Getting Around Cambodia: Public Transportation In 2026
If you’re wondering about how complicated getting around Cambodia is, I’ve got you covered.
As a backpacker traveling Southeast Asia on a budget, I always take buses or trains to explore the country.
I’m happy to report that Cambodia’s public transportation is quite well developed, with plenty of public transport providers. It is possible to easily reach nearly every tourist attraction.
The most common way to get around Cambodia is by bus, but there are also trains, boats, and domestic flights.
If you’re ready to figure out how to get around in Cambodia, let’s jump right in!
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Traveling Around Cambodia
Cambodia is a popular country to visit, and they rely a lot on tourism. That’s why there are many ways to travel around Cambodia on a budget.
Bus Transportation in Cambodia
Buses are the most common way to get around if you’re backpacking through Cambodia. Many different bus companies connect nearly every tourist site in the country.
Buses between popular destinations run several times a day, so it is easy to plan your Cambodia itinerary by bus.
While there are a lot of bus companies in Cambodia, they are not all equal.
Some bus companies, like Giant Ibis, are considered to be safer and more comfortable than others, but they will also be slightly more expensive.
I used Giant Ibis and Airbus companies, and I’ve had a great experience.
Both companies provided free water and a snack (that wasn’t vegan, unfortunately). With Airbus, we even got a free lunch! Many bus companies also offer complimentary transfers to the bus station.
When planning your Cambodia backpacking route, remember to check bus lines to make sure they work logistically.
I thought it would be easy to go from Battambang to Sihanoukville before learning that the bus first goes to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh before going south.
How To Book Buses in Cambodia?
Booking bus tickets in Cambodia is simple. You can book your bus tickets online, in person, or through your accommodation.
Your accommodation will simply book the tickets online, and you’ll pay them in cash, so you can frankly do it on your own.
Most bus companies don’t require you to print out your online ticket, and you can just show it on your phone.
Winter is the worst time to travel to Cambodia if you want to be spontaneous. It is the high season, and I recommend you book your bus tickets online in advance if you have time or company preferences.
I traveled to Cambodia during the rainy season, and the bus to Siem Reap I originally wanted was sold out for the day, and I had to go with another when I tried booking the night before.
Night Buses in Cambodia
Night buses can also double as accommodation for the night.
If you’ve been backpacking in Vietnam, you’re probably familiar with night buses. Unlike buses in Europe with reclining seats, these buses have fully horizontal seats.
Ideally, you’d be lying down like you’re in a bed. In reality, taller people might struggle to fit into Cambodian-sized seats.
I can’t sleep on a bus, so night buses weren’t an option for me. Also, I like looking out of the window during the ride.
However, if you can sleep on a bus, this could be a fantastic way to save money and time, and sleep through a 10-hour bus ride.
One of my friends who was also traveling in Cambodia solo took a night bus from Siem Reap to Kampot, and she said it was great as she slept almost the entire ride.
Night buses can get chilly, so a comfortable hoodie should be on your packing list for Cambodia.
Mini Vans In Cambodia
Minivans usually follow the same route as buses, but they can be a more comfortable alternative. You can book a regular minivan or a luxury minivan.
Regular minivans might not be worth it, as they can feel quite cramped.
Luxury minivans are more expensive but offer generous legroom, plush seating, and a quieter, more personalized travel environment.
You can see a minivan option when you browse for bus tickets online.
Trains in Cambodia
Unlike train travel in Europe, the Cambodian rail network is not very developed.
Most of the colonial railway was destroyed during the Khmer Rouge regime, and Cambodia only recently started to invest in reviving the railways.
Currently, there are only two train lines in Cambodia: one from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville and another from Phnom Penh to Battambang.
The Sihanoukville line also stops in Kampot, so if you enjoy scenic train rides, it is a lovely way to see more of the Cambodian countryside.
The downside of train travel in Cambodia is that there is only one daily train departure, so you can’t be as flexible as with buses.
Boats In Cambodia
Ferries To Cambodian Islands
Beautiful Cambodian islands are one of the top reasons to visit Cambodia. To reach them, you’ll have to take a boat.
The easiest way to get to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem is by taking a ferry from Sihanoukville. The ferry takes about 45 minutes, and you can buy the ferry ticket online or at the port.
Sihanoukville is not really a place where you’d want to spend time when backpacking in Cambodia, so be aware that the last ferry leaves Sihanoukville at 17:00.
You can easily organise the trip to the islands on your own by booking a bus to Sihanoukville and a ferry to the islands.
Alternatively, every hostel I stayed in Cambodia offered a combo ticket to the islands. This option is a couple of dollars more expensive, but it can be a more relaxing way to get around.
Speedboat From Siem Reap To Phnom Penh
If you’re up for an adventure, you can also take a boat from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh along Tonle Sap Lake.
The boat will take you to the city center of Phnom Penh, but part of the journey from Siem Reap to the lake is by land.
I suggest you do the journey from Siem Reap, instead of the other way around as it gets quite hectic when you land on the Siem Reap side.
You will be swamped by local kids trying to carry your bags and tuk-tuk drivers offering to drive you to Siem Reap, and there is no public bus available.
