Getting to Sihanoukville and Southern Cambodia   

Phnom Penh and Koh Kong are the primary gateways to Sihanoukville and southern Cambodia. From Phnom Penh, most people travel by bus, taxi or motorcycle to one or more of the most popular southern cities - Sihanoukville, Kampot and Kep. There are several daily buses between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville Kampot and Kep. And Cambodia Angkor Air now offers direct Sihanoukville-Siem Reap flights. Check with a travel agent for the current flight schedule.

The international border crossings at 1) Had Lek, Thailand/Koh Kong, Cambodia; 2) Xaxia, Vietnam/Prek Chak, Cambodia ('Ha Tien') and; 3) Tinh Bien, Vietnam/Phnom Den, Cambodia all allow international overland access to southern Cambodia. The Had Lek/Koh Kong crossing allows easiest access to Sihanoukville as it is a long-established crossing and regular bus service between Sihanoukville and Koh Kong are also well established. The Prek Chak (Ha Tien) crossing with Vietnam is open and allows direct and easy access between Kampot/Kep and Vietnam. See the Overland Border Crossing page for details about overland travel from Thailand and Vietnam to Sihanoukville and southern Cambodia..

Phnom Penh to/from Sihanoukville

Bus

Most visitors to Sihanoukville travel from Phnom Penh by bus or taxi. Several different bus companies run multiple daily a/c buses to/from Phnom Penh. Sihanoukville can also be approached by road from Kampot town, and by daily coastal ferry and by road from Koh Kong city. Though currently not the usual point of entry for most visitors, the Port of Sihanoukville is an international gateway and visas are available for cruise ship passengers and other international arrivals at the Port on prior arrangement.

Phnom Penh Sorya Transport
PP to SHV : 7:00, 8:00, 9:30, 11:30, 14:30, 17:45
SHV to PP : 7:10, 8:00, 9:00, 10:20, 12:15, 13:20, 14:00, 15:30,17:30
Full-size a/c buses - 18,000R - 20,000R/pax.
Phnom Penh Station: Near the Central Market.


Capitol Guesthouse
PP to SHV : 7:15, 8:45, 9:45, 11:15, 12:15 13:30, 14:30
SHV to PP : 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:00, 15:30, 17:30
Full-size a/c buses - 18,000R - 20,000R/pax.
Phnom Penh Station: Capitol Guesthouse, corner of Streets 107 and 182.

Taxi 

Share taxi: Shared taxis offer a cramped and harrowing 2½-3½-hour ride with seven or more people stuffed in a compact car. 35,000R/person.
Private taxi: Private taxis run about $55 - $60. In Phnom Penh, Sihanouk Ville bound taxis wait at the southwest corner of the Central Market (Phsar Thmey). In Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh bound taxies can be found at the downtown bus and taxi station on Street 118. 

Motorcycle

Driving/Motorcycling to Sihanouk Ville

It is a 230 km, 4-5 hour trip on Route #4. Most rent 250cc bikes for the trip. Leaving Phnom Penh, follow Airport Road south past the airport and out of town. At the well marked Route #3/#4 fork just east of Phnom Penh (Chum Chao), bear right. National Route #4 to Sihanouk Ville is a toll road with toll booths located near the beginning, middle and end. The toll is nominal, less than $1 at each booth for most vehicles. Route #4 is a paved and smooth, fast, easy and a relatively dangerous. Speeding taxis and reckless lorries are the norm. Passing courtesy is rare. Slow down through villages, watch for errant cows and dogs and oblivious children on the road. If you ride, by all means wear a helmet and bear in mind that medical help and rescue is non-existent in the countryside. Stop for a refreshment break at one of the many road side restaurants just south of the Pich Nil pass near the half way point. Just north of the restaurants, on top of the pass, there are dozens of spirits houses and shrines dedicated to Buddha and local deity Ya-Mao. It’s a good photo opportunity and they say it’s good luck to burn a few joss sticks, leave a small donation and a hand of bananas.

