Cambodia's New Airports in 2026: Getting from Techo and Siem Reap-Angkor into Town

Cambodia has quietly rebuilt its front doors. In the space of two years the country replaced both of its main international airports with large, modern ones built well outside the cities they serve. The upside is gleaming new terminals with room to grow; the catch is that both airports are now considerably farther from the centres than the old ones, which changes how you plan your arrival, how long the transfer takes, and how much it costs. This guide covers what has changed at Techo International near Phnom Penh and Siem Reap-Angkor International, and exactly how to get from each into town in 2026.

Cambodia's two new front doors

Most visitors arrive through one of two airports. Techo International Airport is the vast new gateway to the capital, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport serves the temple town of Siem Reap. Both replaced older, closer-in airports as part of Cambodia's push to modernise its aviation infrastructure and handle expected growth in arrivals. For the traveller the key practical fact is the same at both: you land farther out than you might expect, so build the transfer into your plans rather than treating it as a five-minute hop. The broader entry logistics, from visas to the Angkor pass, are covered in our Cambodia entry update.

Techo International: Phnom Penh's new airport

Techo International Airport opened on 9 September 2025, replacing the old Phnom Penh International Airport that had sat much closer to the city. It is a large, modern facility built to give the capital room to grow, and it sits roughly 24 kilometres south of the city centre near the Independence Monument. On a clear run the drive takes around 45 minutes, but Phnom Penh's traffic is congested and it frequently takes longer, so give yourself a comfortable margin, especially for a departure.

Getting from Techo into Phnom Penh

You have several options into the city, at very different price points. App-based ride-hailing services such as Grab, PassApp and WowNow operate from the airport, with fares that generally fall somewhere between 10 and 20 US dollars depending on your drop-off and the traffic, and they have the advantage of a price agreed in advance. A metered or negotiated street taxi tends to cost more, sometimes 30 to 40 US dollars. At the budget end, an Airport Express Bus connects the airport with central Phnom Penh, running from early morning until late at night at frequent intervals for a fare of only around 1,500 riel, well under a dollar. A tuk-tuk is possible too, typically 8 to 15 US dollars, but it is slow over this distance, often taking well over an hour.

Siem Reap-Angkor International: farther but modern

Siem Reap's new airport, Siem Reap-Angkor International, opened in late 2023 and sits considerably farther from town than the old one, roughly 40 kilometres to the east near Sotr Nikom. The old airport was famously close to both the town and the temples; the new one deliberately moved air traffic away from the fragile Angkor Archaeological Park, which is good for the monuments but adds distance and time to your arrival. Expect the transfer to take around 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic and your exact destination in town.

Getting from Siem Reap airport into town

Because of the greater distance, transfers here cost more than travellers who remember the old airport may expect. A taxi or private car into central Siem Reap typically runs in the region of 25 to 35 US dollars, and many hotels offer a prearranged pickup that is often the smoothest option after a long flight. Ride-hailing apps operate here too and can be cheaper, and shared minibus or shuttle services exist at lower cost if you do not mind waiting to fill. Whatever you choose, agree the price before you set off, and if your hotel offers a transfer, comparing it against the app price is worthwhile. Once in town, the temples themselves are reached by tuk-tuk, and our guide to Angkor etiquette and the multi-day pass covers what comes next.

Why the distances matter

The move to larger, farther airports has real consequences worth planning around. Transfers cost more and take longer than at the old airports, which matters most for early departures, when you must leave the city well ahead of time, and for late arrivals, when tired travellers face a longer ride in the dark. It also means the airport transfer is now a meaningful line in your budget rather than a rounding error, particularly in Siem Reap. None of this is a problem once you expect it; the mistake is arriving with the old, closer airports in mind and being caught short on time or cash.

Arranging transfers in advance

For most travellers, the least stressful approach is to arrange the first transfer before you arrive. A hotel pickup or a pre-booked car means someone is waiting with your name, the price is fixed, and you avoid negotiating with drivers while jet-lagged and unfamiliar with fair rates. It costs a little more than hunting for the cheapest option on the spot, but for the very first ride into an unfamiliar city it is money well spent. For later journeys, once you know the going rates and have a local SIM for the ride-hailing apps, you can be more spontaneous and economical.

