Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport transfer
This page covers private transfers from Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) to hotels in Siem Reap, the Angkor temples and destinations further across north-west Cambodia. You book a car or minivan with a local transfer company, see the total price before you confirm, and your driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign.
- Airport code
- SAI
- City
- Siem Reap
- Country
- KH
- Route guides
- 6
The key fact for first-time visitors: SAI is not the old airport at the edge of town. It opened in 2023 in the countryside roughly 50 km east of Siem Reap, so the ride into town takes about an hour rather than ten minutes.
Transfers from this airport
- Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) → Beng Mealea temple17 km · 29–37 min
- Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) → Siem Reap town46 km · 56–70 min
- Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) → Angkor Wat51 km · 62–78 min
- Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) → Phnom Kulen National Park59 km · 83–104 min
- Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) → Poipet border crossing196 km · 226–283 min
- Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) → Battambang209 km · 228–285 min
Why the airport is so far from Siem Reap now
For decades flights landed at the small REP airport a few kilometres from the hotels. That airport closed to commercial traffic when SAI opened in late 2023, and every passenger flight now uses the new terminal in Sotr Nikum district, east of the city.
The practical consequence is time and planning. A tuk-tuk is not a realistic way to cover the distance with luggage, and you should treat the airport run like an intercity transfer: book it ahead, share your flight number, and allow a proper buffer on the way back.
Where travellers go from SAI
- Siem Reap town (46 km)
- Hotels around Pub Street, the Old Market, the riverside and Sivatha Boulevard, plus resorts on the road towards the temples. Usually 56–70 minutes.
- Angkor Wat (51 km)
- Straight to the main temple area in Angkor Archaeological Park, about 62–78 minutes. You need an Angkor pass, bought separately at the official ticket centre or online.
- Beng Mealea (17 km)
- The jungle temple lies close to the new airport, only about 29–37 minutes away, which makes it an easy first or last stop of a trip.
- Phnom Kulen (59 km)
- The sacred hill with waterfalls and the River of a Thousand Lingas. Around 83–104 minutes; the access road runs on local timing rules.
- Battambang (209 km)
- Cambodia's relaxed second city on the Sangker River, reached via National Road 6 and Sisophon in roughly four to almost five hours.
- Poipet border (196 km)
- The main road crossing into Thailand towards Aranyaprathet. About 226–283 minutes to the Cambodian side of the checkpoint.
Drive times and what to expect on the road
Short hops such as Beng Mealea take half an hour. Siem Reap town and Angkor Wat sit around the one-hour mark, Phnom Kulen closer to an hour and a half, and Battambang or Poipet are long half-day drives. Roads near the airport are new and wide; further out you share National Road 6 with trucks, motorbikes and farm vehicles, so speeds stay moderate.
Rainy-season downpours, mostly from about June to October, can slow traffic on rural stretches. The figures above are typical, not guaranteed, and your price does not change if the ride takes longer.
Choosing the right vehicle
- Private car
- For one to three travellers with normal suitcases. Comfortable for the hour into town and fine for the long runs west if you pack light.
- Minivan
- For families, groups up to about seven, or anyone carrying large cases, camera gear or bicycles. Declare bikes and bulky equipment when booking.
- Child seats
- Can be requested at booking. Mention the child's age so the provider brings the right seat for a long highway drive.
When most visitors arrive
The main temple season runs from about November to March, when the weather is drier and cooler and sunrise visits to Angkor Wat are popular. Hotel check-ins bunch around midday flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, so booking ahead in these months is sensible.
The hot months of April and May are quieter but very warm, and the green season brings afternoon storms and fewer crowds at the temples.
Frequently asked questions
How far is SAI airport from Siem Reap town?
By road it is about 46 km to the centre, a drive of roughly 56–70 minutes. Hotels on the far side of town or near the temples can take a little longer.
Do flights still use the old Siem Reap airport (REP)?
No. Commercial flights moved to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) when it opened in 2023. Check that your ticket shows SAI and plan for the longer transfer.
Can the driver take me straight to the temples after landing?
Yes, a transfer can end at Angkor Wat or Beng Mealea instead of your hotel. Remember that temple passes are bought separately, and large luggage is better left at the hotel first.
Is the price fixed if my flight is late?
Yes. The total price is agreed before booking and does not change for traffic or a delayed flight. Share your flight number so the provider can follow the arrival time.
Can I book a transfer to the Thai border?
Yes, transfers run to the Cambodian side of the Poipet crossing. You then cross on foot with your passport; visas and entry rules for Thailand are your own responsibility.