The two pearls of Cambodia are its capital, Phnom Penh, and the city of Siem Reap, known as the gateway to the spectacular Angkor region. As a result, the route between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is one of the busiest in Cambodia, which means a wide range of transport options for tourists traveling from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
Options to go from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Travelers of all kinds, from backpackers to tourists looking for more luxury, can easily travel from the capital, as there are many companies to choose from that serve this route. If you don’t want to drive the 200 miles (320 kilometers) between the two cities on your own, you can travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by bus, minibus or plane. In addition, there are night buses that have a bed. Read on to learn all about this and other transportation options.
Flights to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh
Cambodia Angkor Air plane at Siem Reap International Airport © Cesare Palma / Shutterstock.com
The fastest way to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is by plane. You will depart from the largest airport in Cambodia and arrive at the second largest, so you will benefit from large international airports with all kinds of services. Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is only 7 kilometers (4 miles) from Siem Reap city, making it very easy to get from the airport to your hotel or from there to Angkor. The flight time is only one hour, so you’ll arrive in Siem Reap full of energy to continue your day.
Because the route is so popular, flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap are operated by a variety of airlines. Not all airlines fly every day, so if you have to travel on a certain day of the week, your options may be limited. If you can be flexible about the departure time and day, you can save a lot of money on your ticket as there can be big differences between flights departing in the morning, afternoon and evening.
Cambodia Angkor Air usually operates four daily flights and is generally reliable and offers good service. Other airlines serving this route include JC International Airlines, Bassaka Air and Lanmei Airlines. The prices between the two can vary greatly, so do your research before buying.
From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by bus
If you don’t mind spending 5-6 hours on the bus, you can travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap for less than the cost of flying. If you compare different bus companies, you can save even more money if you choose the cheapest service. The cheapest isn’t always the best, but if you’re traveling on a budget, you can save yourself a few dollars.
Which bus companies can you choose? If you want a standard seat on the bus, you can buy a ticket from Giant Ibis Transport, Mekong Express or PSD Xpress. They all offer an express bus service from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap with similar services on board. For example, the Mekong Express has air conditioning, snacks, and a flight attendant. PSD Xpress offers the same, in addition to the TVs on board. The Giant Ibis Transport has two options: the Universe Luxury service is a service that operates during the day and includes Wi-Fi, air conditioning and snacks, while the Kia Grandbird service operates at night and, as mentioned above, has beds so you can rest better.
Reviews about the Kia Grandbird service are generally very good. The beds are basic, but if you’re looking for something more comfortable than sitting, this option may be for you. These buses also have air-conditioning, snacks, bathroom and Wi-Fi.
One thing to note about Giant Ibis Transport is that they advertise a 7 hour bus ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Sometimes, during traffic jams, it can reach 7 hours, but it is normal to cover the route in 6 hours. If you plan to arrange a pick-up from the bus station with the hotel on the day of your arrival, it is worth bearing this in mind. If you give them the arrival time that the company announces, you may have to wait quite long at the station first thing in the morning.
There is another option if you want to travel to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh by bus. Minibus services can be more practical if you are traveling in a group as you can even book one where everyone can travel. However, traveling in a minibus for several hours can be more tiring than traveling in a large bus, as you will also have limited space for your luggage. The good thing is that the minibus usually takes less time to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap as it usually takes 5.5 hours to reach the destination. The minibuses have air conditioning and are a good option to save a bit more if you are traveling with enough money.
With four different airlines, three bus companies and one minibus to choose from, the travel options from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap are vast. Whichever way you choose to take this route, be sure to book your seats in advance to find better options for timetables and prices.