Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Want to know how to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap? In this post, we’ll share a summary of the five ways to get there and compare each option on duration, costs and level of comfort. For each option, we go into more detail to help you decide which transport provider to book with and where to buy your tickets.

5 ways to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

There are five ways to travel the distance of 320 km (199 miles) from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: by bus (5h30m-8h), minivan (5.5-6 hours), taxi (5.5 hours), flight (55 minutes) and ferry* (8 hours). The journey takes between 55 minutes - 8h and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from €9.00 ($11) for the bus.

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by Bus

Duration: 5h30m-8h

Starts from: €9.00 ($11)

Duration: 5h30m-8h

Cost: €9.00 ($11)

There are several bus companies operating the Phnom Penh to Siem Reap route. Note that these buses have different departure and arrival points in the city centres.

You can choose between a morning and a night trip. Travelling at night is a great option to save time, but keep in mind it is safer to travel during the day. The roads in Cambodia can be quite narrow and bumpy and are not well-lit at night.

See here the schedules of bus companies with the best reviews and safety records:

Bus schedules from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by Minivan

Duration: 5.5-6 hours

Starts from: €10.00 ($12)

Duration: 5.5-6 hours

Cost: €10.00 ($12)

The minivans are a bit cheaper than the buses on this route, with fares starting from $12.

With the minivans, you have more options since the minivans depart almost every hour. The disadvantage is that, unlike the buses, the minivans don’t provide as much leg space.

Travel time by minivan is 5.5-6 hours from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.

Minivan schedules from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by Ferry*

Duration: 8 hours

Starts from: €29.50 ($35)

Duration: 8 hours

Cost: €29.50 ($35)

*COVID-19 UPDATE: The last time we checked (November 2022), the ferry between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap was unavailable. We suggest taking a bus, a minivan, a taxi, or a flight instead.

Taking the ferry is a completely different experience compared to travelling overland. The journey gives you an idea of how locals live along Tonle Sap Lake. While it will be an interesting ferry journey, it may not offer the spectacular views you were hoping for.

Ferries on this route only operate during the wet season (June to November). Bear in mind that the ferries operating along this route may not have the proper safety and cleanliness standards that you’re accustomed to, and the boat ride can get quite hot.

Ferry tickets cost $35 for the 8-hour ferry ride to Siem Reap.

Departure and arrival ports

If you’re keen on taking the ferry, you can board the boat at the main ferry port along Preah Sisowath Quay in the city centre. You can also book your tickets in advance through your hotel and local travel agencies in Phnom Penh.

In Siem Reap, you will arrive at the Phnom Krom Port. From this ferry port, you can take a 20-minute tuk-tuk or a 10-minute taxi to the city centre. A tuk-tuk ride usually costs around $5 and a taxi will be approximately $10-$15.

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by Taxi

Duration: 5.5 hours

Starts from: €67.00 ($80)

Duration: 5.5 hours

Cost: €67.00 ($80)

A taxi is a good alternative to the bus if you want a door-to-door transfer. The advantage of booking online is that the fare is fixed.

A 4-passenger car costs $80 on BookAway. If you’re travelling in a big group, you can also book a minivan with fares starting from $135.

Check Private Transfers on BookAway

You can also take your chances by hailing a cab along the road, but you will need to negotiate a good deal with the driver. Expect to pay anywhere from $65 to $130 by taxi-hailing.

Ride-sharing

If you are travelling on a budget or just want to save a few dollars, you can opt for rideshare. You can find rideshares along Psar Thom Thmei near the Central Market in Phnom Penh.

Sharing a ride will cost somewhere between $6 to $12 per person, depending on the price negotiated with the driver.

Keep in mind that the ride may not be as comfortable as the bus or a private taxi. Also, drivers will not leave until the rideshare is completely full, so you might wait a while.

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by Flight

Duration: 55 minutes

Starts from: €67.00 ($80)

Duration: 55 minutes

Cost: €67.00 ($80)

Taking the plane is the fastest option and will get you to Siem Reap in just 55 short minutes. However, short flights like this are not the most sustainable option.

Cambodia Angkor Air offers 2 direct flights on this route daily. Flight fares range between $80 and $320 for a one-way flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.

We suggest booking your flights in advance to score the cheapest flights. Check the available flights by clicking the button below:

Want to know how to go to the city centre from the airport? Have a look at our page on Siem Reap Airport.

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