A practical arrival checklist for Siem Reap airport: choose a transfer, prepare payment and plan a relaxed first evening.
The journey at a glance
SAI airport
Road transfer
Town / hotel
Decision diagram, not a road map. Allow roughly 60 to 90 minutes on the road depending on arrival and traffic.
US$8 / person
Arrives at 7 Makara Road; confirm hotel drop-off with the operator.
See the live quote at the counter or in the app. Confirm total and pickup point.
Best for late arrivals or luggage. Ask for a written quote and driver name.
Bus fare checked 23 September 2026 with the operator. Schedules, hotel drop-off and other fares can change.
Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) is outside the city, not beside the Old Market. After a long flight, the useful plan is simple: confirm your way to the exact hotel address, have a payment backup, and leave the first evening light.
This page is an arrival checklist. The official airport bus operator currently lists US$8 per person between SAI and town, with arrivals at its 7 Makara Road station. Its first listed airport departure is 09:30 and the last 22:00. Recheck the date, departure, hotel drop-off conditions and availability before relying on it. Taxi, Grab and hotel transfer prices are live quotes, not a reliable fixed site-wide fare.
| Option | Good when | Confirm before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel pickup or pre-booked car | Late arrival, children, much luggage, simplest handoff | Driver name, meeting point, total fare and flight-delay policy |
| Airport shuttle | You travel light and its current drop-off works for your hotel | Timetable, final stop and how you reach the hotel from there |
| Ride-hailing or licensed airport transport | You prefer arranging transport on arrival | Pickup area, connectivity, accepted payment and the displayed total |
The airport's landside transport guide identifies separate bus and Grab pickup areas. Ask your hotel for its actual pickup instructions before flying. Keep the reservation and address available offline. If your aircraft lands late, check whether dinner is still possible at the hotel or nearby; do not build the first night around a tight restaurant booking.
Have a small, reliable way to pay for the first transfer even if an app fails. Cambodia uses riel and US dollars, cards work at many larger businesses, and QR payments are widespread, but the method your driver accepts is the one that matters on arrival. See how payments work in Cambodia and our essential apps. Save the hotel name, address and a map pin before losing airport Wi-Fi.
Check visa and entry requirements and the before-you-land checklist ahead of departure. Entry procedures depend on passport, arrival route and current rules.
Check in, eat near your hotel and sleep. If you have time and energy, a short river walk or dinner in your chosen neighbourhood is enough. The where-to-stay guide helps you see how different those neighbourhoods feel.
If Angkor sunrise is the next morning, agree on pickup time with your driver and confirm your ticket plan before going to bed. Otherwise, make the first morning a gentle introduction to Siem Reap and save the temples for a day when you can enjoy them. Compare one, two or three days at Angkor.
Before leaving the airport: know your destination address, transfer meeting point and payment method. Everything else can wait.
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