In September 2025, Phnom Penh opened Techo International Airport, replacing its smaller downtown terminal and significantly increasing Cambodia’s international flight capacity. Cambodia is now easier than ever to reach, with single-stop connections through hubs like Singapore, Seoul, or Doha that skip the usual long transfer through Bangkok.
Phnom Penh, where the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers meet, is the natural starting point for exploring the country. Like most big cities, a quick visit can feel like whiplash, but you’ll appreciate the complexity of its culture and beauty if you slow down and stay for more than a day or two. The riverfront is alive from morning to night, cafés serve pastries that rival anything baked in France, and a new wave of Khmer chefs are reimagining national dishes in smart dining rooms across the city. Independent galleries showcase emerging Cambodian artists, and restored villas now house design studios, wine bars, and small hotels that honor both old and new Phnom Penh.
Many first-time travelers make a point to visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek. These sites are respectfully maintained and offer essential context for Cambodia’s modern history. But visiting them is a personal choice — and the country’s story extends far beyond its past.
When you’re ready to move beyond the capital, Cambodia’s compact size makes travel refreshingly straightforward. Short flights connect Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in under an hour, or you can take a six-hour drive through the countryside to reach the temples of Angkor Wat — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still one of the most awe-inspiring archaeological complexes in the world. Plan for at least two nights to wander Angkor Thom’s towering faces, catch sunrise over the lotus ponds, and maybe splurge on a stay at the colonial-style Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor or the more intimate boutique hotel Amansara, both offering exceptional dining and understated luxury.
Photo: Song Saa Private Island
From Siem Reap, it’s easy to loop south toward the coast. A new expressway cut the drive from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville to just three hours. Speedboats whisk travelers to one of Southeast Asia’s most exclusive eco-resorts: Song Saa Private Island in the Koh Rong archipelago. Or head east to Kep and Kampot, twin coastal towns famed for fresh crab and the world-renowned Kampot pepper. 