Finding the best flight deals to Cambodia doesn’t have to be stressful. With smart planning and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can save big on airfare. Whether you’re heading to explore Angkor Wat, relax on the southern beaches, or immerse yourself in Phnom Penh’s culture, you want to make sure you get the best price for your flight.
1. Book at the right time
The timing of your booking can make a huge difference in the price of your flight. Generally, airlines start selling seats 11 months in advance, but that doesn’t mean booking super early always gives you the best price.
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In most cases, booking about 2-3 months out is ideal for international flights. For Cambodia, it’s best to avoid booking too far in advance, as flight prices can sometimes drop closer to the travel date due to airlines adjusting for empty seats.
If you’re traveling during peak seasons, like around public holidays or the dry season (November to March), try to book a little earlier than usual. Watch prices periodically to catch any dips, but don’t wait too long during these busy seasons.
2. Use search engines for flight comparison
Flight search engines are invaluable tools when looking for deals. They scan a variety of airlines and booking platforms, letting you compare prices easily. Here are some great options:
Google Flights
Google Flights is fast, easy to use, and has a flexible calendar option. You can move your travel dates around and see what days are cheaper at a glance. It also has an option to track prices—if the fare for your route drops, you’ll get a notification by email.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is another fantastic tool for finding deals. They work with a broad variety of airlines and booking websites. You can also set alerts to be notified of price drops. Skyscanner sometimes includes lesser-known budget airlines that other tools might not show.
Kayak
Kayak has robust filters that let you narrow down results by airline, number of stops, departure times, and more. You can also look for “hacker fares,” which combine one-way tickets from different airlines to get you a better deal.
3. Be flexible with your dates
Flight fares can change significantly depending on the day of the week. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are usually your best bet in terms of price, while flights on weekends tend to be costlier.
Try to stay flexible with your travel dates. Some search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak will show you a calendar layout so you can easily see which days are the cheapest to fly. A day or two’s difference in departure can save you a lot of money.
4. Consider layovers
Sometimes, flights with layovers are much cheaper than direct routes. Cambodia’s main international airport is in Phnom Penh (PNH), but you can also try Siem Reap (REP) or Sihanoukville (KOS), depending on your final destination.
Certain flights may layover in major hubs in Asia like Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur. If you don’t mind making a stop, you can save some money by choosing flights with layovers. Bonus: you might even give yourself enough time to briefly explore another city on your way to Cambodia!
5. Use frequent flyer miles or travel points
If you frequently fly or use a credit card that builds up travel rewards, check your point balance before buying a Cambodia ticket. Airlines often partner with credit card companies, so you might be able to use your points to partially or fully pay for your flight.
Even if you don’t have enough points for an entire flight, you can use them to lower the cost by covering part of your ticket. Check out offers from rewards programs like those from Chase, American Express, or your own airline loyalty program.
6. Sign up for newsletters or flight deal alerts
Many airlines and flight deal websites have newsletters that notify you of special sales. Signing up for low-fare alerts can let you know when flights to Cambodia are on sale. This can give you a chance to book prices much lower than usual.
Some great options for newsletters include Scott’s Cheap Flights and Airfarewatchdog. These websites send out deal alerts for international flights based on your preferred departure airport, so you’ll know if a great deal to Cambodia pops up.
7. Popular airlines flying to Cambodia
There are a range of international and regional airlines that fly to Cambodia. Some of the most popular international airlines are:
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Thai Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Korean Air
- EVA Air
- Vietnam Airlines
Budget airlines like AirAsia, Jetstar, and Thai Smile also offer cheaper options for flights to Cambodia, especially if you’re flying within Southeast Asia.
8. Fly into nearby countries
If flights directly to Cambodia seem too expensive, you could try flying into a nearby country like Thailand or Vietnam, and then book a separate budget flight to Cambodia. For example, flights into Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City can often be cheaper than flying directly into Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
From there, budget airlines like AirAsia, Lion Air, and Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways provide regional connections to Cambodia for significantly less. This could be a great option if you’re already planning to explore other parts of Southeast Asia.
9. Clear your browser history or use incognito mode
Some travel deals websites and airlines track how often you search for a specific route. By using cookies, they might start showing you slightly higher prices if they notice you’re searching repeatedly for the same flight.
To avoid this, clear your browser cookies or use an incognito/private browsing mode when searching for flights. This way, the airline website won’t recognize you as a returning user, and you might find slightly lower prices.
10. Check for low-cost carriers
If you’re looking for the absolute lowest price, don’t overlook regional low-cost airlines. Budget airlines like AirAsia, Thai Smile, and VietJet Air connect Cambodia with other cities in Southeast Asia. You’ll have to keep an eye on baggage fees and other additional costs, but these carriers often offer seriously low prices if you watch for sales.
11. Avoid booking on weekends
It’s tempting to book flights while you have the free time to browse, but weekends aren’t the best days for finding deals. Airline ticket prices tend to spike over the weekend when most people are looking to book.
Instead, try booking your flights in the middle of the week. Research shows that Tuesday and Wednesday are often the cheapest days to book tickets, as airlines tend to release fare sales in the early part of the week.
12. Don’t buy round-trip flights automatically
Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets with different airlines can be cheaper than buying a round-trip ticket. This is where tools like Kayak’s “hacker fares” can come in handy. They search for pairing options that could save you more money.
For example, you could fly into Phnom Penh with one airline but leave from Siem Reap with another. You wouldn’t get this combination with traditional round-trip only searches.
Final thoughts
Finding a great flight deal to Cambodia doesn’t require luck—it just takes some time and a few simple strategies. Keep your dates flexible, use flight search engines wisely, and don’t hesitate to take advantage of sales and alerts. With these tips, you’ll be able to secure the best price for your trip and enjoy more of your budget once you land in Cambodia. Happy travels!
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