Airlines
There are two airline companies (below) offering
daily flights to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Rattanakiri
and Stung Treng. Please note that in Cambodia, you
don’t need to dial 855 but do need to dial
a 0 before the numbers shown. There are plenty of
travel agents in Cambodia who can book you a ticket
for the same or next day (remember, this is Asia
where things are done at the last minute).
Buses
The bus service in Cambodia is cheap with a number
of companies operating along a few routes (the roads
are gradually improving but they can still be bad
at times). There are many buses each day to and
from Phnom Penh to places like Sihanoukville ($4
for the single four hour journey on a very good
road), Battambang (six hour $4 journey on reasonable
road) and Siem Reap ($4 six hour journey on a good
road). There are also daily buses to and from Phnom
Penh, Siem Reap and Battambang to the Thai border
crossing of Poipet, and the Vietnam border at Moc
Bai. From Phnom Penh buses also run to Kampot, Kompong
Cham and Kratie. The most comfortable bus company
is Mekong Express but it is also a litte more expensive
than others ($9 per ticket).
Trains
Taking a train in Cambodia is, without question,
an experience. The train carriages are very old
and rusting away, and it really is anyone's guess
as to what time you'll arrive at your destination.
Plus, there are only two train lines in the country
-- one from Battambang to Phnom Penh, and the second
to and from the capital to Sihanoukville. Due to
the roads being improved trains run very intermittantly
now and dont have a passenger car so you will be
on the roof all the way. Enquire at the train station
as to when the next train will be running. Nevertheless,
if you have the time, it’s well worth taking
the train as they are now safe from bandits, you're
bound to meet some interesting characters along
the way, it’s very cheap and the scenery (especially
towards the coast) is breathtaking at times.
Boats
The boat is a popular means of transport on the
Mekong and do go as far as Stung Treng, although
the most popular ones operate on the Tonlé
Sap between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap $20 -23 a rip-off
compared to the bus. It’s also possible to
take a boat to and from Siem Reap to Battambang
but the road is a much better choice. There is also
a fast boat to and from Koh Kong and Sihanoukville,
and is yor best bet as due to the wet season the
road is in bad condition. A bus/boat service is
also available from Phnom Penh to Saigon via Chao
Doc border crossing. Of course, the scenery throughout
these journeys can be superb, but it is an expensive
means of traveling in comparison to other options
while reports of overcrowding and breakdowns on
the Tonle Sap lake are common.
Pick-ups, Taxis & Minibuses
Pick-ups are used for traveling the truly awful
roads in Cambodia to and from places like Koh Kong.
Commuters who regularly endure the misery of rush
hour on the London Underground in the UK will be
well trained for pick-ups as there often ridiculously
overcrowded. There are many share taxis in Cambodia
to various destinations most of which can easily
find around the big market. You can often hire them
individually or pay for a seat and wait for other
passengers to turn up. Minibuses can be hired anywhere
in Cambodia. Most of the driver can speak English
and they are reliable. To hire a minibus such as
Siem Reap or Phnom Penh will cost $30-$35 per day
to tour around town or temples nearby. There will
be some extra charge if there is a long distance
drive.
Car, Tuk-Tuk, Motorcycle & Bicyicle
Hire
Self-drive
car hire is presently not available in Cambodia
and considering the state of the roads it is probably
just as well. It is possible to hire a car and driver
for around US$20 to US$30 per day. Tuk-Tuk is available
in any tourist destionations such as Siem Reap and
Phnom Penh. It would cost around $10-15 per day.
And, there will be some extra charge if there is
any long distance drive. Motorcycles are a good
means of transport to visit places outside of Phnom
Penh on a day trip $5-8 a day for 250 dirtbikes
$3-4 for motos. Remember to slow down through villages,
look out for animals and children, wear a helmet
and bear in mind that medical assistance doesn’t
really exist in the countryside. Self-ride motorbike
in Siem Reap is not available either due to frequently
accident. A driver with a motobike possibly find
at the airport, on the road, any guesthouse and
hotel within $7-10 per day. Bicycles can be hired
also in Siem Reap from any guesthouse and hotel
between $3-5 per day. Passport will be required
to rent a bike. Presently, electric bike is available
in Angkor but it is not very good fun because they
will only last for 40 kms. There is also a company
that can rent a good bike for the real bikers. They
cost between $8-15. Please contact ANGKOR
EXPLORER if there is a request.
