Asia - Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

What is the best way to go between the cities. Apparently there are no flights. How long is it by road ... Thanks.

You can fly. Cambodia Angkor Air flys this route. Must buy the ticket from a Cambodian travel agent US$95 one-way.

By bus, probably 4-5 hours. Last time I was on that route I did the overnight bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville, so I slept through PP.

Chris

4-5 hrs sound about right. Plenty of buses, very frequent service. I think hourly. You can easily get tickets the day of

Has anyone tried this route by boat?

There are flights but they must be ticketed in Cambodia. K6 flies 5x daily each way at $89. There are sometimes promos for r/ts. I have a good TA here and it's worked for some but not others.

Buses, of which there are many companies, will rarely take less than 5 hours. It's 4+ by car and the buses stop in Kampong Thom for a 30 minute break. Avoiding a breakdown on the road is a big plus. $7-$11 each way.

Taxis can be had for $60-70 for the whole car, which is almost always a Camry. Generally the share taxis to Siem Reap take 6 people (2 front/4 back). For one person I'd recommend buying the front seat, for people the back seat. Buying the whole car should be arranged ahead of time.

Boats do run, once per day. Last I checked they were at $35 per person. The trip can be between 5-8 hours depending upon the level of the river and the flow. Once you arrive in Siem Reap you'll need to negotiate with a tuk tuk for transportation into town.

"Taxis can be had for $60-70 for the whole car, which is almost always a Camry". - Not as often as 5 years ago. Pretty soon I'll have to stop calling it Camrybodia ! wj

"Taxis can be had for $60-70 for the whole car, which is almost always a Camry". - Not as often as 5 years ago. Pretty soon I'll have to stop calling it Camrybodia ! wj

There are plenty of vans but they aren't hire-able for one ways so far as i know.

What other cars have you taken between the two?

There are plenty of vans but they aren't hire-able for one ways so far as i know.

What other cars have you taken between the two?
None, just Camrys. With a little asking around, we got a SUV down to Snooky though. Cost a lot more, but we had 4. The AC even worked. My point was that every frigging car in Cambodia isn't a Camry anymore. wj

None, just Camrys. With a little asking around, we got a SUV down to Snooky though. Cost a lot more, but we had 4. The AC even worked. My point was that every frigging car in Cambodia isn't a Camry anymore. wj

No, there are probably more Prius now. When you include all the Range Rovers, Lexus and Land Cruisers the Camry's are barely noticeable.

I took the bus and it was a cheap and easy journey. Very comfortable, stopped for lunch, and no problems at all. I would recommend the bus unless you have money to burn.

I've also taken the bus (in reverse, REP to PNH) and while it was cheap, it was somewhat uncomfortable - confusing boarding and disembarkation process, cramped seating, unclear duration of the rest stop (we couldn't get a direct answer so were afraid to wander too far afield, though it would have been interesting). Not the worst bus trip I've ever taken but I wouldn't rush to do it again.

I've never taken the bus PP-SR, but I have taken the bus to Sihanoukville many times. If you don't book a VIP bus on that route, you're in for an uncomfortable slow ride. You can buy 2 adjacent seats to give yourself extra room too. wj

Sorry, I just assumed we were talking about VIP busses, but yes, make sure it's a VIP bus aimed towards tourists. I think they can be booked at any respectable guest house / hotel in Phnom Penh.

I've also taken the bus (in reverse, REP to PNH) and while it was cheap, it was somewhat uncomfortable - confusing boarding and disembarkation process, cramped seating, unclear duration of the rest stop (we couldn't get a direct answer so were afraid to wander too far afield, though it would have been interesting). Not the worst bus trip I've ever taken but I wouldn't rush to do it again.

I was on the "Paramount Angkor Express." I still have the ticket. ;)

Just so you are aware, in the dry season, most boats cannot travel most of this route. The Tonle Sap river is too shallow until the Mekong River floods and causes the Tonle Sap to back up and flood the lake that borders Siem Reap.

Not everyone recommends flying, but we flew this route last year and are doing it again this year via Cambodia Angkor Air. It's a quick 45 min flight, and our hotel books the ticket for us ($89 o/w). Many FT'ers say take the bus, but would they take a 6 hr bus vs a 45 min plane hop here in the US?^

Many FT'ers say take the bus, but would they take a 6 hr bus vs a 45 min plane hop here in the US?^

I'd take a 4 hour share taxi. :p

I'd take a private car, get an early start, stretch the journey to 10 hours, and make interesting stops along the way. Contrary to popular belief, Cambodia has more than just Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Not everyone recommends flying, but we flew this route last year and are doing it again this year via Cambodia Angkor Air. It's a quick 45 min flight, and our hotel books the ticket for us ($89 o/w). Many FT'ers say take the bus, but would they take a 6 hr bus vs a 45 min plane hop here in the US?^
First of all, it's not a 45 minute plane hop when you factor in parking, TSA checkpoints, scatter ray machines, pat downs, taking shoes/belt off, boarding, and then taxiing. (I'm not even going to mention checking a bag or flight delays)

Would I take a $5 8 hour bus ride to Chicago, or take a one hour flight to Chicago for $80? I'll take MegaBus and save $75. Plus the bus drops me off in the middle of the city, while the airport requires me to take additional transport to the city center.

But the OP's question is not regarding the United States at all.


So in conclusion:
1. Fly. Modern. Highest price option, but fastest.
2. VIP Bus. Cheap, scenic, more adventurous, but eats up a half day.
3. Boat. Even more scenic, however it is seasonal and SLOW.
4. Train. I don't think it is possible at this time, but in a few more years, it should be a valid option.

