What to expect when visiting Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, isn’t the most enticing city. It’s busy and chaotic and doesn’t boast the same charms as Siem Reap.
But it’s not somewhere you should skip! In fact, it’s probably the most important place to learn about the country’s devastating genocide and traumatic history. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields will open your eyes to what humanity is capable of.
3 ways to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 230 kilometers (143 miles) from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh by bus (5 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes), shared minivan* (6 to 7 hours) and flight (1 hour). The journey duration ranges between 1 hour to 7 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from $23 (92,000 KHR) for the bus.Where to stay in Phnom Penh?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Phnom Penh at the bottom of this page.
Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh by Bus
A cross-border trip offers a new travel experience. Why not have at least one in your itinerary? This route from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh is one of the more popular ones and is also pretty straightforward.
There are eleven bus companies operating on this route. Prices start from $23 (92,000 KHR) and some include pick-up if you are staying in District 1 in Ho Chi Minh.
The journey takes about 5 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes. See here for an overview of the preferred bus companies:
Bus schedule from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh
Sorya bus
- Departs from the Sorya Bus Station along Phạm Ngũ Lão Street (backpacker street) in the city centre, or free pick-up in district 1
- Arrives at the Sorya theatre, close to the railway in the city centre
Kumho Samco
- Departs from Kumho Samco Bus Station along Phạm Ngũ Lão Street, near Elois Hotel in the city centre
- Arrives at Preah Sihanouk Boulevard, near Canadia Bank in the city centre
The Sinh Tourist
- Departs from the Sinh Tourist office along Đường Đề Thám Street in the city centre
- Arrives along House 315 & 307, Preah Sihanouk Blvd. in the city centre
Mekong Express
- Departs from the Mekong Express Limousine Bus Station along Phạm Ngũ Lão Street in the city centre
- Arrives at the Mekong Express Limousine Bus Station near Chroy Changvar II Bridge in the city centre
Giant Ibis Transport
- Departs from the Giant Ibis Bus Station, along Phạm Ngũ Lão Street in the city centre
- Arrives at Giant Ibis Bus Terminal near Sisowath Quay in the city centre
Sapaco Limousine Bus
Some bus companies also operate vans through this route. While these can be quite uncomfortable, the one from Sapaco will be a totally different experience. This Limousine Bus offers a luxurious van trip for 420,000 VND ($17).
In our opinion, it’s worth spending a few extra bucks!
Vans leave at 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00 in the morning. There is also one afternoon trip leaving at 14:30.
Immigration Stop and Bathroom Breaks
There are 5 immigration points along the Vietnam-Cambodia border, but most buses pass through the Bavet/Moc Bai Border.
This entry point sells a visa on arrival for travellers who need a visa to enter Cambodia. Usually, the bus personnel will assist their passengers with the entry process. If not, you have to line up on your own. It’s not a very organised process, but you’ll make it through.
Most buses don’t stop for bathroom breaks before you reach the border. The first stop will likely be after you have just crossed the border. Here, you can also order a meal or buy some snacks with your last Vietnamese Dongs.
Tip: Always keep a lookout for the bus personnel or fellow travellers from your bus so you don’t get lost.
Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh by Shared Minivan*
The last time we checked (September 2024), there were no available buses from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh. Please click the link provided to see if anything has changed.
A minivan ride from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh costs around $31 (127,000 KHR). The minivan journey takes about 6 to 7 hours, depending on traffic.
Virak Buntham Express operates on this route.
Minivan schedules from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh
Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh by Flight
The advantage of taking a flight is that it only takes 1 hour and that both airports are located within the city.
However, if you include the time you need to travel to/from the airport and the extra 2 hours you need to be there in advance, it will take more or less the same time as the bus.
If you still want to take a flight, you can book one from 1,550,000 VND ($63) but prices get more expensive closer to the travel date. Cambodia Angkor Air, Vietnam Airlines and Qatar Airways offer a few trips from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh daily.
Visit the Phnom Penh Airport page to find out how to get from the airport to the centre of Phnom Penh.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Best places to stay in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the largest city in Cambodia, split into a number of districts that each offer something different. Here’s a quick rundown of the best districts to stay in:
- Daun Penh is the city centre and historic area of Phnom Penh. It’s where you’ll find the Royal Palace, government buildings and the most colonial architecture. Here is the place to stay if you want to be close to the top things to do in the city.
- BBK1 boasts a vibrant and lively atmosphere. It’s close to the city centre, without being as hectic. There are plenty of nightclubs, bars, restaurants and hipsters cafes here.
