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Known for its temples, jungles, and beaches, Cambodia is relatively compact, but since most travelers map out their route from south to north, finding reliable transport is essential.
If you are mapping out your routes after exploring the breathtaking Angkor Wat, heading down to the capital, Phnom Penh to visit the Killing Fields and S-21, or making your way to the coast of Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem, a solid Cambodia transport guide will make all the difference.
Figuring out how to travel around Cambodia efficiently, whether by booking comfortable coaches or catching island ferries, ensures you spend less time stressing over logistics and more time enjoying the journey. Let’s get into it..
How to Travel Around Cambodia
Taking Buses in Cambodia: VIP & Sleeper Coaches
As the backbone of intercity travel, buses in Cambodia – ranging from sleeper coaches to 15-passenger VIP vans – are how the vast majority of travelers move between regions, offering everything from large coaches to 15-passenger VIP vans.
The easiest way to book them is via 12Go Asia. Reputable operators keep journeys relatively comfortable, though road conditions can cause schedules to flex. Standard intercity hops generally run between $10 to $15 USD for 5 to 7 hours of travel time (or 10 hours for the long stretch of Sihanoukville <–> Siem Reap).
- Examples of Most Common Routes:
- Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: VIP buses like Giant Ibis take 3–4 hours via expressway and offer complimentary water and snacks. Our experience was seamless, with excellent WhatsApp communication.
- Sihanoukville to Siem Reap: Save daylight by taking the overnight sleeper bus with comfortable bunk bedding. We took the Giant Ibis bus and although the road was a little bumpy due to the road condition, we slept well and arrived on time.
- Phnom Penh To Siem Reap: The same sleeper bus from Sihanoukville stops in Phnom Penh, so this is a great overnight option if you skip the islands.
💡Tip: Request a front-row seat if you book a shared minivan to minimize the bumps on provincial roads.
Private Taxis and Car Charters
Hiring a private vehicle with a driver is ideal if you are traveling as a pair or with kids, hauling heavy luggage, or simply want a custom door-to-door schedule without sticking to rigid bus departures. It is sligtly faster and way more comfortable than public coaches, though you are still subject to highway traffic.
You can easily arrange private car charters through accommodation front desks or online aggregators like 12Go Asia. Prices scale based on distance, often ranging anywhere from $50 to $90+ USD for major regional transfers.
Trains and Rail Travel in Cambodia
While slower than buses, traveling by train with Royal Railway offers a scenic, nostalgic alternative across two main routes:
- The Southern Line (Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville via Kampot): Runs south to the coast via Kampot and Kep. It has comfortable carriages, making it a great way to enjoy the countryside and coastal views.
- The Northern Line (Phnom Penh to Battambang): Connects the capital to Battambang. This route offers an authentic, unfiltered look at rural village life due to the classic carriages with open windows.
💡Note: Trains run just one departure per day per line, so check timetables in advance. Since train times didn’t fit our schedule, we took the VIP bus instead.
💡Booking: Secure tickets through 12Go Asia or the official Royal Railway Cambodia platform.
Speed Ferries and Booking Cambodia Ferry Tickets Online
If your itinerary takes you out to the southern islands, such as Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem, you will need to catch a high-speed catamaran or speedboat from the Sihanoukville mainland port.
There are 2 or 3 main ferry operators (such as Buva Sea and G.T.V.C.) that run daily, but they operate at different times and use different departure piers. Crossings take 40-50 minutes in calm weather, with daily departures during the dry season.
Standard return tickets average $15 to $20 USD, and you can easily secure your Cambodia ferry tickets online in advance through 12Go Asia . Alternatively, if you ride with a company like Giant Ibis, attendants often sell tickets right onboard the bus to save you time at a busy port.
👉 Saracen Bay accommodation guide: To find the ideal hotel or beach bungalow for your stay, and learn more about the ferry crossing.
👉 How to spend 2 days in Koh Rong Samloem: For inspiration on what to do when you arrive.
Local City Transport: Tuk-Tuks, Grab & PassApp Apps
Once you arrive at a regional hub or town center, you will need a reliable way to navigate local streets. To skip the old-school street hustle where drivers quote inflated tourist rates, open Grab or PassApp upon arrival to secure upfront pricing.
To give you an example, short city hops usually cost between $1.50 to $3.00 USD. Traditional street tuk-tuks and “motos” are also available, but always agree on a price beforehand.
For budget travelers, public buses and airport shuttles (like the $8 shuttle from Siem Reap’s SAI airport into town) offer great alternatives to high taxi fares.
In the capital, you can track real-time bus locations and routes (like Line 11B) using the official ‘City Bus Official App’ (Google Play / Apple).
