Overview
Cambodia rewards the long haul from the UK with the temples of Angkor, the riverside buzz of Phnom Penh, sleepy colonial towns and quiet islands in the south. There are no direct flights to Cambodia from the UK, so every routing involves one stop through a Gulf or Asian hub — but the country is compact and easy to explore once you land.
Best time to fly to Cambodia
The dry season, roughly November to March, is the most comfortable time to visit, with warm days, lower humidity and clear skies over Angkor. It is also peak season, so flights and hotels are in highest demand around Christmas, New Year and February; the When to book chart above shows how fares move through the year. April and May are very hot. The wet season (May to October) brings short afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain, a lush green landscape and noticeably lower prices.
Main gateway cities & airports
Two airports handle almost all UK arrivals. Phnom Penh International (PNH) is the busiest and lies about 10 km from the capital. Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), which opened in 2023, is the gateway for Angkor Wat, though it sits around 40–50 km from Siem Reap town, so allow an hour for the transfer. Sihanoukville (KOS) on the south coast is smaller and served mainly by regional flights.
Airlines and routes
No carrier flies nonstop from the UK. Popular one-stop options from London include Singapore Airlines via Singapore, Thai Airways via Bangkok, Vietnam Airlines via Ho Chi Minh City, Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur, Qatar Airways via Doha and Emirates via Dubai; Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong is another. From Manchester, Glasgow or Edinburgh, the easiest routings are usually via Doha, Dubai or Istanbul with a single change. Total journey time from London is roughly 15–18 hours, a little more from Manchester. Regional airlines such as Bangkok Airways and Cambodia Angkor Air connect the hubs with Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Popular places to visit in Cambodia
- Angkor Archaeological Park: the vast temple complex near Siem Reap, including Angkor Wat, the Bayon and tree-wrapped Ta Prohm.
- Phnom Penh: the capital, with the Royal Palace, the National Museum and the moving Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek memorials.
- Battambang: a relaxed town of French-colonial shophouses, rice fields and a well-known circus school.
- Kampot & Kep: southern riverside towns known for pepper farms, fresh crab and a slow pace.
- Koh Rong & the southern islands: white sand and clear water a short boat ride from Sihanoukville.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Cambodia
- Aim for the shoulder weeks of October, early November or late March for dry-season weather without peak fares — the price charts on this page show the pattern.
- Book about three to six months ahead for Christmas and February departures.
- Consider an open-jaw ticket into Phnom Penh and out of Siem Reap, or the reverse, to avoid backtracking overland.
- Check Gulf carriers from your regional airport to skip a connecting fare down to London.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa. Most travellers use the official eVisa before departure or buy a tourist visa on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports; the standard tourist visa allows a 30-day stay and is paid in US dollars. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. The currency is the Cambodian riel, but US dollars are used for most everyday payments and ATMs usually dispense dollars, so carry clean, smaller notes. To time your booking, check the When to book chart above.
