Siem Reap-Techo International Airport (REP) Guide: Terminals, Transfers & Layover Tips
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
Siem Reap airport (IATA code: REP) is the main gateway to Angkor Wat for Indian backpackers. The terminal is small enough to walk through in five minutes. The harder part is what happens after you exit: the official taxi desk and the touts outside operate on different price lists. Our Southeast Asia backpacking hub covers the wider route.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Cambodia’s national currency is the US dollar. You’ll see prices written in USD everywhere, including your airport transfer. At current rates (1 USD ≈ ₹96.33), a $10 tuk-tuk works out to roughly ₹963 (~$10). Bring clean, unmarked USD bills from India; torn or old notes get rejected at exchange counters across the country.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| IATA code for Siem Reap airport | REP (Siem Reap-Techo International Airport) | , |
| Distance from airport to city centre (Pub Street area) | 8 km | , |
| Cheapest transfer to city centre | Shared minivan or app-based tuk-tuk | ₹482-₹674 (~5-7 USD) |
| Fastest transfer to city centre | Private taxi (Grab/regular) | ₹1,156-₹1,445 (~12-15 USD) |
| Overnight arrival | Terminal closes; you sleep at a hotel near the airport | Hostel dorms from ₹385 (~4 USD) |
Which Airport Are You Flying Into?
Most travellers Googling “Siem Reap airport” are flying into REP, the new Siem Reap-Techo International Airport that opened in October 2023 and replaced the old Siem Reap International on National Road 6.
Quick facts before you land:
- IATA code: REP
- Location: About 8 km east of the city centre, on the road to Phnom Penh
- Terminals: Single integrated terminal (domestic + international), no monorail, no shuttle bus, no chance of getting lost
- Wi-Fi: Free for 90 minutes on first connection; bring an eSIM as backup because the airport Wi-Fi gets congested when three flights land at once
- ATMs: ABA Bank, Sathapana Bank, and Canadia Bank ATMs in the arrivals hall, all charging a per-transaction fee on foreign cards
- SIM card kiosks: Smart, Cellcard, and Metfone counters sit just before the exit doors
Getting from REP to Your Hotel or City Centre
You have four real options. They differ a lot on price and reliability. For a broader look at transport across the country, see our getting around Cambodia guide.
1. Grab (App-Based Tuk-Tuk or Car)
Grab operates in Siem Reap. Book from the kerb outside arrivals, set the destination in the app, pay cash in USD to the driver at the end of the ride.
- Price to Pub Street area: ₹674-₹963 (~7-10 USD)
- Time: 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic
- Best for: Anyone with a working eSIM who wants a fixed price and zero haggling
2. Official Airport Taxi Desk
Walk out of arrivals, turn left, and you’ll see the official taxi desk inside the terminal. This is the safest pre-paid option for first-time visitors.
- Price to Pub Street area: ₹1,156-₹1,445 (~12-15 USD) for a private car
- Price to Pub Street area: ₹771-₹963 (~8-10 USD) for a tuk-tuk
- Time: 25 to 35 minutes
Safety Alert: Ignore every “driver” who approaches you inside the terminal before you reach the official desk. Inside-the-terminal touts at Cambodian airports often quote ₹1,927 (~20 USD) for the same ride that costs ₹771 (~8 USD) at the desk two metres away.
3. Shared Minivan / Airport Bus
A handful of guesthouses and tour operators run shared minivan transfers from REP into town. You usually need to book in advance through your hostel or hotel.
- Price: ₹482-₹674 (~5-7 USD) per seat
- Time: 30 to 45 minutes (they wait for the van to fill)
- Best for: Solo travellers on a budget who pre-booked accommodation
4. Walking Out and Hailing a Tuk-Tuk
Once you exit the terminal building and cross the kerb area, you can wave down a free tuk-tuk driver. For a deep dive on Siem Reap airport tuk-tuk pricing, see our REP to Pub Street tuk-tuk price guide.
- Price to Pub Street: ₹771-₹1,156 (~8-12 USD)
- Time: 25 to 40 minutes
- Risk: Some drivers “forget” the agreed price and try to charge ₹1,445-₹1,927 (~15-20 USD) at the hotel. Confirm twice, ideally with a screenshot translation, before getting in.
