Cambodia visa/evisa and Siem Reap airport information (in/out)

First, if you decide to get an e-visa before going to Cambodia (maybe to see Angkor Wat, below) – make sure you use the government’s official site – www.evisa.gov.kh There are many companies who will basically do that for you and charge you an additional $30, $40, or even $50 and more.

Generally, travelers find it most useful to get the e-visa if they are not flying in through Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, where you can do it on-site (see below).

The e-visa currently costs $40. $30 for the visa, $7 for processing, and a $3 cc fee (and how else could you pay?). In-person, it is $30 (bring crisp US dollars, preferably exact change), and you bring a passport-size photo with you (or they’ll charge you another couple of bucks to take one for you).

One additional thing to consider is like other visas, the on-site version will take up a page in your passport, while the other will be a printed page you will need to carry with you (and might need when exiting, so don’t lose it).
If you didn’t prearrange to have an e-Visa, when you arrive in Siem Reap, you have to fill out a form and then pay 30 dollars to get one on the spot. Then you can go through immigration. Forms are at the tables in the middle of the hall, then get in line on the right.  This may take up to 10 or 15 minutes if there are a lot of people, so pretty easy. And cheaper than doing it in advance. After that, there is a money exchange window, but it is really unnecessary if you have USD as most people seem to prefer that to the local money.  You can also mix and match USD and Cambodian money if needed.

Once outside you also have access to several ATMs and a couple of SIM card shops. Internet is really cheap here, I paid 6 USD for the Sim card I chose for 3 days.

One thing that is weird is that on the way out, you not only can’t take beverages through security, but you also can’t take them on the plane unless it’s in a sealed container. So the blended iced coffee I just paid 6 bucks for in the airport and very much wanted because of the heat went in the trash 😞 and I was thirsty on the flight.

Also, they don’t let you use electronics during take-off and landing, even in airplane mode.

The plane had a really nice video about thanking all the countries that had helped with the rescue of the kids and coach from the cave in Chiang Rai. And another about reporting human trafficking. And this one didn’t play Christmas music like the flight out so that was nice.