Your journey to Siem Reap begins the moment your plane touches down. To ensure you have the smoothest experience possible, this comprehensive guide walks you through every step from deplaning, through immigration procedures, purchasing a SIM card, to getting into the city center. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or familiar with Southeast Asia, this information will save you time and help you avoid unnecessary hassles.
When Your Plane Lands: Preparing Immigration Documents
Before your plane lands in Cambodia, flight attendants will distribute two important paper forms. These are the Customs Declaration and Arrival Information forms. You can fill these out after landing in the immigration section of the airport, where desks and pens are provided free of charge for your convenience.
However, a simpler and more modern approach is using the Cambodia e-Arrival (CeA) app. This application allows you to provide the same information without filling out paper forms manually. Once completed, CeA generates a QR code for immigration officers to scan when checking your information for your visa. If you haven’t installed it beforehand, tablets are available in the immigration area to complete CeA on the spot.
The app works quickly, operates smoothly, and is available on both iOS and Android platforms. You can fill out the information online within seven days before arriving in Cambodia, which significantly saves time when you land at the airport.
Immigration and Visa Procedures in Cambodia
After your plane lands, you’ll make your way to the immigration section of the airport. If you didn’t complete the CeA form during the flight, this is when you’ll finish your paper forms. This area has standing desks and pens provided, along with tablets to complete CeA if needed.
The Cambodia immigration process consists of two main steps. First, you go to the counter to purchase and pay for your visa. Second, you proceed through the immigration checkpoint with your purchased visa to be admitted into Cambodia.
Steps to Obtain Your Visa at the Airport
The visa application process occurs across multiple consecutive windows. Go to the visa counter and follow these steps:
- Present your passport at the first window
- Pay the visa fee of $30 USD in cash
- Receive your passport back with the visa sticker attached
The officer at the first window will take your passport and pass it down to other officers at subsequent windows. Different officers will check, stamp, affix the visa sticker, and finally return your passport at the last window. This entire process flows smoothly and happens quite quickly.
After receiving your visa, you proceed to the official immigration lane. This follows standard procedure: present your passport with the newly purchased visa, show the QR code from CeA or your completed paper forms, have your fingerprints scanned, get your photo taken, and hopefully they’ll grant you entry into Siem Reap, Cambodia without any issues.
Getting a SIM Card Immediately After Clearing Immigration
One of the first things you should do after passing through immigration is purchase a SIM card. If you’ve already bought an eSIM beforehand, you can skip this section. However, I strongly recommend getting an eSIM instead of a physical SIM at the airport or at phone stores in the city, where they may overcharge tourists.
Where to Buy SIM Cards at Siem Reap Airport
After clearing immigration and being admitted into Cambodia, Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is surprisingly empty. There are no kiosks for purchasing SIM cards or taxis inside the main airport building. The stores are located just outside the airport building—simply exit the doors, look right, and then behind you.
When exiting the airport, you’ll see many people holding signs for passengers who reserved taxis and buses in advance. You’ll also most likely be approached by someone working for the Official Airport Taxi company asking if you need a taxi.
Ignore them temporarily and purchase a SIM card first from the stores/vendors at the airport:
- Smart (preferred – has the best coverage)
- Metfone (reliable alternative option)
Choose a package that matches your length of stay. Prices typically range from $5-10 for packages with data and SMS, sufficient for 1-2 weeks of travel.
Important note: Bring your passport as SIM registration in Cambodia requires identification documents. Staff at the counter will help you install and activate the SIM on the spot.
Essential Mobile Apps for Your Trip
After getting internet connection from your new SIM, the first priority is downloading important applications. The following three apps will make your trip significantly more convenient and economical:
- Grab – For tuk-tuks, taxis, and food delivery
- PassApp – Specifically for tuk-tuks (local application)
- FoodPanda – Food delivery
Grab is a must-have because you’ll get much better rates than hailing a tuk-tuk from the street. Tuk-tuk drivers will try to get your business as you walk around Siem Reap, especially in busy areas like Pub Street or right outside your hotel entrance. Just say “No, thank you” or completely ignore them and keep moving.
These apps require a Cambodian phone number for registration, which is another reason why getting that SIM card immediately is so important. PassApp in particular only accepts +855 Cambodian numbers for account creation.
Transportation Options from Airport to City
As mentioned earlier, when you exit the airport, you may immediately be approached by someone working for the Official Airport Taxi Service to sell you a private taxi to the city. They can be somewhat aggressive for what’s supposed to be the official airport taxi service, which catches many travelers off guard.
Below are your options listed from cheapest to most expensive. I hope other travelers will share additional or better options so you can learn from their experiences as well.