Quick Comparison Table
| Option | Price (USD) | Time | Haggling? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grab | ₹674-₹963 (~7-10 USD) | 25 to 35 min | No |
| Official airport taxi desk | ₹1,156-₹1,445 (~12-15 USD) | 25 to 35 min | No (fixed) |
| Shared minivan | ₹482-₹674 (~5-7 USD) | 30 to 45 min | No |
| Hailed tuk-tuk | ₹771-₹1,156 (~8-12 USD) | 25 to 40 min | Yes |
What to Expect Inside the Terminal
The REP terminal is small by international standards, which is good news for short layovers and tight connections.
- Immigration: Usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Have your e-visa printout (or visa-on-arrival form filled out on the plane) and passport photos ready. Officers accept the digital e-visa on your phone, but a printed copy is faster.
- Baggage claim: Two belts for the whole terminal. Your bag is out within 10 minutes on domestic and regional flights.
- Currency exchange: Three counters in arrivals. Rates are slightly worse than in town; only exchange ₹2,890-₹4,816 (~30-50 USD) here to get to your hotel.
- ATMs: The ABA Bank ATM is the most reliable for foreign Visa/Mastercard cards. Per-transaction withdrawal limits sit around ₹19,266 per swipe; banks charge a separate fee on each withdrawal.
- Food and coffee: A coffee shop and a couple of snack stalls in the public arrivals area. Prices are 30 to 50% higher than in town (a coffee is ₹385-₹482 (~4-5 USD) at the airport, ₹144 (~1.50 USD) in town).
- Currency quirk: Cambodia runs on USD for most transactions. The small change (under 1 USD) comes in riel (~4,000 KHR per USD); keep a few thousand riel for tips and small purchases.
Short Layover or Overnight Arrival
For layovers under 6 hours, stay inside the terminal. The terminal closes at night, so if your flight lands late and you don’t have a hotel booking, here’s the play.
- Late-night arrivals (after 23:00): Pre-book a hotel that offers free airport pickup. Most guesthouses in Siem Reap do this for free if you stay even one night. Ask when you confirm the booking.
- Sleeping inside the terminal: Possible but uncomfortable. The chairs in the arrivals hall have armrests, and security does sweep the area after the last flight. Budget hotels within a 5-minute drive of REP start at ₹963-₹1,445 (~10-15 USD) for a basic private room.
- Day-use layover (5 to 8 hours): Take a Grab into town (₹674-₹963 (~7-10 USD) each way), grab lunch at one of the spots below, and head back. The Pub Street area is only 25 minutes from the terminal.
Where to Eat Near REP and on the Way to Town
Most travellers head straight into the city, but if you have a long layover or an early-morning arrival, here are the spots worth knowing about.
In the City Centre
These sit in the city centre, a 25-minute Grab ride from REP.
- Street Three Eatery Siem Reap. Street food-inspired menu with Khmer and pan-Asian plates; a good first stop for amok and lok lak
- MAOM Khmer Cuisine. Traditional Khmer cooking with strong reviews on flavour; the place to try kuy teav and num banh chok
- Fellini Siem Reap. Italian, but worth knowing about if you’re craving a reliable pasta after a long-haul flight; the wood-fired pizzas are the move
Indian and Veg-Friendly
Strict-veg travellers will be relieved: Siem Reap has one of the better Indian food scenes in mainland Southeast Asia.
- Paratha House & Academy Siem Reap. Pakistani and Indian dishes, including Hyderabadi chicken dum biryani. Individual main courses sit between ₹289 and ₹771 (~3-8 USD), so a full thali runs around ₹482-₹674 (~5-7 USD)
- Dakshin’s restaurant Siemreap. South Indian menu, strong for dosas and idlis
- Madira Indian Tapas Bar. North Indian flavours served tapas-style; good for sharing
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Most Indian restaurants in Siem Reap are clustered around Pub Street and the Wat Bo area. Within walking distance of each other, so you can compare menus before sitting down.
Staying Connected: SIM and eSIM at REP
You need data the moment you land, because Grab requires internet to book. Two solid options:
- Physical SIM at the airport: Cellcard and Smart both have kiosks in arrivals. A 7-day tourist SIM with 10 to 20 GB of data costs ₹482-₹674 (~5-7 USD), and the staff will set it up for you in 5 minutes. Bring your passport.
