By Syam, JesTiny Guide · Last checked: 21 October 2026

Siem Reap Angkor Airport (SAI) Currency Exchange: Counters, ATMs and Rules

Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) is the new airport serving Siem Reap. It is a long way from the town. Travellers ask which bank runs the exchange counter, whether the ATMs are worth using and what to do about riel and dollars and the cash rules. This guide sets out what the sources we read say, including a Cambodian travel listing site and a customs guide, and what we could not confirm. We found no measured SAI rate, so we do not name a best counter or give a percentage for the airport gap. We did not measure any rates ourselves.

The short version

• HelloAngkor, a Cambodian travel listing site, in a guide last updated 10 February 2026, says a bureau de change in the arrivals area is operated by Cambodia Asia Bank. It lists one ATM, run by BRED Bank, dispensing US dollars. It gives no hours, rates or fees.
• The Traveler (23 August 2026) says exchange counters at SAI are usually run by local banks such as Cambodia Asia Bank, and "rarely offer the best rates". It suggests only a modest change and saving larger exchanges for downtown money changers near Pub Street.
• The same guide says several Cambodian banks operate ATMs in the arrivals hall, dispensing US dollars, riel or both, with a fixed fee of about 4 to 6 US dollars per withdrawal on top of your own bank's fees.
• HelloAngkor says the airport is about 50 km north-east of Siem Reap and the trip takes roughly 60 to 90 minutes by bus or car.
• A customs page on the Cambodia Airports group's website, about Cambodian airports in general, says you must declare currency above USD 10,000 on arrival, and need a permit to take out more than that unless it was declared on entry.
• We found no source for opening hours or for a measured rate.

The old airport and the new

HelloAngkor describes SAI as about 50 km north-east of Siem Reap city, and everything we read describes SAI as the airport serving Siem Reap now. If a guide describes a counter or a taxi fare for an airport close to Pub Street, it is probably about the old airport, so check that it is about SAI.

HelloAngkor says the trip to Siem Reap city takes roughly 60 to 90 minutes by bus or car. It gives no method, so allow at least an hour and ask your driver or your hotel. The distance is a reason to have some local currency or a working card ready before you leave the terminal.

Who runs the counter

HelloAngkor says a bureau de change in the arrivals area is operated by Cambodia Asia Bank, and gives the bank's website. It does not give a position, hours, rates or fees. The Traveler says exchange counters at SAI are usually run by local banks, such as Cambodia Asia Bank. So two sources name Cambodia Asia Bank. Neither is an official airport source, and we could not read an official airport page.

We found no source for the counter's exact position. If you land and need a counter, look for the exchange sign in the arrivals area.

ATMs

HelloAngkor lists one ATM, run by BRED Bank, which dispenses US dollars. It says the ATM accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Visa and UnionPay, and does not give a position or a fee.

The Traveler says several Cambodian banks operate ATMs in the arrivals hall, typically dispensing US dollars, riel or both. It says airport ATMs often charge a fixed fee of about 4 to 6 US dollars per withdrawal on top of your home bank's fees, and recommends fewer, larger withdrawals to reduce the cost. It names no banks.

Check your own card's fee schedule before you rely on an ATM, because a flat fee per withdrawal takes a larger share of a small withdrawal. If a machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choose the local option. Our guide to dynamic currency conversion explains why.

Dollars and riel

The Traveler says most prices in Cambodia are quoted in US dollars, and that change under one dollar is often given in riel at an informal rate of about 4,000 riel to one US dollar. It says riel is hard to exchange outside Cambodia, so it advises spending leftover riel before you leave. It says some airport taxi counters that accept cards may add a 2 to 3% surcharge or round up the price, so ask before paying by card. These are one writer's observations and we could not check them.

As a general habit, look at any note you are handed before you walk away, and if one is badly torn, ask for another.

