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Getting
Around
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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