Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is about 314 km along National Road 6. The usual way to go is a day bus, which takes 5½–7 hours and costs about $10–20 with operators such as Giant Ibis, Mekong Express or Larryta. A private car takes 4½–5½ hours and costs roughly $45–120 per vehicle. The flight takes about 45 minutes, but Siem Reap’s new airport is 40–50 km from town, so door to door it saves less time than you might expect. A seasonal boat runs on the Tonle Sap when water levels allow.
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: quick comparison
| Option | Time | Typical price (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day bus | 5½–7 hours | About $10–20 | Most travelers; best value |
| Night sleeper bus | 6–6½ hours | About $14–20 | Saving a night’s accommodation |
| Private car or taxi | 4½–5½ hours | About $45–120 per vehicle | Groups, families, stops on the way |
| Flight | About 45 minutes in the air; 3½–4½ hours door to door | Often from about $70, more at short notice | Travelers short on time or connecting to international flights |
| Boat on the Tonle Sap | 6–8 hours | Around $35–45 | Scenery, if it is running |
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How to get to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh?
For most people the answer is a daytime bus with a reputable company. It is cheap, it drops you in central Siem Reap, and the journey is long but straightforward. Choose a private car if you are three or more people or want to stop at the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk on the way. Fly only if you are short on time, already near the airport, or connecting to an international flight in Siem Reap.
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by bus
Several companies run frequent buses on National Road 6, mostly from their own offices or stations in central Phnom Penh to their offices in Siem Reap. Buses stop every 1½–2 hours for toilets and food, usually including a longer break around Kampong Thom, so do not count on an on-board toilet.
| Operator | Type | Indicative fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Ibis | VIP and luxury day buses, night sleeper | About $15–18 | Popular with foreign travelers; day departures from about 07:45 to 14:30, sleepers around 22:30–23:00 |
| Mekong Express | VIP | About $13–16 | Long-established operator |
| Larryta Express | Standard, VIP and minivans | About $11–15 | Frequent departures |
| Virak Buntham | Night sleeper | About $14–20 | Known for sleeper buses |
| Cambodia Post | VIP | About $14–17 | Also runs Siem Reap airport shuttles |
- Book a day or two ahead in high season (November to February) and around Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and the Water Festival.
- Check the drop-off point. Most companies stop at their own office in Siem Reap, a short tuk-tuk ride from your hotel; some offer free hotel transfers.
- Day buses are the safer choice. Night travel on Cambodian roads carries more accident risk, so take the sleeper only with an established company.
- Keep valuables with you rather than in the luggage hold or overhead racks.
How much does a taxi cost from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap?
A private car or taxi usually costs about $45–120 per vehicle, depending on the size of the car, whether you book through a hotel, an agency or a transfer site, and how much you negotiate. The drive takes 4½–5½ hours. A car is worth it for three or four people, and it lets you stop at Sambor Prei Kuk or the spider market at Skun. Agree the price, the stops and whether tolls and fuel are included before you leave, and ask for a daytime departure.
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by plane
Domestic flights connect Phnom Penh’s Techo International Airport (KTI) with Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI). Several daily flights are operated by Cambodian carriers including Cambodia Angkor Air, Air Cambodia and Cambodia Airways, and the flight takes about 40–45 minutes. Fares often start around $70 one way and climb at short notice and in peak season.
The catch is ground time. Both airports are well outside their cities, and you need to be at the airport about an hour before departure. Once you add the transfers, door to door the flight usually takes 3½–4½ hours, against 6–7 hours by bus, at several times the price.
Getting from Siem Reap airport (SAI) to town
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport opened in 2023, about 40–50 km east of town, roughly 50–75 minutes by road. Your options on arrival:
- Airport shuttle bus: about $8–9 per person, several departures a day, dropping in central Siem Reap.
- Official private car: about $35 per vehicle for up to seven people; vans for larger groups.
- Pre-booked taxi or ride-hailing (Grab, PassApp): usually about $25–35 per car.
Check the time of the last shuttle if you land in the evening, and remember that some hotels include airport pickup in the room rate.
