Siem Reap Airport Guide 2026: Visa, Cash, and Taxis
Arriving at the new Siem Reap Airport (SAI) in 2026? Learn how to easily get a Cambodia visa on arrival, manage the local cash rules, and find the best airport taxi rates.
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Arriving at the new Siem Reap Airport (SAI) in 2026? Learn how to easily get a Cambodia visa on arrival, manage the local cash rules, and find the best airport taxi rates.
Your Essential Guide to Cambodia Solo Travel: Currency Exchange, Visa on Arrival, and Airport Taxis
Cambodia Angkor Air Review & Arrival Tips
Written & Photographed by Travel Sun
Hello, fellow travelers! This is Travel Sun.
I recently returned from an incredible 4-day, 3-night solo trip to Cambodia.
While many people choose to visit Cambodia via group package tours,
I found that traveling independently was incredibly straightforward and rewarding!
Being able to customize my own itinerary made all the difference.
Here is my detailed day 1 review and essential arrival guide for Siem Reap.
Flying with Cambodia Angkor Air to Siem Reap
For my journey, I flew with Cambodia's national flag carrier,
Cambodia Angkor Air.
While they regularly operate direct flights to Phnom Penh,
they occasionally run seasonal direct flights to Siem Reap during the winter dry season.
I was lucky enough to book one of these direct routes for my trip!
If seasonal direct flights aren't active during your travel dates,
you will need to transit through Phnom Penh or Bangkok to reach Siem Reap.
However, because the dry season is the peak time to visit Angkor Wat,
it's always worth checking for these direct seasonal routes.
Now, let's talk about cash. Cambodia operates on a unique dual-currency system.
Both US Dollars (USD) and the Cambodian Riel (KHR) are accepted everywhere.
The general exchange rate is fixed at $1 USD to 4,000 Riel.
For transactions under $1 USD, you will receive your change in Riel,
while larger amounts are handled in USD. Because of this,
I highly recommend bringing plenty of small USD bills ($1, $5, $10).
⚠️ Crucial Cash Tip for Cambodia:
Cambodians are extremely strict about the physical condition of US dollars.
Even a tiny tear, crease, or ink mark can cause a bill to be rejected.
Make sure to bring crisp, brand-new bills from your bank.
When receiving change, inspect the bills immediately. If they hand you a damaged USD bill,
politely ask them to exchange it for a clean one or give you Riel instead!
Checking in for the flight took a bit longer than expected since
the airline processed passengers for both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap at the same counters.
Make sure to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.
The baggage allowance was quite generous: 33 lbs (15kg) for checked luggage
and 15 lbs (7kg) for carry-on baggage, which made packing stress-free.
Since my gate was in the satellite terminal, I took the airport shuttle train
to ensure I arrived well before boarding started.
Surprisingly, the direct flight to Siem Reap wasn't fully booked,
making it one of the most relaxed boarding experiences I've ever had—no long lines at all!
The flight was operated on an Airbus A320 with a standard 3-3 seating layout.
Legroom was typical for an economy cabin—my knees were almost touching the seat in front of me,
but it was perfectly fine for the 6-hour flight.
Since this was a seasonal charter flight, hot meals weren't served,
but they did provide complimentary beverage services.
The drinks were served twice during the flight.
The mango juice was absolutely delicious—make sure to try it if you fly with them!
After a comfortable 6-hour flight, we finally touched down in Siem Reap.
Instead of the dense jungle canopy I had imagined, the landscape around
the new airport looked surprisingly open and flat.
Before landing, the cabin crew will hand out the Cambodian Arrival Card.
Here is a quick guide on how to fill out the two-part form:
Left side: Last name, first name, gender, date of birth, passport number, nationality, occupation, flight number, route (e.g., ICN-SAI), purpose of visit (check "Tourism"), and your local address in Cambodia (be sure to have your hotel name and address saved offline!).
Right side: Last name, first name, date of birth, nationality (write "USA" or your home country), passport number, flight number, route, purpose of visit ("Tourism"), duration of stay, visa number (leave blank if getting Visa on Arrival), phone number, hotel address, date, and your signature.
How to Get a Visa on Arrival & Airport Taxis
Once you enter the terminal, you will see the Visa on Arrival counter
located directly opposite the main immigration lines.
While you can apply for an e-Visa online beforehand,
getting a Visa on Arrival is incredibly simple and highly recommended.
The cash fee is $30 USD.
While older blogs warn about officers asking for a "$1 tip" or bribe,
the process was completely professional and transparent when I went—no extra fees were requested.
Simply line up, hand over your passport, arrival card, and $30 cash.
They process it on the spot, and you do not need to provide a physical passport photo anymore.
After receiving your visa, walk across to the immigration counters.
The officers didn't ask any questions, making the entry into Cambodia seamless.
Once you grab your bags and exit, you are immediately outside.
The new Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) is located far from the city center.
It is roughly a 30-mile (1-hour) drive, meaning you must take a bus or taxi.
The official airport shuttle bus costs $8 USD per person.
You can check the schedule in the photo below (though keep in mind, they sometimes adjust the times on the fly!).
If the bus times don't align with your flight, you'll need to book a taxi.
The official flat rates are $35 USD for a standard sedan and $40 USD for a minivan.
If you have multiple drop-off points, there is an extra $5 USD fee.
I teamed up with fellow travelers heading to the same area, split a minivan with an extra stop,
and paid $45 USD total for 4 people.
Splitting a taxi is highly recommended as it's much more comfortable than the bus and almost the same price if you share.
Don't hesitate to ask other travelers at the exit if they want to share a ride!
(One quick heads-up: our driver was very persistent in trying to sell us temple tours,
asking about our plans, and offering return airport rides. It can be a bit exhausting, so feel free to politely decline.)
📍 Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI)
NR6, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
📍 Airport Bus Stop (Angkor Market - Downtown)
9R8X+RQ3, Krong Siem Reap 17252 Cambodia
📍 Airport Bus Stop (Siem Reap Angkor Airport)
96GC+J2W Cambodia
⚠️ Crucial Navigation Warning!
When navigating back from the city center to the airport, be very careful.
The old airport (closer to town) is permanently closed.
To find the correct bus stop for the shuttle back to the new airport (SAI),
search Google Maps specifically for: "Airport bus stop siem reap angkor airport".
Overall, getting from the plane to my hotel was incredibly smooth,
leaving me excited and ready for my Cambodian adventure!
I was also extremely pleased with my hotel choice,
so I will make sure to share a detailed accommodation review in my next post!
Check out my other Cambodia travel preparation guides below!
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In Siem Reap, both US dollars and the local currency, Riel, are used together, with 1 dollar typically calculated as 4,000 Riel. Crumpled or damaged dollar bills cannot be used, so you should prepare clean, new bills. If you receive a damaged dollar bill as change, it is advisable to ask for a replacement.
The fee for a visa on arrival at Siem Reap Airport is 30 dollars. You do not need to bring a passport photo; simply submit your passport and the fee at the visa issuing counter before immigration, and it will be issued immediately.
It takes about an hour from the new airport to the city center, and you must use a bus or an airport taxi. The bus fare is 8 dollars per person, while a standard taxi costs 35 dollars and a minivan costs 40 dollars. An additional 5 dollars is charged for each extra stop.
A direct flight from Incheon to Siem Reap, Cambodia, takes about 6 hours. Cambodia Angkor Air allows up to 15 kg of free checked baggage and 7 kg of carry-on baggage.
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