Peak season:
Typically tourism is pretty active throughout the entire year regardless of the season although the best time to visit Cambodia is usually during the dry season, which lasts from around November through to March. Cheap flights to Cambodia are relatively easy to find during the dry season despite the general popularity of tourism there. The price of your flight tickets will increase drastically however during festivals. The country is host to many events throughout the year and unless you plan ahead you’ll struggle to find cheap flights to Cambodia. The Water Festival is popular among tourists and locals and usually takes place around November, although there has been some cancellations in recent years. The event signifies the end of the monsoon season and consists of racing brightly coloured boats, parades along the river and lots of fireworks.
Off season:
You’ll definitely find the cheapest flights to Cambodia throughout the wet season which runs from May to October. The downside is that the country experiences many monsoons and wet weather, making your stay there quite unpleasant or limited on what you can do. The Khmer New Year, one of Cambodia’s most important celebrations, lasts over three days and you may find that many locals return to their hometowns to celebrate with family. Due to this, Cambodia essentially becomes rather deserted and can limit what’s available to you.
Aim to have your flight tickets secured at least four months in advance to give yourself a chance of finding the cheapest flights to Cambodia. If you can then book them even further ahead, especially if your dates coincide with a major event or the peak season. Once you’ve narrowed down your destination by choosing a city, usually either Phnom-Penh or Siem Reap, you’ll be able to figure out what dates offer the cheapest flights to Cambodia and go from there. Flexibility is the key to securing discounted flight tickets so if you’re not governed by a particular set of weeks or to a specific location then you’ll give yourself the best chances of finding the cheapest flights to Cambodia. Don’t worry too much about which side of the plane to sit on as each has their benefits and offer equally impressive view through your flight.
Flights from London to Phnom Pehn, Cambodia: 14 hours 20 minutes.
Flights from Manchester to Siem Reap, Cambodia: 16 hours 05 minutes.
Flights from Birmingham to Phnom Pehn, Cambodia: 17 hours 10 minutes.
Flights from Glasgow to Siem Reap, Cambodia: 17 hours 55 minutes.
There are many different airlines that offer cheap flights to Cambodia such as China Eastern, Malaysia, China Southern, Vietnam, British Airways and Etihad. Deciding which airline to travel with really just comes down to your preference and your budget. First you’ll need to decide where in Cambodia you want to visit and the dates you wish to travel, and then you can compare the price of flight tickets for a few different airlines. Airlines such as Etihad are usually more expensive although you can expect high quality flights to Cambodia with comfortable seats and excellent service. British Airways is another good airline to consider. They provide complimentary food and drink throughout their flights to Cambodia and you can become a free member of their executive club, meaning you can earn a lot of ‘Avios’ air mile points which you can then redeem against future cheap flight tickets.
Once your flights to Cambodia land in Siem Reap you’ll be greeted with several different options to get into the city. There are strict rules in place to ensure that no driver’s under-cut each other so there is generally a set price with no real need to bargain or negotiate with them. Taxis are the first option you should consider. You can find a taxi stand from outside of the airport where you can book either a standard taxi or a bigger van taxi for slightly more money. Taxis are fairly inexpensive and you shouldn’t pay more than around £6.00 for a standard taxi or £8.00 for a van taxi. Another option to consider is a tuk tuk. If you walk passed all of the taxis and you’ll find a group of men shouting and asking you if you want a tuk tuk journey. They are slightly cheaper than taking a taxi but be wary of the drivers once they drop you off at your hotel. Usually they offer to give you a tour of the temples for very cheap prices and then increase the price dramatically half-way through.
Finding your way from Phnom Penh to the city is relatively simple. You have the same options available as Siem Reap although the pricing does vary. Once you land and begin to exit from the airport you’ll first be harassed by many different drivers all trying to get your attention. Ignore these. You can find tuk tuks from within the airport grounds and these are at a set price of around £6.00. Tuk tuks are a fantastic way to see Phnom Penh for the first time but be wary of your belongings during the journey. You can also take a taxi which is the fastest and safest way of transport. You’ll see a line of official taxis once you leave the airport and they’ll give you a ticket with the price on before you begin your journey. There is also a bus service available. Once you leave the airport turn right and you’ll see the bus stop. Buses are incredibly cheap, for around £0.30, but make sure you have change in the local currency.