- eSIM: Buy before you fly and activate on landing. Skips the airport queue entirely. Get Nomad eSIM works across Cambodia and rolls over if you’re continuing to Phnom Penh or Bangkok.
Safety Alert: Some travellers report the free airport SIM promotional stalls are upsell pitches for expensive monthly plans. Buy only what you need for your trip length, and read the activation SMS to confirm the package before leaving the kiosk.
Common Mistakes Indian Travellers Make at REP
- Exchanging money at the airport for the entire trip. The rates in Siem Reap town are 2 to 3% better. Exchange ₹2,890 (~30 USD) at the airport just to get to your hotel, then find a money changer on Pub Street.
- Letting a “helper” carry your bags without asking. Porters at REP expect a ₹96-₹193 (~1-2 USD) tip. If you don’t want one, keep your bag on your shoulder and walk straight through.
- Not having USD in small denominations. Drivers and small shops will refuse to break a ₹9,633 (~100 USD) bill for an ₹771 (~8 USD) fare. Bring a stack of 1s, 5s, 10s, and 20s.
- Trusting the first tuk-tuk price offered. The first quote is always inflated. Counter with ₹771 (~8 USD) for the city centre and walk away if they refuse; someone else will agree within a minute.
- Forgetting that Cambodia runs on USD, not Cambodian riel. Most prices are quoted in USD. You may get change in riel (4,000 KHR = 1 USD), which is fine to keep and spend on small items.
Where to Go from Siem Reap
Most travellers continue onward after Angkor. A few common next stops:
- Bangkok: Multiple daily flights on AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Airways. 1 hour 10 minutes. Book via 12go.
- Phnom Penh: 6 to 7 hours by bus (cheaper) or 45 minutes by flight. Many travellers take the bus once to see the Cambodian countryside. If you’re flying in or out, read our Phnom Penh airport guide for terminal and transit tips.
- Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Vientiane: All have direct or one-stop flights. For overland options, Find rides on 12go.
Visiting Angkor from REP
Most people land at REP specifically to see Angkor Wat. Two ways to do it, for a full breakdown of tuk-tuk pricing to the temples see our Siem Reap to Angkor Wat tuk-tuk price guide.
- Private driver tour: A full-day private Angkor tour with a driver costs ₹2,890-₹4,335 (~30-45 USD) for the day, plus the ₹3,564 (~37 USD) Angkor pass. The driver knows the temple circuit and timing.
- Group or activity-based tour: For something different, THE PLACE Tours covers cultural walks, cooking classes, and sunset cruises on top of the standard temple runs.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: The Angkor pass is sold at the main ticket centre, not at the airport. Buy it on your first temple day. Bring a passport photo for the pass; if you don’t have one, the ticket centre takes photos for 1 USD.
FAQ
Is REP the only airport in Siem Reap? Yes. The old Siem Reap International Airport on National Road 6 closed in 2023 when the new Siem Reap-Techo International (REP) opened. If a flight confirmation says “Siem Reap” without a code, it’s REP.
How early should I arrive at REP for an international flight? Two hours is plenty. The terminal is small, immigration moves quickly, and security is light. For domestic flights, 90 minutes is comfortable.
Can I pay the tuk-tuk driver in Indian rupees? No. Cambodia runs on USD. Bring USD cash from India or withdraw from an airport ATM after you land.
Is there a hotel inside REP? No, there’s no transit hotel inside the terminal. The closest budget hotels are a 5-minute drive from the airport and start at ₹963-₹1,445 (~10-15 USD) per night.
Do I need a Cambodian visa on arrival? Yes, unless you’re from a country exempt from visas (India is not exempt). The visa-on-arrival costs ₹2,890 (~30 USD) plus a ₹193 (~2 USD) processing fee, payable in clean USD bills. Most Indian travellers apply online for the e-visa before flying to skip the queue at the airport. For the full picture, see our Cambodia transit visa and layover rules.
Is the airport safe at night? Yes, the terminal has security and is well-lit. Pre-book airport pickup through your guesthouse if you’re arriving after midnight, because Grab availability drops late at night.
Can I buy a SIM card at the airport? Yes. Smart, Cellcard, and Metfone all have kiosks in arrivals. A 7-day tourist SIM with 10 to 20 GB runs ₹482-₹674 (~5-7 USD). If you’d rather skip the queue, an eSIM from Nomad activates before you even board your flight.