First of all, it's not a 45 minute plane hop when you factor in parking, TSA checkpoints, scatter ray machines, pat downs, taking shoes/belt off, boarding, and then taxiing. (I'm not even going to mention checking a bag or flight delays)

Thankfully no pat downs or shoe carnival in REP/PNH.




So in conclusion:
1. Fly. Modern. Highest price option, but fastest.
2. VIP Bus. Cheap, scenic, more adventurous, but eats up a half day.
3. Boat. Even more scenic, however it is seasonal and SLOW.
4. Train. I don't think it is possible at this time, but in a few more years, it should be a valid option.

Flying to REP is a 3 hour affair when taking into account getting to/from the airport. I'd list them like this:

1 Fly - 3+ hours $89 each way
2 VIP Bus - 5-7 hours $10+ each way
3 Boat - 6-8 hours $35 each way
4 Train - no tracks to REP so unlikely to ever be an option.
5 Share taxi - 4-5 hours $60-$70 for the car each way

Has anyone tried this route by boat?

Me! However, the operators overbook the boat very frequently and a lot of passengers end up the in the deck of the boat. I actually prefer the deck than the air-conditioned seats - the seats are rather cramped - although I managed to sleep on the seats for about 2 hours while we are in the Tonle Sap lake since there are absolutely nothing but water all around when you are in the middle of the lake.

I haven't taken the bus, but the boat is a great way to get between the 2 cities - you get to see the floating villages before you leave Siem Reap and then you get to see rural Cambodia as you leave Tonle Sap Lake into the river leading into Phnom Penh.

Another caveat - I took the boat trip in November (at the end of the rainy season) and I was told that the trip by boat is not offered year round.

Thankfully no pat downs or shoe carnival in REP/PNH.
Yeah but the guy I was responding to was talking about flights in the US (I don't know why though).


I know Cambodia is currently working on their train/rail situation. So it's possible the two cities will be linked by rail in our lifetime. My fingers are crossed!

Story and many photos
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1126829


This was posted a year ago on that forum. Looks like no Siem Reap
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8149/62535800.gif
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8149/62535800.gif

I know Cambodia is currently working on their train/rail situation. So it's possible the two cities will be linked by rail in our lifetime. My fingers are crossed!


I'm not so sure about this. There's no track currently laid in that direction and the company now working with the gov toward reclaiming use, TOLL, is fully directed toward freight. About the only thing coming into Phnom Penh are bags of cement. Not sure what, if anything, is heading out. From an article in the local paper mid-2011 they expected to lose money through 2014 but, in the meantime, show that the transport is feasible. We'll see how far it goes.

The initial outlay for tracks, engines and cars would be expensive (although I'm sure beautiful as it wends through the rice fields like the track to Kompot). There would be a need to price it cheaply to draw locals but refined enough to draw tourists and I don't see these conflicting requirements coming together. With no business training that's just my belief.

Train in Cambodia is a completely moot point right now. Let's revisit this FlyerTalk thread in 2020 and see if we have meaningful updates. :p

Train in Cambodia is a completely moot point right now. Let's revisit this FlyerTalk thread in 2020 and see if we have meaningful updates. :p

2020? You're an optimist.

May I get help here, I have 8 people, If I take bus, it will cost about $100 to go from PNH to REP, then I would rather take 2 taxi for about the same price because i may able to stop the taxi anywhere I like to take some pictures or need a rest. I heard I can hire a larger van that takes 10-14 people, am I right? Can anyone recommend a private tour guide or company I can arrange my stay in Cambodia for 4 days? Thanks.


Thankfully no pat downs or shoe carnival in REP/PNH.






Flying to REP is a 3 hour affair when taking into account getting to/from the airport. I'd list them like this:

1 Fly - 3+ hours $89 each way
2 VIP Bus - 5-7 hours $10+ each way
3 Boat - 6-8 hours $35 each way
4 Train - no tracks to REP so unlikely to ever be an option.
5 Share taxi - 4-5 hours $60-$70 for the car each way

Can anyone recommend a private tour guide or company I can arrange my stay in Cambodia for 4 days? Thanks.

For a bus van try 023-991414 or 012-322302

We use taxis and as a general rule cost $87 and takes 4hrs 30minutes. If you want a cheaper taxi, suggest you leave before 6am, so they can get a return fare

For a bus van try 023-991414 or 012-322302

We use taxis and as a general rule cost $87 and takes 4hrs 30minutes. If you want a cheaper taxi, suggest you leave before 6am, so they can get a return fare

Even through an agency taxis shouldn't cost more than $70. There's a few middlemen at work on your reservations.

The drivers do at least 2 if not 3 o/ws per day. If you're leaving in the afternoon there's a good chance the driver has already done one trip. Are you suggesting that for $87 the driver goes one way and stays there?

Even through an agency taxis shouldn't cost more than $70. There's a few middlemen at work on your reservations.

The drivers do at least 2 if not 3 o/ws per day. If you're leaving in the afternoon there's a good chance the driver has already done one trip. Are you suggesting that for $87 the driver goes one way and stays there?

Thanks very much, they give us a comfy Mercedes with all the bells and whistles, so I am not going to rock the boat about $17, but I appreciate your concern. I have seen the old black Camry they hire out cheaply.:) Amazing that they do 3 trips a day back and forth, but what the driver does after he drops us off, is of no concern to me at all.:D

Thanks very much, they give us a comfy Mercedes with all the bells and whistles, so I am not going to rock the boat about $17, but I appreciate your concern.

My concern was in no way directed to you.


I have seen the old black Camry they hire out cheaply.:)

As have I... it looks funny when sitting in a new, clean, a/c car.