Travel to Cambodia
Flying to Cambodia
Most international visitors arrive in Cambodia by air, with Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) serving as the main gateways. Phnom Penh handles the majority of international flights, while Siem Reap is the primary entry point for travellers visiting the Angkor temples. Both airports offer modern facilities and straightforward arrival procedures, including visa on arrival and eVisa processing for eligible nationalities.
Cambodia does not have extensive long-haul connections, so most travellers reach the country via regional hubs. Airlines operating international routes to Cambodia include Cambodia Angkor Air, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Scoot, China Southern, Korean Air and several other regional carriers. Common transit points include Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul. From Europe, Australia and North America, journeys typically involve one stop in Southeast or East Asia before onward travel to Cambodia.
Flight times
To Phnom Penh: from Bangkok - 1 hour; London - 14 hours (including stopover); New York - 21 hours (including stopover).
Travelling to Cambodia by Rail
There are no regular international passenger train services linking Cambodia with its neighbours.
Driving to Cambodia
Cambodia can be entered by road from neighbouring Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, and overland travel is common for visitors already travelling within Southeast Asia. Border crossings are generally straightforward at major checkpoints, though procedures and waiting times can vary depending on location, time of day and nationality. Travellers should ensure they have the correct visa in advance or confirm that visa on arrival facilities are available at their chosen crossing.
From Thailand, popular entry points include Poipet, which connects Siem Reap with Bangkok, and crossings near Koh Kong on the southern coast. From Vietnam, several border posts link Phnom Penh and southern Cambodia with Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta region. Overland entry from Laos is possible via the southern border in Champasak Province, providing access to northern Cambodia.
Road conditions have improved significantly in recent years, particularly on major routes connecting cities and border towns. Long-distance buses and minibuses operate frequent services between Cambodia and neighbouring countries, offering a relatively affordable way to travel. However, journey times can be long, and travellers should allow flexibility for delays caused by traffic, weather or border formalities.
Getting to Cambodia by boat
Cambodia can also be entered by water, particularly via the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake, though this option is seasonal and less commonly used than air or road travel. Boat services have traditionally linked Phnom Penh with southern Vietnam, especially between Phnom Penh and Chau Doc, but schedules and operations can change depending on water levels and demand.
