FAQs
Q: How do I get to Koh Rong?
To get to Koh Rong, you will first have to get to Sihanoukville (you can either take a flight directly into Sihanoukville airport, or if you are already in Cambodia, you can take a private taxi, a bus, or a train). From Sihanoukville, you can take one of the 5 modern ferry services to your destination. For all the latest information, please read: How to Get to Koh Rong.
Q: How do you travel from sihanoukville to Koh Rong?
A: If you want to travel from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, you can take one of the 5 modern ferry companies: Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Boat Cambodia, Buva Sea, Angkor Speed Ferry, and GTVC. The journey will take approximately 45 minutes and cost $25 return. For all the latest information, please read: Sihanoukville to Koh Rong.
Q: How do you get around Koh Rong?
A: It is now quite easy to get around Koh Rong. Depending on where you want to go, you can either travel by road, a shuttle boat, a private long tail boat, or a ferry transfer. For all the latest information, please read: How to Get to Koh Rong.
Q: How do you get around Koh Rong Samloem?
A: Getting around Koh Rong Samloem is straight forward. Depending on where you want to go, you can either buy a transfer ticket ($6) with one of the main ferry companies, or hire a private long tail boat. It is now also possible to walk through the jungle trail (45 min) from Saracen Bay to Lazy Beach and Sunset Beach. For all the latest information, please read: How to Get to Koh Rong.
Q: How do I get from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong?
A: To get from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong, you can take either a bus, a taxi, or a flight to Sihanoukville, and then take a ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong. For all the latest information, please read: Phnom Penh to Koh Rong.
Q: How do I get from Siem Reap to Koh Rong?
A: To get from Siem Reap to Koh Rong, you can take either a bus, a taxi, or a flight to Sihanoukville, and then take a ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong. For all the latest information, please read: Siem Reap to Koh Rong.
Q: How do you travel from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville?
A: If you want to travel from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, you can either take a bus, a private taxi, a flight, or a ferry. If you’re looking for a bit of comfort during your trip, then a private taxi is your best option. The journey will take approximately 4 hours in total and will cost about $60. For all the latest information, please read: Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville.
Q: How do you get to Sihanoukville airport?
A: You can now fly directly into Sihanoukville from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Ming City, and Macau – The first international flights to the airport. The weekly flights, provided by AirAsia, operate 4 times per week and make the journey to Sihanoukville even easier.
Q: Is there WiFi on Koh Rong?
A: There is now free WiFi on most areas of Koh Rong, though it can be slow and unreliable.
Q: Is Koh Rong a party island?
A: Please ignore what you might read elsewhere – Koh Rong is NOT just a party island! Yes, the main tourist area, Koh Touch, has a reputation for being quite lively, but there are MANY other areas that are peaceful, relaxing, and truly mesmerising.
Even on Koh Touch itself there are beautiful, quiet areas a little further down the beach.
Please read our Hotel Guide and Beach Guide for more information.
Q: When is the best time to visit Koh Rong?
A: The best time to visit Koh Rong Island is between the middle of November and the start of May. During these months you’ll have beautiful hot days with very little cloud and low humidity. To give you a rough idea of the average temperatures over this past year:
Middle of November / December / January / February: Warm and dry. 25°C daytime.
March / April / May: Hot and dry. 35°C daytime.
June / July / August: Hot and wet. 35°C daytime.
September / October / Early November: Warm and wet. 25°C daytime.
Please see our Weather Guide for more information.
When is the rainy season on Koh Rong?
A: The rainy season on Koh Rong is from the middle of May to early November. It’s hard to predict exactly what the weather will be like during these months, but most of the time there will be short burst of heavy rain throughout the day, lasting for about 2 hours or so. Closer to September is when the weather is most volatile – it could rain just during the night or just during the day, it could rain for days at a time or stop for several days straight.
Please see our Weather Guide for more information.
Q: How long is the ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong?
A: If your destination is the first stop, it will take about 40 minutes to get from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong. If your ferry stops somewhere else first, it may take 1 hour or so.
Q: I have a return ticket to Koh Rong. Can I use this to come back from Koh Rong Samloem?
A: Yes, this is usually OK to do, but please ask your ferry company before you set off to confirm.
Q: Is there a private ferry service from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong?
A: No, there is currently no private ferry service that will take you directly from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong.
Q: Is it possible to take a ferry to Koh Rong after dark?
A: No, for safety reasons no ferry company currently travels to Koh Rong after dark (i.e. after about 5pm).
Q: Can I get around Koh Rong after dark?
A: For safety reasons, we do not recommend that you try to get around Koh Rong after dark. It is generally best to stay at your chosen location. For the latest information on the best places to stay, please read our Hotel Guide and Beach Guide.
Q: Can I hire a private long tail boat after dark?
A: For safety reasons, we do not advise you to hire a private long tail boat after dark for getting around the islands. If you would like to see the plankton, please book a plankton tour or speak to an experienced guide.
Q: How badly are ferry boats affected by rainy weather conditions?
