Arrival by planeThe two main airports of Cambodia are located in the capital, Phnom Penh (PNH), and Siem Reap (REP), home of Angkor Wat. Although PNH has a few air bridges, there is a strong chance of having to walk across the tarmac and a certainty of this at REP. After time in a pressurised metal tube, we love the welcome of the warm breeze when deplaning this way and it's a nice way to say goodbye to a country too! We would advise obtaining an eVisa in advance and, if possible, choose a seat at the front of the plane to avoid the immigration queues on arrival.
The flag carrier Cambodian Angkor Air is a relatively new airline (formed in 2009) and has a good safety record. Its fleet of modern Airbus A-320s and ATR-72s are maintained by SkyTeam member Vietnam Airlines, which should alleviate any safety concerns. We would not recommend flying other Cambodian airlines though. |
Travelling aroundCambodia no longer has any train services (other than the 7 km long touristy bamboo train in Battambang) and we wouldn't recommend any of the long distance bus services, unless you wish to relive your backpacking days. The roads can be pretty hair-rising and are often in poor condition - also make sure that whatever transport you book has seatbelts, even if you book through a trusted tour operator. The major car services Blacklane and Uber have not yet launched in Cambodia and taxis with meters are not available outside Phnom Penh. Boats are available between the capital and both Battambang and Siem Reap, although are only reliable during the wet season and safety standards may be questionable.
Arriving at Siem Reap airport, we would recommend a taxi into town - there is a booth outside that sells coupons into the city for $7 and we have never had any problems with drivers. Around town, tuk-tuks are ubiquitous, but make sure you haggle on the price. A tuk-tuk and driver for a day should cost no more than $15 but then tip a couple of dollars too. |