Land-only DMC · Vietnam · Cambodia · Laos
Destinations · Cambodia
Cambodia, from the operations desk
For most programmes Cambodia means Siem Reap for Angkor, sometimes with Phnom Penh before it. Both cities have moved to new airports in the last three years, and the visa a client holds decides which way they can enter.
Cambodia in one table
What Cambodia is, for an operator
Angkor is the reason most clients come, and it is a large site rather than a single temple: the remains of the Khmer capitals from the 9th to the 15th centuries, spread over about 400 square kilometres. The work of a guide here is mostly sequencing — which temple at which hour to avoid the heat and the coach groups.
Phnom Penh adds the Royal Palace, the National Museum and the history of the 1970s, which many clients find hard but important. It is also the arrival point for programmes that cross from Vietnam by road or river.
Sources: UNESCO — Angkor · checked .
How many nights
Two nights in Siem Reap gives one full temple day and two half days, which is enough for a first look at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm. Three nights adds the outer temples or the Tonle Sap lake. One night is a mistake: with the airport about 50 km from town, a one-night stop spends almost as much time in transfers as at the temples.
Phnom Penh works with one night for clients arriving by boat or road from Vietnam and two for clients who want the museums. The Mekong Delta to Angkor sample uses two nights in each city; the Indochina series group uses three in Siem Reap and none in Phnom Penh.
When to go
3 = easiest months to operate · 2 = workable · 1 = wet season or heat that limit temple days.
November to February is dry and relatively cool and is the busiest period at Angkor. March to May is the hottest part of the year; temple days start before dawn and stop by late morning. From about May to October the wet season brings afternoon storms, green landscapes and fewer visitors. Khmer New Year in mid-April closes offices and fills the roads.
Getting there, and the visa that goes with each route
Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) opened on 16 October 2023, about 50 km east of the town, replacing the old airport next to the temples. It has flights from Hanoi, Saigon, Luang Prabang, Bangkok and other regional hubs. In Phnom Penh, Techo International Airport (KTI), about 19 km south of the city, took over commercial flights in September 2025.
Cambodia's tourist e-visa costs USD 30 and allows a single entry and a stay of up to 30 days. It is accepted at the international airports, but on land only at Bavet (from Vietnam) and Trapeang Kriel (from Laos). A tourist visa on arrival is also available, at USD 30. For programmes that enter by the Mekong at Kaam Samnor, plan a visa on arrival or one issued in advance by an embassy.
Sources: Wikipedia — Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport; Wikipedia — Techo International Airport; Wikipedia — Visa policy of Cambodia · checked .
What it costs on the ground
| Item | Reported price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Angkor Pass, 1 day | USD 37 | Check before you travel |
| Angkor Pass, 3 days | USD 62 | Use within 10 days of purchase |
| Angkor Pass, 7 days | USD 72 | Use within 30 days of purchase |
| Children under 12 | Free | Passport shown at the ticket office |
| Tourist visa, e-visa or on arrival | USD 30 | Paid by the traveller; check before you travel |
Angkor Pass prices are passed through in our quotes at the rate on the day. Hotels in Siem Reap cover a wide range, and peak-week gala dinners at Christmas and New Year are common; both are named in the quote. Supplier rates are not published here.
Sources: Visit-Angkor.org — Angkor Pass prices (blog, 19/04/2024); Angkor Enterprise — official ticket seller · checked .
Photographs
When Cambodia is the wrong addition
- Clients who can spare only one night: the airport transfer leaves too little time at Angkor.
- Travellers who cannot handle heat or steep stone steps, travelling between March and May.
- Clients who insist on an e-visa but are sold a river crossing at Kaam Samnor.
- Programmes that need the Tonle Sap boat in the driest months, when water levels may not allow it.
Common questions
Questions agents ask
Is two nights enough in Siem Reap?
For a first visit, yes. Three nights is better for clients interested in the outer temples or the Tonle Sap.
Which visa should clients get for Cambodia?
Flying in, the e-visa or visa on arrival both work. Entering overland, the e-visa is only valid at Bavet and Trapeang Kriel, so the crossing decides.
How far is the new Siem Reap airport from the hotels?
About 50 km east of town. Plan the transfer as a significant part of the arrival and departure days.
Are Angkor Pass prices included in your quotes?
Yes, when the programme includes temple visits. They are passed through at the published rate on the day.
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