Over the past year or so there have been some major changes in how to get from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong (and from Koh Rong to Phnom Penh). From fantastic new bus and taxi companies from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, to much faster ferry services from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, to more convenient flights and the first cross-country train, it has never been easier to get to the beautiful islands. Here’s all the latest information to help you plan and book your trip.

P.S. You can book your tickets online now and save up to 30%:

 

Taxis From Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville

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 there is some absolutely stunning scenery along the way. Watch this video to see some of the beautiful Cambodian country side you’ll pass during your taxi drive:

 

On average a private taxi from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville will cost in the region of $60 (that’s usually the quote from Phnom Penh airport to Sihanoukville). You’ll have the option of stopping for toilet breaks, coffees, and even sightseeing if you wish.

The better services offer nice comfortable cars (e.g. a Lexus 4 x 4) and the drivers will pick you up from your hotel, the airport, or any other location convenient for you.

One thing that we recommend however is to book your taxi in advance. Not only is it cheaper, but Cambodian traffic is very hectic, so the taxi rides can be daunting and frightening if you don’t know your driver – please contact us to book a safe, reliable taxi driver from anywhere in Cambodia, or click below and book online now.

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Buses from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville

There are many bus companies offering economy and VIP buses between Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. Although companies such as Giant Ibis, Mekong Express, and PSD Xpress used to be the only recommended services a few years ago, there are now several fantastic (and even better) options including Cambodia Post VIP, Bayon VIP, and Phnom Penh Sorya (we recommend Cambodia Post VIP and Bayon VIP).

Bayon VIP Bus from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong

 

In general, an economy bus ranges from $4-$6 on average and sits roughly 50 people. VIP buses are smaller and more comfortable, sitting around 15 people. They are a bit more expensive at $8-$10 one way.

VIP buses tend to be quicker (4-5 hours) than economy buses (5-6 hours), and the journeys more convenient (e.g. you can ask the driver to stop if you desperately need to go to the toilet). Both types will stop along the way for short toilet and snack breaks. Although you will see Wi-Fi advertised, if you do actually have a connection it will be very slow and unreliable.

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To give you an idea of bus times, here are the timetables for some of the most popular and best reviewed services (Bayon VIP, Cambodia Post VIP, Mekong Express, Giant Ibis, PSD Xpress).

Bayon VIP Timetable

Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: 7.15am, 8.45am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, and 3.30pm.
Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: 8.45am, 9.45am, 1.30pm, and 2.30pm.

Cambodia Post VIP Timetable

Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: 7.30am and 1.30pm.
Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: 7.30am and 1.30pm.

Mekong Express Timetable

Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: 7am, 7.30am, 8am, 8.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm, and 5.30pm.
Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: 7am, 8.30am, 9.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 3pm, and 5.30pm.

Giant Ibis Timetable

Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: 8am, 9.30am, and 12.30pm.
Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: 7.30am, 9.30am, 1.30pm, and 3.30pm.

PSD Xpress Timetable

Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: 8.30am and 2.30pm.
Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: 8.30am and 3.30pm.

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Train From Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville

There is now the option of taking the Royal Railway train directly from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. Although the total journey can be in the region of 6.5 hours, don’t immediately disregard the idea – There is some absolutely fantastic scenery along the way, and all in all it makes for a very enjoyable experience.

The train currently operates only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays and costs about $7 one-way. The carriages are quite comfortable and come with AC, plug sockets, and TVs (mainly playing Charlie Chaplin re-runs). The atmosphere is very cheerful and joyous, and because the train stops off several times along the way (including once in Kampot), the journey is broken up nicely.

Royal Railway Timetable

Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville: Friday 3pm, Saturday 7am, Sunday 7am, and Sunday 4pm.
Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh: Saturday 7am, Sunday 7am, Sunday 4pm, Monday 7am.

Don’t be too surprised if it’s delayed by 30 minutes – 1 hour however. If you’re thinking of giving the train a go, we recommend you buy your ticket in advance – Each ticket comes with its own seat number and acts as a reservation.

Flights From Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville

Cambodia is developing rapidly, but there are still very few direct flights to Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh. However, you can now fly directly into Sihanoukville from Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Ming City (with a new connection to Macau opening shortly) – The first international flights to the airport.

The timing of the flights isn’t always that convenient, but we predict that the airport will open for further international flights in the near future. In particular, AirAsia, which provides the flights between Kuala Lumpur, Macau, and Sihanoukville, have opened a subsidiary company in Cambodia, suggesting that they are looking to expand their services very soon. The most recent announcement is a new direct flight from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Sihanoukville. The weekly flights operate 4 times per week and make the journey from Bangkok to Koh Rong even easier. Read the full articles here, here, and here.

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How to Get From Sihanoukville Airport to Sihanoukville Centre

To get from Sihanoukville airport to Sihanoukville Centre, you can take a shuttle bus (around $4) that should be waiting outside the airport when you arrive.

