Getting around Cambodia

Intercity buses are the backbone of Cambodian travel. Large air-conditioned coaches run Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanoukville, Kampot and Kep several times a day, with fares typically $8 to $18. Sleeper buses with flat berths cover the longer overnight runs.

Minivans are faster and cheaper but cramped, and drivers push the pace. If you are tall or travel with luggage, pay the extra few dollars for a full-size coach. Book a day ahead through an operator's website or an aggregator, and much further ahead around Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and the Water Festival.

Realistic journey times: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap five to seven hours, Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville four to five on the expressway, Phnom Penh to Kampot three to four, Siem Reap to Battambang three to four. Add an hour in the rainy season on secondary roads.

Fast ferries from Sihanoukville reach Koh Rong in about 30 to 45 minutes and Koh Rong Sanloem in 30 to 60, with return tickets around $12 to $25 depending on operator and pier. Sailings thin out in the rainy season and are cancelled outright in rough weather, so avoid booking a same-day onward flight.

The Siem Reap to Battambang river boat is a scenic all-day trip through floating villages rather than a practical connection — it takes far longer than the bus and depends on water levels. The Tonle Sap route to Phnom Penh operates only when the lake is high.

Domestic flights link Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville in under an hour, usually $50 to $120 one way. They make sense mainly when you are short on time or connecting to an international departure, since airport transfers at both ends eat much of the saving.

Royal Railway runs limited passenger services on two lines: north to Battambang and Poipet, and south to Sihanoukville. Trains are cheap and comfortable but slow and infrequent, with only a few departures a week on some sections — treat them as an experience rather than a schedule you can rely on.

Within cities, ride-hailing apps set fair prices and remove haggling. Remork tuk-tuks are cheapest, motorbike taxis fastest, and cars roughly double the tuk-tuk fare. Short city trips are $1.50 to $3; airport runs $5 to $15.

Renting a motorbike costs $6 to $12 a day or $50 to $90 a month. Bring a licence valid for the engine size, always wear a helmet, and remember that many rental bikes carry no insurance. Cars with a driver run $50 to $90 a day and are the usual choice for temple circuits or multi-stop province days.

For border crossings, direct international buses to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City handle the paperwork stops for you and are far less stressful than changing vehicles at the frontier.