1. Cambodia Post Shuttle Service – $9 (Cash)
This is the most economical option for solo travelers or couples. This shuttle service is operated by Cambodia Post and transports passengers from the airport to main areas in Siem Reap city. You can book in advance or fill out a registration form at the tourist information counter just outside the airport.
Several travelers have shared positive experiences with this service—the vehicles are clean, punctual, and drivers are friendly. However, you’ll need additional transportation from the shuttle drop-off point to your hotel using Grab or a local tuk-tuk.
You can find the fill-in form for the shuttle service at tourist information desks or contact them through tour operators like Angkor Photography Tour. Some travelers recommend booking a day in advance to ensure availability, though walk-ups are usually accepted if space permits.
2. Official Airport Taxi Service – $35 (Cash to Driver)
The official taxi office is located in the “Tourist Center” just outside the SAI Airport exit. Someone may approach you asking if you need a taxi, and if you say yes, they can arrange a vehicle instantly. During the ride, the taxi driver may offer rides and trips to temples for the following days. I was quoted $25 for the approximately 8-hour Angkor Wat tour and $40 for Phnom Kulen Mountain the following day.
If you want a comfortable private ride, reserve an airport transfer with your hotel or various companies operating taxis in Siem Reap. This ensures you have a dedicated vehicle waiting for you without negotiation hassles. If you’re on a budget, use the shuttle service to get into Siem Reap city, then use Grab to reach your hotel.
The one-hour drive from the new airport to central Siem Reap gives you time to rest after your flight and get oriented to the landscape. The road is well-maintained and the journey is generally smooth.
Tips and Advice for Enjoying Siem Reap
Hopefully the one-hour drive from the airport wasn’t too difficult, and once you arrive at your hotel, you can enjoy the pool and air conditioning. But before you relax completely, here are some important tips about money, food, and how to best enjoy Siem Reap.
Money and Currency Exchange
I suggest withdrawing money from ATMs in Cambodian Riel, or you can withdraw USD and exchange it for Riel. Most places accept Riel and I haven’t encountered anywhere that strictly only accepts USD. However, many upscale hotels and restaurants still list prices in USD as it’s widely used alongside the local currency.
When using USD, bills must be in EXCELLENT condition. The tiniest rips, tears, or damage will be closely examined by cashiers and WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED if damaged. This is extremely common in Cambodia because damaged USD bills are difficult to recirculate through the banking system.
If you have damaged USD bills, take them to currency exchanges, WING branches, or Cambodian banks to exchange or replace them. I found that currency exchanges on Pub Street will accept damaged bills and exchange them for Riel. Service fees will apply but that’s expected.
When receiving change, examine the bills carefully and ask for a different bill if you receive a damaged one. This saves you trouble when spending later. Many shops give change in a mix of USD and Riel—amounts under $1 typically come back in Riel, while whole dollars come back as USD bills.
ATMs are widely available throughout Siem Reap, particularly around Pub Street, Old Market, and near major hotels. Most charge a withdrawal fee of $4-5, so consider taking out larger amounts to minimize fees.
Food: Discovering Khmer Cuisine
Authentic Khmer food is nothing short of amazing! Restaurants serving delicious food at cheap prices appear everywhere and you almost can’t go wrong ordering a random Khmer dish to enjoy.
Street food vendors line up along the Siem Reap River and at nighttime, it’s a beautiful sight to behold. Dishes range from $1 to $7 depending on what you get, and the $1-2 dishes will fill you up alongside a $1 Cambodian canned beer like Angkor or Cambodia brand.
Some must-try dishes include amok (coconut curry steamed in banana leaves), lok lak (stir-fried beef with pepper sauce), num banh chok (Khmer noodles with fish curry), and bai sach chrouk (grilled pork with rice). Don’t miss trying fresh fruit shakes for $1-2—they’re incredibly refreshing in the tropical heat.
If you’re looking for more authentic food, get a tuk-tuk from Grab and head north of Pub Street to visit the markets around there. Get a meatball Num Pang (Cambodian baguette sandwich) from a cart—you’ll see a pig roasting over coals at some shops or chicken being fried right on the sidewalk.
For better Khmer food, head north of Pub Street and Google Maps is your best friend! This area has fewer tourists, more realistic prices, and food that’s more localized for Cambodian people rather than catering to tourist palates. You’ll find family-run restaurants where locals eat daily, offering genuine flavors at incredibly affordable prices.
The night markets near the Old Market area also offer excellent street food experiences. Try the grilled meats, rice porridge (bobor), and various noodle soups. Don’t be afraid to point at what looks good—most vendors are used to communicating with gestures and will happily serve you.