How to get from Battambang to Sihanoukville

Why visit Sihanoukville?

Sihanoukville is a bustling coastal town in southwest Cambodia. Also called Kampong Som, it’s a tourism hotspot known for its casinos, modern hotels, and vibrant nightlife. With its strategic port and airport, the town is an ideal starting point when visiting the nearby islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem.

For some, Sihanoukville is no more than a transit hub. But if you have extra time, you can explore the map to find gems like the golden sands of Ochheuteal Beach and the luxury resort of Kompong Dewa. Immerse in the local culture at the market during the day. And at night, check out Sokha Hotel and Sky Bar for an electric buzz.

There are 3 ways to travel the 470 kilometers (292 miles) from Battambang to Sihanoukville. You can choose between the bus*, taxi and flight. The journey takes 4 hours 30 minutes to 13 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus* with tickets starting at $16 (64,000 KHR).

The last time we checked (August 2024), there were no available buses from Battambang to Sihanoukville. Please click the link provided to see if anything has changed.

It is quite a long journey from Battambang to Sihanoukville since the bus has to go all the way east via Phnom Penh. If you have already seen Phnom Penh, you can choose from 3 bus companies to travel this distance in one leg.

There are only a few companies operating on this route like Mekong Express, Virak Buntham and Phnom Penh Sorya. We recommend booking with Mekong Express as this company receives good reviews in Cambodia, while Virak Buntham does not have a great reputation.

Bear in mind that sitting in a van for more than 11 hours is not a great experience. Virak Buntham also offers a night bus from Battambang to Sihanoukville, which allows you to not waste a lot of travel time as you can sleep during the ride. However, travelling by night is less safe and again, Virak Buntham doesn’t receive the best reviews.

Battambang does not have its own airport. This means you have to travel first to the nearest airport which you can find in Siem Reap.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

There are two ways you can travel from Battambang to Siem Reap Airport: you can either take the minibus or the taxi.

Note that there are normally 2 direct flights from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville in the morning and another one at night, but more flights are offered on weekends. Make sure to align your transfers accordingly so you don’t end up missing your plane.

By Minibus to Siem Reap Airport

There are 2 minibus schedules for Mekong Express. One van leaves at 8:00 and the other at 14:00. A minivan ticket costs $12 (48,000 KHR) and the ride takes about 3h.

This passes by the Siem Reap Airport before entering the city centre. But note that the minibus doesn’t automatically make a stop at the airport.

If you kindly ask the bus driver he might be willing to drop you off at a safe spot near the airport. If the bus driver is in a good mood, then you wouldn’t have to go all the way to the city centre before going back to the airport.

If this is not possible, you can take a taxi or a tuk-tuk to the airport. This would cost around $10 (40,000 KHR). See our post on Siem Reap International Airport for more info. Check the available bus tickets here.

By Taxi to Siem Reap Airport

A direct taxi from Battambang to Sihanoukville airport will take about 3 hours and will cost around $60 (242,000 KHR). You can arrange a taxi at your hotel or request one online.

A one-way flight from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville takes 1 hour. Tickets start at $33 (133,000 KHR) if you book at least a few weeks in advance.

Click the button below to check the best rates and book your flights online.

From the airport, you can take a taxi for $20 (81,000 KHR) to Sihanoukville city centre. See the Sihanoukville International Airport page for more details.

Ordering a taxi from your hotel or hailing one on the street will probably cost around $140 (564,000 KHR) if you are not able to negotiate with the driver. However, booking one online will cost you a standard rate of $150 (604,000 KHR).

Another advantage of booking online is that you get an SUV-type taxi. These taxis provide more space compared to the 4-seater sedan taxis you sometimes see on the streets.