Do I need a visa for Cambodia if I'm transiting at the airport?

Hi everyone,

I booked my round-trip ticket from Paris to Phnom Penh (way too quickly, of course) because I’d like to start in Laos. I’m traveling from November 5th to December 3rd. So, I’m wondering: when I arrive in Phnom Penh on the 6th and take a flight directly to Laos without leaving the airport, do I still need a visa for Cambodia? Also, which airport in Laos would you recommend—Luang Prabang or Vientiane?

Thanks so much for your advice!

Hello,

When arriving in Phnom Penh on the 6th and taking a flight directly to Laos without leaving the airport, do I still need a visa upon arrival in Cambodia?

As in most airports around the world, it’s not about leaving the airport but whether you can stay in the international zone or not: - If your connecting flight is part of the same itinerary and more or less immediate after your first flight, and if your luggage was checked through to your final destination (Laos in your case) when you checked in, you’ll stay in the international zone (often called "transfers"), so no Cambodian visa is needed. - If, for any reason, you have to leave the international zone, you’ll need a visa.

And which airport in Laos do you recommend—Luang Prabang or Vientiane?

Only Vientiane is served from Phnom Penh. Luang Prabang is only served from Siem Reap.

Be aware that in Phnom Penh, a new international airport called Techo (code KTI) is set to open this year, replacing the current one (code PNH). Flights from this new airport are already scheduled to start in September.

Thanks so much... but since I haven’t booked my flight ticket to Laos yet, I was wondering? THANKS

hi there, just to clarify about your tickets—if it’s the same airline for Phnom Penh and Laos, no problem if you check them all the way through. Otherwise, you’ll have to pick them up and recheck them, and then you’ll leave the transfer zone.

And which airport do you recommend in Laos—Luang Prabang or Vientiane?

For scenery from the plane, the approach to Luang Prabang Airport from the southwest (runway 05) is stunning if you're seated on the left side of the plane—though that depends on whether it lands from the southwest. If the approach is from the northeast (runway 23), it should be nice too, but it doesn’t fly over the city. I’ve also landed in Vientiane before, and while the Mekong runs nearby, I found the approach scenery pretty average.

if it’s the same airline for PP and Laos

It’s Vietnam Airlines operating the flight from Phnom Penh (currently PNH) to Vientiane.