ARRIVING AT
SIEM REAPLeaving Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport: transport guide
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport · Cambodia
Medium riskUpdated June 2026High confidence
New airport (opened 2023) is 50km from town. Most hotels include free transfers — confirm before booking a taxi.
TL;DR
SAI (Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport) is the main international airport serving Siem Reap, Cambodia. The recommended way out is Use a pre-arranged hotel pickup or PassApp (~Free if hotel; $25–$35 USD if not, 45–60 min to Siem Reap town). Pickup is at Outside arrivals, hotel pickup zone. The most common scam to watch for is "Private van overcharge". Fares on the SAI → Siem Reap town route typically run Free (hotel) or $25–$35; anything above $80+ private van is almost certainly a scam. Last updated June 2026.
IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING
Use a pre-arranged hotel pickup or PassApp
- Typical fare
- Free if hotel; $25–$35 USD if not
- Journey time
- 45–60 min to Siem Reap town
- Pickup
- Outside arrivals, hotel pickup zone
WARNING · Most hotels include airport pickup. ALWAYS ask before paying for a taxi.
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Compare your options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Wait | Payment | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hotel pickup | Free or pre-arranged | Pre-arranged | 💵Cash | |
PassApp / Grab | $20–$30 | 5–15 min | 📱App | |
Airport taxi counter | $30–$40 | 0–10 min | 💵Cash | — |
Tuk-tuk | $15–$25 | 5–15 min | 💵Cash | — |
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Your first 30 minutes
- 1Clear immigration (e-visa speeds this up)
- 2Look for your hotel's pickup sign (usually free)
- 3If no hotel pickup, use PassApp or coupon taxi
- 445–60 min to Siem Reap town
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Airport exit score
AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
60/ 100
- Scam risk70
- Public transport20
- Ride-hailing70
- Signage clarity75
- Payment convenience65
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Fare reality check
SAI → Siem Reap town
- Free (hotel) or $25–$35ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
- $50+ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
- $80+ private vanProbably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
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Best ways out, ranked
- 1
Hotel pickup
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- Free or pre-arranged
- Journey
- 45–60 min
- Wait
- Pre-arranged
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Often free
- Driver waits with sign
Cons- Must confirm with hotel before arrival
- 2
PassApp / Grab
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- $20–$30
- Journey
- 45–60 min
- Wait
- 5–15 min
- Payment
- 📱 App
Pros- Fixed fare
- Honest
Cons- Limited drivers at off-hours
- 3
Airport taxi counter
- Cost
- $30–$40
- Journey
- 45–60 min
- Wait
- 0–10 min
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Set price
Cons- Pricier than apps
- 4
Tuk-tuk
- Cost
- $15–$25
- Journey
- 60–80 min
- Wait
- 5–15 min
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Cheap
Cons- Long and hot, not all tuk-tuks come this far
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Paying without surprises
- USD is preferred. Bring clean, unmarked notes.
- Hotel pickups are often free — confirm in writing before paying anyone.
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Common scams
Private van overcharge
Medium riskTouts in arrivals quote $60–$80 for 'private VIP' transfers.
HOW TO AVOID · Use PassApp or your hotel's free pickup.
Old airport confusion
Low riskThe old REP airport closed in 2023. Maps and tuk-tuk drivers may still know it.
HOW TO AVOID · Tell drivers 'Siem Reap-Angkor SAI', not 'old airport'.
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What locals & travellers say
SAI·Siem Reap
“New airport opened Oct 2023 — pre-2024 guides are all wrong about location.”
Official AirportCambodia News EnglishChecked Oct 2023confirmed
01 / 02
- "New airport opened Oct 2023 — pre-2024 guides are all wrong about location." — Cambodia News English
- "Almost every hotel offers free airport pickup if you message ahead. Ask." — r/cambodia
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Arrival checklist
- Email your hotel for free pickup — most offer it
- If not: PassApp or coupon taxi
- Bring clean USD
- Confirm IATA is SAI, not old REP
✉︎
Take it with you
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SAI arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport?
- Use a pre-arranged hotel pickup or PassApp. Most hotels include airport pickup. ALWAYS ask before paying for a taxi..
- Are taxis at SAI safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: private van overcharge — Touts in arrivals quote $60–$80 for 'private VIP' transfers. Use PassApp or your hotel's free pickup.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at SAI?
- Yes — PassApp / Grab works at SAI. Typical cost $20–$30, journey ~45–60 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
- How much should a taxi from SAI to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the SAI → Siem Reap town route is roughly Free (hotel) or $25–$35. Anything around $50+ is high — $80+ private van is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at SAI?
- Carry small local notes — Hotel pickup expects cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport?
- Outside arrivals, hotel pickup zone. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is SAI safe to arrive at late at night?
- SAI is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
- What scams should I watch for at SAI?
- The most reported at SAI: Private van overcharge; Old airport confusion. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
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