Heading to Cambodia by air? Then you’re likely to arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport. As you’ll already know if you’ve travelled in Southeast Asia before, airport transport can be a hotbed of scams and getting to the city can be an expensive endeavour if you get ripped off!
Fear not! To spare you stress and overwhelm, we’ll reveal everything we know about Phnom Penh Airport, helping you to streamline your arrival process and delivering you to the city safe and sound – for a fair price.
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Phnom Penh International Airport Guide (PNH) ✈️
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Phnom Penh International Airport
Phnom Penh International is the busiest airport in Cambodia. It is very likely that if you are entering the country by air, this will be your entry point. Formerly known as Pochentong International Airport, the airport services a range of airline carriers, including Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Cathay Pacific, Jetstar Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.
New Phnom Penh Airport Coming 2025!
Techo Takhmao International Airport (TIA) is scheduled to open in 2025 (however, take that date with a pinch of salt)! It will receive long-distance intercontinental flights and will be able to accommodate giant aircraft, potentially overtaking PNH as the country’s dominant airport. Watch this space!
Visa on Arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport
Cambodia offers visas on arrival (VOA) for several nationalities. Visa on arrival can be arranged at any international airport in Cambodia.
You will receive the relevant visa forms onboard the plane. When you arrive at the airport, you will need to head to the visa desk. The whole process is quick and easy and you shouldn’t be stuck there for too long.
At present, a visa on arrival costs around $30USD per person for those eligible and is paid for at the airport. Card payments are not accepted – visas must be paid for in cash using US dollars. No other currency will be accepted.
Bear in mind that the dollar notes will need to be pristine – Cambodia is very particular about the quality of the dollars it accepts.
“I’ve heard a few stories of immigration officials in Cambodia palming off damaged notes onto tourists. Always check your notes and make sure you pay for your visa with the exact change to avoid this.”
Sheree Hooker, Editor at South East Asia Backpacker
Read more about Cambodian visas here.
Onward Travel in Cambodia
Proof of onward travel will likely be asked for those entering Cambodia by air without an e-Visa. If you do not have a return flight booked already, we recommend using an onward ticketing service such as Onward Ticket to get around this rule.
“When I arrived in Cambodia, I was asked for onward travel proof, both before boarding my flight and again when I went to get my visa. It doesn’t happen to everyone but it could, so it is best to be prepared!”
Sheree Hooker, Editor at South East Asia Backpacker
Read more about onward travel in Southeast Asia here.
Getting from Phnom Penh Airport to City
The journey from Phnom Penh International Airport to the city takes between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the traffic and your mode of transport.
1. Bus
The cheapest way to get from Phnom Penh Airport to the city is by bus. Line 3 bus departs from the airport and heads to the city via Russian Boulevard, Phasar Thmey Market and the Night Market (St. 106).
It is worth booking your accommodation in advance so that you can get off at the nearest stop. From the bus stop, you will need to walk the final section of your journey or get a tuk tuk/taxi.
The bus costs around 1,500 riel per person which is less than $0.50. It is recommended to use exact money as they are unlikely to be able to change anything larger than $1USD. Break a larger note in the airport before you get the bus if required.
The bus departs from outside the airport and runs approximately every 15 minutes from 5:00-20:30. The journey will take around an hour depending on traffic and where you get off. Be aware that if you have lots of luggage, you could be refused boarding. Locals commonly use the Line 3 bus and there is no room for bulky baggage.
2. Taxi
Getting a taxi from any airport can feel like a daunting process. Chances are that you’ll stroll through the arrivals gate to be greeted by a Cambodian guy asking if you need a taxi. Depending on where you are staying in Phnom Penh, he will give you a ticket with a price. You’ll then need to approach a taxi, give them the ticket and tell them where you are staying. They then drive you to your destination. They will not use the meter and instead, charge you the fare stated on your ticket.
If you are a little suspicious of the person approaching you, politely decline their help and head to the taxi counter in the arrivals area where you can arrange a ride.
