SAI Airport: Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport at a Glance

SAI is the airport code for Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, the airport that serves Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor in Cambodia. If you are searching for flights to Siem Reap today, this is the airport you will land at.

The airport opened in 2023 and took over from the old Siem Reap International Airport, which used the code REP and sat right on the edge of town. That older airport has closed to passenger flights. Travel articles, maps and booking pages written before the move may still mention REP, so it is worth knowing that SAI is now the code to look for.

People refer to it in a few ways: "SAI airport", "Siem Reap international airport", "Siem Reap Angkor international airport" or simply "the new Siem Reap airport". All of these mean the same place.

SAI airport code and country

SAI is an IATA airport code, and the airport is in Cambodia. You will see it on tickets, on the departure boards of other airports and on your baggage tag. When you search Traveloka for Siem Reap, SAI is the code attached to the city.

Where Is Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport?

Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport sits in Soutr Nikom District, in the east of Siem Reap Province. This is well outside the town. Sources put the distance to central Siem Reap at roughly 40 to 50 km, depending on where in town you are going.

By road, the journey into Siem Reap usually takes between one hour and an hour and a half. The route passes through open farmland before joining the main road into town. Because of this distance, the airport transfer is a real part of your travel day, not a quick hop, and it is worth arranging it before you land or at the counters inside arrivals.

The Angkor temples lie on the far side of Siem Reap from the airport, so most visitors check in to their hotel in town first and visit the temples from there.

Flights to Siem Reap: Airlines and Routes at SAI

Most people searching for "flights to Siem Reap" or "Siem Reap flights" are coming from elsewhere in Southeast Asia, and SAI is well connected to the region's hubs.

From Singapore and Kuala Lumpur

Singapore Airlines flies between Singapore and Siem Reap. For travellers searching "Singapore to Angkor Wat", this is the most direct way to reach the temples, since you land at SAI and then transfer by road. AirAsia links Siem Reap with Kuala Lumpur.

From Bangkok, Vietnam and Laos

Bangkok Airways connects Siem Reap with Bangkok, and there are also flights to Bangkok from AirAsia's Thai operation. Vietnam Airlines links Siem Reap with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and also serves Luang Prabang in Laos. These routes make it easy to combine Angkor with a wider trip across Indochina.

From Phnom Penh

For travellers already in Cambodia, there are domestic flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Flying saves a long road journey between the two cities.

Schedules at Siem Reap change with the seasons, so check the latest options for your dates when you search on Traveloka.

Terminal and Facilities at SAI Airport

Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport has one passenger terminal, served by jet bridges, so you usually walk straight from the aircraft into the building. The single-terminal layout keeps things simple: there is no need to work out which terminal your airline uses.

Money and phone

ATMs and currency exchange counters are available in the terminal. This matters, because the visa on arrival is paid for on the spot. You will also find counters for Cambodia's main mobile networks, including Metfone, Cellcard and Smart, where you can pick up a local SIM card as you leave arrivals.

Wi-Fi, food and shopping

Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal. There are cafés and restaurants for a meal before your flight, duty-free shopping on the departures side and a business lounge for travellers who want a quieter space to wait.

Getting from SAI Airport to Siem Reap Town

With the airport so far from town, the transfer is the main thing to plan. There are several reliable choices.

Airport shuttle bus

An official shuttle bus runs between the airport and central Siem Reap several times a day. Tickets are sold at a counter in the terminal. It is the simplest budget choice if your arrival time matches a departure. Timetables change, so check the current times at the counter or on the operator's notice before you rely on it.

Cambodia Post shuttle

Cambodia Post also runs a shuttle service between the airport and town. It is a second scheduled option if the main shuttle does not suit your flight.

Taxi and private car

A transport desk in arrivals books private cars and larger vans at set rates, which suits families, groups and anyone with a lot of luggage. Many hotels can also arrange a pick-up if you ask in advance.

Ride-hailing apps

Grab serves Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, and you can book an airport pick-up in the app and meet your driver at the pick-up point. Download the app and set up payment before you fly, so you are not doing it on arrival.

Arrival and Departure Tips for Siem Reap Airport

Visa and entry

Many visitors to Cambodia can either apply for an e-Visa before travel or get a visa on arrival at the airport. Check the rules for your passport well before you fly. Cambodia also uses an online e-Arrival card for air passengers landing in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Completing it before your flight and keeping the QR code on your phone saves time at immigration.

Allow for the road trip

When you fly out of Siem Reap, the drive to the airport is the part most likely to catch you out. Add the hour or more on the road to your usual check-in time, and leave extra room in the busy tourist months or if you are heading out in the early morning before the shuttles start.

Keep valuables close

As at any busy tourist gateway, keep your bags and phone close while you arrange transport outside arrivals, and use the official desks and apps rather than offers from strangers.

Siem Reap and Angkor: What to See Near SAI Airport

Siem Reap is the base for exploring the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with hundreds of temples spread across the forest. Angkor Wat itself is the headline sight, and sunrise over its towers is the moment many travellers plan their whole trip around. Nearby, the carved faces of Bayon in Angkor Thom and the tree-wrapped ruins of Ta Prohm are just as memorable.

Most visitors buy an Angkor pass and spend two or three days touring the temples by tuk-tuk, car or bicycle. Back in town, the evenings are for markets, Khmer food and relaxed riverside walks.

Whether you are coming from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Phnom Penh, you can compare flights to Siem Reap on Traveloka and set a Price Alert for your dates.