Cheap flights to Cambodia

Flights from the UK to Cambodia take approximately 12–15 hours with at least one connecting stop. There are no non-stop direct services from the UK. Common routes go via Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, or Doha. Bangkok is the most popular transit point, with short onward connections to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Total journey times vary depending on your routing and layover duration.

The best time to visit Cambodia is during the cool dry season from November to February. Temperatures are pleasant at 24–30°C, humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal — ideal for exploring Angkor Wat, the temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park, and the beaches of Sihanoukville or Koh Rong. December and January are peak months. March to May is the hot season (up to 35–40°C) and can be uncomfortably warm. The wet season (June–October) brings heavy monsoon rain but also lush green landscapes, fewer tourists, and lower prices — Angkor's moats and reservoirs fill magnificently.

Cambodia's two main international airports are Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) — the capital's gateway — and Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), the new airport serving Siem Reap (the base for visiting Angkor Wat). A new large international airport at Siem Reap opened in 2023, significantly improving capacity. Sihanoukville Airport (KOS) receives some regional flights for the southern beaches. Most visitors fly into Siem Reap to visit Angkor before continuing to Phnom Penh by bus, boat, or domestic flight.

The cheapest time to fly to Cambodia from the UK is during the wet season — June through October. Demand drops significantly as tourists opt for drier destinations, and fares fall noticeably. Cambodia in the wet season is still very accessible — Angkor Wat remains open year-round, and the lush green season can be strikingly beautiful. May and November are also reasonable shoulder months with improving or transitional weather and moderate prices.

Cambodia is 7 hours ahead of the UK during Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter, and 6 hours ahead during British Summer Time (BST). Indochina Time (ICT, UTC+7) is observed year-round without Daylight Saving Time. When it is midday in London (GMT), it is 7pm in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap — the same time zone as Thailand and Vietnam.

Khmer (Cambodian) is the official language of Cambodia and is spoken by the vast majority of the population. It has its own distinctive script. English is very widely spoken in tourist areas — hotels, restaurants, tour operators, tuk-tuk drivers, and guesthouse staff in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh generally communicate well in English, making Cambodia one of the more English-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia for tourism. French is occasionally spoken by older Cambodians, reflecting the country's colonial history. Learning a few Khmer words — 'Suosdei' (hello), 'Arkoun' (thank you) — is greatly appreciated.

UK driving licence holders are technically permitted to drive in Cambodia using their valid UK licence together with an International Driving Permit (IDP), but self-driving is not commonly practiced by tourists and is not recommended for most visitors. Traffic in Phnom Penh is chaotic, road safety standards are low, and accidents involving foreigners can create complicated legal situations. The most practical transport options are tuk-tuks (for short distances and temple exploration), private taxis and minibuses between cities, local bus services, domestic flights, and organised tours. In Siem Reap, tuk-tuk drivers will take you between temples all day for a very reasonable fixed price.

There are no non-stop direct flights from the UK to Cambodia. All routes require at least one connecting stop — most commonly two connections for UK regional airports. The most common and popular routing for UK passengers is via Bangkok (Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, or in combination with a long-haul carrier), Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), or Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific). Bangkok is the most frequently used transit point due to its very short onward flight to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh and its good UK–Bangkok frequency.

Airlines serving the UK–Cambodia route involve combinations of long-haul and regional carriers. Common options include Qatar Airways (via Doha, then Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur), Emirates (via Dubai), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Thai Airways or Bangkok Airways (via Bangkok), and Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur). Cambodia Angkor Air operates some regional connections. Most UK passengers transit through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, with a short onward flight of around 1 hour into Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.

British passport holders can obtain a tourist visa for Cambodia on arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, and major land border crossings. The tourist visa (T-class) costs $30 USD, is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once for a further 30 days in-country. An e-Visa is also available online through the official Cambodia e-Visa portal — recommended as it saves time on arrival. Apply in advance at evisa.gov.kh. Your UK passport must have at least 6 months' validity and you must have a passport photo.

Return flights from the UK to Cambodia typically cost between £550 and £1,200 depending on the airline, routing, and travel period. Fares via Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur tend to be competitive. The November–February peak dry season and Christmas/New Year period see higher prices. Booking 3–5 months ahead for peak season travel delivers the best value. Cambodia is generally affordable once you arrive, with accommodation, food, and activities being very good value.

Cambodia offers one of Southeast Asia's most extraordinary and moving travel experiences. The undisputed highlight is the Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap — a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the ruins of the magnificent Khmer Empire, including Angkor Wat (the world's largest religious monument and an architectural masterpiece), the enigmatic face towers of Bayon, the jungle-engulfed Ta Prohm (famous for its ancient trees growing through temple walls), and hundreds of other temples and ruins across 400 square kilometres. Beyond Angkor, highlights include the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh (deeply moving memorials to the Khmer Rouge atrocities of 1975–1979), the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the pristine beaches and islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, the riverside colonial charm of Kampot and Kep, and the warm, resilient hospitality of the Cambodian people.

The currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHR), but US Dollars are the de facto currency used widely across the tourism sector and in everyday transactions. Most prices in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and shops are quoted and accepted in US Dollars. Change is often given in a mix of US Dollars and Riel (for amounts under $1). Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted in larger hotels, restaurants, and some shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, but cash is essential everywhere else. ATMs dispensing US Dollars are available in tourist areas.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended for Cambodia. Medical facilities are very limited — Phnom Penh has a small number of acceptable private clinics (Royal Angkor International Hospital in Siem Reap is the main tourist-oriented facility), but serious medical conditions require evacuation to Bangkok, Thailand, which is the nearest centre of advanced care and can be extremely costly without coverage. Health risks include dengue fever (mosquito repellent is essential), food and waterborne illness, and heat-related conditions. Your policy must cover emergency medical evacuation, comprehensive medical expenses, trip cancellation, and adventure activities.

Baggage allowances for flights to Cambodia from the UK depend on each airline leg. Long-haul legs typically allow 23–30kg checked luggage plus 7kg carry-on in economy. Regional connections into Phnom Penh or Siem Reap via Bangkok or Singapore may have their own policies — often 20–23kg on shorter-haul segments. Domestic flights within Cambodia on Cambodia Angkor Air or Bassaka Air typically allow 20kg checked plus 7kg carry-on. Always verify each segment when booking a multi-stop itinerary.

Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons. The dry season (November–April) is divided into a cool period (November–February, 24–30°C and pleasant) and a very hot period (March–May, 33–40°C). The wet season (May–October) is dominated by the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy afternoon and evening rains, high humidity, and lush green landscapes — temperatures remain warm at 28–34°C. Angkor Wat and the temple complexes are open year-round regardless of season. The Tonlé Sap lake — Southeast Asia's largest — expands dramatically in the wet season, flooding surrounding forests and supporting a unique ecosystem. Sea temperatures around Cambodia's islands are warm year-round at 27–30°C.