If for whatever reason you miss the shuttle bus, you should be able to find a Tuk Tuk (roughly $20) at the airport (pictured below). You can also hire a private taxi to take you – this will be more expensive at around $30.

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A Typical Tuk Tuk

 

How to Get From Sihanoukville to Koh Rong

Before you set off…

Please make sure you know where you are going – Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are big islands, and there are many hotels scattered around their 30+ beaches (See Video Map).

Most hotels are on the main tourist areas – Koh Touch on Koh Rong and Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem.

Below is all the latest information on how to get to these popular beaches, as well as how to get to other areas of the islands, including how to get to Sok San Village, Long Set Beach, Nature Beach, Coconut Beach, Palm Beach, Prek Svay, M’Pai Bay, and more.

Ferries From Sihanoukville to Koh Rong / Koh Rong Samloem

There are now 5 modern ferry services from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong and from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Samloem – Speed Ferry Cambodia (SFC), Island Speed Boat Cambodia (ISBC), Buva Sea (BS), Angkor Speed Ferry (ASF), and GTVC. (There are also a couple of $5-$10 ‘Slow Boat’ services that take 1.5 – 2.5 hours – These services are not professionally run and are not recommended).

It will take about 40 minutes to get to your destination if it’s the first stop. If the boat first stops elsewhere, it may take 1 hour or so. Watch this short video to learn more about the ferries:

 

The 5 services offer modern speed boats with comfortable chairs, life jackets, and the option to buy food and drink on board. Not all of the ferries have air-conditioning, but once the boats set off there is a strong cool breeze throughout the sitting areas which more than makes up for it.

All 5 services will charge roughly $25 return, though prices can vary depending on time of year, special offers, etc.

All services leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville and go to the main tourist beaches on the islands (Koh Touch on Koh Rong, and Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem). If your hotel is not on the main beaches (Koh Touch / Saracen Bay), please read on below.

For Koh Rong the services stop at 2 piers that are very close to each other. However, for Koh Rong Samloem, SFC, ISBC, and BS stop on the left side of the bay, while ASF and GTVC on the right (it’s a 20 minute beach walk between the two, but your hotel should pick you up from either).

For the return journey the 5 services will leave from the same pier that they arrived on. All services will go back to the Ochheuteal (Serendipity) pier in Sihanoukville.

All ferry services can be very busy – We strongly recommend you book your tickets in advance and not miss out on the day. You can book your ferry tickets online now here:

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Ferry Boat Timetables: Sihanoukville to Koh Rong / Koh Rong Samloem

Speed Ferry Cambodia (SFC), Island Speed Boat Cambodia (ISBC), Buva Sea (BS), Angkor Speed Ferry (ASF), and GTVC all leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville. Please Note: All times provided are approximate. We advise you to always arrive early for your chosen service.

 

Ferry Boat Timetables: Koh Rong / Koh Rong Samloem to Sihanoukville

For the return journey, Speed Ferry Cambodia (SFC), Island Speed Boat Cambodia (ISBC), Buva Sea (BS), Angkor Speed Ferry (ASF), and GTVC will leave from the same pier that they arrived on. All services will go back to the Ochheuteal (Serendipity) pier in Sihanoukville. Please Note: All times provided are approximate. We advise you to always arrive early for your chosen service.

 

How to Get From Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem (and Vice Versa)

To get from Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem (or from Koh Rong Samloem to Koh Rong), you can buy a transfer ticket with any of the ferry companies above. To give you an idea of price, a transfer ticket from Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong) to Saracen Bay (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Samloem) costs roughly $6 one way.

You can buy your tickets at any of the ferry ticket shops on the islands or at the Serendipity Pier in Sihanoukville. The journey will take approximately 15 minutes (try to make sure that the ticket you buy is direct or the journey may take longer).

You can also hire a private long tail boat (traditional Khmer fishing boat – pictured below) to take you.

A Private Long Tail Fishing Boat Can Take You From Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem (and Vice Versa)

 

A private long tail boat will cost considerably more but can be shared among a group. For example, the boat will cost in the region of $30 to go from Koh Touch to Saracen Bay, $20 to go from Koh Touch to M’Pai Bay, and $60 to go from Koh Touch to Lazy Beach. Please only choose this option if the weather is nice enough for the journey.

Ferry Boat Services to Koh Rong’s Alternative Beaches

If you’re staying on either Sok San Beach, Long Set Beach, Nature Beach, Palm Beach, or Coconut Beach on Koh Rong, or if you’re staying on M’Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem, you can now get there directly by ferry boat.

How to Get to Sok San Village

Both Island Speed Boat Cambodia (3 times per day) and Buva Sea (1 time per day) stop at Sok San Village. The journey will cost roughly $25 return and will take approximately 1 hour. (Sok San Beach Resort also runs a daily ferry service from Sihanoukville to Sok San, but their guests get priority and prices are inflated ($40) for non-guests).

Island Speed Boat Cambodia Timetable:

Sihanoukville to Sok San Village: 9am, 12pm, and 3pm.
Sok San Village to Sihanoukville: 9.30am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm.

