If you’re looking for a great introduction to Cambodia, there’s no better way to do it than to negotiate your transfer to Phnom Penh from Phnom Penh International Airport (nee Pochentong). Be aware that the taxi situation can border on scammy, so it’s good to know what to expect before you go.
As in many cities, you’ll probably have a group of men shouting at you and trying to rope you into various transport options the minute you leave the arrivals hall. Take a deep breath and ignore them. You have three transportation options for Phnom Penh Airport transfers: taxi, tuk tuk, and moto.
Welcome to Phnom Penh International Airport. Here’s how to leave.
Taking a taxi from Phnom Penh Airport
Taxis are the fastest, safest way to get from the airport into Phnom Penh, especially if you’re carrying lots of expensive equipment on you. You can either get an airport taxi or a private taxi.
The airport taxi drivers all seem to speak English, which is handy for new arrivals. If you walk to the curb immediately after leaving the arrivals hall, there will be a line of official taxis waiting.
The trip into town takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, and can take even longer if there’s traffic. From Phnom Penh to the airport it takes about 45 minutes if the roads are clear, but can take take two hours or more in the early evening. Be sure to budget a lot of time, just in case.
Airport taxi prices
As previously mentioned, the airport taxis are a great introduction to life in Cambodia. Despite copious research and several recent visits to the airport, I’m still not completely certain “official” price. But frankly, the official price doesn’t matter, because they probably won’t charge you that, anyway.
The semi-official fee for a taxi into Phnom Penh has recently gone up (again) to $12, $15, or $18 depending on which area of town you are headed to, and they will give you a ticket that says the price before you get into the taxi. An airport taxi to Wat Phnom, the Riverside, or anything above Street 240 will cost $12. Most other locations in central Phnom Penh including BKK and Russian Market are $15, or $18 for places across the river, such as Chroy Changvar.
The previous “official” charge for these three zones was $9, $12, and $15. Expats have reported being able to still get the $12 for central Phnom Penh on occasion, so it’s worth trying if you don’t mind a bit of an argument.
Despite the recent price increase they are still trying to fob off higher priced tickets on unsuspecting tourists, so be sure to know which zone you are in before you agree to a price. There is a map on the front of the taxi booth just outside of arrivals where you can check, or use the guidelines above. Taxis are usually Toyota Camrys that can seat four at a squeeze and don’t have room for a lot of luggage.
Private taxi prices
Another option is to book a taxi online in advance. The private taxis are significantly nicer — they’re air-conditioned Lexus SUVs that can seat four and have more room for luggage. The cost is $15 or $17 and you don’t need to deal with the Phnom Penh airport taxi mafia.
If you don’t mind waiting around, you can use one of Phnom Penh’s taxi booking apps which offer a less expensive alternative. They also offer tuk tuk bookings, but the tuk tuks only seat two people. If you use a private taxi app, you’ll be able to get from the airport for under $10 in most cases. Check with your driver–sometimes they will wait for you outside of the gate but other times they will come into the arrivals parking lot to meet you.
For an open-air way to travel to and from the airport, try a tuk tuk.
Taking a tuk tuk from Phnom Penh Airport
Within the grounds of the airport tuk tuks are also available for the set price of $9. If you’re looking to save some money, you can walk directly outside the airport gates and get tuk tuks into town for about $6 depending on your negotiation skills and how far away you are looking to go. (As a point of reference, you should be able to get back to the airport from Phnom Penh for $6 or $7, despite what your guesthouse might tell you.) You will often pay less by booking a tuk tuk via one of the apps that are now available in Cambodia.
When I first landed in Cambodia I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and that bumpy, breezy ride in the tuk tuk was eye-opening and wonderful. A tuk tuk journey is one that involves all of the senses, and it’s one of the best ways to see Phnom Penh for the first time, even if the drive is a bit longer than in a taxi. However, remember to take care of your belongings when in a tuk tuk and keep your bag under your feet if possible.
Taking a moto from Phnom Penh Airport
Motos are also available outside the airport gates for around $2 or $3. Don’t wear your bag on your back, ask the driver to hold the bag up front or hold it between yourself and the driver. New arrivals are easy targets for bag snatchers, so be especially careful on motos or when you put your bag down to pay for your transport. Do not take the airport motos for $7, it’s a total rip off.
Taking the bus from Phnom Penh Airport
Phnom Penh (finally) has a small public bus system, and it is air-conditioned and stops at the airport! It’s certainly the least expensive way to get into town, costing just 1,500 riel ($0.37). Be sure to have small change, preferably riel, as they will not be able to change bills larger than $1. The bus stops directly outside the airport. When you leave the airport, go straight ahead and once outside the gate, turn right, and you’ll see the bus stop (here’s a a whole blog post just about the public bus system if you want to know more.
