Transport in Cambodia - Getting between modules

The are many different forms of transport in Cambodia, and hopefully you'll get to experience most of them during your time in Cambodia. We'll arrange the longer transfers between cities for you, linking the modules together with transport options we feel best suit your individual trip.

We actively encourage people to travel by local transport in Cambodia, as we feel this makes your trip a more authentic experience. It also has the added benefit of being a very cost effective way of travelling.

For all forms of local transport in Cambodia it's true to say that an adventurous and flexible attitude is necessary. When it comes to punctuality and creature comforts, the transport in Cambodia can't be compared to that of European countries. When creating your Cambodia Travel Plan our travel specialists will use a mix of the options below for your transport in Cambodia, giving you an adventurous, and varied trip.

Transport in Cambodia : Taxis, motorbikes and bike rickshaws

For the shorter transfers, for example from your hotel to the airport/railway station or vice versa, it's best to take a taxi. These are very easy to arrange locally and it's more economical (and fun) for you to book them locally. When you're staying in the towns and cities, we recommend using bike rickshaws or motorbikes. From your rickshaw seat or motorbike you'll get to experience the city up close and personal, and it's fun too. These short journeys will cost on average 1-2 dollars, depending on your haggling skills ! For a taxi from the airport in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap to your hotel will probably cost around US $10-15 dollars.

Transport in Cambodia : Coach

For a number of shorter journeys, the air-conditioned (tourist) coach is the best option, as it's either not practical to do the journey by train and internal flight. For example the trip between Phnom Penh - Battambang or Sihanoukville. The buses depart/arrive close to the hotels we arrange in both places so it's very convenient. Short stops are made at restaurants along the way to allow you to stretch your legs, buy something to eat or drink and freshen up. Travelling by coach is relatively inexpensive, but can't be recommended for all parts of your journey. This is because the roads are not properly laid everywhere, and although short journeys are tolerable you wouldn't want to do lots of long ones.

Transport in Cambodia : Internal flight - and beyond

To maximise your time in Cambodia it might be necessary for us to arrange one or more internal flights within your Travel Plan.

As the roads in Cambodia are not as developed in other areas of South East Asia, it can take a long time to cover relevitely small distances by road. Flight transport in Cambodia offers you the change to do in one hour what might take the best part of a whole day on a bus or by car. So on itineraries where time is factor, although not quite as authentic as travelling overland, a quick and good value internal flight is the best option.

Flight schedule changes are an unfortunate occurrence, and happen from time to time and which we have no control over. The times of the flights can change frequently (usually not by very much) due to unexpected circumstances. We'll keep you up to date before you leave, but once there our local agents will do their best to solve any problems you experience, and if possible will try to arrange an alternative flight.

Transport in Cambodia : Train - Sleepers and day trains

Taking the train in Cambodia is a wonderful way to get a true taste of local transport in Cambodia. Spend some time watching the beautiful countryside pass you by, whilst gently rocking to the rhythm of tracks.

Train transport in Cambodia is an adventurous way to travel, but is also easy to do. There is a railway line running from North to South which stops at nearly all of the main sights along the way. For overnight trips we book air conditioned soft sleepers in 4 berth compartments. The beds are wide enough, but for tall westerners they're a fraction on the short side, and although comfortable it's certainly not the same refreshing night's sleep as you would have in a hotel with all its facilities.

The day trips by train are a more uncomfortable journey as you'll have a seat in the general carriage, but on the plus side you do get to see a lot of the countryside. You'll generally see more from a bus window than you will on the trains. On the trains you're often not seated next to the window, and the windows themselves are pretty small sometimes with bars that can reduce the view. We therefore generally choose to arrange train travel on the sleepers, rather than on the day trains.