Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are two major destinations for people travelling around Cambodia. Siem Reap for the temples and Phnom Penh, although dubbed as boring by some, is at the very least a good gateway to the south of the country. But what is the best way to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and vice versa? This guide should tell you everything you need to know.

 

Option 1: By bus

Travelling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by bus is by far the most cost-effective option. Tickets are just $15 per person one way. Although the distance between the two cities is only 320km, the journey will still take between 5 1/2 – 7 hours depending on if you opt for the Giant Ibis bus or a minivan. Due to their safety and reliability track record, I would recommend going with Giant Ibis bus company. Although their buses take a bit longer than a minivan to get from A to B they are way comfier and offer a better view of the scenery too. Giant Ibis also run a sleeper bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and vice versa which are great for budget travellers looking to save money on a nights accommodation.

 

Option 2: Catch a flight

Another way to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is to fly. This is by far the fastest way to get from one city to the next with some flights taking as little as 35 minutes! You can pick up a flight for as little as $30 so it’s not greatly more expensive than the bus. And there are several Cambodian airlines that service the route, so there’s plenty of options to choose from. Both airports also lie fairly close to the city centres too so you won’t have a long taxi journey to and from your hostels either.

 

Option 3: By boat

If you are looking for a little more adventure then travelling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh on the local ferry could float your boat (pun intended). Ferries leave daily at 7 am from the Chong Khneas dock outside of Siem Reap and head down the Tonle Sap river ending in Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh. The journey takes between 4 – 6 hours and costs $25 for a one-way ticket. Be warned though, this type of transport is only really recommended during the rainy season when the river levels are higher and larger more comfortable ferries can be used without risk of getting grounded.

 

Option 4: By train

You currently can’t travel from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by train.

Hopefully, my guide has told you everything you need to know about how to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, so you can easily choose the one that’s right for you. Whichever option you go for, I would also recommend using Pass App taxi service in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh for your onward journey to your hostel. It’s cheaper and more accessible than Grab or traditional tuk-tuks, you can read my review of it here.

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