People managing the airport are peaceful, friendly and helpful. There's a no fuss attitude to their way of doing work. We find these traits key in driving more tourism into the country.
ARRIVAL:
We flew in from Laos and all was going fine until we reached the visa section. What a nightmare! Sweltering heat and no AC or fans, long queues with no guidance or systems in place. Once the forms and passports are handed in huge crowds collect in front of the issuing counters. No names are called but a passport is shown. One has to be a towering titan.
Tip: if you require a visa, pick up the form, join the queue and fill it as you are moving.
DEPARTURE:
A very pleasant experience. Please allow sufficient time to get to the airport as the Phnom Penh traffic is horrendous.
Very well organised check-in and passport control and security.
Spotless and the bathrooms are attended and very clean.
Ample seating.
Several eateries and shops. Impressed with the 'made in Cambodia' duty free shop. Some great ideas for gifts to take home and not over priced.
Went to the restroom in the International side of the airport near terminal 9.
I had no idea the floor was wet. There was no sign or anyone to inform that the floor was slippery.
I fell backwards with the full weight of my backpack and carry-on luggage.
I am in pain. My right palm is all bruised and throbbing in serious pain.
The airport staff did nothing to help me. The staff pretended not to see that I fell. When I confronted the staff that was cleaning the restroom to tell him what happened in Khmer. He pretending not to hear me.
I told him again in Khmer and the staff did nothing to help resolve the situation. Not very professional.
I am left leaving Cambodia with a horrendous last impression.
All the money spent into renovations in making this airport a higher modern standard and yet, it seems like very little money was spent in staff training in educating firstly to put a “Caution Wet Floor” sign when the floor is wet and secondly, helping someone when a problem occurs.
This has to be fixed!!!
Not happy leaving Cambodia with an injury that could have been prevented and no staff was willing to help, let alone apologize!!!!!!
we got charged an overweight bag charge. Fine. Whatever. Didn't give us an opportunity to rearrange a few things/ throw out stuff. Just sent our bags along. Annoying but again, whatever. But what really really really pissed me off is that we could only pay for the fees in cash. it's 2018- why is there no credit card terminal for such business? For such a sum of money I would have been 1000000 times more comfortable having an official paper trail. Good thing I have no intentions of ever using this airport ever again.
In surface this airport is the largest in Cambodia. It is located around 8 kilometers from Phnom Penh city and welcomes per year around 3.4 million visitor moves.
This number is constantly increasing over the last years. Therefor the government is planning to build a new international airport to replace the actual Phnom Penh International Airport.
For the time being around 20 scheduled destinations are served using around 25 different airlines.
Wasn't exactly the worst place in the world to arrive in. Getting out was easy and communicating with our driver who picked us up was a breeze.
For those wishing to get a tuk tuk from here I'd like to suggest pick me as an app choice. Get yourself a Cambodian sim card at the airport to get yourself the best deal. Otherwise just haggle the tuk tuk drivers, if you arrive in the day time you can get a bus into the main area of Phnom Penh. Again, just go outside of the gate to get onto the main road.
It is a busy airport. I think the biggest in Cambodia. The immigration process is fast. The visa on arrival for single entry and one money is $30. Please carry change a passport photograph. Be prompt in finishing the visa form because the queue can be longer
Basic small international airport. Easily to navigate and quick to get through customs on departure and bag screening.
Limited food options.
The food court is better inside than the options in the arrival hall.
All toilets were very clean with toilet paper and Dyson hand dryers.
Awesome place look nice view and best place right now , not big but have everything, I'm proud with good smile people here and good communication , people here very welcome and beautiful smiley, enjoy your time.
For the best, and cheapest, food in the area go out front. Across from the taxi stand is an open air restaurant selling some of the best food around at a very affordable price. Sandwiches $1.50, meat plate $2.50 and noodles dishes for about $2.00. You can't go wrong!
Tip on how to pay Head to the register on the side and load up a meal card (free). Once you have the card, go to whichever station you want to purchase from and they'll take the price from your card. If there's money leftover the cashier at the front will reimburse you. Once your done with the card, the last station will keep it.
Actually very impressed by the airport. Waited quite a long time in the queue to check in for my flight to Siam Reap but the customs officers were all really friendly. One of them even petted my bear.
Good experience in Phnom Penh from start to finish. Will definitely visit again!
This airport is quite small but rather modern and overall well organized. The services you expect on the arrival (ATMs, Cell phone providers, driver services) are actually situated on the plaza in front of the entrance and are incredibly well organized (clearly identified areas for each service, official booths for each company, no hassle).
