During your travel to Cambodia, you may need to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. This route is always popular with travelers who initially arrive in the capital of the country for later visit Cambodia’s main attraction – the ancient temple complex Angkor Wat in the vicinity of Siem Reap. Today, there are a number of ways to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap cheaply and quickly. On this page you will find information about the distance between cities, the timetable of transport and its cost.
If you do not want to spend your time reading, you can simply use the search form below. Just enter your desired date and click “Find Tickets”. In the results you can see the schedule of transport and its cost, read reviews about transport companies and see the place of landing and disembarking on the map. Also there you have the opportunity to choose 1 of 10 supported languages, as well as currency – local or any of the 25 others.
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Distance between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
The direct distance from the center of the capital of Cambodia to the city center of Siem Reap is 230 km (143 miles). However, when traveling between cities it is necessary to overcome a much greater distance. If you prefer to travel by road, in this case the distance between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap will be 318 km (almost 198 miles). In this case, the route will run along National Road No. 6 and this is indeed the shortest overland route between the cities.
How to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – distance
The distance between Phnom Penh Airport and Siem Reap Airport is approximately equal to the direct distance between the cities: 233 km or 145 miles. Currently, there is no railway connection between the cities and it will not be in the coming years. But water transport between cities can be used. In this case, the distance will be about 250-280 km (155-175 miles) and will depend on a number of variables, details of which can be found in the relevant section. At the same time, it is necessary to add about 20 km (12.5 miles) to the water route – distance from Siem Reap to one of the ports on Tonle Sap Lake.
Flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
The fastest way to get to Siem Reap from the capital of Cambodia is by air. On the route between the cities, the local airline Cambodia Angkor Air operates and the cost of the flight is very democratic – from 50 USD one way. It should be noted that cheaper tickets can be purchased in advance, while closer to the date of departure the price of air tickets can be increased. Also note that the price is not fixed even on the same day. Depending on the time of departure, the cost of the flight from Phnom Penh to Siemrip or vice versa can vary from 50 to 220 USD.
Such a range of prices is very difficult to explain, because the travel time is 40 to 60 minutes and planes fly several times a day. Airplanes are in good condition, but there is no free food and drinks on board, but they are not needed for such short distances. Other airlines also operate flights between cities. Sometimes their fares are even lower than Cambodia Angkor Air Airlines – from 40 USD. While searching for the best prices for air tickets, you can use the Jetradar – in 90% of cases, additional savings are obtained (in this case, this is especially noticeable on the evening flight).
Bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
The easiest, most affordable and popular way to get to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh is by bus. In a present time on the route between the cities operate several bus companies. As a result, you have the opportunity to use large intercity buses or small minibuses. The first option is more comfortable due to the presence of comfortable soft seats and more legroom. The cost of a trip from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap on a big Giant Ibis or Mekong Express bus is about 15 USD. The price includes a small dry ration (usually water or juice with a cookie or roll), as well as the use of free Wi-Fi during the trip (in the case of the Giant Ibis). Especially popular night buses Giant Ibis, the seats in which are laid out, so during a long move you can sleep and save on the hotel.
Night bus Giant Ibis from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Even cheaper are minibus tickets between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The cost of the latter is about 12 USD (in general, in Cambodia, American dollars perfectly replace the national currency and are used everywhere). Of course, minibuses are less comfortable than large buses, but they are often used by those tourists or locals who prefer to save money or save from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. Thus, Thero Express’s minibus travel time is about 5 hours and 30 minutes, while large buses travel between cities for 6-7 hours. Both minibuses and large buses are equipped with air conditioning, but there is no food and beverage in the minibuses.
Minibus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
The departure stations for minibuses and buses are located in the central part of Phnom Penh, in the confluence of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. You can see specific landing points on the desired bus or minibus on the city map. To do this, click in the search results on the departure point of the selected route. Similarly, you can see the end points of routes in the city of Siem Reap.
From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – ferry or boat
In addition to air and bus transport, there is a waterway between the capital of Cambodia and the city of Siem Reap. As mentioned above, the city of Phnom Penh is located in the confluence of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. And Siem Reap is located near the Tonle Sap lake, which is the source of the same name river in Cambodia. Buy tickets for a boat from Phnom Penh to Siam Reap or back online is currently not possible, so the easiest way is to contact one of the many tourist offices in these cities or ask to arrange this transfer directly at the reception of your hotel.
It should be immediately noted that the waterway between cities is not the fastest, cheapest, most comfortable and safest. Despite the fact that you can be assured of the duration of the trip about 6 hours, in practice, a boat ride can stretch up to 8-10 hours. And if during the route the boat will have technical malfunctions (this happens often), then your journey will be longer than for the whole daylight hours. In addition, you will need time to get from the port on the Tonle Sap Lake directly to Siem Reap (about 20 km).
From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – ferry or boat
Thus, a boat ride to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh or vice versa is not an option for those who want to quickly and comfortably get from point A to point B, but for those who want to experience vivid impressions, though not always positive. Imagine: 7-10 hours in the company of noisy locals, in an old boat with hard wooden seats, a terrible latrine and a loudly working old engine. It is also very likely that you will be wet from the splashes and high waves of the not quite clear waters of the Tonle Sap lake, or get sunburns while sitting on the upper deck. If you are ready for all such challenges, then this route is for you.
On the positive side, it can be said that this trip will definitely be unforgettable, because you will overcome the largest lake on the Indochina peninsula (more than 120 km long during the rainy season), you will see numerous floating villages and the life of local residents, whose whole life passes on Tonle Sap Lake. Just dont forget stock up on drinking water and food. Then even a boat stalled in the middle of the yellow-brown “inland sea of Cambodia” will not make you worry too much. The cost of a trip by boat + transfer to a hotel in Siem Reap is usually 25-35 USD.
I hope the information on this page was useful for you and now you know how to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and back, which transport can be used for this and its cost. Pleasant and safe trips!
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