Siem Reap’s brand-new international airport, officially named Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), opened in October 2023, and it’s one of the most impressive infrastructure projects Cambodia has seen in years — successfully blending Cambodia’s grassroots charm with sleek, international design.

Lending some space to the Unesco World Heritage site, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is located about 50 minutes outside of the city by Tuk Tuk. The ride is filled with beautiful scenery of the Cambodian countryside. Surrounding the airport is the Soutr Nikom District, an agricultural melting pot of cows and green rice fields can be seen as you pass by. Overall the ride into Siem Reap by Tuk Tuk is worth it to take in the scenery at a pace slow enough for you to take a good picture. Do it at least once, probably on the way in because it gets a little dusty. I’ve done it both ways and it’s not too bad.

There isn’t much between the airport and Siem Reap…. Yet. Along the main road taking you to and from SAI you see what looks to be hotels and boutique stays that are preparing for the 7 million travelers that Angkor International can handle. No doubt the rooms will have stunning views of the rice fields and the mystical Kulen Mountain.

Getting in and out of the airport is easy and well marked with fresh paint and multi-lingual signage. There is a staging area for the drivers and an ample parking lot for commuter vans. Entrances are clearly marked and there are staff members to help guide you to where you need to be.

One thing I really liked about the SAI airport were the bathrooms. After a 50 minute Tuk Tuk ride you may need a restroom and these are quite nice. They put a restroom facing the arrival/departure roundabout so you don’t need to wait until you get all the way into the airport. In fact the restroom is just past the departures escalators. A convenient stop before you get to the service counters.

Steps away from the restroom at the end of the drive there is a convenience store. I believe it is branded Circle K but I could be wrong. If it wasn’t it sure felt like one. There was just about everything you would need before or after getting on a flight. They even put a couple of tables just outside the door which is nice for when you need to stop and organize your bag with the new sandwich you bought.

Arrival exit doors are just next to the line of sim card shops. If you can avoid it, get a sim when you get to town, but that’s a different post. When you exit the Arrivals doors you will be at street level and there will be drivers there to meet you. Can’t miss them.

Turning back you’ll see the escalator for Departures. When you go up there is a security guard station to help you in the entrance. Beyond that are the ticket agents. Pretty standard but, again, very modern sleek design. Clean whites and grays create a futuristic look along with the vending machines and colorful advertisements.

Through security the airport really shines. When you enter you are greeted by a very large hall with the four faced Khmer statue (I forgot the name). Natural light floods the large space with shops at all four corners around the hall. Each corridor leads to something different. Straight ahead are the gates, to the right is the food court and the left is shopping. Depending on when you arrive there are art exhibits in the central square. It’s a very upscale touch in such a grand space.
I’d like to reiterate, throughout the inside of the airport the restrooms are laid out in thoughtful locations as well, with the entrances facing away from the crowd. That is nice because no one really sees you going into or coming out of the restroom because you enter from the back side. Sinks, counters and stall partitions are all of modern design. The fixtures are not low quality, you can tell from the fancy spinning drain stoppers.

Another accommodating feature of SAI Airport are the smoking decks. Many Airports have been going the way of non-smoking for decades now however that is not necessarily the case in a global view. The smoking decks are located outdoors and are decorated with artificial wood decking and heaps and heaps of plants to hide the smokers from the view of the people in the terminal.

I believe the studies, smoking is bad for you, but I also believe people should be able to make that choice without feeling alienated. A HUGE positive is the smoke decks are outside! So if you do visit the smoke deck you aren’t smoking every cigarette that is around you.
And smokers, as a courtesy, wash your hands and rinse your mouth before you get on the plane.

Now, on to my favorite place, the food court! For food we have the holdover Burger King from the previous Siem Reap Airport, a Spicy Chinese Chicken place that seemed to be really popular. The logo was fantastic! But .. in the middle was a big salad bar. All kinds of toppings from meats to cheeses. They even had Avocado, NICE! To top it all off they have Fiji water. Amazing!

Seating in the food court is adequate as far as amount goes. Looks are another story though. Very modern white tops with tall and short light wooden chairs and stools. The centers are decorated with floral pieces as well as massive windows that overlook the same wood decking and greenery seen at the smoke decks. While there was not access to the outside for dining, I hope that they will allow that in the future.

Heading to your gate you traverse back into the square and down the very wide hall to the gates. Along the way you will see little stalls selling souvenirs, books and snacks. No large food stalls like in the food court though.

Walking further the signs for the gates are large print and in Khmer, Chinese and English. Not only is the signage multi-lingual it is also color coded and in many cases, pictogram form. All signs of a truly international airport, pun intended, SAI Cambodia has really stepped up from the small landing strip of the past. No more walking across the tarmac either. I miss that because it made me feel like a celebrity, getting right off the plane and walking directly into the Siem-Reap airport. Plus, the old Siem Reap airport really had “small airport charm” to it that SAI does lack.

Arrivals still have you outside though. Exiting the plane door you still step out into the “caterpillar” but instead of going inside the gate hallway you walk outside, all the way down to the central square where immigration is. It’s a nice view and walk especially after an hour in a small airplane seat but it totally could have been indoors.

Immigration is a little cryptic. There are forms and computers and it wasn’t 100% clear on which one you should use so I did both. Officials at the desk are curt. I would advise you to have USD on arrival to avoid the line at the ATM. Make sure your bills are in perfect condition. The Officials will not take them if they are torn or folded. Bummer I know.

Check your change too. Don’t be afraid to ask for a different bill if your change is not in perfect condition. Be sure to be nice and say please and thank you. They will still be curt though, I think it’s part of the job.

As a side story, I have a torn $1 USD bill. Just 1/2 of a dollar bill that is paper clipped in my passport. My brother has the other half. The Officials absolutely did not like that at all. He asked about it and frowned at me. When I explained my brother has the other half he was completely disinterested and slid my passport to the next Official in the line.

Cost for passage into The Kingdom Of Cambodia $30 USD. Happy to be here 🙂