Ferry/Bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

River Ferry

Ferries that ply the Tonle Sap to Siem Reap are an adventurous alternative to air travel. The first leg of the trip is quite photogenic as it winds past fishing boats and villages. By contrast, the shore is quite distant for much of the second leg across the great lake. The end of the trip is marked by a hill, Phnom Krom, which is the docking point 12 km south of Siem Reap. During the dry season, the ferry stops short of the dock and passengers transfer to smaller boats to traverse the final few hundred meters. Ferries depart Phnom Penh daily at 7:00AM from the Phnom Penh Port at the riverfront, near the Wat Phnom area on Sisowath Quay. Ferries depart Siem Reap daily at 7:00 AM from the dock at Chong Khneas on the Tonie Sap Lake. Passage is $21-$25 and should be purchased a day in advance (251 km, 4-6 hours). Drinks are sometimes available. Tickets can be purchased through hotels and travel agents cheaper than at the ferry offices. Though generally safe, these ferries are 'local transport' and have experienced breakdowns, groundings and other difficulties. Travel is best during the wet season (June-November). Dry season low waters can mean smaller, less comfortable boats and occasional groundings. Compagnie Fluevial Du Mekong offers very leisurely paced boat trips between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap on a traditionally crafted wooden riverboat with deluxe facilities. 2 night/3day excursions. Departs Phnom Penh Mondays. Departs Siem Reap Thursdays. Also trips to Saigon and Kratie. 012-991801 Mekong Express Tour Boat offers deluxe ferries to/from Siem Reap with modern amenities and safety facilities superior to local ferries. Tel 023-427518.

Buses / Mini-Buses

As the road between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is slowly resurfaced and improved, the bus is becoming a more popular form of transportation. There are now several guesthouses, travel agencies and bus companies offering daily bus transport. It is an intermittently rough 314 km, 7-9 hour trip on Route 6. The bus makes at least two stops along the way (at Skun and Kampong Thorn). All charge the same, $4 one way. Most buses depart Phnom Penh between 6:30AM and 8AM. Neak Krorhorm Travel: Phnom Penh office at the corner of Street 110 and Sisowat Quay. Siem Reap office opposite the Old Market GST: Phnom Penh bus station near the southwest corner of Phsar Thmey. Ho Wah Genting : Phnom Penh bus station near the southwest corner of Phsar Thmey. Capitol Guesthouse : Contact Capitol Guesthouse in Phnom Penh and Popular Guesthouse in Siem Reap.

Local Transport: Pickup Truck

Local pickup truck: $3 in the bed and $6 in the cab. 7- 11 hours. Expect overcrowded conditions, and lots of stops with recklessly fast driving in between.

Motorcycling to Siem Reap

It is possible to ride to Siem Reap but neither the traffic nor the roads are easy. Speeding taxis, slow cows, and oblivious children. Best to have experienced riders in pairs or groups. The road calls for a dirt or road bike, no smaller than 250cc. Route #6 through to Siem Reap has recently been paved and is in good condition. The trip can be made in a day, but two days with a layover in Kampong Thom to visit the pre-Angkorian ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk. Leave Phnom Penh and follow 6A north 75km to the Skun intersection. Bear left and follow Rte. 6 to Kampong Thom - about 2-3 hours. In Kampong Thom the Mittapheap Hotel and Stung Sen Royal Hotels are decent mid-range places. Aruneas Guesthouse and Restaurant in the center of town is the place to stay and eat cheaply. From Kampong Thom to Siem Reap the trip takes 2-1/2 to 3 hours. During the wet season travel times may double.

Siem Reap And The Temples Of Angkor