Phnom Penh Airport (PNH) Transfer Guide

Check which airport you are actually landing at before you read the rest of this page. Phnom Penh's commercial and international flights moved to the new Techo International Airport (KTI), in Kandal province south of the city, in September 2025. The older Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH), about 10 km west of the city centre, no longer handles those services -- it is retained for domestic flights, private aviation and military use. The two are on opposite sides of Phnom Penh and are not interchangeable: if your ticket says KTI, the journey described here is the wrong one. Confirm the airport code on your booking, then confirm your ground transport against that airport.

For the old PNH site itself, the city centre (Riverside / BKK1 area) is about 10 km east and the drive takes 30-50 minutes depending on traffic, which can be heavy. Taxis, tuk-tuks, ride-hailing apps (Grab, PassApp) and pre-booked transfers all serve it.

Phnom Penh's airport has been modernized in recent years and handles international flights efficiently. After landing, you pass through immigration (have your e-visa or visa on arrival documents ready), collect luggage, and exit through customs into the arrivals hall. There is a small duty-free area and currency exchange counters in the arrivals hall.

Outside, the scene can feel busy. Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers will offer rides. There is a taxi counter inside the terminal where you can arrange a metered taxi with a fixed starting point. To the left outside the exit, tuk-tuk drivers wait. If you have a pre-booked transfer, your driver will hold a name sign in the arrivals area. The airport has free Wi-Fi, so you can also open Grab or PassApp while still inside.

A note on the prices you will find online for this route, including any you may have seen on this page previously: Cambodia's airport transport moved to a new airport in September 2025, and the published fare tables have not settled. We could not verify current fares against the airport operator or a Cambodian authority, so we are not quoting figures. What follows is how each option works, which is the part that stays true.

Airport taxis can be arranged at the official taxi counter in the arrivals hall. This is the most straightforward option -- an agreed fare through the counter, air conditioning, and a proper car. Ask the counter for the fare to your destination before you take the car.

Tuk-tuks are the iconic Southeast Asian three-wheeled vehicles with a passenger carriage. They are open-air, cheaper than a car, and part of the Phnom Penh experience. There is no meter -- negotiate and agree the fare before getting in. They are fine for solo travelers or couples with light luggage but less practical for families or heavy bags.

Grab and PassApp are ride-hailing apps that work well in Phnom Penh. Grab is the Southeast Asian equivalent of Uber. PassApp is a Cambodian app. Both show you the fare upfront and let you choose between cars, tuk-tuks, and motorbikes. Because they quote before you commit, they are the easiest way to see a real, current price for your exact trip -- there is free airport Wi-Fi, so you can check both while still inside.

Pre-booked private transfers offer a dedicated vehicle, meet-and-greet service, and a price fixed when you book. The driver waits with your name and assists with luggage.

Motorbike taxis are the cheapest option but only suitable for solo travelers with a small bag and some confidence in Phnom Penh traffic. Not recommended for airport arrivals.

We are not publishing a fare table for this route. Phnom Penh's commercial flights moved to a new airport in September 2025, fares are in flux, and we could not confirm current figures with the airport operator or a Cambodian authority. A tidy list of dollar amounts would look freshly checked while quietly being wrong, which is worse than no list at all.

The reliable move is to open Grab or PassApp on the airport Wi-Fi before you leave the terminal. Both quote your exact trip upfront, at today's price, which is something no guide page can do. Use that quote as your reference point when a tuk-tuk driver names a number, and take an airport taxi from the official counter if you would rather have it arranged for you.

Common destinations, roughly nearest-first from the old PNH site: Sen Sok / outskirts, then BKK1 (expat/hotel district), Russian Market area (Toul Tom Poung), Koh Pich (Diamond Island), and Riverside / Royal Palace area. Pre-booked private transfers are priced per destination and fixed when you book.

All prices in US dollars, which is widely used alongside the Cambodian Riel. Most transport accepts USD.

Phnom Penh Airport receives flights throughout the evening, with some arriving after 11 PM. Late-night taxi availability is decent -- the official taxi counter operates for arriving flights, and drivers know the schedule. Tuk-tuks are also available but fewer in number. Grab and PassApp work at night, though wait times may be slightly longer.

The drive to the city is actually faster at night because Phnom Penh's notorious traffic dies down after 10 PM. What takes 45 minutes in afternoon traffic takes 20-25 minutes at midnight. Safety is generally fine on the main airport road, which is well-traveled. A pre-booked transfer is the most comfortable option for midnight arrivals.

Tuk-tuks are charming but not ideal for families with luggage. A family of four with suitcases needs a car, not a tuk-tuk. Child car seats are not available in taxis or tuk-tuks -- this is standard across Cambodia. If you need a child seat, arrange a private transfer and request one, though availability is limited. Some travelers bring their own portable seat. For large amounts of luggage, book a van or SUV transfer to avoid squeezing everything into a compact sedan.

The official taxi counter is inside the arrivals hall, before you exit the building. If using the counter, you pay there and are assigned a taxi. For tuk-tuks, exit the terminal and look to the left where drivers gather. For pre-booked transfers, your driver waits inside the arrivals area with a name sign. For Grab or PassApp, request the ride via the app and follow the pin location to the pickup area outside. The airport is a single terminal, so everything is in one place.

Take a tuk-tuk if you are adventurous, traveling light, and want the local experience. Best during cooler parts of the day.

Use the taxi counter if you want simplicity -- walk up, pay, get a metered car.

Use Grab or PassApp if you are comfortable with apps and want the best combination of price and convenience. Also useful because the fare is set before pickup.

Book a private transfer if you are traveling with family, need a child seat, arriving late at night, or want premium comfort after a long flight.

Skip the motorbike taxi unless you know what you are doing and have almost no luggage.