Phnom Penh International Airport
Confederation de la Russie, Phnom Penh [map]
T: 023 890 890
cambodia-airports.aero
Hey, me and 2 other people are arriving at Phnom Penh at 8 in the night on a Sunday. We intend to take a bus to Siem Reap that very night around 11ish. From what we’ve heard, immigration takes hardly 20 minutes so we should be out by 8:20-8:25. Do you think we can manage a bus into the city at that time?
Lina have you heard anything about taxi price rises? My regular airport taxi driver says it’s now $15 to places like BKK1 and $18 to further places. He said it just started this month (May). It was the usual $12 last month.
It just rose in Siem Reap this month, so it’s probably true. If you wouldn’t mind snapping a photo for me the next time you are at the airport, I would appreciate. Frankly, with the traffic and the fact it can take up to two hours (or more!) now, it was too cheap.
Will do when I fly back in on Monday.
Thanks very much. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t check when I was there last week, and won’t be there for another month or more.
I arrived today and can confirm that the price indeed has gone up to 15 for a trip to BKK-3. I travel into Phnom Penh about once per month so it likely increased now in May.
Did you get a photo? I can’t do this all on my own!
In Siem Reap they are charging different rates at different times of the day. When did your flight arrive? Did you notice the other prices?
Sorry, didn’t think to take a photo after 22 hours of traveling :) I was on TG580 from Bangkok arriving around 9 AM, but from what I understood from the driver it’s the same price regardless of time of day or where you go within the city. I’ll be flying in again in about week, will try to get a photo and more details then.
Thanks, Andrew, I’d really appreciate that.
Just landed. There is no sign to take a photo of yet. The original amounts are covered up though.
It’s now $12 to Riverside, $15 to other places (like BKK1) and $18 further afield.
I have a photo of the ticket one gets from the window though to send to you.
I’m not sure that the Tuk Tuk price has changed though. I should have looked more closely but it was still the regular $7-9 written on the outside of the booth I think. I remember thinking it’s annoying that the Tuk Tuk price is there for a photo but not the taxi price.
Yes, I also was taken aback by the jump to $15 for my regular run to TTP when I arrived home yesterday. I was told it was price rise, then because of traffic jam (not on the way to TTP there wasn’t) Wasn’t sure if it was a new thing or just taking advantage of the long weekend so I took a tuk tuk instead – still $9. Thanks for clarifying.
Looks like taxi prices are back to normal again – I just jumped into a taxi to BKK-3 and it was back to 12. The sign at the taxi booth had been changed back aswell. This country never ceases to amaze me…
Matt, I can’t figure it out. I ended up going the other day and was quoted the $12/15/18 price structure, but now I am reviewing my photos and it clearly says on the taxi booth $9/12/15. I actually have no idea what they are up to. If you’re at the airport anytime in the near future, would you mind reporting back the price? Maybe we’ll figure out a pattern.
What happens if you arrive when it’s closed? Is it safe to wait outside
I’m not sure if I understand. Why would you arrive when it’s closed? Does it even close? Hours of operation are based on the flight schedules.
Hello! I am really pleased yo know that there’s a public bus to the airport. Excellent news! Do you know how long does it take? I have checked Google Maps and by car it should take 30 minutes, but I can’t calculate how long would it be including 20 stops.thank you very much.
It really depends on the time of day, but there’s a lot of traffic on the airport road. I’d say a minimum of an hour, but could be more.
Hi there! The bus tickets to Phnom Penh airport can be bought on the bus or somewhere else? Thank you!
G
On the bus. :)
I’m arriving at Phnom Penh at midnight and would like to take a taxi to Sihanoukville. Do you know if this would be possible? I know it’s pretty easy to do during the day, but I’m wondering about if it’s possible late at night.
I would definitely reserve a taxi in advance because finding someone to drive to Sihanoukville at that hour might be difficult. You can book online with BookMeBus.
My wife and I arrive at 18:40 and need to get to The Plantation Urban Resort and Spa.
What is the best mode of transport out of Phnom Penh, how long does it take and how much are the fares
Did you bother to read the blog post or did you go straight to the comment section hoping a travel agent would sort your trip out for you?
Thanks for the great info! Is it hard to catch a taxi at 5am from Giant Ibis Bus Terminal (next to the night market) to the airport? 5am is when a bus arrives from Siem Reap.
There will be tuk tuks at the terminal (but not taxis).
Arriving at Sisowath tourist dock in Phnom Penn early afternoon.
How much for a taxi to city centre
How are reputable companies
Hi there, we will be arriving in PP at 4pm and would like to get a taxi from the airport to Otres village Sihanoukville, do you think this is possible? Or will we need to book a taxi in advance? Could you give me a rough idea of the price, Ive read $60. Thank you
A taxi would be the safest bet. You can find them from anywhere between $45 and $80. If you want to book in advance it will be on the high end of that scale but you’ll get peace of mind.
Great. Thanks for your insight :)