Getting to Phnom Penh
The most practical way to get to Phnom Penh is by air. If you're starting your Cambodia trip in Seam Ream, and you have time, you can travel down the great inland lake Tonle Sap to get to the capital. You can also travel overland, although areas of the country are still considered unsafe for tourists. There is also a train from the Thai border at Battambang.
Airlines Serving Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh's small Pochentong International Airport is only a eight kilometers from town. The airport code is PNH, see Cambodia Airports for more information.
- Bangkok Airways
- Flies from Bangkok to Phnom Penh directly.
- Malaysia Air System
- The Malaysian national carrier flies internationally between Kuala Lumpur and major cities around the world.
- PMT Air
- Cambodian airline with a small domestic and international network to neighboring countries.
- Royal Khmer Airlines
- Services both Phnom Penh and Seam Reap. International destinations include Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi.
- Silk Air
- This Singaporean airline flies from Singapore to both Phnom Penh and Seam Reap.
- Singapore Airlines
- The Singaporean national airline flies daily between Singapore and Phnom Penh.
- Thai Airways
- The Thai national carrier flies daily to Phnom Penh from Bangkok.
- Vietnam Airlines
- The Viet national carrier flies to both Seam Reap and Phnom Penh from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
In addition to the above, other airlines include China Airlines, China Southern, Dragon Air, EVA Airlines, Royal Phnom Penh, Shanghai Airline and Seam Reap (see Bangkok Airways).
Phnom Penh Arrivals
International arriving passengers should follow the signs to immigration and baggage claim. If you don't have a visa, your first stop should be the visa on arrival counter. You'll need to hand in your completed visa application form together with one passport size photo and your passport at the first counter, then wait for your name to be called to pick up your passport. When you pick up your passport, you need to pay the visa fee, which is US$ 20 for most visa types.
Once you get your visa, or if you already have it, you can head straight to immigration to have your passport stamped. You'll need your passport and the immigration form for passport control. Once you get through immigration, you can get your bags and proceed to customs. Have your customs form ready to hand to the officer. Sometimes the inspectors can't be bothered to come out of their office and you just leave your form in the bin provided.
Phnom Penh Airport Transfers
Just outside the exit from customs are counters for taxi or moto transfers into the city. Taxis charge a flat rate of US$7 which you can pay to the driver when you arrive at your hotel. If you want to save yourself some hassles, you can book your airport transfers in advance through Viator. The following services are available: