Getting from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Finding your way from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh after you've had a good look around the temples of Angkor Wat is not difficult.

The problems come when you get tickets from the wrong people or board the wrong bus headed the wrong way.

We'll make sure none of the bad stuff happens to you and also promise to send you in the right direction for tickets.

This page will turn out as a debate between the 3 main methods of transportation to get you from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.

Fast Boat

Yes, you can get a fast boat. I took it from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. The price is 5 times that of the bus and the views really aren't worth it.

There are 2 floors to the fast boat. The bottom floor is enclosed, air- conditioned and loud with Khmer music. Make sure you have a sweater.

The top floor is the roof and you'll get burned to sickness by the sun so bring sunscreen and cover up.

Just ask at any guesthouse for a ticket. They are available everywhere.

Slow Boat to Phnom Penh

This is a 3 day trip. The boat is a large, traditionally-crafted wooden boat. It has deluxe amenities and is meant to be a leisurely affair. It does deliver nicely on its promise.

Mekong Boat Cambodia Travel

Sitting on the deck watching the villages go by while drinking a cold beer is a nice ride.

Fly to Phnom Penh

Bangkok Airways currently flies ATR-72 turboprops between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and Bangkok to Siem Reap. There are 4-6 flights daily with a flight time of 55 minutes and a price of $300USD one-way.

If you ask me, Fly into Bangkok, take the Air Asia flight to Phnom Penh for about $40USD and then get a $6USD bus up to Siem Reap.

Siem Reap has become so popular that flying there is 10x the price of flying into Phnom Penh. And Air Asia do it the cheapest by far. They also fly out of Heathrow in England for cheaper than anyone to Bangkok.

Check out CheapOair.com and 12flight.com for incredible flight deals on flights originating out of Bangkok, Thailand only.

CheapOair.com

The Bus to Phnom Penh

The new road (Ntl Rte #6) is smooth and wonderful in every way. If you've ever before done this trip on the old road then you'll understand my enthusiasm.

The trip takes between 5-6 hours. It used to take 10 hours.

The first bus departs at 6.30am and the last one departs Siem Reap at 1pm. Just ask the people at the guesthouse where you are staying, they phone the bus company and the bus will then pick you up outside your guest-house.