💡 Note: This app only covers Phnom Penh’s local city buses, not intercity transport!
For sightseeing, the easiest way to visit key historical sites like the Phnom Penh Killing Fields and S-21 is by booking an organized guided tour.
If you prefer to explore solo, you can hire a Grab tuk-tuk for a half-day return trip. While some budget travelers try using Phnom Penh’s city buses, routes to the southern outskirts involve long wait times and aren’t optimized for tourists.
Ride-hailing apps or a private driver a much smoother alternative.
💡Note: We used the Grab app extensively in Cambodia for rides, food delivery, and groceries without any issues.
Domestic Flights
For travelers short on time, domestic flights operate between key hubs like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, though schedules fluctuate seasonally.
Airlines like Cambodia Airways and Air Cambodia handle these short hops, with fares ranging from $50 to $100+ USD. Flying makes sense for longer cross-country stretches. However, on shorter routes like Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, a flight is rarely worth the airport hassle compared to a comfortable coach or private transfer via 12Go Asia.
Getting Around Cambodia by Rental Vehicle (Tuk-Tuks, Motorbikes, and Cars)
If you prefer ultimate freedom when getting around Cambodia over fixed timetables, renting your own set of wheels is an unforgettable way to experience the country:
- Self-Driving a Tuk-Tuk: Gaining massive popularity for exploring Siem Reap and regional backroads, you can easily arrange a rental through TukTuk Rental. We rented a TukTuk from them in Sri Lanka for a month and had a great experience. Legally, you will need a standard car driver’s license from your home country paired with a valid International Driving Permit (IDP)*.
- Small Scooters (up to 125cc): Under Cambodian traffic law, bikes with engines under 125cc can be ridden legally without a formal license. However, watch out for the travel insurance trap: many foreign insurers still void medical coverage in an accident unless you hold an appropriate home-country license. We drove a scooter for a week in Siem Reap and didn’t have any issues, although we were very careful.
- Standard Motorbikes (above 125cc): For larger bikes within the city or used on cross-country trips, local law and rental agencies require a proper home motorcycle license backed by an International Driving Permit (IDP)*, which police frequently check.
- Car Rentals: Self-driving a car is way less common due to heavy traffic, but carrying your national driver’s license alongside an IDP* is strictly required for police checkpoints.
*Important Note: Cambodia is a contracting party to the 1949 Geneva Convention (NOT the 1968 Vienna Convention). This means you need a 1949 Geneva IDP alongside your home license. If police don’t check it, your insurance certainly will if an accident happens, so make sure you have the right documentation with you!
Conclusion: Wrapping Up the Cambodia Transport Guide
Getting around Cambodia has never been more accessible. While regional road conditions and schedules can occasionally test your patience, planning your trip ahead of time using reliable platforms like 12Go Asia or ride-hailing apps will keep your journey smooth.
Hopefully this Cambodia transport guide has provided you with everything you need to travel around Cambodia. Let me know what your experience was in the comments below! xx
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Reputable tourist bus companies (like Giant Ibis) and private minivans are the easiest and most affordable ways to travel between major hubs like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Kampot.
For buses, ferries, and vans, we mostly booked our transport through 12Go Asia, which makes comparing schedules and prices seamless. For shorter routes or local trips, it often made sense to book directly with a trusted private driver or ferry company when it was safe and convenient to do so.
Yes, if you plan on renting a scooter, car, or self-driving a tuk-tuk, you legally need an IDP. Specifically, Cambodia recognizes the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. You must also carry your original national driver’s license.
It does not have Uber, but it does have Grab and PassApp.
Grab: Works very well in major cities like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and Kampot.
PassApp: the local competitor which is also very affordable and convenient. Personally we always used Grab and never had issues.
It depends on the city. We had no problems driving a scooter in Siem Reap, as the roads are wider and traffic is much lighter. However, Phnom Penh has significantly heavier and more chaotic traffic, so we chose not to self-drive there.
Always wear a helmet and ensure your travel insurance covers motorized two-wheelers!
⏰ Planning the rest of your trip? Don’t miss our other Cambodia guides:
- How to Spend 2 days in Koh Rong Samloem: Ultimate Beach Guide
- Saracen Bay Accommodation Guide: Best Places to Stay in Koh Rong Samloem
- Why a 2-Day Angkor Wat Tour is Worth Every Penny
- Cambodia Transport Guide
- Siem Reap Beyond Angkor Wat
- Is Phnom Penh Worth Visiting?
- Phnom Penh Killing Fields and S21
- How to Spend 10 Days in Cambodia
