These two destinations are the real big hitters in Cambodia, and with great expectation comes a whole load of transport options. Depending on your mode of transportation, the journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap can take anywhere between a cool 1 hour to a hearty 8 hours.
Alrighty then, so what we’re going to do is give you the full breakdown of who’s who and what’s what in the Phnom Penh to Siem Reap transport scene. This brief guide will enable you to travel willy-nilly from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, and also back the other way.
Best transport modes, best transport companies, departure times, and transport terminal addresses. It’s all here.
Wildcard option! Two little piggies go from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap market – room for one more…
Best Transport Options: Phnom Penh To Siem Reap (& Back Again)
As it’s such a popular route, there’s a whole platter of options to choose from: plane, bus, mini bus, and even a boat.
The choice is yours. Of course, we’ll make sure you have it easier than Steve Martin and John Candy…
Phnom Penh To Siem Reap – By Plane
The philosophy behind R. Kelly’s slow jam, “I believe I can fly”, certainly doesn’t skip a beat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. There are, on average, 5 flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap each day.
If your purse strings can stretch this far, the plane is of course the easiest and quickest way of jumping from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, and back again.
3 airlines are currently flying this route and will be doing all they can to get your business.
Be warned… One of them shouldn’t be touched with a barge pole!
Cambodia Angkor Air (around $80) – CAA is the real favourite in Cambodia for travelers. This is all thanks to its top-notch safety standards which are always heavily policed by the government. Plenty of scope for mile-high clubbing.
Bassaka Air (around $40) – This airline is a relatively new player in the Cambodian aviation game, and is making some waves among travelers (especially as it’s the cheapest!). Bassaka is also a very trusted airline.
Cambodia Bayon Airlines (around $100) – Leave your barge poles at home, because this airline isn’t getting a poke from us. CBA (a.k.a Can’t Be Arsed) have got it very wrong. Not only are they they most expensive option, but they are also flying with lackluster Chinese MA60 planes, which have been outlawed in a number of countries.
Flight time for all 3 (fingers crossed Bayon makes it!) is around 45 minutes. Quick power nap and you’re in the action.
Phnom Penh International Airport’s location – Map View.
Siem Reap International Airport’s location – Map View.
Right, let’s take to the streets…
Phnom Penh To Siem Reap – By Bus
The wheels on most of these buses do go round and round; we’re here to make sure you board the best.
The bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is also a very easy option. As it’s a very popular route, the roads are still in fairly good condition and the journey gives a brief insight into the rural Cambodian lifestyle. Rolling rice paddies, grazing buffalo, and endless horizons.
A number of companies are currently running this route. However, by far the best company to travel with is…
Drumroll please… Giant Ibis. This transportation giant has been controlling the roads for travelers since 2012. The buses are very comfortable, and should come fitted with air con, WiFi, and power outlets.
Tickets are around $15 and the journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (or vice versa) will be about 6 hours.
Giant Ibis departure timetable:
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: 8:45am, 9:45am, 12:30pm, 10:30pm, 11pm, 11:30pm
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: 8:45am, 9:45am, 12:30pm, 10:30pm, 11pm, 11:30pm
Giant Ibis Phnom Penh Bus Terminal – Map View.
Giant Ibis Siem Reap Bus Terminal – Map View.
Mini me…
Phnom Penh To Siem Reap – By Mini-Bus
Smaller and a little bit sleeker, mini-buses naturally ping along the roads a lot faster than their bulkier bus brothers. However, the danger is that will smaller spaces, comes a higher likelihood of someone’s armpit ending up in your face.
If dicing with the armpit devil is what tickles your fancy…
Look no further than traveling with Cambodia Post VIP Van. This mini bus company not only has “VIP” its name (oh la la), but is actually a very trusted, government-owned organization.
The icing on the cake…
They have a fair and regulated pricing plan, charging both locals and travelers the same price. Tickets are around $8 for the journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
The catch…
They only run two shuttles a day in each direction.
Cambodia Post VIP Van departure timetable:
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: 7:30am, 2pm
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: 7:30am, 2pm
Cambodia Post VIP Van Siem Reap Office – Street 13 at Street 102
Cambodia Post VIP Van Phnom Penh Office – Pokambor Avenue
If neither of these departure times fit cozily into your travel itinerary, then Seila Angkor mini-bus company will certainly have something that will work. They are spoiling you for choice with 18 departures every day in each direction.
Tickets come in at $10, only $2 more expensive than VIP.
Seila Angkor departure timetable:
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: 6:30am, 7am, 7:30am, 8am, 8:30am, 9am, 9:30am, 10am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:45pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 11pm
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: 6:30am, 7am, 7:30am, 8am, 8:30am, 9am, 9:30am, 10am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:45pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 11pm
Seila Angkor Siem Reap Office – #63 National Road 6 (across from Samaki Market)
Seila Angkor Phnom Penh Office – #13B, Street 47, Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh To Siem Reap – By Boat
If you’re feeling like a little extra slice of adventure, then this will definitely float your boat.
Captain Phillips would have been much better off ferrying this ship to and fro, and enjoyed significantly smaller odds of getting commandeered by Somali pirates on this water way.
This option isn’t open all year round, though. Due to the harsh dry seasons, the boat only tends to run across Tonle Sap Lake when it’s at its moistest between July and March.
Adventure inevitably comes with it’s ups and downs…
The boat have been known to break down from time to time. However, if they manage to haul ass the whole way, it’s a glorious experience. Kicking back on the sun deck with a couple of cold ones and cruise by the floating villages is a dream.
Tickets cost around $30 and the journey can take between 4 and 8 hours.
Boats leave from both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh at 7:30 a.m.
Getting from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh & Vice Versa: The Rest Is Up To You!
There we have it, the choice is yours. Safe travels!
Warning: These departure timetables are always subject to change, so be sure to clarify online before venturing off.
If you’re looking for more info on how how to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, we recommend this guide by Wanderlust Storytellers.
While you’re cruising, check out our Siem Reap itinerary for backpackers so you can get loaded up on goodness before you touch down!
Seems pretty evident that Shia Labeouf reckons you should check it out…
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