Phnom Penh To Siem Reap Cambodia: Transport & Ticket Guide

Siem Reap, the gate to Angkor temples, is a famous destination to visit in Cambodia, attracting millions of tourists from all over the world to enjoy its unique history and architecture.

How to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Cambodia?

This article is a complete transportation guide to Siem Reap from the capital, including ticket price, departure schedule, and how to book online tickets easily.

Route overview

The distance between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh city is about 300 km.

There are three main options to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Cambodia:

• Option 1: Airplane. This option is the fastest way to go to Siem Reap and the most costly.
• Option 2: Bus. Taking a bus is the most common way to travel to Siem Reap, but it can be exhausting.
• Option 3: Private transfer/ taxi. If you travel with family or friends, taking a private transfer is a great idea.

*Please continue reading for more details on the options. 

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap flight

• Duration: 55 minutes
• Cost starts at $32

Flying is the fastest way to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.

Cambodia Angkor Air, Cambodia Airways, and Lanmei Airlines offer regular service to Siem Reap, and the travel time is approximately 1 hour.

I used Cambodia Angkor Air and was happy with the service.

After arriving at the airport, you can get a tuk-tuk or a private car transfer to Siem Reap city from Siem Reap airport.

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap bus

• Duration: 5.5 hours ~ 6 hours
• Cost starts at $8

Thanks to its affordability, taking a bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is the most common travel method.

TheroExpress, Virak Buntham, Mekong Express, and Giant Ibis offer daily buses to Siem Reap from the capital, and the journey takes approximately 5.5 hours to 6 hours.

Please note that it may take longer due to road conditions or vehicle issues.

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Private Transfer

• Duration: 4 hours
• Cost: $75

While taking a bus can be a great way to travel to Siem Reap on a budget, getting a private transfer is excellent if you’re traveling with a group of people.

You can select two options:

• Sedan (Group of 2-4 people)
• Van (Group of 5-12 people)

Things to do in Siem Reap

There are plenty of things to see and do in Siem Reap. Amongst them, a trip to Angkor Wat is a must.

I would suggest visiting Angkor Temples in a group or getting a tour guide (private tour) to understand the history and the construction.

Here are some recommended Angkor temple tours that you should take:

a) Angkor temples sunrise tour

Captivating the sunrise behind the temple complex is a fantastic way to start your day in Siem Reap.

You will get a chance to visit three main temples: Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm.

Itinerary

• 4:15 am hotel pick up
• Watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Local breakfast, at own expense
• Bayon Temple
• Ta Prohm Temple
• 1:00 pm hotel drop off

b) Angkor Temples tour

If you would like to explore the majestic beauty of Angkor temples in one day, the Angkor Temples tour is an excellent choice.

With this tour, you can visit Angkor Thom, Bayon temple, Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat, and Phnom Bakheng in one day.

Itinerary

• 8:00 am hotel pick up
• Angkor Thom
• Bayon Temple
• Ta Prohm
• Lunch at your own expense
• Angkor Wat
• Phnom Bakheng
• 7:00 pm hotel drop off

Note: You will need to purchase Angkor Passes to enter Angkor Enterprise. You may select either a one-day pass (US$37), a three-day pass (US$62), or a seven-day pass (US$72), which needs to be used on consecutive days.

c) Other places to visit in Siem Reap

Besides visiting Angkor Wat and other temples, here is the list of places you should see on your trip to Siem Reap. You can click on the links for more information.

• Kampong Phluk Floating Village
• Kulen Waterfalls
• Kompheim Village
• Cambodian cultural village
• Angkor National Museum

Getting around Siem Reap Cambodia

The easiest way to get around Siem Reap is by tuk-tuk. You can download PassApp Taxi or Grab to book your tuk-tuk.

Also, if you travel by group, you can rent a private car charter to get around Siem Reap city.

Best places to stay in Siem Reap

If you’re looking for a more relaxing place with a beautiful outdoor swimming pool and excellent service, Chateau d’Angkor La Residence and Ladear Angkor Boutique are great options.

Both hotels are conveniently located within walking distance of tourist attractions, local restaurants, and shopping areas.

Funky Flashpacker or Siem Reap Pub hostel will be a fun place to stay in Siem Reap if you’re traveling alone.