The boat is more expensive, and it takes longer to take a boat than to travel by bus. Also, it might only be available during Cambodia’s rainy season when there’s enough water in the lake.
However, you should see it as more of an excursion where you can see how the local life unfolds along the biggest lake in Southeast Asia. Similar to taking a slow boat from Thailand to Luang Prabang!
Another solo female traveler I met in a hostel took the boat and said it was a very scenic way to travel.
Domestic Flights In Cambodia
Finally, if you’re not worried about your Cambodia travel budget, you can also take domestic flights within Cambodia.
There are three airports in Cambodia – Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville.
Currently, there is only one airline company serving Cambodian domestic flights – Cambodia Angkor Air.
As there is no competition, these flights are significantly more expensive than other modes of transportation in Cambodia.
Yet, if you don’t mind paying about 100$ for a 45-minute flight, this is the most comfortable way to travel around the country.
Traveling Within Cambodian Cities
The most common way to get around Cambodian cities and villages is by tuk-tuk – also known as remork-moto.
Taxis are also available, but they are significantly more expensive than tuk-tuks. Also, they can get stuck in traffic, while tuk-tuk drivers are very good at navigating chaotic Cambodian streets.
Tuk Tuk In Cambodia
You can expect to see tuk-tuks in virtually every town in Cambodia. These small vehicles are surprisingly comfortable compared to scooter taxis you’d get for getting around Bali.
If you don’t want to negotiate the price every time you use a taxi, I highly suggest downloading Grab or Pass App.
With online taxi-hailing apps, you can be confident you’re not overpaying for a ride.
Another advantage is that you pay inside the app, so you don’t have to struggle with cash and different currencies in Cambodia.
Even if you don’t have a SIM card with data and want to grab a tuk-tuk on the street, checking the average prices on the app beforehand will make it easier to negotiate prices.
Taxi In Cambodia
You can also order a taxi in Cambodia.
Actual taxis are slightly more expensive than tuk-tuks, but they are a good option if you have a lot of luggage or you’re traveling in a group.
Is There Uber In Cambodia?
No, there is no Uber in Cambodia. However, there are other online taxi-hailing apps you can use.
The most common Uber alternative in Cambodia is Grab.
If you’re backpacking Southeast Asia, you probably already downloaded Grab at some point. It is also in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore…
Another alternative to Uber is the Pass App. It is a Cambodian company, and the prices are practically the same, so you can use it to support the local community.
Phnom Penh Public Transport
A good aspect of visiting Phnom Penh on a budget is that it is the only city with well-developed public transportation in Cambodia.
To get around Phnom Penh, you can take one of the multiple bus lines covering most locations in the city.
There is even a City bus app you can download that tells you the location of the bus, bus stops, and all bus lines!
A bus ticket is just 1,500 riel, and you can only pay in riel – also, from my understanding they don’t give back change.
I took the public bus in Phnom Penh nr. 3 to get from the airport to the city and the other way around. It is a fantastic way of getting around Phnom Penh on a budget.
One of the best Cambodia travel tips I’ve heard is to have a $1 USD dollar bill and ask a local at the airport to exchange it for you.
That way you’ll get small notes for paying the bus as soon as you land, instead of large notes you might get from the ATM or exchange office.
Renting A Car Or A Scooter
If you want to be completely autonomous and not rely on public transportation in Cambodia, you can rent a car or a scooter.
You don’t have to worry about snow in Cambodia, but roads can get quite muddy during the rainy season.
Renting a car in Cambodia is not a very common choice. Rental cars are quite expensive, with economy category cars starting at $45 USD per day.
On the other hand, many backpackers in Cambodia opt to rent a scooter. It is especially a popular choice to rent a scooter to explore the temples of Angkor Wat, as they cover quite a wide area.
I don’t have a scooter license and I prefer not to break local laws, so I didn’t rent a scooter in Cambodia.
FAQ: Getting Around Cambodia
The best way to get around in Cambodia is by bus. Buses have the most developed network, connecting virtually every tourist destination in the country. They are budget-friendly and efficient ways to travel around the country.
Yes, it is safe to travel around Cambodia. The country has reliable public transportation, friendly locals, and a relatively low number of violent crimes.
Cambodia has a well-developed public transport network, making it easy to get around the country. The country invests a lot in tourism, so there are plenty of transportation companies connecting virtually every tourist destination in the country daily.
Final Thoughts: How To Get Around Cambodia
Public transportation in Cambodia is well-developed and you’ll have no problem exploring the country on your own.
The best way to travel around Cambodia on a budget is by bus.
Buses connect virtually every tourist destination in the country, making it easy to hit all the destinations on your itinerary. You can easily compare the prices and book bus tickets online.
Train travel in Cambodia is still developing, and there are currently only two lines connecting Phnom Penh to Battambang and Sihanoukville.
Domestic flights are the most comfortable way to get around Cambodia, but also the most expensive.
Finally, you’ll need to take a ferry from Sihanoukville to get to the Cambodian islands, as they don’t have an airport.
Now that you know how to get around Cambodia, it is time to find all the best things to do in Cambodia!
