Travel Experience from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Visiting the neighboring country Cambodia, travelers surely cannot miss two famous tourist destinations, Siem Reap City and the capital Phnom Penh, with their rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as distinctive aspects of daily life. Do you know how far it is from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap? Let's explore travel experiences in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Cambodia through the following article!

1. Distance from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh?

Siem Reap City is approximately 318km away from the capital Phnom Penh, with a travel time of about 5 hours and 30 minutes by car. Typically, when visiting Cambodia, travelers optimize their travel itinerary to visit both of these famous tourist cities.

Cambodia is renowned for its rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as distinctive aspects of daily life.

2. Guide to Traveling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Cambodia has long been known for its unique cultural characteristics that distinguish it from other Southeast Asian countries, belonging to the rice civilization. Travelers from all over have flocked to Cambodia in recent years, making passenger transportation services by air and road highly developed.

Moreover, Cambodia continues to promote tourism in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, making travel between these two tourist spots exceptionally convenient, with a wide range of transportation options suitable for different needs and economic conditions.

2.1 Traveling to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh

2.1.1 Travel from Vietnam to Siem Reap

Travel by Air

- VietJet operates many direct flights from Vietnam to Siem Reap, with extremely attractive offers.
- Flight Time: Approximately 1.5 - 2 hours.
- Airport: Siem Reap International Airport (REP).

Vietjet Air is the optimal choice for those wishing to travel to Cambodia with the most cost-effective expenses.

Travel by Bus

- Route: There are no direct buses from Vietnam to Siem Reap. You need to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by bus, and then from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
- Bus Companies: Some reputable bus companies include Giant Ibis, Mekong Express, and Sinh Cafe.
- Prices: From Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh costs about 10 - 15 USD, and from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap costs about 10 - 15 USD, equivalent to 255,000 - 382,000 Dong.
- Travel Time: Approximately 6 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, and an additional 6 - 7 hours from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.

2.1.2 Travel from Vietnam to Phnom Penh

Travel by Air

- VietJet operates many direct flights from Vietnam to Phnom Penh, with ticket prices starting from 90,000 Dong, along with many other attractive offers.
- Flight Time: Approximately 1 hour.
- Airport: Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH).

Travel by Bus

- Route: Ho Chi Minh City – Phnom Penh.
- Reputable Bus Companies: Mekong Express, Giant Ibis, and Sinh Cafe.
- Prices: Bus tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh cost about 10 - 15 USD, equivalent to 255,000 - 382,000 Dong.
- Travel Time: Approximately 6 - 7 hours.
- Facilities: All buses are equipped with air conditioning, reclining seats, and some provide free WiFi.

Self-Driving

- Route: From Ho Chi Minh City, you can drive via National Highway 22 to Moc Bai – Bavet border gate, then continue on National Highway 1 to Phnom Penh.
- Procedures: You need to prepare all necessary vehicle documents, an international driving license, and customs procedures for your vehicle at the border.

2.2 Moving between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh

To travel from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, travelers can choose from the following 5 transportation options:

2.2.1 Travel by Bus

There are private bus companies operating the Siem Reap - Phnom Penh route, with one-way fares ranging from 10 to 18 USD, equivalent to 255,000 - 458,000 Dong. Buses depart as early as 06:30 and as late as 23:59. In Siem Reap, you can find the bus station opposite the Old Market. In Phnom Penh, the bus station is located southwest of the Phsar Thmey market – a popular shopping area for tourists.

Buses are also convenient public transportation options in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

The bus journey takes approximately 5-7 hours, with stops at places like Skun and Kampong Thom.

2.2.2 Travel by Taxi

In Phnom Penh, there are private taxis traveling to Siem Reap with fares of 25,000 Riel per person, equivalent to 157,000 Dong per person. If travelers prefer to hire a whole taxi, prices range from 38 to 45 USD, equivalent to 968,000 - 1,146,000 Dong (prices may vary due to currency exchange rates). Taxis are a safe and convenient option for travelers visiting Siem Reap from Phnom Penh.

2.2.3 Travel by Ferry

There is a ferry service operating on Tonle Sap Lake between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Ferries from Phnom Penh usually depart daily at 07:00 from the Sisowath port. Similarly, ferries from Siem Reap depart daily at 07:00 from the Chong Khneas ferry dock. Ticket prices range from 18 to 25 USD, equivalent to 458,000 - 637,000 Dong, and should be purchased in advance through hotels or travel companies.

Traveling by ferry on Tonle Sap Lake is a memorable travel experience.

Note that ferry services are more frequent during the rainy season when the lake is full. During the dry season, smaller boats may be used, affecting the overall experience.

2.2.4 Travel by Plane

Domestic airlines operate flights between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh: Cambodia Angkor Air and Lanmei Airlines are among the airlines operating on this route.
Ticket prices range from 30 to 100 USD, equivalent to 764,000 - 2,500,000 Dong, depending on the timing and class of ticket chosen.
The flight time is approximately 45 minutes, suitable for travelers looking to save time during their journey.

3. What to Do in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh

There are several must-visit tourist attractions when in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh:

3.1 In Siem Reap

Angkor Wat: World-famous wonder with unique architecture and ancient history.

Angkor Wat - A famous wonder typical of Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Ta Prohm: Ancient temple surrounded by large, ancient trees, creating a mystical atmosphere.
Siem Reap Night Market: Where you can fully enjoy local cuisine and buy souvenirs.

See more: Top 10 most beautiful places in Siem Reap you cannot miss when traveling to Cambodia

3.2 In Phnom Penh

Royal Palace: Magnificent architectural structure and residence of the Cambodian king, a must-visit destination.

The Royal Palace has typical Cambodian architectural beauty.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21): Preserves artifacts and memories of the Khmer Rouge era, providing insights into the country and its people.
Central Market: A hub for shopping and exploring local life.

4. Travel Tips for Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

To make your trip complete and memorable, Vietjet recommends several points before embarking on your journey to explore Siem Reap - Phnom Penh, Cambodia:

Passport: Vietnamese travelers should check passport requirements before traveling and bring other necessary documents for immigration, such as a copy of their national ID card, hotel booking confirmation (payment not necessarily required), travel itinerary in English, and round-trip tickets to Cambodia by air.
Currency Exchange: Consider exchanging a small amount of Riel (KHR - Cambodia's currency) for small expenses, although USD is widely accepted.
Security: Be cautious with personal belongings and avoid walking in deserted areas at night.
Weather: Cambodia has a tropical climate; pack suitable clothing and always use sunscreen

See more: How much does it cost to travel to Cambodia? Travel expenses to Cambodia are self-sufficient

Traveling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is a wonderful journey to explore the culture, history, and beautiful landscapes of Cambodia. Plan carefully, choose the appropriate mode of transportation, and enjoy the exciting experiences on your trip. Vietjet Air wishes you a safe and memorable journey!

And don't forget, Vietjet always offers attractive deals when booking flights to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with costs starting from 90,000 Dong. Especially, Vietnamese travelers can "hunt for" 0 Dong flight tickets to Cambodia every Friday.