As the gateway to the amazing Angkor region, Siem Reap is one of Cambodia’s most popular destinations and is often where most tourists spend most of their time. However, Cambodia has so much more to offer with destinations like Sihanoukville, one of the country’s most famous coastal cities. With attractive beaches that rival Thailand’s most famous beaches, Sihanoukville is the perfect place to spend a few days relaxing and resting after visiting Angkor. If you’re not ready to leave Cambodia yet, head south to get from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. Read on for details.
Travel options from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville
The road from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville is quite long, mainly because there is no more or less direct route to follow and you have to travel quite a bit east or west to reach the main roads. The route east is the shortest, but it’s still 325 miles (520 kilometers) and even if you’re driving a private car and don’t make any stops along the way, it will take you 8-9 hours to get there. You can go by bus and van, so you don’t need to go by car, but in these means of transport the journey is even longer than by car. Fortunately, there is a faster option. It is possible to fly from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville and thus save a few hours of travel time.
Flights from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville
Cambodia Angkor Air plane at Siem Reap International Airport © Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock.com
Let’s start with the fastest way to travel from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. Since there are airports in both cities, flying between them is a cost-effective and quick option, and also an ideal way to travel if you’re short on time. The flight from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville takes only 50 minutes, so even if you add the waiting time at the airports, it will take much less time to get to your final destination than by other means.
There are several airlines that offer these services, which means there is quite a bit of competition between them, making it easy to find good deals. Still, the downside to flying is the price, as a plane ticket from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville is much more expensive than a bus or van. If you have to stick to a tight budget, flying probably isn’t one of your options.
JC International Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Lanmei Airlines operate flights from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. The first two have daily departures, so it’s not hard to find an option that suits your plans.
By bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville
Because flights are so expensive, many tourists choose to travel by bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. You could say that this way you can enjoy the Cambodian landscape and culture more, but the journey is long and probably not the best option for those who are overwhelmed by the small space. The bus journey takes about 10 hours and runs at night. The advantage of a night trip is that it’s not so hot and you can get some sleep. On the other hand, the biggest drawback is that it is not always easy to rest on the bus, and when traveling at night you cannot enjoy the scenery.
The good thing is that the buses operated by Giant Ibis Transport are comfortable and well equipped. Their night bus has reclining seats that are almost as good as a bed, so you might not find it that hard to sleep. They have a good reputation for safety and reliability and the buses also have Wi-Fi, restrooms and snacks on board. The Giant Ibis Transport bus leaves Siem Reap at 8:30 PM and arrives in Sihanoukville at 6:30 AM.
Alternatively, Virak Buntham Express also runs buses from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. Its VIP coaches with beds have reclining seats, televisions, stewardess service, restrooms and snacks. They have several departures a day, and each trip has a different duration. The fastest service is the night service, which leaves Siem Reap at 8:00 PM and arrives in Sihanoukville around 8:00 AM the next day, but there are also departures before and after this time.
By van from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville
Toyota vehicle often used as a minibus or minivan in Cambodia © nitinut380 / Shutterstock.com
It is also possible to travel by van from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. The previously mentioned company Virak Buntham Express also has a van service. The advantage of a van over a bus is that it can be faster and offers a service that can be more personal compared to a bus where you travel with lots of strangers. Therefore, it can be a good option for any group as there is the option to travel privately by van, although tickets are sold individually and therefore there would be no price savings.
The disadvantages of vans are that they are smaller, have no on-board services and can be a bit overwhelming. When choosing, you will have to weigh the pros and cons. The van journey from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville takes around 11 hours, so it may be a little faster than some buses. These vans only operate during the day. Departures from Siem Reap are at 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, which means you’ll at least be able to enjoy the scenery along the way.