REMARK ABOUT UBER: as of Dec. 1, 2017 they just started operating in the country and apparently their drivers are not allowed on airport grounds. If you want one head just outside of the parking lot on Russian Federation Blvd and it will be much easier. It is worth it though as their prices are currently about half the price of a chartered taxi (about 7 USD instead of 12 for cross town ride).
When you have a early flight (6-7am), then you can be there easily 1,5h before the flight because there are no counters open to check in :)
Great new airport is so much better than the old one. Great improvement and truly believe it'll be better and better.
Phnom Penh Internation Airport is one of the worst airport you can experince, not enough parking space, filthy restrooms, no smoking areas which and especially there is not enough waiting area. Please consider this as a big problem because this particular airport is an INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
Despite being a small airport with limited budget this is a very efficient airport with an excellent lounge
It's my fifth time here, and staffs here troubled me three out of five times.
The checkin counter staffs are not as knowledgeable as other airports.
What I hate most is the airport security staffs as they asked to thoroughly search my hand bag, and found nothing. I don't carry any liquid nor electronic devices except my phone. I suspect that on the day with less people, they will find a way to have more work.
Although the risk of terrorism here supposed to be lower than most places, the securities are ridiculously strict. One time, I have my power bank with me, and the officer thoroughly examined it, looked for the (It's only a small one that can only fill an iPhone), but I guess she must not have it so she cannot tell by looking at the size.
It's appalling because I've been to many countries but this place is the most troublesome.
Sometimes I have to take my sandals off for security check, sandals not sneakers!
I've been to Narita many times and no trouble at all.
I've also been to Paris, Rome, Singapore, etc. and these places have never checked me this thoroughly that it feel I am being detested.
To me the staffs here are quite stupid and they don't understand the reason for each thing we have to do.
This airport is where I go all the time when I need to travel and I like it because it has restaurants and it's very beautiful. There is a new terminal in the airport and it's much more beautiful. And it also has shops and café.
アライバルビザの用紙は職員に聞いて入手するのが手っ取り早い。SIMカードは1ドル程度から購入可。吉野家など飲食店は数店舗のみ。空港敷地外にナイトマーケット行きのバス停留所があり、市内までわずか1500リエル。
On April 8 I came to the counter to check in for a flight to Dubai.
The lady behind the counter asked for my wife visa,as she is Chinese.
I told her that Chinese passport holders will get 30 days on arrival.
She said it is not so> I asked to see the manager,same story,same outcome,they even showed me the screen of her computer.I showed him on my phone the web from UAE visa government . He went in the office and came back with a book of regulations,stating she needs visa.This book was at the look of it very old,what I did tell him.
So I gave the planning as followed:Book me and my son,both Belgian and all the luggage to Dubai.My wife to Bangkok,our transfer city.
Once in Bangkok I will find people whom knowing the regulations.
It took me 30 seconds on the transfer connections desk to get the ticket.
I hope that this mail also will be rad by officials,and that they can due some changes and buy a new book for that poor guy.
This for the 1 star.
4 star for very nice business lounge with very friendly staff.
The worst experience in my life! After loosing my wallet, there is no policemen to speak to, to get an official paper, because it's only a wallet and not a bag. When I insisted with the airline company they called the cops, and the police man scared us, and said if we continue we will go to jail and no one will be able to help us (including the ambassador). The worst and scared experience, be really careful if you go to this country
We arrived on the morning and that was the quickest VISA we ever received! We gave the officer our documents and 5 minutes later we had our visa! The airport itself is small but has everything you need! Be aware what taxi driver you pick. Our driver was rude and the only rude person we met in Cambodia so far!
In 6yrs. time, i've seen this airport improved a lot. From a very simple building, through time the facade has upgraded into international standards. Small but compact airport. There are restos like Burger King, Yoshinoya, Pizza Company, Starbucks, etc. for travelers to grab a quick bite. Restrooms are clean and an attendant always ready to assist with your needs. Restrooms are located right before you go through the immigration officers' line. If you are an arriving passenger, there are rows of stalls selling sim cards right after the exit door. There's also a stall where they assist you with taxis and/or bus tickets, whichever you need. Taxis going to the center have fixed rates but there is always room to haggle. Usually, it's between $7 to $12 going to the city center so it's up to your haggling skills to bargain with the persistent drivers. While taxis going to Sihanoukville ( the beach area ) normally costs $50-one way and would take you to the hotel of your choice.