How to Get from Siem Reap Airport to Siem Reap City

Updated October 2025 — Written by locals, not AI.

If you’re about to land or are planning a trip to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), welcome to Cambodia!

One of the first questions most travelers ask is: How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Siem Reap safely and easily?

There’s a lot of confusing or false information online — especially from AI-generated travel sites written by international comapanies and people who’ve never been here.

So here’s the real local guide, created by our team at Siem Reap Airport Transfers, based on years of experience welcoming visitors to Siem Reap.

How Long Does the Journey Really Take?

Let’s start with the truth:

The journey from Siem Reap Airport (SAI) to Siem Reap city takes around 45 minutes. It can be a bit shorter when traffic is light, or a bit longer during peak hours, heavy rain or when there has been an accident on the road which only has one lane in each direction.

Many big travel websites and booking platforms get this wrong — One international company i found that came first in search results even had a a journey time of zero minutes! on their website. That’s clearly not true and clearly a mistake by the author, however it shows that it’s easy to read false information from sites without local knowledge. These errors usually come from automated or overseas-written content. At Siem Reap Airport Transfers, we’re based here locally, so we keep our information accurate and up to date.

Some airport transfer booking websites still list the distance as around 5–6 km from Siem Reap, but that refers to the old domestic airport that closed in 2023. The new SAI – Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is located about 50 km from the city, which is why the travel time is now roughly 45 minutes. Always double-check that the information you’re reading is based on the new airport location, not the former one near town.

At Siem Reap Airport Transfers, we always prefer honesty over hype.

Your Options for Getting from the Airport to Town

1. Private Airport Transfer (Recommended)

Booking a private airport transfer in advance means your driver will meet you inside the Arrivals Hall, holding a sign with your name under the “Connect Cambodia” brand.

You’ll go straight to your hotel — no stress, no haggling, and no hidden costs.

✅ Fixed prices (no surprises or “extras”)
✅ Professional, English-speaking drivers
✅ Air-conditioned vehicles
✅ Cash or card payment on arrival

“One traveler told us she gave her hotel name to a random driver and ended up checked into the wrong hotel — she said Templation hotel, but was taken to Treeline hotel! Booking ahead avoids all that confusion.”

2. Grab App

Grab works in Cambodia and can be convenient. However:

It’s internationally owned, meaning most of your fare flows out of Cambodia.
Not all drivers speak English.
Prices can surge when demand is high.
If you enter the wrong hotel name, you might not end up where you intended.

Supporting local Cambodian companies like SRAT keeps your travel spending in the community.

3. Taxi Queue at the Airport

You’ll find taxis outside the terminal, but prices are not fixed, and communication can sometimes be tricky.

If you’re arriving tired or at night, it’s best to have your transfer booked in advance.

Why Book with Siem Reap Airport Transfers?

At Siem Reap Airport Transfers (SRAT), we’re more than just a transfer company.

We provide personalized service, local advice, and custom tours for travelers who want a smoother experience in Cambodia.

Our drivers are:

Handpicked for professionalism and local knowledge
Fluent in English
Friendly, punctual, and experienced

We take pride in ensuring not only a professional SAI airport trransfer service, but making sure our guests are well taken care of for the whole time they are in Cambodia:

“From the moment he met our party of four at the airport to the day he returned us safley for our flight, everything was handled with care and thoughtfullness. Vanthay put together a plan that suited us perfecly — taking us through the local market, sharing the storys behind everyday life, and guiding us out to the fishing village. What stood out was not only his knowledge, but the way he spoke with genuine pride about his countrys history and its people. It made the experiance much richer and more personal.”

More Than Just a Ride

Beyond airport transfers, we also offer:

Tailored tours of Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples
Floating village experiences on Tonlé Sap
Custom itineraries to explore Siem Reap at your own pace

Each tour is handled personally and catered to the individual or group.

Read what travelers say on our Reviews.

We’re also happy to recommend hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Siem Reap — just ask when you book!

How to Book Your Transfer

Booking your Siem Reap airport transfer is quick and secure:

Visit our Booking Page.
Enter your pickup details, flight number, and hotel.
Receive a personal confirmation from our local team.

Payment options:

Cash on arrival or drop-off

💳Credit/debit card on arrival (no online payment required)

Your driver will meet you inside the Arrivals Hall, holding a Connect Cambodia sign with your name.

Final Thoughts

Getting from Siem Reap Airport to Siem Reap city shouldn’t be complicated.

Book with a trusted local company for peace of mind, fair pricing, and a warm Cambodian welcome.

Book Your Siem Reap Airport Transfer Now