Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS) sits a short distance from the city and has seen a steady increase in flight options in recent years, making it a genuine alternative to the overland route from Phnom Penh for some travelers.
Getting from the airport into town
A taxi or arranged transfer from the airport to Serendipity or Otres Beach typically costs $10-15 and takes 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and which beach you’re headed to. Ride-hailing apps have limited but growing coverage here — confirm availability before relying on one for arrival.
Flight options and airlines
Domestic routes connect Sihanoukville primarily with Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, while a smaller number of regional international routes have operated from neighboring countries depending on the season and airline schedules. Checking current routes directly with an airline or booking platform before planning around a specific flight is worth doing, since regional route schedules here shift more than in bigger hub airports.
Airport facilities
KOS is a relatively small, straightforward airport with basic facilities — a handful of food and drink options, currency exchange, and standard check-in and security processes. Don’t expect the scale of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap’s international terminals; plan for a simpler, faster experience overall.
Where to stay near the airport
For an early departure, a small cluster of hotels sits within a short drive of the airport, though most travelers still choose to stay at Serendipity or Otres and accept a slightly longer transfer given the beach areas’ overall better dining and atmosphere.
Where to Stay Around Sihanoukville Airport: Map
Comparing flying versus overland travel
For travelers coming from Phnom Penh specifically, flying saves time over the roughly 2-2.5 hour expressway drive but at a real cost premium — see our Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville transport guide for a direct comparison of the overland options.
Connecting onward to the islands
If you’re flying in en route to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem, budget enough transfer time between landing and your ferry departure — a same-day connection is possible but tight. Check exact sailing times in our ferry times and prices guide before booking a flight that cuts it close.
Getting around once you’ve landed
Once you’re settled into your accommodation, our how to get around Sihanoukville guide covers tuk-tuks, motorbike rentals, and ride apps for the rest of your stay.
ATMs and cash on arrival
A small number of ATMs are available in the arrivals area, dispensing US dollars, though it’s still worth carrying some cash for the taxi into town in case a machine is temporarily out of service. Withdrawal fees here run similar to the $4-5 per-transaction range typical elsewhere in Cambodia, so a single larger withdrawal covering your first day or two is more efficient than several small ones.
Weather-related delays
During the rainy season, roughly May through October, regional flights on this route can occasionally see short delays tied to weather at either end. It rarely causes major disruption given the flight distances involved, but building a bit of buffer before a tight onward connection, such as a same-day ferry, is a sensible precaution during these months.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth flying into Sihanoukville instead of taking the bus?
It depends on your time budget — flying saves roughly 1.5-2 hours over the expressway bus but typically costs significantly more, so it comes down to how much your time is worth relative to the price difference.
How far is the airport from Serendipity Beach?
Roughly 20-30 minutes by taxi or arranged transfer, costing around $10-15.
Does Sihanoukville airport have international flights?
It has had limited regional international routes depending on the season and airline — check current schedules directly before planning around a specific international connection.
Check-in and security timing
Given the airport’s smaller scale, arriving 90 minutes before a domestic flight is generally sufficient rather than the 2-3 hours recommended at larger international airports. That said, during peak season weekends when flight volume rises, giving yourself the fuller buffer avoids any last-minute stress.
Currency and payment at the airport
US dollars are accepted everywhere at the airport just as they are throughout Cambodia, and Cambodian riel is given as small change. Currency exchange counters are available but rates tend to be less favorable than exchanging in town, so changing only what you need for immediate transport costs is a reasonable approach.
SIM cards and connectivity
A small SIM card counter operates near arrivals, selling tourist data packages from local carriers. Prices and data allowances are broadly comparable to what’s available in the city, so buying on arrival rather than waiting is fine if you need connectivity right away for booking a taxi or checking directions.
Luggage storage
The airport itself has limited to no formal luggage storage, so if you have a long layover between a flight and a later ferry departure, arranging storage through your accommodation or a downtown luggage-storage service is the more reliable option.
Traveling with a rented motorbike
If you’ve rented a motorbike elsewhere in Cambodia, returning it before an airport departure requires planning — most rental shops are based in the city center or beach areas rather than near the airport itself, so build in extra time to return the bike and transfer separately.
Booking flights: timing and price patterns
Domestic fares to and from Sihanoukville fluctuate with the same seasonal pattern as hotel prices, rising during the December-February peak and dropping in the wetter months. Booking a few weeks ahead rather than last-minute generally secures a noticeably better fare on the more popular Phnom Penh and Siem Reap routes.
Arriving versus departing: which matters more to plan
Arrival transport matters most for getting settled with unfamiliar surroundings and possibly jet lag; departure is usually more predictable since you already know the drive time from experience. If your onward plan involves the ferry rather than another flight, timing your Sihanoukville departure day around ferry schedules — see our ferry times and prices guide — matters more than airport logistics themselves.
The bottom line
Sihanoukville’s airport is small and straightforward compared to Cambodia’s bigger international gateways, which cuts both ways — less to navigate, but also fewer facilities if you have a long wait. For most travelers, it’s a genuinely useful alternative to the overland route, particularly if time matters more than saving a few dollars on the fare.
Whichever way you arrive, double-checking your specific route and schedule directly with an airline or transport operator close to your travel date is worth doing — regional connections and flight frequency to Sihanoukville have shifted more over the past few years than the country’s bigger hub airports.
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