Gone is the longstanding Bangkok Airways monopoly, and today there are four airlines that fly from Bangkok to Siem Reap: AirAsia, Thai Smile, Cambodia Angkor Air, and Bangkok Airways. We give you all of details so you can decide which Bangkok to Siem Reap flights suits you best.
Long the dominant player on the Bangkok to Siem Reap route, Bangkok Airways has recently dropped their prices.
Bangkok Airways used to have a monopoly on this route, and consequently their Bangkok to Siem Reap flights were ridiculously expensive considering the distance. I suspect the execs at Bangkok Airways cry themselves to sleep at night thinking of the Bangkok to Siem Reap route, because today one-way tickets start at $88 and round-trip tickets start at $168. Tickets are more expensive on Tuesdays and Thursdays (when Thai Smile often don’t fly). Bangkok Airways has codeshare and interline agreements with many other airlines, so don’t be worried if this is the last leg of a longer journey as long as all of your flights are on the same ticket. They offer a 20kg baggage allowance for economy class flights, but be aware that they fly ATR72 propeller planes so there are smaller overhead luggage compartments.
Bangkok Airways bills itself as “Asia’s Boutique Airline.” I’m not sure what they mean by that, but they certainly have embraced a model that most other airlines have been abandoning as quickly as possible. For example, they offer a full meal on this 55 minute flight, and even more surprisingly, have a lounge for all passengers at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport that is very similar to a business class lounge with WiFi, snacks and free drinks, except that they only serve orange “drink” instead of alcohol. If you’re flying from Siem Reap to Bangkok, they have recently introduced a lounge at Siem Reap International Airport as well. Bangkok Airways offer a standard 20kg baggage allowance, but if you sign up with their frequent flyer club they will automatically give you an extra 10kg. You can book flights on Bangkok Airways from Bangkok to Siem Reap and compare prices for the other airlines before making your choice.
Thai Smile, the LCC owned by Thai Airways, is the newest player on the route, offering cheaper Bangkok to Siem Reap flights than their notoriously overpriced parents. Tickets on Thai Smile are much cheaper on their website than on flight aggregators or Google Flights, so just buy direct through their site. Ticket prices start at $64 for a one-way flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap and $128 for a return flight, and flights depart from the main BKK airport. Tickets include 20kg of luggage, but be aware of an optional insurance charge that is added to every ticket. The same tickets are sold through Thai Airways as a codeshare for more than twice the price ($158 one-way or $247 return), meaning your expensive Bangkok to Siem Reap ticket says Thai Airways on it, but you’ll be on the same Thai Smile plane with everyone who bought half-priced tickets. You can book flights on Thai Smile online in advance.
AirAsia usually have the cheapest Bangkok to Siem Reap flights, but there are strings attached.
AirAsia offers the cheapest flights of the bunch, with tickets usually starting at around $48 for a one-way flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap. They fly full-size A321 planes on the route. The most important thing to note about AirAsia flights is that they fly from Don Muang Airport rather than Suvarnabhumi Airport. Don Muang Airport is technically closer to the city center but is not as well connected to public transport. Their Bangkok to Siem Reap flights are regularly delayed by 30-90 minutes, and baggage is not included in the ticket price. If you purchase baggage at the time of initial booking, the cost is 515 THB ($14.50 USD). AirAsia is usually the cheapest option — but not always — but because of that fact, it’s good to have travel insurance when you use them in case you miss your connection and end up stranded in Bangkok on your way to Siem Reap. You can book flights online and compare AirAsia’s prices to the other airlines online and (hopefully) save some cash.
Cambodia Angkor Air currently have four flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap every week and have fares starting as low as $58 for a one-way ticket. Right now CAA flights are cheaper if purchased as one-way tickets (but this was not always the case; usually they are cheaper if you purchase a return ticket). So if you are planning to head back to Bangkok after Siem Reap, check if two one-way tickets is more affordable.
Despite their low prices, Cambodia Angkor Air don’t consider themselves a low-cost carrier and fly from the main Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport rather than the LCC Don Muang Airport and fly full-size A321s rather than propeller planes. They also give you a beverage on the flight and a generous 20kg luggage allowance. On the downside, Cambodia Angkor Air Bangkok to Siem Reap flights are rescheduled occasionally, and sometimes are an hour or two later than originally scheduled. One thing to note is that most flight aggregators like Kayak or Expedia don’t show Cambodia Angkor Air, so you’ll need to go directly to their website to book a ticket. Read our full review of Cambodia Angkor Air.
Compare prices and book flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap or Siem Reap to Bangkok online and save yourself the hassle of dealing with a travel agent once you arrive.
Looking for more? Find out the best ways (including overland travel) to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap and from Siem Reap to Bangkok.
Hi Lina, good day!
Which airlines from siem reap to BKK that you highly recommend, the safest with reputation and reasonable airfare as well because we’re planning to travel with my 3 kids and this is our first time. Thank you in advance.
Hi! Love your blog – but do you know if Cambodia Angkor Air still does the Bangkok – Siem Reap route? Tried to find on their website but to no avail ): Please advise!
They often stop running this route in low season, so they may have done that again this year. If you check with them, please let me know and I’ll update this post.
I had the same problem so I think not.I just booked Thai Smile BKK to srp but go via air asia
I just booked one with Bangkok Airways today. That extra 10kg allowance is really nice when you’re tagging this on to a long-haul itinerary.
I am looking at flying from Bangkok to Siem Reap early August , i am trying to look at prices on Cambodia Air and it does not show that route , how can i find it , i have found a price on Air Asia for $ 100 AUD inc 20 KGs of luggage is that ok or keep trying CAA , also is it normally cheaper closer to the date for Air Asia
Wow nice update! I did not know Thai Smile serviced Siem Reap. I wonder if they give frequent flier miles to their “group” as I am a member. I do have a dislike of Dom Mueng airport and try to avoid it as the public transport to the City is cheap but tough. 50 cents by train takes about an hour to Hua Lumpang. There is major construction on the route so maybe part of it is to make the trip more like BKK to downtown.
Thanks!!
Good news! Thai Smile flys out of BKK. I’ll add that to the post.