Angkor Lounge Review: Siem Reap Airport (SAI) — Worth It?
There is a lot to like about Angkor Airport at Siem Reap. It’s brand new, completed by the Chinese in 2023 and it shows. As it’s new the number of guests flying through in October meant the airport did not feel crowded. This lounge was the first leg of our return 20-hour trip home to Australia, which included a 10-hour layover in Singapore.
The short version
A new, quiet lounge with a big fresh buffet, free wine and beer, a good barista and seriously fast Wi-Fi. No showers. There are different ways in at different price points, and lazy people pay more: USD $29 with LoungePair, $32 via Mastercard DragonPass, or $35.96 at the desk.
Getting there
Getting to the airport was easy with Grab. It took two minutes between booking and the driver arriving. Choosing a 6:30am Sunday hotel departure meant we did not have to compete with peak hour traffic.
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Immigration was biometric, so no queue at a desk, and then a bag scan. We must have been ahead of the crowds as there was zero waiting. We were on a 10:30 flight, were processed by 7:50, and were sitting in the lounge by 8:00.
To find the lounge, follow the signs to CIP Lounges, or turn right at the big Angkor statue. It’s on Level 3, Concourse 1 West Finger, past the Zero duty-free shop, between Gates 1 and 3.
Getting in
We had complimentary passes from LoungePair, where you can buy a 3-hour pass for USD $29. They email you a link, you enter your name and get a QR code. Staff scanned the QR code and our boarding pass. We only had to sign a slip of paper and were in.
A CommBank or Bankwest Mastercard would also have got us in. Each person needs their own pass. This uses the Mastercard DragonPass program. I could have bought access via them for USD $32. I only get 2 free passes a year so they go quickly. The Bankwest card provides 10 lounge passes so is great value.
There’s a time limit, but in practice the airport enforces it for you: you can’t get airside much earlier than your check-in allows. It would only come into play if your flight were delayed.
| Way in (cheapest first) | Price per person |
|---|---|
| LoungePair 3-hour pass | USD $29 |
| Mastercard DragonPass | USD $32 (or free with eligible cards) |
| Walk up to the desk | USD $35.96 |
The verdict
| Food | Huge spread that looked fresh and inviting |
| Coffee and tea | Barista only, and it was good. No self-serve tea or coffee |
| Drinks | Free wine and beer. Self-service soft drinks and bottled water. Whisky costs extra |
| Wi-Fi | 265 Mb/s down, 244 Mb/s up. Some of the fastest of the whole trip |
| Crowds | About 10% full at 8am, plus a separate overflow area |
| Boarding | No announcements. There’s a flight screen, and staff come and find you |
| Showers | None |
| Massage chairs | None (Singapore has spoilt us) |
| Outdoor area | Terrace with seating, smoking allowed, and a view of the control tower |
The food
We’d had breakfast at the hotel, so we weren’t that hungry. Plenty of other people were tucking in, and fair enough. The buffet was big, hot and looked freshly made.
The surprise was durian yoghurt. Durian is a divisive fruit, and as a rule I don’t like it. In yoghurt, I didn’t mind it. I did have a second yoghurt, passionfruit, to cleanse my palate.
The drinks
Wine and beer are free. Whisky costs extra: USD $5 a shot for J&B or Jim Beam, up to $8 for Chivas 12 or Johnnie Walker Black. There’s also a premium wine list by the bottle (USD $45–$155) if the free pour doesn’t cut it. There’s no self-serve tea or coffee; hot drinks come from the barista. There is a free self-serve area for soft drinks and bottled water.
Seating and boarding
It was about 10% full when we were there. The overhead sign says “CIP Lounges”, plural, but this was the only one we could find. A separate seating area looks like overflow for busier times. The outdoor terrace has a view of the control tower.
There are no boarding announcements, but a screen shows flight details. The front desk also came round looking for passengers on the Ho Chi Minh City flight. Nothing at this airport is a long walk to the gate.
Is it worth it?
Yes, if you have DragonPass, LoungePair or an eligible Mastercard. It’s new and quiet, with proper food, free wine and beer, and fast Wi-Fi. There are different ways in at different price points, and lazy people pay more: a LoungePair 3-hour pass is USD $29, Mastercard DragonPass is USD $32, and walking up to the desk costs USD $35.96. Even at full price, it’s worthwhile at the end of a long day. With no showers, it’s a breakfast-and-email lounge rather than a long-layover one.
Flying somewhere else?
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Quick facts
| Airport | Siem Reap–Angkor International (SAI) |
| Location | Airside, International Departures, Level 3, Concourse 1 West Finger, Gates 1–3 |
| Hours | 07:00 to last flight |
| Access | DragonPass, LoungePair, Mastercard (incl. CommBank, Bankwest) |
| Paid entry | LoungePair USD $29 · Mastercard DragonPass USD $32 · at the desk USD $35.96 |
| Free drinks | Wine, beer, soft drinks and bottled water |
| Paid drinks | Whisky USD $5–$8 a shot; premium wine USD $45–$155 a bottle |
| Coffee | Barista only, no self-serve |
| Wi-Fi | 265 Mb/s down, 244 Mb/s up, 74 ms latency |
| Showers | No |
| Outdoor area | Terrace with seating, smoking allowed |
| Boarding calls | None; flight screen, and staff find you |
| Time limit | Only matters if your flight is delayed |
Figures from the lounge signage, the menu and our own speed test, October 2026.
FAQ
Where is the Angkor Lounge at Siem Reap airport?
Airside in International Departures, on Level 3, Concourse 1 West Finger, between Gates 1 and 3. Follow the CIP Lounges signs or turn right at the large Angkor statue.
How do I get into the Angkor Lounge?
With DragonPass, LoungePair or an eligible Mastercard (including CommBank and Bankwest cards). Prices vary by route: a LoungePair 3-hour pass is USD $29, Mastercard DragonPass is USD $32, and it’s USD $35.96 at the desk.
What are the Angkor Lounge opening hours?
From 7:00am until the last flight.
Does the Angkor Lounge have free alcohol?
Yes, wine and beer are free, along with self-serve soft drinks and bottled water. Whisky costs extra, at USD $5–$8 a shot.
Does the Angkor Lounge have showers?
No.
Is the Wi-Fi good?
Yes. We measured 265 Mb/s down and 244 Mb/s up.
Can I bring a guest?
Each person needs their own pass or entry.
Is there more than one lounge at Siem Reap airport?
The sign says “CIP Lounges”, but the Angkor Lounge is the only one we could find in international departures.
Landing overseas? Sort your data before you go
An eSIM is a digital SIM you install on your phone before you fly — no swapping a physical card, no local SIM queue when you land, no roaming bill shock.
Airalo codes: DREWDEALNEW / DREWDEAL · Yesim code: DREWDEAL (enter manually at checkout)
Not sure which one? Compare Airalo vs Yesim →
(Small referral our way if you use our link — doesn’t change your price.)