Kampot/Kep to/from Sihanoukville

From Sihanoukville, travel north on National Route #4 to Veal Renh (43km). Turn east on Route #3 to Kampot. Route #3 and #4 are both paved and in good condition. 1½ - 2 hours, 110km total. Currently none of the larger bus companies offer service between Kampot and Sihanoukville. Most travel by taxi and guesthouse mini-bus.

Bus Service There are no full sizes buses running between Kampot and Sihanoukville. Some tour operators and guesthouses run daily mini-bus service

Taxis In Sihanoukville, taxis can be found opposite the market (Phsar Leu) and at the downtown bus and taxi station. In Kampot, taxis wait at the taxi stand. Taxi price, $4-$5/person for shared taxi and $20 - $25 for a private taxi.
 

Koh Kong to/from Sihanoukville 

From Sihanoukville you can travel to/from Koh Kong City by road or daily coastal ferry. The road trip to/from both Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh follows Route #48 from Koh Kong through the picturesque Cardamom Mountains, which, after several years of construction, is now complete and in excellent condition. Route #48 connects to National Route #4 which leads north to Phnom Penh and south to Sihanouk Ville.

Bus

Several bus companies bus companies offer direct daily bus service between Koh Kong and Sihanouk Ville using full size a/c buses for $6-$10/person. About 4 -5 hours duration. In Koh Kong the bus offices are located on Street 3 in the center of town.

Taxis

40,000R/person for a share taxi or $60 for a private taxi

Thailand to/from Sihanoukville

The Had Lek/Koh Kong Border crossing (officially the Cham Yeam Crossing) is the only Thai border crossing allowing easy access to the southern coast of Cambodia and Sihanoukville. Both Cambodian and Thai visas are available on arrival at the border. This border crossing has been open to international travelers since 1998 and is fairly busy, with plenty of onward transportation available on both sides. To get to Sihanoukville from Thailand travelers enter Cambodia at Had Lek/Koh Kong and then travel from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville by bus. See the overland international border crossing page for detailed information on travel from Thailand to Sihanoukville via the Had Lek/Koh Kong crossing. Also see above for travel from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville.

Vietnam to/from Sihanoukville

Using the Had Lek/Koh Kong crossing with Thailand in the west and the Prek Chak crossing with Vietnam in the east, overland travelers can now beach hop across Indochina from Vietnam, through Cambodia and into Thailand without ever having to leave the coastal roads. To travel from Sihanoukville to Vietnam, first travel to Kampot. See details above. The road is good and the trip takes about 2 hours from by taxi. Then travel from Kampot to the Ha Tien crossing, by motodup or tuk-tuk. Most of the road is in good condition, requiring about an hour to make the trip. See the overland international border crossing page and the Kampot page for more details on the Ha Tien border crossing and travel between Kampot and Sihanoukville.

Siem Reap Angkor to/from Sihanoukville

Cambodia Angkor Air offers direct Sihanoukville-Siem Reap flights. Check with a travel agent for the current flight schedule. The only regular overland transportation between Siem Reap and Sihanouk Ville goes via Phnom Penh. If you leave early you can make the full trip in a long day, about 9-10 hours. From Sihanouk Ville bus or taxi the 4 hour ride to Phnom Penh then fly, bus, taxi or ferry from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. There are several daily flights and buses from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Check with your travel agent or at the bus company at the bus station for the current schedule.

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Orientation and Arrival in Sihanoukville

The Sihanoukville town area is spread thinly across a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by beaches, with a downtown area near the center of the peninsula a couple of kilometers from the beaches. If you are arriving in town by bus or taxi, you’ll be dropped off at the bus stop downtown. If you’re coming from Koh Kong by ferry you’ll disembark at the ferry dock north of town. There are always dozens of motorcycle taxis (motodups) and a few car taxis waiting for new arrivals. Some guesthouses and hotels offer a free shuttle for pre-booked guests. Look for a placard displaying your name. Motodup prices to the various parts of town are posted on the wall at the bus stop. Car taxis cost $6-$7 from the bus stop to almost anywhere in town. Bear in mind that with rising fuel costs, prices may vary slightly.

Touts will try to direct you to commission paying hotels. Do not believe stories that the hotel you want to go to is “dangerous, damaged, dirty, closed,” etc. Insist on being taken directly to your requested hotel.

