DOMESTIC – neptuneadventure-cambodia.com

For a country as hard-up on its luck as Cambodia, getting around is surprisingly straightforward. All the primary trunk routes are all-weather sealed roads, there is a reasonably developed bus network, a comprehensive “we can go anywhere if the price is right” taxi for hire system and, while most of the routes have faded away, it is still possible to get to some places by boat. Overall fares are very reasonable.

Bus:
In recent years, as Cambodia’s road network has improved, so has the bus system. There are a number of established bus companies running across the country. The hubs are Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. The main operators are Capitol Tours, Sorya, Raksmey Buntham, Mekong Express among others.

Key domestic routes include:
Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Kampot – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Ko Kong – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Battambang – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Kratie – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Kompong Cham – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Stung Treng – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Ban Lung – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Sisophon – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Poipet – Phnom Penh
Siem Reap – Battambang – Siem Reap
Sihanoukville – Kampot – Sihanoukville

Here is a link to ALL domestic bus companies with stations and time tables

Key international routes include:
Phnom Penh – Ho Chi Minh City – Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh – Bangkok – Phnom Penh
Sihanoukville – Ho Chi Minh City – Sihanoukville (via Phnom Penh)
Siem Reap – Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap (via Phnom Penh)

Automobile:
Share taxis for long distance travel are a very popular way to get around and, if you’ve got a small group of three or four, this is a very cost-effective and fast way to move. Generally a taxi charter is priced at six passengers, so you have to pay six passengers’ worth to get the car for yourself. Hiring a car without a driver is far less common.

Motorbike:
Cambodia is awash in motodops — guys with a motorcycle and a baseball cap — who’ll take you anywhere on their bike for a few dollars. You can also rent bikes on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. This is the best and most common way to do short (local) distances. Longer distances, such as Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, are better dealt with on top of large enduro-style dirt bikes. These can also be hired from a number of dirt bike hire shops in Phnom Penh or any other tourist hub. Prices are reasonable, but be sure to carefully check the bike in advance and in the presence of the owner. Do not use the chain and padlock provided by the shop to lock up the bike at night – use your own.

Bicycle:
Long, with a scenic flat center and coastline, Cambodia can be a great destination for cyclists. Nearly every town in Cambodia will have some lodgings, so you shouldn’t struggle for a room. Make sure you pack a good supply of inner tubes and patch kits and of course, your bike — but you probably knew that already. There are rentals all over the place, these vehicles are great for local trips – and that’s all.

Plane:
The Kang Keng Airport of Sihnoukville is located in Ream town, 18 km north of Sihanoukville just off National Road No 4. Although repeatedly announced – Sihanoukville still doesn’t receive any regular domestic or international flights. August 2013

Boat:
Only two regular ferries remain in service in Cambodia — Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Siem Reap to Battambang. Boats no longer run north up the Mekong to Kompong Cham and the Koh Kong to Sihanoukville boat now only goes as far as Ko Sdach – King’s Island, making it useless for travellers (other than those heading to Ko Sdach). The Phnom Penh to Siem Reap boat is worth doing once and once only. It is expensive (when compared to the bus), the middle of the trip is boring (you’re in the middle of a lake with no scenery) and, if you sit on the roof, chances are you’ll get sunburnt. Do it once then catch the bus back.

The Siem Reap to Battambang trip is much more of a lucky dip — the quality of the boats varies from one day to the next, overloading is the norm, boats run aground regularly and occasionally sink. That said, the Battambang portion of the trip is spectacular — very, very beautiful. So if you’re not too fussed about taking dodgy boat trips, give it a go. In windy, stormy weather though we’d go with the bus, as the shallow lake gets a big chop on it very quickly, making for a very uncomfortable trip.

map Phnom Penh to Koh Kong

map of Cambodia’s Highway No.4

Bus routes

properly paved road with plenty of roadside restaurants. Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville takes around 3 hours by car(taxi) and 4.5 to 6 hours by bus. Phnom Penh to Koh Kong takes around 4 hours by car(taxi) and around 6 hours by bus.

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