Buva Sea Timetable:

Sihanoukville to Sok San Village: 1pm.
Sok San Village to Sihanoukville: 2pm.

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How to Get to Long Set Beach, Nature Beach, Coconut Beach, and Romdoul Beach

Buva Sea and Speed Ferry Cambodia now go directly to Long Set Beach, Nature Beach, and Coconut Beach. Speed Ferry Cambodia also stops at Romdoul Beach. The journey will cost roughly $25 return and will take approximately 45-90 minutes.

Buva Sea Timetable:

Sihanoukville to Long Set Beach / Nature Beach: 8am, 11am, 2pm, and 5pm.
Long Set Beach / Nature Beach to Sihanoukville: 7am, 9.15am, 12.15pm, and 3.15pm.

Speed Ferry Cambodia Timetable:

Sihanoukville to Long Set Beach: 7.30am, 9am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm, and 5pm.
Long Set Beach to Sihanoukville: 10.00am, 12.30pm, and 4pm.

Sihanoukville to Romdoul Beach, Nature Beach, and Coconut Beach: 7.30am, 1.30pm, and 5pm.
Romdoul Beach, Nature Beach, and Coconut Beach to Sihanoukville: 8.15am, 10.15am, and 3.45pm.

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How to Get to Palm Beach and Prek Svay

If you are staying on the northern side of the island at either Palm Beach or Prek Svay, Speed Ferry Cambodia now stops there 3 times a day. The timetable is as follows.

Speed Ferry Cambodia Timetable:

Sihanoukville to Palm Beach / Prek Svay: 7.30am, 1.30pm, and 5pm.
Palm Beach / Prek Svay to Sihanoukville: 8.00am, 10am, and 3.30pm.

How to Get to M’Pai Bay

GTVC Ferry From Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem

 

There are now 4 ferry companies stopping directly at M’Pai Bay – GTVC, Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Boat Cambodia, and Buva Sea.

The 4 ferry companies leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville. A ticket will cost around $25 return and the journey should take 40 minutes – 1 hour depending on whether M’Pai Bay is the first stop.

GTVC Timetable:

Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay: 8am, 11am, 2pm, and 4pm.

Speed Ferry Cambodia Timetable:

Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay: 9am, 11.30am, and 3pm.

Island Speed Boat Cambodia Timetable:

Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay: 9am and 3pm.

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Day Tours of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem

If you would like to see Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem but you have limited time, an organised day tour is a great option – We recommend the (appropriately named) Daily Tour Boat.

The Daily Tour Boat will take you to both of the islands and will give you several hours to explore, relax, and take part in activities (e.g. snorkelling and swimming).

The day tour will start at 9am (finish at 5.30pm) from the Ochheuteal (AKA Serendipity) Pier. Breakfast and Lunch are included, and the price for the Daily Tour Boat is $25 per person.

The Daily Tour boat can be very busy – We strongly recommend you book your tickets in advance and not miss out on the day. You can book your day tour online now here:

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FAQs

Q: How do you travel from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong?

 A: If you want to travel from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong, you can either take a bus, a private taxi, the train, or a flight to Sihanoukville, and then take one of the 5 modern ferry companies from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong.

Q: How do you get to Koh Rong?

 A: To get to Koh Rong, you will first have to get to Sihanoukville. From Sihanoukville, you can take one of the 5 modern ferry companies to Koh Rong – Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Boat Cambodia, Buva Sea, Angkor Speed Ferry, and GTVC. For all the latest information, please read: How to Get to Koh Rong.

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. For all the latest information, please read: Sihanoukville to Koh Rong.

Q: Is Koh Rong expensive?

 A: Like all of the islands, Koh Rong is slightly more expensive than the mainland in Cambodia. However, the prices on Koh Rong are not that bad at all – Koh Rong is an affordable destination for budget backpackers (one can easily survive for 20 dollars per day or less). For all the latest information, please read our Hotel Guide and Beach Guide.

Q: What is the difference between Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem?

 A: The main difference between Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem is that, if you’re looking for a lively party atmosphere, then the main tourist beach on Koh Rong (Koh Touch) is right for you (though there are a couple of party places on Koh Rong Samloem now also). For more information, please read: Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem?

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. For all the latest information, please read: Are there ATMs on Koh Rong?

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: How do I get from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville?

 A: To get from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, you can either take a bus, a private taxi, the train, or a flight. 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 I get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap?

 A: You can get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by either taking 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.

Q: How long is the bus ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap?

 A: A bus ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap will take approximately 6 hours in total and will cost roughly $9-$12. Although companies such as Giant Ibis and Mekong Express used to be the only recommended services a few years ago, there are now several fantastic (and even better) options including Cambodia Post VIP, Larryta Express, Bayon VIP, and Seila Angkor.

Q: How long should you stay 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).

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: Is Cambodia safe to travel?

 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: 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: 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.