If you are planning to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in Cambodia, you will find a variety of transport options to choose from. Which you select will depend on how much time you have in Cambodia and what mode of transport you prefer.
Taking a flight is the quickest and easiest way to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. If you have more time in Cambodia, you may choose to take an all-inclusive tour that includes Phnom Penh and Siem Reap on its itinerary.
Get a glimpse of Cambodian towns and countryside on a bus or enjoy river scenery on a leisurely cruise by boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
- How Far is Phnom Penh from Siem Reap?
- Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Flight Options
- Bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
- The Bus Journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
- Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Boat Cruise & Road Tour
- Hotels & Tours in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
- Last Words on Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Cambodia Transport Options
How Far is Phnom Penh from Siem Reap?
The Phnom Penh to Siem Reap distance is 318 kilometres. The journey takes around 5.5 hours to travel by car and 6 hours by bus. When you leave the city, you will drive through small towns and farming communities.
There is a broad selection of Phnom Penh to Siem Reap taxi, minibuses, and buses to choose from. Travel by taxi is a perfect choice if you want private transfers and sightseeing with door to door drop off at your hotel in Siem Reap.
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Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Flight Options
If you plan to fly, Air Asia and Cambodia Angkor Air have direct flights with a flight time of 50 minutes. Airline prices vary depending on what time of day and year you travel.
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Bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
There are a lot of bus companies that travel between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. We chose to travel with Giant Ibis as they have a reputation for being a reliable bus company.
We had an unpleasant experience with a different bus company on our previous bus trip from Chiang Mai to Siem Reap. This time we were extremely happy with the Giant Ibis bus service. The Giant Ibis staff were courteous, helpful, and professional throughout our trip.
Night Bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Giant Ibis also has a sleeper bus that leaves Phnom Penh at 11pm and arrives in Siem Reap at 5am the next day. This bus leaves from the Giant Ibis bus terminal near the Phnom Penh Night Market.
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The Bus Journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
We chose the morning Giant Ibis bus service from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. The bus departs from the Giant Ibis Sakura Avenue Phnom Penh bus terminal at 8:45am and reaches the Giant Ibis bus terminal in Siem Reap around 2:45pm.
We were told to be at the terminal half an hour before departure. If you are staying in central Phnom Penh make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the terminal, as the roads get busy with traffic.
We checked in our luggage and were given a baggage claim ticket. This needs to be kept as you cannot collect your bags in Siem Reap without it.
Upon boarding the bus, we were given a bottle of water, a pastry, and a hand wipe. The bus was clean, and the seats were comfortable. The bus was airconditioned, had Wi-Fi and a charging port.
We settled back and began our six-hour journey to Siem Reap. Soon we were outside the city limits driving through small towns. Our first comfort stop was at Batheay Rest Area. Here you can buy a snack and use the restroom.
Once back on the road, we passed lush green rice fields and small roadside food stalls selling a variety fresh produce and local treats. Hammocks hung within openair huts, allowing weary travellers to take a break from the road.
Our half hour lunch stop was at a restaurant which was surrounded by gardens filled with colourful statues. The restaurant had a fabulous selection of Cambodian dishes, and you could buy snacks and drinks for the road.
We continued our journey travelling through farming communities. This was a fabulous way to get a glimpse of rural life. From the window you could see the locals and their buffalos working in the fields and see chickens chasing each other around the stilted houses.
After six hours on the road, we arrived at the Giant Ibis bus terminal in Siem Reap. We handed over our baggage claim ticket and retrieved our bags. Outside the bus terminal there are taxis and tuk tuks waiting to take you to your hotel.
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Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by Bus
On our return trip to Phnom Penh, we visited the same rest stops and were given a choice of being dropped off at the Giant Ibis Sakura Avenue Phnom Penh bus terminal or the Giant Ibis bus terminal near the Phnom Penh Night Market.
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Boat Cruise & Road Tour
Combine your transfer to Siem Reap with a cruise and road tour. This full day tour will have you enjoying a barbeque lunch and admiring the river scenery, wildlife, and small riverside communities as you cruise along the Tonle Sap River or Mekong River.
Stop off at a local village and visit a silversmith’s shop before continuing by road in a minivan to your hotel in Siem Reap.
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Hotels & Tours in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
Finding the right Phnom Penh and Siem Reap hotel will possibly be your first step in planning your Cambodian trip after booking flights. Both cities have great accommodation options in and around the main tourist attractions.
When organising your trip to Cambodia make sure to include a Killing Fields tour from Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat tour from Siem Reap. These tours are an absolute must, but you will also find a fabulous array of other tours to choose from.
Phnom Penh Hotels
There are a wide range of hotels in Phnom Penh which cater to all budgets. You will find many luxury 5-star hotels, comfortable mid-range hotels and budget hotels to suit your needs.
During our trip to Phnom Penh, we stayed at the Novotel Phnom Penh BKK 1. The hotel is in a fabulous position, a short walk to the Independence Monument and the Statue of His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk. The area is surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops and convenience stores.
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If you are having a longer stay in Phnom Penh, consider a serviced apartment. This allows you to live like a local, with all the comforts of an apartment style home base.
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Phnom Penh Tours
Nobody can visit Phnom Penh without taking a Killing Fields & S21 tour. This heartbreaking tour will take you back in time to Cambodia’s darkest hour.
Click here for the Killing Fields & Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Tour
Other Phnom Penh tours include Royal Palace tours, Silk Island tours and much more. If you are a foodie, why not take a street food tour or sunset dinner cruise of the Mekong River.
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Siem Reap Hotels
Siem Reap has lots of accommodation styles to choose from. Whether you are looking for a luxury hotel or a cosy guest house, Siem Reap has something for everyone.
During our visit we stayed at the ibis Styles Siem Reap. The hotel is in a superb location, just steps from the nightlife of Pub Street and bargains of the Old Market.
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Siem Reap Tours
An Angkor Wat sunrise in Cambodia is on the top of many peoples bucket list and rightly so. Nothing can prepare you for the majesty as the pinks and blues of the morning sky silhouette this ancient Buddhist temple.
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If you are wondering what to do in Siem Reap, you will find a large variety of attractions to explore. Cultural performances such as the Phare Cambodian Circus and the traditional Apsara dancers, will entertain and delight you with their beauty.
Other tour options include a trip to see the floating villages and lakeside communities of Tonle Sap Lake. Visit Siem Reap’s hidden gems or take a Cambodian cooking class or food tour.
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Last Words on Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Cambodia Transport Options
As you can see there are many travel options to choose from. Which you take will depend on your length of stay in Cambodia and budget.
Whether you prefer the ease of taking a flight or want to explore more of Cambodia along the way, we hope this article has helped you decide which option is right for you.
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