Cambodia Getting Around

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia © 123rf.com

Getting Around by Air

Internal flights operate between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap for Angkor (journey time - 45 minutes). The main domestic carriers are Siem Reap Airways International (website: www.siemreapairways.com) and PMT Air (website: www.pmtair.com). PMT Air has suspended internal flights in 2008 while they upgrade their fleet, but continue to fly internationally. Battambang, Sihanoukville, Banlung, Sen Monorom and Stung Treng all have airports, but at the time of writing there are only flights to Banlung from Phnom Penh.

Domestic airports: The upgraded Siem Reap Airport, the main gateway for visitors going to see the ancient temples at Angkor, is a 7- to 10-minute taxi ride from the city.

Departure Tax

US$60 for foreign nationals.

Getting Around by Water

Government-run ferries depart from the Psar Cha Ministry of Transport Ferry Landing between 102 and 104 Streets and go to Siem Reap, a route popular with travellers. Tickets can be bought in person at the dock or through a travel agent. Travel can be difficult in the dry season when the water level is very low and often boat services are suspended.

Getting Around by Rail

Cambodia has only one functioning train service, running once a week from Phnom Penh Railway Station to Battambang on Saturdays and vice-versa on Sundays. Although the carriage is basic and the trip takes longer than going by bus, it's an excellent way of viewing rural Cambodia.

Getting Around by Road

Traffic drives on the right. Roads vary from excellent to very poor and there are numbered routes from Phnom Penh with Route 1 leading to the Vietnamese border. Care should be taken while driving as accidents are relatively frequent. Other vehicles cannot always be relied on to use headlights at night. Given the predominant use of motorcycles for urban public transportation, travellers should ensure that any insurance policies provide coverage for riding as a driver or passenger. Cattle often stray onto the roads. In Siem Reap, the local police have banned rental outlets from hiring motorcycles to tourists because of the high number of accidents.

Coach/bus: Long-distance buses operated by Phnom Penh Sorya Transport Company (tel: (23) 210 359; website: www.ppsoryatransport.com) travel to destinations such as Kampot, Sihanoukville, Battambang and Siem Reap.

Taxi: Taxis can be hired in main cities, although they are not metered so the price has to be fixed in advance. Tips are appreciated.

Car hire: It is really only possible to hire a car with a driver. Car hire can be arranged by private negotiation with a taxi waiting outside the hotels or through tour operators.

Regulations: The wearing of seat belts is not compulsory.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not recognised in Cambodia, and as car hire does not exist, visitors are advised to hire a car with a driver.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

There are no public buses in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Taxis wait outside hotels and restaurants but, as they are unmetered, the fare should be fixed before leaving. Cyclos (tricycles) or motodops (motorcycle taxis) are an efficient and inexpensive way to get around and some of the drivers, especially those found outside main hotels, speak a little French or English. Siem Reap also has motorised tuk tuks.

Note: In terms of the greatest risks (particularly in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville), the greatest danger faced by visitors is from road traffic accidents, armed robbery after dark, bag snatching and landmines.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times from Phnom Penh (in hours and minutes) to other major cities/towns in Cambodia.

	Air	Road	Water
Siem Reap	0.45	6.00	5.00
Sihanoukville	-	3.00	-
Kompong Cham	-	2.30	-

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