There are three prices for taxis departing from Phnom Penh, dependent on whereabouts you are going:
- $12USD
- $15USD
- $18USD
All taxis will be waiting in a rank in front of the airport and the journey time will be around an hour. All licensed vehicles will have the word ‘taxi’ emblazoned on the side. As with anywhere in the world, you should not get into an unlicensed taxi.
🚨 SCAM ALERT! 🚨
After reading the above, you may think that the taxi ticketing system will save tourists from getting ripped off. Watch out! Unscrupulous taxi controllers still try to palm off the most expensive tickets on unsuspecting travellers arriving from the airport. Make sure you know where your accommodation is so you know what zone ticket you need– there is a map near the taxi counter where you can check.
3. Tuk Tuk
Cambodian tuk tuks, also known as remorks (essentially a carriage pulled by a motorbike), are another popular way to travel from the airport to Phnom Penh city. Much like taxis, the price you pay depends on the distance that you are travelling. There are specific airport tuk tuks which have set fares, beginning at $9USD for a ride.
Bear in mind that it will be cheaper to hail a tuk tuk from outside the airport, however, this extra legwork with all your luggage may not be worth the dollar or two you will save. When travelling by tuk tuk in Cambodia’s capital, always make sure you keep your valuables on your person and secure any luggage straps as bag snatching is common.
4. Ride-Hailing Apps
Southeast Asia ride-hailing giant Grab has made getting around the region significantly easier. To avoid getting ripped off by shady taxi drivers, ride-hailing apps are a good option to get from Phnom Penh Airport to the city.
Make sure you have already downloaded the Grab app and set up an account beforehand (you can use your home mobile number). Simply enter your destination and select your pick-up point. There will usually be a designated pick-up area inside the airport. If you can’t find it, check with a member of staff inside the airport.
PassApp is the most commonly used Uber alternative in Cambodia, however, you need a local number. If you want to use PassApp, you’ll need to purchase a Cambodian SIM at the airport (bear in mind that this is sometimes more expensive than buying one from elsewhere) to set up an account. A ride from the airport will likely cost around $8-10USD, depending on where you are going and the time of day.
5. Airport Transfer Service
If you don’t want the hassle of sorting your own transport after a long and tiring flight, it is possible to arrange pick up with an airport transfer service beforehand. These provide private transport to your destination in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles. Welcome Pickups is a popular option which meets travellers at the arrivals gate and pairs them with an English-speaking driver.
Airport Shuttle Train
There used to be a Royal Railway Cambodia train shuttle service to transport travellers from Phnom Penh Airport to the city railway station. However, this service was paused during the pandemic and has yet to be relaunched.
6. Moto
We don’t really recommend taking a moto from the airport for a few reasons. Firstly, you are likely to have bulky luggage which can be logistically challenging to take on a motorbike!
Secondly, bag snatching is pretty common in Phnom Penh. If you leave the airport with a bag on your back, you stand out as an easy target. If you do choose to travel by bike, give the driver your bag to hold as it will be safer.
Motos to the city cost around $7USD inside the airport. However, it will be far cheaper to use a moto outside the airport – these cost around $2-3USD for the same journey.
👉 Read More: Safety In Phnom Penh
Getting from Phnom Penh Airport to the city doesn’t have to be a stressful process. Come armed with the address of your accommodation and you’ll be well on your way to your destination for a fair price.
Bus is the cheapest way to get from the airport to the city while an airport pick-up is arguably the most convenient. Taxis will take around 30 minutes to make the journey. If you want to use one of the ride-sharing apps, make sure your SIM card works in Cambodia!
Sheree Hooker | Editor @ South East Asia Backpacker + Winging The World
Sheree is the awkward British wanderluster behind Winging The World, a blog designed to show that even the most useless of us can travel. Follow Sheree’s adventures as she blunders around the globe, falling into squat toilets, getting into cars with machete men and running away from angry peacocks. In recent years, Sheree has also taken on the role of editor at South East Asia Backpacker.
