Phnom Penh (50922190262), Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) · Cambodia

24-Hour Layover in Phnom Penh: What To Do

By AirConnect Editorial

Things to do in Phnom Penh

Tours, tickets & day trips

Browse Phnom Penh

Photo: Rômulo Gama Ferreira from Vitória-ES, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Rest near the airportHotels near Phnom Penh International Airport on Expedia

Quick answer

Can you leave the airport on a 24-hour layover in Phnom Penh?

Entry

Cambodia e-visa $30 online (evisa.gov.kh) or visa-on-arrival $30 at PNH. 30 days single entry. Some Asian + African passports require advance visa.

Into town

PassApp / Grab (tuk-tuk): 30–45 min, USD 4–8.

Time outside

18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip

Times from PNH arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.

Top Phnom Penh: Where to Go

The sights in Phnom Penh worth leaving the airport for.

neighbourhood

Riverside + Wat Phnom

Mekong + Tonle Sap river confluence + Wat Phnom hill (Phnom Penh's namesake temple, USD 1). Sunset boat cruise USD 5.

Itinerary ideas for Phnom Penh

Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.

A spacious airport terminal with travellers waiting by the windows

3 hours in Phnom Penh

Stay airside — 3h is too tight

See the 3-hour plan

Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.

6 hours

6 hours in Phnom Penh

4–5 hours in the city (stay close)

See the 6-hour plan
12 hours

12 hours in Phnom Penh

6–8 hours exploring

See the 12-hour plan
24 hours
You are here

24 hours in Phnom Penh

18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip

Insider tip

PNH is 7km from centre — PassApp (Cambodia's Grab) or tuk-tuk is the standard tourist option (USD 4-8). USD is widely accepted alongside Cambodian riel (KHR). For 6+ hour layovers: Royal Palace + Tuol Sleng + riverside walk is the iconic Phnom Penh circuit.

Into Phnom Penh

Getting to Phnom Penh City Centre

ModeCostTime
PassApp / Grab (tuk-tuk)USD 4–830–45 min
Taxi (official airport)USD 15–2525–40 min
Public bus 3 (to Russian Market)KHR 1,500 (€0.30)60 min
Eat like a local

Eat Like a Local in Phnom Penh

Amok (steamed fish curry in banana leaf) at Romdeng. Lok lak (Cambodian beef stir-fry) at Mama Restaurant. Cambodian coffee + croissants at the French-inspired Le Wok.

24 hours in Phnom Penh

24-Hour Itinerary

1

Day 1 — Arrival

Into Phnom Penh and check in to your hotel

Take PassApp / Grab (tuk-tuk) (30–45 min, USD 4–8). Most hotels hold bags before check-in.

2

Day 1 — Afternoon

Royal Palace + Silver Pagoda

Iconic gold-roofed Khmer royal complex. USD 10. 2 hours. Dress code: shoulders + knees covered. Most-essential Phnom Penh visit.

3

Day 1 — Evening

Dinner like a local

Amok (steamed fish curry in banana leaf) at Romdeng. Lok lak (Cambodian beef stir-fry) at Mama Restaurant. Cambodian coffee + croissants at the French-inspired Le Wok.

4

Day 2 — Morning

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)

Former Khmer Rouge S-21 prison turned museum (USD 5). Sobering + essential. 1.5 hours. Pair with Killing Fields for 12+ hour layovers.

5

Day 2 — Late morning

Central Market (Phsar Thmei) + Russian Market

Two iconic markets — Central is the Art Deco yellow domed building (1937), Russian is for textiles + souvenirs. Both free entry.

6

Day 2 — Departure

Back to Phnom Penh International Airport

Head back to Phnom Penh International Airport by PassApp / Grab (tuk-tuk) (30–45 min, USD 4–8). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.

Your questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa for a 24-hour layover in Phnom Penh?

Cambodia e-visa $30 online (evisa.gov.kh) or visa-on-arrival $30 at PNH. 30 days single entry. Some Asian + African passports require advance visa. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.

Is 24 hours enough to leave Phnom Penh International Airport?

18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip. Getting into Phnom Penh by PassApp / Grab (tuk-tuk) takes 30–45 min each way.

How do I get from Phnom Penh International Airport to Phnom Penh centre?

PassApp / Grab (tuk-tuk): 30–45 min, USD 4–8. Taxi (official airport): 25–40 min, USD 15–25. Public bus 3 (to Russian Market): 60 min, KHR 1,500 (€0.30).

A made-up hotel bed with white pillows and warm bedside lamps

Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.

Hotels near Phnom Penh Airport

With 24 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.

Find hotels in Phnom Penh

Hotels, hostels & more · Expedia

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Also useful for your Phnom Penh trip

Phnom Penh Airport Transport

Bus · metro · taxi costs

Cambodia Visa Checker

Do you need a visa to enter?

Luggage Storage

Store bags near Phnom Penh airport

Airlines that fly to Phnom Penh

See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from PNH.

Flights to Phnom Penh from 18 cities: fares and airlines →

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Airport lounges at Phnom Penh Airport

Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.

Phnom Penh travel deals

Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.

How a layover in Phnom Penh works

Passport and a phone with a booking on a red suitcase

01

Check you can leave

Cambodia e-visa $30 online (evisa.gov.kh) or visa-on-arrival $30 at PNH. 30 days single entry. Some Asian + African passports require advance visa.

Photo: Jacob on Pexels.

A car on a country road heading towards the mountains

02

Head into town

PassApp / Grab (tuk-tuk): 30–45 min, USD 4–8.

Photo: Artem Yellow on Pexels.

03

Back in time for your flight

Head back to Phnom Penh International Airport by PassApp / Grab (tuk-tuk) (30–45 min, USD 4–8). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.

Ready for Phnom Penh?

Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.

Browse Phnom Penh

Other connection lengths in Phnom Penh

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