Hotels, guesthouses and restaurants can be found across the entire peninsula, but many are concentrated into three areas: 1) The Downtown Area, about 5 minutes from the beaches by moto taxi. All regular tourist services are available including several mid-range hotels, budget guesthouses, lots of restaurants and bars, the main market, convenience stores, banks, and the bus/taxi stands. Many of the downtown hotels are within walking distance of the bus stop. Motodup from the bus stop to downtown: 3000-4000R; from the ferry dock to downtown: $1.50-$2.00; 2) Ochheuteal and ‘Serendipity’ Beaches offers a variety of mid-range and budget hotels, guesthouses and bungalows as well as restaurants and bars. ‘Serendipity Beach’ at the northern end of Ochheuteal is the only beach in Sihanouk Ville with selection of rooms and bungalows right on the sand. Motodup from the bus stop to Ochheuteal: 3000-5000R; from the ferry dock to Ochheuteal: $1.50-$2.50; 3) Weather Station Hill (Victory Hill), above Victory Beach, has long been popular with budget travelers for its hilltop budget guesthouses, bungalows, restaurants and bars. Motodup from the bus stop the Hill: 3000-5000R; from the ferry dock the Hill: 3000R-5000R.

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Getting Around Sihanoukville

Motorcycle Taxi (motodup, moto) are ubiquitous throughout Cambodia Just step up to the roadside and they will find you. Though “one dollar” is always the first price, motodup drivers expect foreigners to pay 2000-4000R for short hops in town, and 3000R - 5000R from town to the beaches. (More from the bus station. See page 7 arrival prices.) Prices go up for multiple passengers and at night. Settle on a price and destination before taking the ride. To protect against bag snatching, keep your bag between you and the driver or in front of the driver.

Moto-romauk (‘tuk-tuk,’ moto-trailer)

Cambodian ‘tuk-tuks’ - more properly referred to by the Khmer ‘moto-romork’ - are two and four passenger covered trailers pulled by a motorcycle, quite unlike the noisy two-stroke tuk-tuks common in Thailand. Travel by tuk-tuk is more comfortable than a motodup and the covered, semi-enclosed trailer offers some protection from sun and rain. On the downside, tuk-tuks are slower and more expensive and aren’t very good on rough roads. On average tuks tuks charge about twice as much as a motodup.

Motorcycle Rental

Tourists are able to rent and ride motorcycles. Over the years there have been a couple of official bans on renting motorcycles, but it is not in force at this time. Still, the traffic police seem to be taking a particular interest in tourists on rental motos, so make sure to obey the traffic laws. Seems everybody is renting motorcycles these days - guesthouses, tour agents, restaurants, even bars. 100cc bikes run $5-$6/day. There is a helmet law and it is enforced so make sure to get a helmet with your rental. Most rental places require a passport as security. Always lock your motorcycle or leave it in guarded parking. Motorcycle theft is not uncommon.

Car Rental Car rental (with or w/o driver) can be arranged through your hotel or travel agent in Sihanouk Ville. Taxis at the bus station are available for private hire. Cars/taxis cost around $25-$30/day with driver. They can also be hired for short jaunts in town ($4-$6) and specific trips such as sunset mountain ($10) the waterfalls ($20) or Ream ($20).

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Travel Agents and Tour Operators in Sihanoukville

Ana Travel Agency

Air ticketing specialists. Bus, boat, taxi and tours arranged to Kampot, Kep, Bokor, Ream, waterfalls and islands. Full visa services. Flight change and reconfirmation. Island bungalow booking. Western management.

Located on the Serendipity Beach Road, next to the Beach Road Hotel, Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

Visa/MC
Tel: +(855)(0)34-933729

      +(855)(0)12-915301

      +(855)(0)16-499915
Website: www.anainternet.com 

Cool Banana Travel & Tours

Travel and tour agent. Air, bus and ferry tickets. Motorcycles, bicycles, cars, jeep, vans for rent. Tour arrangements - Bokor, Island trips, National Parks, fishing, etc. Visa services. Good seafood restaurant. In front of Big Easy Bungalows, Restaurant and Pub on the road to Serendipity Beach.

