How to get to Cambodia: airports, flights and border crossings

Pick the airport that matches the first half of your trip, not the cheapest fare. Cambodia's three international airports sit far apart, and a domestic hop or a long bus ride between them costs a half-day you could spend at the temples.

Siem Reap (SAI) is the default for a first trip: Angkor is 15–20 minutes away and the town is built around visitors. Phnom Penh (PNH) suits the capital, the memorials and onward travel to Kep, Kampot or the coast. Sihanoukville (KOS) is the closest airport to the Koh Rong islands, though many travellers now reach the coast by road from Phnom Penh instead.

There are no nonstop flights from the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand to Cambodia. You will connect once or twice, usually in Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Doha or Dubai. From the US east coast, plan on 20–26 hours door to door; from the west coast, similar or slightly less depending on the connection.

From the UK and Ireland, one stop via the Gulf or Southeast Asia is normal: 13–16 hours total. From Australia, flights via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok run 10–14 hours including the stop. From New Zealand, add another 3–4 hours.

Fares swing with season. The dry, cool months from November to February are peak, and prices rise around Christmas and Khmer New Year in April. Booking two to four months ahead usually beats last-minute. If your dates are flexible, flying into Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City and continuing overland can be cheaper, but budget a full day for the border.

Cambodia shares land borders with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. The busiest crossing from Thailand is Poipet, on the road to Siem Reap; it is also the one most associated with scams and long queues. Cham Yeam, near Koh Kong, links the Thai coast to Sihanoukville. From Vietnam, Bavet (near Ho Chi Minh City) and Moc Bai are the main road crossings toward Phnom Penh. From Laos, Trapeang Kriel in the north connects to the Four Thousand Islands region.

Overland travel is cheap and scenic but slow. A bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap can take 8–12 hours including the border, and a Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh bus runs 6–8 hours. At the border you will usually leave one country, walk or shuttle across, then clear the other side; some operators handle the paperwork for a fee. Expect to pay in US dollars for the visa on arrival at many crossings, and keep small notes.

There is no regular international ferry to Cambodia. The coast is served by domestic ferries to the islands, and the Mekong has some cross-border boat services from Vietnam, but these are seasonal and slow; check locally before relying on them.

Most visitors need a visa for Cambodia. The official e-Visa portal issues a tourist visa valid for 30 days, and visa on arrival is available at the international airports and at most land crossings. Fees are set in US dollars, so bring clean notes. Your passport should have at least six months of validity and a blank page.

Rules and fees change, sometimes with little notice. Check the official e-Visa site and your own government's travel advice before you book, and carry a printed copy of your e-Visa and your onward ticket. If you are crossing by land, ask the bus company which visa arrangement they use, because not every crossing issues visas on arrival.

Book your first night's accommodation before you land, especially in Siem Reap in high season. Airport taxis and tuk-tuks are metered or fixed-price depending on the airport; agree the fare or use a ride-hailing app where available. ATMs at the airports dispense US dollars, which is the working currency for most prices.

Travel insurance is worth arranging before departure, particularly if you plan to ride a motorbike or visit remote areas. Check that your policy covers the activities you intend to do. For the rest of your planning, see the country hub and the sibling guides below.