Major International Airports in Cambodia
The South-East Asian country of Cambodia may be a small one, but in recent years, it has slowly and steadily become a hub for international backpackers. The country boasts of numerous unexplored territories and its famous temples draw people here from the farthest corners of the world. As a result, the country has spent heavily on developing international airports that allow passengers from around the world to fly directly to Cambodia.Over the course of this blog, we will be taking a close look at all the international Cambodia airports and see which one among them ranks the highest.
Phnom Penh International Airport
This airport is Cambodia’s finest and there aren’t too many surprises regarding that fact as it is located in Phnom Penh, the country’s capital city. Reaching the airport is no big deal. Just hop aboard one of the tuk-tuks or taxis and you will reach the airport quite comfortably. From the city centre, the airport is just 8km (5mi) away.In terms of size, Phnom Penh is the biggest of all the Cambodia airports. Even though it does not come close to the international airports of Thailand in terms of scale and grandeur, it is still a neat airport with all the facilities that passengers may require before boarding their flights.
The airport has undergone a recent expansion, but even after the expansion, it remains very compact. It is one of the few international airports in South-East Asia where generally passengers don’t have to endure long queues. The airport’s compact nature also facilitates easy movement and navigation for passengers, something that can’t be said for the bigger international airports in South-East Asia.
Even though the $100 million investment on expansion has given the airport a modern look and feel, the options to keep passengers entertained are still limited. However, if you reach early and complete all formalities ahead of time, you can still enjoy some restaurants and cafes. There is also a bar if you feel like popping a beer or two before you board your flight. Smokers can enjoy their cigarettes in the small smoking room.
For those who want a little bit of pre-flight luxury, there is a lounge that goes by the name of ‘Plaza Premium Lounge’. You can spend a few hours here just relaxing. A three-hour stay here would cost you $31.
Quick Facts
• Phnom Penh International Airport is the most well-developed of all the existing Cambodia airports• The airport is compact, facilitating easy navigation for passengers
• The airport has a number of restaurants, a bar and a premium lounge
Siem Reap International Airport
If there one airport among all Cambodia airports that comes close to the Phnom Penh International Airport, then that is the Siem Reap International Airport. However, the airport has had a difficult time over the last few years accommodating the ever-increasing number of tourists. As Siem Reap is the home to the Angkor Wat temple complex, Cambodia’s most cherished tourist destination, this airport stays as busy as the Phnom Penh airport, if not more.From the Siem Reap city centre, the airport is a 20-minute drive away. You can easily find taxis and tuk-tuks to take you to the airport. Despite being a humble airport, it has a number of cafes and restaurants for passengers to provide some pre-flight recreation and relaxation.
There are several airline companies that offer flights to and from this airport. Some of the most prominent among them include the likes of Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air.
The Cambodian authorities have acknowledged the difficulties that this airport is facing because of increasing traffic. That’s why they have made the decision of investing in a new airport which will be around 23 miles away from the city of Siem Reap. Once completed, it is sure to become the biggest amongst all the Cambodia airports.
Quick Facts
• The Siem Reap International Airport is one of the biggest Cambodia airports• The airport offers both domestic and international flights
• The terminals have several cafes and restaurants
• Prominent airlines operating here include Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air
Sihanoukville International Airport
If you want to visit the best beaches that Cambodia has to offer, then Sihanoukville is the city that you must visit. To facilitate tourism in Sihanoukville, the Sihanoukville International airport was developed. Compared to the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, this airport is rather humble. It is one of the smaller Cambodia airports, which is a blessing and a curse at the same time.While a smaller airport means easy navigation for passengers, it also means less space during crowded tourist seasons. In recent years, tourism in Sihanoukville has flourished, which has forced the authorities to continuously expand the existing airport, much like the other prominent Cambodia airports.
In terms of amenities, the airport has a restaurant and also a souvenir shop, which attracts a lot of tourists who want to take something of Cambodian make back with them. All in all, it’s a neat little airport that is bound to see more development in the years to come.
Quick Facts
• The Sihanoukville International Airport is one of the smaller Cambodia airports• The airport has a restaurant and a souvenir shop
So these are the three existing international Cambodia airports. Though their sizes may not match up to the biggest international airports in South-East Asia, they are nonetheless quality airports with all the required amenities to facilitate a smooth travel experience. In the years to come, all of these airports are sure to improve even further, with authorities continuously trying to develop and expand them.
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