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by boat
Fast boats travel up the Tonle Sap river and across the Tonle Sap lake from Phnom Penh to the Chong Khneas area near Siem Reap. The trip takes about 6–8 hours and is mainly worth it for the river scenery. Service is seasonal and depends on water levels, which are highest at the end of the rainy season and into the early dry season; in the low-water months boats may not run at all or may involve transfers. Boats can be cramped, and the last stretch to town is by road. Check whether the boat is operating and what is included before you plan around it.
Is there a train from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap?
No. Cambodia’s railway runs from Phnom Penh to Battambang and to the south coast, but not to Siem Reap. You could take the slow train to Battambang and continue by bus, but it takes much longer than a direct bus and only makes sense if you want to visit Battambang anyway.
Where to stop between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
If you travel by private car, two stops are worth considering. Skun, about an hour north of Phnom Penh, is known for its roadside stalls selling fried tarantulas and other insects. Halfway along the route, Sambor Prei Kuk, near Kampong Thom, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with brick temples from the 7th century, predating Angkor. Adding it takes about 2–3 hours including the detour.
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
The return trip works the same way, with similar fares and journey times. Day buses leave Siem Reap from early morning to mid-afternoon, and sleeper buses leave around 22:00–22:30. If you are flying out of Phnom Penh, allow plenty of time: the bus arrives in the city centre, and Techo airport is a further drive away.
Is it better to go to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh?
Most visitors go to both. Siem Reap is the base for Angkor Wat and the Angkor temples, and it is the more relaxed, tourist-friendly town, with Pub Street, markets and good hotels at every price. Phnom Penh is the capital: busier and more chaotic, with the Royal Palace, the National Museum, the riverside and the sobering Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek killing fields. If you only have time for one, choose Siem Reap for the temples. See our guide to Angkor Wat tickets before you go.
What is the nicest city in Cambodia?
Siem Reap is usually rated the most pleasant city for visitors, thanks to Angkor and its compact, walkable centre. Battambang is a quieter alternative with French colonial architecture and countryside around it, and the small riverside town of Kampot, near Kep and the coast, is popular for a slower pace.
How many days in Siem Reap is enough?
Three days is enough for most people: two days at the main Angkor temples and one for outer temples such as Banteay Srei or Beng Mealea, the Tonle Sap floating villages or a rest day. Temple enthusiasts can easily use a 7-day pass. With only two days, focus on Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm.
How many days in Phnom Penh is enough?
Two days covers the main sights: one day for the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum and riverside, and one for Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek. Add a third day if you want to explore markets, cafés and the islands of the Mekong.
What is the best month to go to Siem Reap?
December and January are the most comfortable months, with dry weather and the lowest temperatures, though they are also the busiest. November and February are almost as good. Read our guide to the best time to visit Cambodia for weather by month.
Can I wear shorts in Angkor Wat?
Not at the main temples. Visitors must cover their shoulders and knees, so wear trousers, a long skirt or knee-length shorts plus a T-shirt rather than a vest. Staff can refuse entry to the upper levels of Angkor Wat and other temples if you are not dressed appropriately.
Where to avoid in Cambodia?
Several governments advise avoiding the area along the border with Thailand because of the armed conflict that began in 2025, and land crossings to Thailand have been disrupted. Siem Reap, Angkor and Phnom Penh are not in these zones, and the Phnom Penh–Siem Reap road runs well inside the country. Also be wary of unsolicited job offers in Cambodia, which can be linked to scam compounds. Read our guide to whether Cambodia is safe for details.
Planning your budget? See how much a trip to Cambodia costs and our Cambodia currency guide, or compare hotels in Siem Reap on Booking.com.
FAQ
How far is Siem Reap from Phnom Penh?
About 314 km by road on National Road 6, or roughly 240 km in a straight line.
What is the cheapest way from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap?
A standard day bus, from about $10.
Is the night bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap safe?
Established operators run sleeper buses every night, but road accidents are more likely after dark. If you take one, choose a well-known company, keep valuables with you, and expect to arrive around 05:00.
Can I go from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap as a day trip?
It is possible by flying, or with an overnight bus and a long day, but it is rushed. Angkor deserves at least two nights in Siem Reap.
