How to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Why visit 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.

There are 5 ways to travel the 320 kilometers (199 miles) from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. You can choose between the bus, minivan, taxi, flight and ferry. The journey takes 45 minutes - 8 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $8 (32,000 KHR).

The bus from Siem Reap is a great option if you’d like to see the beautiful landscape throughout Cambodia while travelling to the capital city of Phnom Penh. The roads along this route are generally in good condition although they can be a little bumpy at times and you may come across the occasional construction site.

Mey Hong Transport, Seila Angkor Express, Cambotra Express, Olongpich Transport, Olongpich Express, Chan Moly Roth Transportation, Virak Buntham Express, Giant Ibis, Airbus, E-Booking Express, E Booking Express and Larryta Express offer daily trips along this route. Their schedules are displayed in the table below:

A minivan ride from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh costs around $13.20 (53,000 KHR). The minivan journey takes about 5 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours, depending on traffic.

There are five companies operating on this route: Larryta Express, Seila Angkor Express, E-Booking Express, Sarah Transport and E Booking Express.

Flying is the fastest option, however, flights can be quite expensive if they are not booked in advance.

There is a new inner-city train in Phnom Penh which makes it very easy to get from the airport to the city centre.

The three well-known flight operators for this route are Cambodia Angkor Air, Lanmei Airlines and Cambodia Airways, with the cheapest flights starting at $30 (120,000 KHR). Be sure to check all airlines as Cambodia Angkor Air tends to be more expensive than the others.

Click the button below to check current schedules and book your flights online.

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

The ferry is another good option if you’re not in a hurry and want to take in some countryside views along the Tonle Sap Lake.

Ferries along this route only operate during the wet season which is from June to November. Bear in mind, the ferries may not have the proper safety and cleanliness standards that you are accustomed to, and it can get quite hot along the journey.

If the water level is not optimal for river cruising, the ferry may take more than 8 hours to arrive. If you are on a deadline to get to the capital, this may not be a great option for you.

Book your ferry tickets with Mekong Explore. The ferry departs from the Phnom Krom Port at 07:30 and drops off at 15:30 at the main ferry port in the centre of Phnom Penh.

To get to the port, you can hire a tuk-tuk for $5 (20,000 KHR). You can also hail a taxi although this might be more expensive and cost up to $15 (60,000 KHR).

If you choose to take a taxi (which lasts 5 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes), be sure to agree on the fare with the driver prior to departure. Hailing a taxi will cost between $75 (300,000 KHR) – $100 (400,000 KHR), depending on your negotiation skills.

Inform your taxi driver beforehand if you need to arrive in the capital by a certain time, as some drivers may make a few stops along the way. If you are not in a rush, sit back, enjoy the ride, and the local stops along the way!

To secure your rate in advance, you can book a taxi online by clicking the button below. Rates start at $86 (344,000 KHR), and if you are travelling in larger groups there are options for bigger vehicles.