- Riverside is, as the name suggests, along the river. You’ll wake up to river views and be close to plenty of cafes, bars, restaurants and street food.
Check out our favourite places to stay in Phnom Penh:
White Corner Hotel - Budget Friendly
As the name suggests, White Corner Hotel has a very white colour scheme both inside and out, giving it a clean and modern feel. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, providing everything that you need.
If you stay here, you’ll be located in the BBK1 neighbourhood, a very fun place to be staying. It’s also within walking distance of the must-visit S-21 prison.
- Clean and modern
- Great location
- Comfortable and spacious rooms
- Bikes are available
Private rooms start from $21 per night.
Stay Sweet Homestay - Mid Range
With only four rooms available in this intimate homestay, you’ll need to book Stay Sweet in advance if you want to guarantee yourself a room. The almost perfect rating is mainly down to the incredible owner, Panha, who provides a friendly welcome and the best recommendations.
Staying here you’ll also receive a discount at the local swimming pool and gym. The onsite restaurant is also a must-try, the food is delicious!
- Gets booked up
- Amazing owner
- Access to local swimming pool and gym
- Delicious onsite restaurant
Private rooms start from $30 per night.
TAO Riverside Residence - Treating Yourself
TAO Riverside Residence is located right on the river offering spectacular views. Most of the rooms have private balconies where you can relax after a long day of exploring and just watch the boats gliding along the river.
The rooms are mainly studio style with most rooms having their own kitchenette and seating areas. They’re beautifully designed and super modern, creating an environment you won’t want to leave. On top of that, the Wi-Fi is great!
- Amazing river views
- Private balconies
- Large and modern rooms
- Great Wi-Fi
Deluxe double studios start from $60 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh
What is the distance from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh?
The distance from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh is 230 kilometers (143 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh?
The fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh is by flight and takes 1 hour.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh?
The cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh is by bus with ticket costs starting from $23 (92,000 KHR).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Phnom Penh Travel Guides
Top 12 things to do in Phnom Penh
The Ultimate Phnom Penh Travel Guide
Routes from Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh Airport to Phnom Penh City Centre
Most popular routes in Cambodia
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Hi
Do you know if it is necessary to buy the tickets in advance? Or can we just arrive to the bus stop before departure and buy tickets?
Beause when trying to buy tickets by the links here the prices are much higher (35$ and up)…
Thanks a lot!
Hello, Jasmin! Thank you for bringing this to our attention. It seems though that bus rates from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh have increased a lot since we last updated this post. See here a bus schedule for Giant Ibis, where a bus ticket costs $41. If you book the same bus with BookAway, it only costs $36. So it’s actually cheaper on BookAway.
But to answer your question, we would still recommend booking your tickets beforehand. You will need to get an e-visa beforehand anywayws so why not book the bus ticket at the same time. We hope this helps! Safe travels!
Hi,
we would like to take a bus from HCMC to Phnom Penh tomorrow and get a visa on arrival at the border. Will the bus be waiting for us? How long does it take to get a visa (we are German and Austrian citizens). Thank you for your information!
Hello Claudia! The bus is a pretty easy way to cross the border. You can read the exact details on the booking page as it can vary slightly per bus company. When I did this border crossing a couple of years ago, it went very easy. The bus will wait till everyone gets the visa stamp so no need to worry about that. It normally shouldn’t take much more than 30 minutes. Be sure to get the e-visa prior to departure tho. You can find more info about the Visa’s on this page: https://www.cambodiaonlinevisa.com/. Safe travels!
Hi. Are land borders now open for Cambodia? My friend and I are planning to travel from HCMC and would like to the bus?
Hello Sudarthi, in the latest info I can find, I read that the land borders with Cambodia and Vietnam are still closed. This means you won’t be able to obtain a visa and therefore you cannot enter Cambodia from Vietnam via land.
Although Cambodia announced they will resume visas on arrival for people entering by land, I couldn’t find an official update about this yet.
Hi Marteen! We are planning to travel to Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City, can you please tell us more about the visa process? Can you pay directly at the boarder in Vietnamese Dong? Is it worthy to apply for a e-visa instead? Many thanks!!
Hello Alice! If you travel from Cambodia to Vietnam, you cannot get a visa on arrival at the border. This means you need to have an e-visa or letter of approval to get the stamp. If your country is eligible for a Vietnamese e-visa and you stay less than 30 days, you can order this online.