Cambodia reopens borders, scraps all COVID-19 testing

Travellers to Cambodia no longer need to do pre-departure or on-arrival COVID-19 tests, making it one of the simplest VTL destinations to visit.

As per reports in the Khmer Times and Phnom Penh Post, Cambodia has become the first country in South East Asia to scrap all COVID-19 testing, effective immediately.

There will no longer be any pre-departure nor on-arrival testing, and fully vaccinated travellers will be able to enter the country without quarantine, just like pre-COVID days. It’s the biggest return to normal we’ve seen so far from an ASEAN country. 

Cambodia scraps all COVID-19 testing

No more COVID-19 testing is required for travel to Cambodia

Previously, travellers to Cambodia were required to take:

  • a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival
  • an ART on arrival

From 17 March 2022, both of these requirements have ceased. 

The Ministry of Health, acting on the instruction of the Prime Minister released a statement last night highlighting the abolishment of these two requirements.

Unfortunately, neither IATA’s Timatic system nor Singapore Airlines’ travel advisory page have been updated at the time of writing. If you’re flying to Cambodia in the next couple of days, out of an abundance of caution you may still want to take a pre-departure PCR test until either source is updated.

IATA’s Timatic System still shows the previous requirement

Cambodia has also announced that the visa on arrival scheme will be reinstated, applicable to all travellers arriving by air, land and sea. For what it’s worth, Singapore citizens do not need a visa to visit Cambodia. 

All travellers to Cambodia must carry a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing proof of full vaccination (a booster is not required). I can’t find a list of approved vaccines, but it’s safe to say that any vaccine on the WHO EUL will be fine.

It was previously reported that travellers to Cambodia were required to purchase COVID-19 medical insurance with a minimum coverage of US$50,000 (Forte Insurance is the recommended provider), but according to the MFA, this is now “not mandatory, but strongly encouraged”. 

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers are still required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at their own expense, and purchase the aforementioned COVID-19 medical insurance.

Singapore-Cambodia travel: Total testing costs

⚕️ Testing: Singapore-Cambodia Travel
LocationRemarksPrice
🇰🇭 Cambodia2 days before departure (ART/PCR)US$30
(~S$40)*
🇸🇬 SingaporeWithin 24h of arrival (self-ART)~S$5*
*Children aged 2 and under exempt

Round-trip travellers from Singapore to Cambodia only need to do two COVID-19 tests, both of which are required by the Singapore side. 

An antigen test in Cambodia starts from US$30, so your total testing costs should be around S$45 per person.

VTL flights to Singapore

Travellers can take any flight they wish from Singapore to Cambodia, with non-stop service offered by Singapore Airlines to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. 

When returning from Cambodia to Singapore, they must take a designated VTL flight or else serve a 7-day SHN on return. The following Singapore Airlines and Jetstar Asia flights have been designated as VTL services from Cambodia

  • From Phnom Penh
    • SQ153
    • SQ157 (from 1 April)
    • 3K592
    • 3K594
  • From Siem Reap
    • SQ163
    • SQ165 (from 1 April)
Spontaneous Escapes

If you’re looking to redeem miles, do note that Siem Reap is currently available on Spontaneous Escapes, with Economy and Business Class awards going at 30% off. 

 EconomyBusinessFlights
SIN to REP12,500
8,750
21,500
15,050
SQ164, SQ166
Blackout dates: 13-18, 29-30 April 2022
REP to SIN12,500
8,750
21,500
15,050
SQ163, SQ165
Blackout dates: 13-18, 29-30 April 2022

VTL travel to Singapore

✔️ VTL Eligibility Criteria
All
Short-term visitors & Work permit holders
*Children aged 2 or under in the current calendar year are exempt
^Exception for children aged 12 and below, if they are accompanied by vaccinated traveller

VTL travellers to Singapore are required to take a pre-departure ART/PCR test within 2 days of departure to Singapore, as well as a designated VTL flight.

On arrival, they must perform a self-administered ART within 24 hours of arrival and report the result via a link provided on landing. 

Fully vaccinated individuals can be exempted from all pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests and the need to take a VTL flight to Singapore with acceptable proof of a COVID-19 infection/recovery within the last 90 days. 

Big news: No more SHN, testing or “14-day stranding” for recently-recovered vaccinated travellers to Singapore

Let’s keep in mind the VTL is already living on borrowed time, and it’s highly likely we’ll see a simplified system soon that’s based purely on vaccination status. Fingers crossed!

Conclusion

Cambodia has become the first country in South East Asia to scrap all testing requirements, and hopefully the first of many. This saves travellers the cost and inconvenience of a pre-departure PCR test, which really only makes sense if you’re aiming for COVID-zero. 

This dovetails nicely with the just-announced KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes, allowing you to fly to Siem Reap in Business Class just 15,050 miles each way (you’ll enjoy the new B737 MAX 8 Business Class seats too!). 

With Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia all opening their borders to visitors from all over the world, surely Singapore can’t be left behind?

Aaron Wong
Aaron Wong
Aaron founded The Milelion to help people travel better for less and impress chiobu. He was 50% successful.

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Jerry

It’s already left behind.

Needlessly onerous requirements for entry to Singapore even over VTL makes Singapore a very unfriendly tourist/business destination.

One would hope this to change sometime soon but this hope would be unfounded.

Albert

Who wants to come to Singapore ?
no alcohol after 10:30 pm (in reality, it is more 10:00 pm), restaurants limited to 5 pax only , check-in and check-out everywhere you go…
sad for Singapore but not tourists friendly

David

surely Singapore can’t be left behind?”

lol it’s already left far far behind the rest of the world. Singapore might consider opening up once pretty much every other country has already done so. Too afraid to be a leader only a follower!

Hwei

Hi Aaron, so as of now (May 1), we can just fly to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh from Singapore and there’s no ART / PCR/ pre-departure or on-arrival tests required upon entry to Cambodia? Likewise, upon return to Singapore.

No health app to download either in Cambodia…so basically pre-Covid style travel but must just show physical proof of vaccination at the respective airports in Cambodia. Would this be correct? Thanks!

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