Ride-hailing, tuk-tuks and the express bus

Cambodia's ride-hailing ecosystem makes airport transfers much easier than they once were. Apps like Grab and PassApp show the fare up front and remove the haggling, provided you have mobile data, which is one more reason to sort a SIM on arrival. Tuk-tuks, including app-summoned ones, are charming and cheap for short hops but slow and hot over long airport distances. The Phnom Penh Airport Express Bus is a genuine bargain for budget travellers who are not in a hurry and are travelling light. Matching the mode to your priorities, speed, cost or comfort, is the whole game.

Connecting the two cities

Many itineraries pair Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and you do not have to fly between them. The two cities are linked by road, increasingly by expressway, as well as by bus and other overland options, and the journey can be a worthwhile part of the trip rather than dead time. For the trade-offs between flying, the bus and other modes, our guide to overland travel in Cambodia lays out the options, and our piece on the country's new expressways explains how the road network is changing.

Practical tips for arrival

A few small habits smooth the landing. Have some US dollars in small denominations ready for a taxi or the bus before you find an ATM, since the airport machines charge the usual fees. Note that the airport is far from town, so do not schedule a tight connection to an onward bus. Screenshot your hotel's address and map pin in case your data is not yet working. And for departures, leave for the airport substantially earlier than the distance alone suggests, because city traffic is unpredictable and you cannot afford to gamble with a fixed flight time.

Facilities at the new terminals

Both new airports are a marked upgrade on the facilities they replaced, with more space, modern immigration halls and a growing range of shops and eateries, though as with any new airport some services are still bedding in. On arrival you will find ATMs, with the usual foreign-card fees, currency exchange, SIM-card counters and taxi and ride-hailing desks. Prices for food and drink airside are higher than in town, so if you are on a budget, eat before you fly. Because these are large facilities, allow a little extra time to walk between gates and through immigration, especially at busy arrival banks when several flights land together.

Departures: give yourself time

The distance out of town matters most on the way home. For an international departure, work backwards generously: check-in and security at a busy new terminal, plus a transfer of 45 minutes to an hour that city traffic can stretch, means leaving your hotel far earlier than the raw kilometres imply. A missed flight because you underestimated Phnom Penh's congestion or the Siem Reap distance is a costly, avoidable mistake. If you have an early-morning flight, consider a hotel closer to the airport for the final night, or at least confirm your transfer the evening before.

What to do next

1. Check which airport you are arriving at and its real distance from town: about 24 kilometres for Techo, roughly 40 for Siem Reap-Angkor.
2. Arrange your first transfer in advance through your hotel or a booking, especially for a late arrival.
3. Have small US-dollar notes ready for a taxi or the express bus before you reach an ATM.
4. Get a local SIM on arrival so ride-hailing apps work and you can compare fares.
5. Plan how the airports fit your route, and whether to go overland between cities, with our plan your journey page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Techo Airport from Phnom Penh?

Techo International Airport sits roughly 24 kilometres south of central Phnom Penh, near the Independence Monument. The drive takes around 45 minutes in good conditions but often longer because of the city's congested traffic, so allow a comfortable margin, particularly when heading to the airport for a departure.

How do I get from Techo Airport to the city?

Options include ride-hailing apps such as Grab, PassApp and WowNow at around 10 to 20 US dollars, a street taxi that may cost 30 to 40, a tuk-tuk at roughly 8 to 15 but slow over the distance, and the Airport Express Bus into central Phnom Penh for only about 1,500 riel.

How far is the new Siem Reap airport from town?

Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport lies roughly 40 kilometres east of Siem Reap, considerably farther than the old airport, which was very close to town. The new location deliberately keeps air traffic away from the Angkor temples. Transfers take around 45 minutes to an hour and cost more than at the old airport.

How much is a taxi from Siem Reap airport to town?

A taxi or private car from Siem Reap-Angkor International into central Siem Reap typically costs around 25 to 35 US dollars because of the greater distance. Many hotels offer a prearranged pickup, which is often the smoothest option, and ride-hailing apps or shared shuttles can be cheaper if you compare.

Should I book an airport transfer in advance in Cambodia?

For your first arrival, yes. A hotel pickup or pre-booked car means a fixed price and someone waiting, sparing you negotiation while jet-lagged, and it is especially worthwhile for late-night arrivals or the longer Siem Reap transfer. For later trips, ride-hailing apps with a local SIM let you travel more cheaply and spontaneously.