Cambodia might not have the best reputation when it comes to transport options, but if you’re trying to figure out how to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh you actually have lots of options.
Between private cars, local flights or minivans, travelling the 300 kilometre distance is easier than you might think. What you choose depends on a number of factors, including your budget, how much time you have to spare and whether or not you can handle a bumpy six-hour drive with little chance of a toilet break! But hey, adventure is what travel is all about.
To make things easier, we’ve summed up all the various options you have to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.
How To Get From Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
1. Hire a Private Car for a Comfortable Trip
First things first: comfort. If you have the budget for it (about USD$85 for a standard taxi), then travelling by private taxi is the most comfortable and fastest option. The trip will take about five hours and while it’s a bit more expensive than other options, you’ll enjoy some advantages. Not only will your driver pick you up from wherever you are, but they most often speak English and will stop whenever you need to for a break.
2. Catch a Bus To Phnom Penh
From VIP buses with lie-flat beds and WiFi to standard buses, you’ll find that taking a bus between the two cities is likely the most popular option for budget travellers. With an average price of USD $11, it’s easy to see why. Normal bus routes begin departing at early in the morning and run until late at night, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to leave at an odd hour. We recommend Giant Ibis.
3. Rent a Minivan With Your Friends
If you’re still trying to figure out how to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and you’re with a group of friends (about 10-15 people), then renting a minivan for your whole group is a safe, affordable option. Often, they end up being just about the same price as a standard bus ticket, but you’ve got the advantage of only being with people you know.
4. Book Tickets in Advance on Bookaway
Use Bookaway to reserve your tickets in advance for a number of transport options, including standard buses, VIP minivans, overnight sleeper buses and private luxury cars. Not only can you be assured that you have a guaranteed ticket, you can also make use of the handy filters for finding the best transport option.
Can’t live without WiFi for five hours? Check. Absolutely need to have a toilet on board? You can choose the exact features you need your transport option to have.
Book your Ticket from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh here
5. Take a Scenic Ferry Trip – If You Have Time To Spare!
Between July and March ferries run from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and vice versa. But, for the price and time, the only reason it makes sense to book a ferry would bet to enjoy the scenic Cambodian waters. A ferry trip from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap will cost you about USD $35 and it takes eight hours. However, it’s a great option if you’re a photographer, videographer, or Instagrammer looking to get unique water shots you can’t anywhere else.
6. Fly From Siem Ream to Phnom Penh
Unless you’re really tight for time or get carsick, then it doesn’t make much sense splashing out on a flight from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. The flight is about 45 minutes long but can cost you upwards of USD $150. Check prices from local airlines like Cambodia Angkor Air, JC International Airlines, and Lanmei Airlines to try get a decent deal.
7. Take a Guided Cycling Trip
Okay, this is a bit of a wild card but it’s also an amazing way to see the Cambodian countryside. There’s several tour companies that over seven day guided cycling tours, leaving from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. With a support van behind you carrying your bags, you’ll tour Angkor Wat, and cycle through Battambang and Pursat before coming to an end in the capital city of Phnom Penh.
