The capital of Cambodia is a quieter, more relaxed and extremely hospitable destination, contrasting with bustling Bangkok. This attractive city, known for being one of Asia’s friendliest capitals, still retains the traditional Asian spirit without the lights and glares that Bangkok is famous for, offering visitors a more authentic view of Southeast Asia with its fantastic architecture of palaces and temples.
There are ten flights a day from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, but you can also travel by train, bus or boat. Read on to discover all the possibilities.
Flights from Bangkok to Phnom Penh
Air Asia plane at Bangkok Don Muang Airport © Toca Marine / Shutterstock, Inc.
The flight from Bangkok to Phnom Penh is always the fastest way to travel between the two cities, although it is also the most expensive. Direct flights only take an hour, so there is no doubt that this is the quickest and most practical option. However, the price of tickets may be unaffordable for many traveling through Thailand and Cambodia.
If your budget allows you to fly from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, there are four airlines that offer direct flights from the Thai capital. Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways (operated by Thai Smile) and direct flight Thai Airways fly from Suvarnabhumi Airport and Thai AirAsia from Don Mueang Airport. You will arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport, the largest in Cambodia, which is approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the city.
From the airport to Phnom Penh you can get by public transport bus, taxi or tuk-tuk. Public buses are the cheapest option and have air conditioning, so for many travelers this is the best alternative.
From Bangkok to Phnom Penh by bus
Thailand Company Buses © nitinut380 / Shutterstock, Inc.
There are several options available if you choose to travel by bus from Bangkok to Phnom Penh. There are many buses that run from Bangkok to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, but if you plan to go directly to the Cambodian capital, you can take a direct bus from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, which is a much more practical option.
The direct bus to Phnom Penh is operated by the government company Transport Co Intl and is much cheaper than flying between the two cities, although as you can imagine the journey is much longer. Buses leave from Mo Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok. Upon arrival at the Cambodian border, you must disembark from the bus and go through immigration control. The process can be sped up if you apply for a tourist visa online in advance so you don’t have to fill out so many documents or pay a fee at the border. But you can also fill out paperwork there, and the bus staff can help you if you need it. After immigration, the same bus you arrived on will be waiting for you to continue your journey. The direct bus takes around 13 hours, although the actual time may be shortened or extended depending on the time spent at the border. Departure time from Bangkok is not the best as the bus leaves at 5am and arrives in Phnom Penh around 6pm.
Private bus companies such as Travel Mart also offer a route from Bangkok to Phnom Penh. The price is a bit higher and the bus is a bit more modern. It departs from Khao San Road, although you won’t be traveling on the same bus all the way. These buses pass through Siem Reap where you will need to take another bus until you reach Phnom Penh.
The advantage of indirect buses is that you can spend the night in Siem Reap to take a break from the bus journey.
By train and bus or boat to Phnom Penh
Cambodia Border Crossing © withGod / Shutterstock, Inc.
Another way to get from Bangkok to Phnom Penh is by train. There are no trains that cover the entire journey from one city to another, so if you choose this option, you will need to complete your journey by another means of transport. The train takes you practically to the border with Cambodia, specifically to the Aranyaprathet railway station, and from there you have to take a tuk-tuk to the border with Poipet. Once you cross the border, you will need to take a bus, taxi or van to Siem Reap city and the journey will take 2.5 to 3 hours.
Now the fun begins. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you can take the bus to Phnom Penh or choose the most exciting option: go by boat. It is more expensive than the bus, but it is a lot of fun and offers a completely different view of Cambodia from the water. It’s not a small boat, but a boat with bus-like seats and outdoor seating if you want to enjoy the sun and get some air. To make this part of the journey from Bangkok to Phnom Penh you will need to get up early as the boat departs at 6.30am and arrives in Phnom Penh at 1.00pm.
There is also a bus service from Siem Reap. This option is about an hour faster and the ticket is half the price of a boat ticket. There are several companies that operate this route and offer varying levels of comfort, and some buses even have restrooms and refreshments.