Overview
Cambodia's riverside capital rewards travellers who linger. Phnom Penh pairs golden-spired temples and French-colonial streets with a fast-growing café and gallery scene, set where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers meet. There are no direct flights from the UK, so every routing involves at least one change. Use the price charts on this page to see how fares move through the year, and read on for cheap flights to Phnom Penh advice from our team.
Best time to fly to Phnom Penh
The cool, dry season from November to February is the most comfortable time to visit, and the busiest around Christmas and New Year. March to May turns very hot. The wet season, roughly June to October, brings short afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain, along with greener scenery and softer fares; May and October are good-value shoulder months. Check the When to book chart above before fixing your dates.
Airlines and routes
No airline flies non-stop between the UK and Phnom Penh, so you'll connect through a hub. Qatar Airways (via Doha) offers one of the smoothest one-stop options from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Thai Airways (via Bangkok), Vietnam Airlines (via Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi), Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur) and Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) are all reliable alternatives. Expect around 15 to 18 hours from London including the layover, and a little more from Manchester.
Things to do in Phnom Penh
The highlights range from moving history to easy riverside wandering:
- Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda: The gilded royal complex, home to an emerald Buddha and a silver-tiled floor.
- National Museum of Cambodia: A superb collection of Angkorian sculpture in a graceful terracotta pavilion.
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21): A former school used as a Khmer Rouge prison, now a sobering memorial.
- Choeung Ek Killing Fields: A quiet, well-explained memorial site about 15km south of the centre.
- Sisowath Quay and Central Market: Riverfront cafés and the Art Deco dome of Phsar Thmei for souvenirs.
At Techo International Airport (PNH)
Phnom Penh is served by the new Techo International Airport, opened in 2025 about 20km south of the city and replacing the older airport near the centre. Allow roughly 45 minutes to an hour by road. Licensed airport taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Grab and PassApp are the easiest way in; carry small notes, and ask your hotel about a pick-up if you send your flight details ahead.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Phnom Penh
- Book winter trips early: For travel between November and February, booking a few months ahead usually beats a last-minute search.
- Go midweek and off-peak: Tuesday-to-Thursday departures and travel in May, June or October are typically cheaper than weekends or the festive peak.
- Stay flexible: Moving your dates by a day or two, or accepting a longer layover, can cut the fare noticeably.
- Compare hubs: Check Doha, Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur routings side by side, as the cheapest option changes by season and departure city.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a tourist visa, most easily arranged as an official e-visa before travel or obtained on arrival at the airport; your passport should be valid for at least six months. The currency is the Cambodian riel, but US dollars are used almost everywhere and ATMs mainly dispense them, so carry clean, undamaged notes and expect change in riel. No vaccinations are required for entry from the UK, but check NHS TravelHealthPro for recommended jabs and read current FCDO advice before you travel with comprehensive insurance.