What the sources say about rates

We found no source that measured a SAI rate against the mid-market rate. The Traveler says airport counters "rarely offer the best rates" and gives no figure. The size of any airport gap at Siem Reap is unknown from our sources, and the way to find out is to ask for the final amount for your sum and compare it with the mid-market rate.

To see what a percentage gap costs on your amount, use our mid-market rate guide.

How to check a rate yourself

This section is our advice, not a sourced fact.

1. Look up the mid-market rate for your currency pair on the day you travel.
2. Ask the counter for the final amount in riel or dollars for your exact sum, including every fee.
3. Divide the counter's rate by the mid-market rate. A result of 0.98 means 2% below.
4. If a sign says "no commission", ask for the final amount anyway, because the margin may sit inside the rate.
5. Keep the amount small, and compare with a city changer or a card if you can wait.

If you would rather change in town

The Traveler suggests saving larger exchanges for downtown money changers near Pub Street. If you use a city changer, ask for the final amount in writing and compare it with the mid-market rate in the same way.

Carrying cash into or out of Cambodia

A customs and excise page on the Cambodia Airports group's website says that on arrival, currency imports are not limited, but you must declare amounts over USD 10,000 or the equivalent in another currency. It says that on departure, taking out more than USD 10,000 requires a permit from the National Bank of Cambodia and approval from the General Department of Customs and Excise, unless the currency was declared on entry. It says false declarations and rule violations can lead to prosecution, fines or punishment, and gives no specific penalties for cash. The page shows no date and says it is a guideline only.

Check the General Department of Customs and Excise for the current rule before you carry a large amount.

Our reading of the sources

This section is our reading. It is not a sourced fact. For SAI, a travel listing site and a travel guide name one counter operator and the rest of the picture comes from a single travel guide. What matters to a traveller is simple. There is a bank counter in arrivals, it probably gives a worse rate than a city changer, and the airport is far enough from town that you want some local cash or a working card before you leave the terminal. A small sum for a taxi or a transit tip costs little. A larger sum is better left for the town, if you can wait.

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm where the Cambodia Asia Bank counter sits or when it opens, how many ATMs there are and which banks run them, or any measured SAI rate, and we could not read the current official text of Cambodia's cash declaration rule.

A simple plan

1. Look for the exchange sign in the arrivals area, and ask for the final amount for your exact sum.
2. Compare it with the mid-market rate, and change only what you need for the first hours.
3. Check the notes you are given before you leave the counter.
4. At an ATM, choose the local option if offered a choice, and check your own card's fees first.
5. If you carry more than USD 10,000 in cash, declare it.

FAQ

Who runs currency exchange at Siem Reap airport?
HelloAngkor, a travel listing site, says the bureau de change in arrivals is run by Cambodia Asia Bank. We could not read an official airport page.

Is there an ATM at the airport?
HelloAngkor lists one, run by BRED Bank, dispensing US dollars. The Traveler says several banks operate ATMs in the arrivals hall, with a fee of about 4 to 6 US dollars.

Are rates at Siem Reap airport worse than in town?
The Traveler says airport counters rarely offer the best rates. We found no measured SAI rate.

How far is the airport from Siem Reap city?
HelloAngkor says about 50 km north-east, and a trip of roughly 60 to 90 minutes.

Do I have to declare cash in Cambodia?
A customs page on the Cambodia Airports group's website says you must declare currency above USD 10,000 on arrival.

Sources and how we checked them

Checked on 21 October 2026. Where we call something confirmed, at least two of these sources agree, or an official source says so directly. Several are not official sources.

• HelloAngkor, Cambodian travel listing site, A guide to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, last update 10 February 2026. It is not an official airport source.
• The Traveler, travel site, Siem Reap Angkor airport SIM card and money guide for arrivals, 23 August 2026.
• Cambodia Airports group, airport operator, customs and excise guidance page on its Sihanoukville airport site (undated). It describes Cambodian rules in general and says it is a guideline only.

Editorial note: The counter, rate and airport information in this guide is editorial and is not paid for. Rates and fees change, so confirm the final rate at the counter before exchanging.