A: This really depends on the weather on the day, but even in rainy season the rain can stop for several hours at a time, during which some ferry companies will continue service.
Q: Where can I see the glowing plankton on Koh Rong?
If you’re staying on Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong) or on Saracen Bay (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Samloem), the easiest way for you to see the plankton is by booking a boat tour (you can also walk to Police Beach on non-party nights (15 minutes left from the main pier) and Tree House Bungalows (15 minutes right from the main pier) on Koh Touch, or make your way to Long Set Beach around the corner from Koh Touch).
For more information, please read: Glowing Plankton on Koh Rong
Q: Where are the best beaches on Koh Rong?
A: There are many wonderful beaches on Koh Rong. In our opinion, the 7 best beaches on Koh Rong are:
1) Lonely Beach (Koh Rong)
2) Lazy Beach (Koh Rong Samloem)
3) 4K Beach (Koh Rong)
4) Saracen Bay (Koh Rong Samloem)
5) White Beach (Koh Rong)
6) Sok San Beach (Koh Rong)
7) Palm Beach (Koh Rong)
Please read our Beach Guide and Best Beaches on Koh Rong to learn more.
Q: What should I bring with me to Koh Rong?
A: We recommend that you bring plenty of cash, mosquito spray, sun tan lotion, and any other necessities. Both islands have small shops where you can buy most of what you might need, but prices can be inflated so it’s a good idea to stock up on the essentials before you go.
Q: Are there ATMS on Koh Rong?
A: Although there is no ATM on Koh Rong, you can still get cash out at any of the three Eftpos terminals on Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Island). There is an Eftpos terminal at Green Ocean Guesthouse, White Rose Guesthouse, and Koh Lanta.
Q: Is there a medical facility on Koh Rong?
A: There is a medical facility on Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Island). Please ask someone when you are there for directions.
Q: Is Koh Rong a family-friendly place?
A: Yes, there are many quiet, family-friendly places on the islands. Please see our Hotel Guide and Beach Guide to learn more.
Q: Is it easy to get a Cambodian Visa?
A: Yes – it is generally very easy to get a Cambodian Visa. Although there are tighter restrictions for Business Visas (which now require a Cambodian work permit), the Tourist Visa (1 month stay) is very straight forward and can be obtained at the airport / border crossing as you arrive. If you’d like to skip the ques, you can buy your visa online now here: Buy a Visa Online Now.
Q: Is it safe to travel to Cambodia alone?
A: Yes, it is safe to travel to Cambodia alone, as long as you are sensible (which is the case in any country). Cambodian people are generally very respectful and friendly towards foreign men and women, but as with any poorer country, poverty is an issue. As such, we recommend that you do not wear expensive jewellery, leave your belongings unattended, or get heavily intoxicated. Otherwise, relax, explore, and enjoy yourself!
Q: Is Cambodia safe?
A: Generally, Cambodia is a safe country – it is ranked the 59th safest country in the world, with violent crime being a rarity. The only exceptions are remote areas of large cities, so please be sensible with where you visit.
Q: How many days should I spend in Cambodia?
A: We would recommend that you spend at least 10 days in Cambodia. An itinerary could go something like this:
Day 1 – Fly into Phnom Penh.
Day 2 – Visit Phnom Penh Museums.
Day 3 – Travel to Siem Reap.
Day 4 – Visit Angkor Wat.
Day 5 – Explore Siem Reap.
Day 6 – Fly to Sihanoukville.
Day 7 – Travel to Koh Rong.
Day 8 – Relax on Koh Rong.
Day 9 – Travel to Koh Rong Samloem.
Day 10 – Explore Koh Rong Samloem.
Q: What is the best time to go to Cambodia?
A: We would say that the best time to go to Cambodia is between the middle of November and the start of May. During these months you’ll have beautiful hot days (25°C – 40°C) with very little cloud and low humidity.
Q: What is the best currency to use in Cambodia?
A: The best currency to use in Cambodia is the US Dollar, or the local Khmer Riel – Both currencies are accepted everywhere in the country.
Q: What should you not wear in Cambodia?
A: Cambodia is a Buddhist country, and local people, especially the older generations, adhere to strict dress codes. As such, if you plan on visiting non-tourist areas, men should not wear shorts or vests, while women should not wear mini-skirts, tight yoga pants, or other revealing clothing.
Q: How many days should I spend in Siem Reap?
A: Siem Reap can’t be covered in one day – you’ll need at least three days to cover the huge expanse of the Angkor temples and other attractions in the area. The ideal time to spend in Siem Reap is around 3-4 days, depending on how early you get there. Just make sure you have at least one and a half full days.
Q: How many days do you need in Phnom Penh?
A: We recommend that you spend about two days in Phnom Penh – one full day for the museums, and one day / half day to take a look around riverside (in particular, the area around the Royal Palace).
Q: How do you travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap?
A: If you want to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, you can either take a bus, a private taxi, a flight, or a ferry. If you’re looking for a bit of comfort during your trip and an affordable price, then a private taxi is your best option. The journey will take approximately 5 hours in total and will cost about $75. For all the latest information, please read: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us and we will reply ASAP.