Reap Airport offers direct flights to several major cities across Asia, including:
Bangkok (BKK, DMK)
Singapore (SIN)
Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
Phnom Penh (PNH)
Guangzhou (CAN)
New international routes are being added regularly. There’s talk of direct flights from India and the Middle East, so keep an eye out if you’re travelling from further afield. Emirates have recently announced direct flights from Dubai, which would be a massive win for Siem Reap tourism given how big of a hub Dubai airport is, and how many new travel routes that would open up.
Naturally, AirAsia is one of the most frequent flyers to Siem Reap airport, as their Bangkok to Siem Reap route is incredibly popular and can be had for a bargain if you book in advance during quiet periods.
Immigration, Visas & Arrival Process at Siem Reap airport
Getting through the airport is fairly straightforward, but here’s what you’ll need if you’re looking to get a visa on arrival (VoA) and don’t already have a Cambodia eVisa:
Passport with at least 6 months validity, from an accepted issuing country
Visa on Arrival Fee: $30 USD – available for many nationalities. This can be paid in cash (USD) or can now be paid via credit card when arriving in Cambodia via air!
You’ll also need to fill in an electronic arrival card, which you can do at the airport kiosks or ahead of time online (can be completed via the official app within 7 days of your arrival date). Queues can build up at the electronic arrival card kiosks during peak times, so we recommend doing this in advance, but it’s not an issue if you’d rather do it on arrival at Siem Reap airport.
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💡 Tip: If you’re a Cambodian national departing from Siem Reap airport, be sure to visit the rebate counter where you can apply for a refund of certain taxes paid on your flight ticket prices.
Siem Reap Airport Facilities
The new Siem Reap airport is a big upgrade from the old REP terminal in terms of facilities. Here’s what you’ll find:
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal
- ATMs & currency exchange (but rates aren’t always great and you’ll probably find better in town)
- SIM card counters for local data plans
- Shops, cafes & duty-free
- Toilets that are actually clean (a win!)
- Lounge options (for business class or pay per use travellers)
Food and drink options are still opening up at the airport, though you can already get food or drinks from;
– Burger King
– Starbucks
– Cafe Amazon
– Dairy Queen
– Blue Pumpkin
– Taste of Asia
– Dim Sum Emperors
There is also a CDF Angkor Duty Free Shop, and convenience store options such as Circle K if you want to grab a last minute snack to go, or some chocolate for the flight! Within the departure terminal itself, there is also some souvenir shops, so if you managed to spend time in Siem Reap and still forgot to get a gift for your mother – now is your last chance!
SAI vs REP: What’s Changed?
| Feature | Old REP Airport | New SAI Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to town | Around 7 km | Around 40 km |
| Size & capacity | Small, 2M passengers/year | Large, 7M+ passengers/year |
| International routes | Limited | More airlines & destinations |
| Facilities | Basic | Modern, spacious, more services |
While the old airport was convenient for quick hops into town, SAI is far better equipped for Cambodia’s growing tourism industry. It has certainly been a difficult adjustment for many people to get used to not having the Siem Reap airport on their doorstep – but it’s something that needed to happen for Siem Reap to grow as an international hub and tourist destination. Travel routes were previously limited due to the size of planes that could land at the old airport, and hopefully in the future we will see more and more airlines choosing Siem Reap as a regular destination.
💡 Tips for a Smooth Arrival at Siem Reap Airport
Bring USD in small notes for your Visa, snacks, and taxi ride (if not using a ride hailing app)
Book your transfer in advance if arriving late or during peak season
Pick up a local SIM at the airport for your holiday. You could also get an eSim in advance through one of many companies offering Southeast Asia travel sims. If you’re planning to get a local sim, it may be worth waiting until you arrive in town – mobile data in Cambodia is fast and cheap. Siem Reap airport has WiFi if you need to be able to Whatsapp your taxi driver or book one through Grab!
While the new Siem Reap Airport might be further from Siem Reap town and it’s beautiful temples than the old one, it’s a massive upgrade in terms of comfort and connectivity. More flights, better facilities, and a smoother experience overall mean it’s now much easier to get to Cambodia’s most famous destination and you’ll be recreating those Tomb Raider shots at Ta Prohm in no time.
Got questions about the new airport? Or just landed and want to share your experience? Drop a comment below – We aim to keep this guide updated!
For more great information or recommendations from our Siem Reap travel guide and for tips on Cambodia in general, don’t forget to follow our Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok accounts for regular fun and updates!
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