Located in front of The Big Easy Bungalows, Serendipity Beach Road, , Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

Tel: +(855)(0)16-688384

      +(855)(0)12-941900

Website: www.coolbananatour.com

Dolphin Travel & Tour Services

Full travel services: air, bus, boat ticketing. Hotel reservations. Local tours, boat and island trips, national park. Motorcycle rental. Visas.

Tel: +(855)(0)17-788372

      +(855)(0)16-793721
E-mail: looking4noeun@yahoo.com

EcoSea Dive

Daily boat transfers. snorkeling / diving trips to Koh Rong Samloem departing from the port. Starting from 15$ and day trips (including boat transfer, lunch, swimming and snorkeling) from 25$. Overnight stay available on the island. Office on the road to Serendipity Beach next to Utopia.

Tel: +(855)(0)34-934631

      +(855)(0)12-606646

E-mail: www.ecoseadive.com

Eco-Tours

Offering boat cruises and island trips - Daily boat trip, 9AM-6PM (breakfast, lunch, soft drinks, limited beer inclusive.) Day tours to Bokor Mountain 2/wk, Thurs and Sunday, departing at 9AM. (breakfast, lunch, soft drinks, limited beer inclusive.)

Tel: +(855)(0)81-474647
 

Koh Rong Dive Center/Koh Rong Island Travel

Twice daily ferry to/from Koh Rong Island ($9.50 return.) Diving tours and excursions. Accommodations on Koh Rong. Car and bike rental. Bus tickets. Flights. Visas.

Located near the Golden Lions.

Tel: +(855)(0)34-934744

Website: www.kohrong-islandtravel.com

Mottah Cambodia Travel  

Travel and tour agent. Air, bus and ferry tickets. Hotel reservations. Transportation of all sorts, bicycles, cars, vans. Tour arrangements - Bokor, island trips, National Parks, fishing, etc. Cargo services. Visa services. Currency/T/C exchange.

Visa/MC/JCB
Downtown on Ekareach St., Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

Tel: +(855)(0)12-996604
E-mail: info_mottah@yahoo.com
Website: www.mottah.com

Prey Nup Mangrove Ecosystem Discovery

Prey Nup Mangrove Ecosystem Discovery has recently begun running tours to a large mangrove forest preserve at oceans edge in Prey Nup district north of Sihanouk Ville town, offering a unique look at a delicate and endangered ecosystem. Excellent bird watching opportunities. Species sighting include Painted and Milky Storks, Kingfishers, Kites and Egrets. Guided eco-tours of the forest by kayak and from an observation station. Day trips and overnight trips can be arranged. Advanced booking essential.

Tel: +(855)(0)12-812087

Website: www.preynupmangrove.com
 

Ravuth Travel

Island/party day trips (3-islands), ferry to islands, bus and boat tickets, visas. Two locations: Otres Beach and Serendipity Beach.

Tel: +(855)(0)12-541415

Website: www.servicestravel.info

Sea Dragon Travel

Full service tour and travel. Boat, bus tickets. Motorcycles. Tours: Ream NP, boat/island/fishing, visa services. Ochheuteal Street, Tourist Police office.

Tel: +(855)(0)17-288890

      +(855)(0)67-288890

Sokun Travel & Tours Ltd.

Air, bus, boat ticketing. Hotel reservations. Local tours, boat and island trips, national park. Motorcycle rental. Visas.

Located on the road to Serendipity Beach.

Tel: +(855)(0)34-933791

      +(855)(0)12-965079

      +(855)(0)12-218738

Fax: +(855)(0)34-933781

E-mail: sokuntravel@camintel.com

Sunshine Boat Trip

Boat trips/excursions departing off of Otres Beach. Pleasure trips, island trips, touring. Full day trip to the islands, swimming, snorkeling, breakfast included for $12-$15. Nighttime fishing excursions for $30-$50. Contact Sunshine Cafe on Otres.

Tel: +(855)(0)12-828432

Website: www.sunshineboattrip.com