Flights to Siem Reap: Complete Guide
Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat and Cambodia’s most visited destination. Most travelers arrive via the newly opened Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), which replaced the older, smaller airport (REP) in late 2023. This modern facility handles all international and domestic commercial traffic. While direct long-haul flights from Western countries are rare, the airport serves as a major regional hub for Southeast Asian carriers. Finding flights to Siem Reap requires understanding regional connections and timing your booking to avoid the peak tourist influx during the dry season.
Which airport should you fly into?
There is currently only one operational commercial airport serving the region. Ensure your booking reflects the correct IATA code to avoid confusion with older travel guides.
- Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI): Located approximately 45km (28 miles) east of the city center. This is the primary point of entry for all international and domestic flights to Siem Reap.
- Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH): Located 320km from Siem Reap. Some travelers fly here first to visit the capital before taking a 45-minute domestic flight or a 5-6 hour bus ride to Siem Reap.
Best time to book flights to Siem Reap
To secure the lowest fares, booking lead time is critical. For international travelers flying from outside Asia, the ideal booking window is 4 to 6 months in advance. If you are flying domestically within Southeast Asia (e.g., from Bangkok or Singapore), booking 3 to 5 weeks ahead typically yields the best prices.
Prices spike significantly for travel in December and January. If your trip coincides with the Lunar New Year or Western Christmas holidays, aim to have your tickets issued at least 20 weeks before departure. Mid-week departures—specifically Tuesdays and Wednesdays—consistently offer better value than weekend flights.
Cheapest months to fly to Siem Reap
The cheapest flights to Siem Reap are generally found during the "green season," which runs from May to October. June and September are historically the least expensive months to fly. During this period, humidity is high and afternoon rain showers are common, which suppresses tourist demand and forces airlines to drop prices.
November through February is the peak dry season. During these months, flight demand surges, and you will rarely find significant discounts. If you want a balance of decent weather and lower airfare, look at "shoulder" months like April or October.
Direct flights vs connecting flights
Currently, there are no non-stop direct flights to Siem Reap from Europe, North America, or Australia. Almost all international travelers will need at least one layover.
Direct Flights (Regional) You can find direct flights to SAI from major Asian hubs including:
- Bangkok (BKK and DMK)
- Singapore (SIN)
- Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
- Hanoi (HAN)
- Luang Prabang (LPQ)
- Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
- Da Nang (DAD)
Connecting Flights For long-haul travelers, the most efficient routes involve flying into Bangkok, Singapore, or Ho Chi Minh City and transferring to a regional carrier. Connecting through Bangkok is often the most cost-effective route due to the high volume of daily flights between the two cities.
Best airlines flying to Siem Reap
Several reputable carriers operate regular service into SAI. Your choice will likely depend on your starting hub and budget.
- Cambodia Angkor Air: The national flag carrier offering frequent domestic links to Phnom Penh and regional flights to Vietnam and China.
- Singapore Airlines: Provides a high-end connection through Changi Airport, linking Siem Reap to its vast global network.
- AirAsia: A low-cost carrier operating routes from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, often providing the cheapest flights to Siem Reap.
- Bangkok Airways: Known for premium service on the short hop between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Siem Reap.
- Vietnam Airlines: Offers reliable connections for those traveling through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Getting from the airport to the city center
Since the new airport (SAI) is 45km away from the city, transit takes significantly longer than it did at the old airport. Expect a travel time of 60 to 90 minutes.
- Airport Taxi: Fixed-rate taxis are available at the arrivals terminal. Expect to pay approximately 140,000 KHR to 160,000 KHR ($35–$40 USD) for a private car.
- Shared Shuttle Bus: A more affordable option for solo travelers. Tickets cost roughly 32,000 KHR ($8 USD) per person and drop passengers at designated points in the city.
- Private Mini-Van: Ideal for groups. These cost approximately 200,000 KHR ($50 USD).
- Rideshare (Grab): You can use the Grab app, but drivers may add a surcharge for the long distance and airport parking fees.
- Hotel Transfers: Many boutique hotels offer pickup services. Check if this is included in your room rate, as it is often the most seamless option.
Flight duration from major cities
Since you will likely be connecting, these times include average layover durations at regional hubs.
- Bangkok to Siem Reap: 1 hour 10 minutes (Direct)
- Singapore to Siem Reap: 2 hours 15 minutes (Direct)
- London to Siem Reap: 15–18 hours (via Singapore or Bangkok)
- New York to Siem Reap: 21–24 hours (via Seoul, Tokyo, or Hong Kong)
- Los Angeles to Siem Reap: 19–22 hours (via Taipei or Tokyo)
- Sydney to Siem Reap: 12–15 hours (via Singapore)
- Dubai to Siem Reap: 11–13 hours (via Bangkok)
Tips for finding cheap flights to Siem Reap
Finding a deal on airfare requires a mix of timing and tool usage. Use these strategies to lower your costs.
1. Search for "Hidden City" or Split Tickets Sometimes it is cheaper to book a long-haul flight to Bangkok and then purchase a separate round-trip ticket to Siem Reap on a budget carrier like AirAsia. This is often cheaper than booking the entire journey on a single ticket, though it carries more risk if your first flight is delayed.
2. Use Incognito Mode and Local Versions of Sites Airlines can track your search history. Use private browsing to avoid price hikes based on your search frequency. Additionally, check the airline’s local Cambodian site version; occasionally, prices are listed lower in local currency.
3. Set Fare Alerts for Nearby Hubs If you cannot find a deal directly to SAI, set alerts for flights to Phnom Penh (PNH) or Bangkok (BKK). If you find an incredible deal to one of these cities, you can easily add a cheap regional flight or bus ride to reach Siem Reap.
4. Leverage Budget Carriers from Hubs Don't just look at major global search engines. Check the websites of regional budget airlines like Thai AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, and VietJet Air directly. These carriers often have "flash sales" that aren't always indexed immediately by larger aggregators.
5. Fly Mid-Week Avoid flying on Fridays and Sundays. Most regional travelers from Thailand and Vietnam visit Siem Reap for weekend breaks, causing prices to surge. Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday can often save you 20-30% on the ticket price.