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Home  >  Cambodia • Trip Reports  >  Driving from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
CambodiaTrip Reports

Driving from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Matthew Klint Posted onApril 6, 2017April 6, 2017 12 Comments

Although we considered flying on Cambodia Angor Air for the 146-mile flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, we opted to travel by taxi. It was about 1/4 the price of flying and we figured it would be an interesting experience.

The previous evening in Phnom Penh rain had poured down like nothing I had ever seen. Or perhaps I had just never seen sewers so inadequate. The rain was part of the storm system that led to the scariest flight of my life. As we walked out of the airport and hopped into a taxi to get to our hotel, I found myself literally knee-deep in water. Good thing I always wears pants instead of shorts.

As we drove the short distance to our hotel, it literally felt like we were on a boat. Water was deep and though we saw a few cars stalled, most seemed to get right through it.

The following morning after witnessing Pol Pot’s inhumanity in Cambodia, we took off for Siem Reap.

Here’s some pictures from the journey, most from the outskirts of Phnom Penh–

Drive to Siem Reap - 1

Drive to Siem Reap - 2

Drive to Siem Reap - 3

Drive to Siem Reap - 5

Drive to Siem Reap - 6

Drive to Siem Reap - 7

Drive to Siem Reap - 8

Drive to Siem Reap - 9

Drive to Siem Reap - 10

Drive to Siem Reap - 11

Drive to Siem Reap - 12

Drive to Siem Reap - 13

Drive to Siem Reap - 14

Drive to Siem Reap - 15

Drive to Siem Reap - 16

Drive to Siem Reap - 17

A few tidbits from the journey:

  • The drive took seven hours, even though GPS indicated a roughly five hour journey
  • Many of the roads were dirt but none were flooded (severely)
  • We stopped at a little restaurant halfway through for lunch. Almost everything on the menu was not available, but we had a pho-like dish
  • We hired the taxi from our hotel, at a cost of $80USD, a 1984 Mercedes E-Class
  • I won’t recommend the driver or provide his contact info since he tried to rip us off for about double the money upon reaching Siem Reap
  • Once you get out of Siem Reap, you do run into smaller villages but is is mostly flat fields

CONCLUSION

The journey was interesting and I do not regret driving over flying, but be prepared for a full day. The roads are not paved well, so also be prepared for a bumpy ride!


Read More of my Star Alliance Business Class Adventure in Europe and Asia trip report:

Introduction: Star Alliance Business Class Adventure in Europe and Asia
Review: LOT 787 Business Class Chicago to Warsaw
Chocolate Muesli Hits the Spot in Lufthansa Business Class
Impressive! How EVA Handled Our Delayed Flight
Review: EVA “Royal Laurel” 777 Business Class from Amsterdam to Taipei
Hotel Review: Grand Hyatt Taipei
Review: AirAsia X Economy Class from Taipei to Kuala Lumpur
Review: Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
Recalling the Scariest Flight of My Life
Two Great Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur
Review: Malaysia Airlines Regional Golden Lounge KUL
Witnessing Pol Pot’s Inhumanity in Cambodia

Previous Article A More Civil Discussion on Children in Lounges
Next Article Lufthansa Flight Diverts Due to Unruly Business Class Passenger

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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12 Comments

  1. FabinhoBP Reply
    April 6, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    Hi Mathew, my wife and I have a 10 day trip to Cambodja and Vietnam next February.
    So far I have only booked our flights to Phnon Penh and returning from Hanoi. I would appreciate if you could give us suggestions to choose the right places and things to do on both countries.

  2. Dennis Reply
    April 6, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    I traveled from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh sailing the massive Tonle Sap lake on an “express boat”. Because it was rainy season, the lake was at its widest and our journey took 6 hours! We had a great introduction into Cambodian rural life, especially as we saw a very interesting floating village.

  3. Ryan Reply
    April 6, 2017 at 8:51 pm

    Uhhhh yeah.. I would have spent $240.. oops $1000 to not travel in a 1984 vehicle across 146 miles in cambodia with a stranger.

  4. FlyingDoctorWu Reply
    April 6, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    We took a van from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh in 2004… our original plan was to take the sailing via the Tonle Sap but the water levels were too low…

  5. Rupert Reply
    April 6, 2017 at 10:21 pm

    I’d take the plane or boat any day, especially during rainy season. The dirt roads can get washed out and you’ll take a lot longer! It’s also a lot safer and more comfortable…
    A Korean-owned started flights between the tourist destinations at fares a few bucks more than a car…

  6. MeanMeosh Reply
    April 6, 2017 at 10:55 pm

    I read “driving” and thought you were crazy enough to rent a car and drive yourself…

    Consider that an important lesson when traveling by road in India or much of SE Asia – GPS time estimates just aren’t very accurate, especially during rainy season. Washed out roads and traffic jams even in smaller towns make things challenging. I usually increase what the GPS says by 30-50%.

  7. Christian Reply
    April 6, 2017 at 11:11 pm

    Aren’t taxi scams pretty common there?

  8. Donald Reply
    April 7, 2017 at 12:03 am

    Taking the river route is much more beautiful and serene.

  9. Chris Reply
    April 7, 2017 at 5:15 am

    Took a Giant Ibis bus recently from PP to SR – safe & comfortable incl. free wifi, less than 6 hours (incl. lunch & additional restroom break) on fully paved national route (N6 IIRC), about 20 bucks

    • Matthew Reply
      April 7, 2017 at 6:20 am

      Good deal. I was advised busses were a terrible option, but will take a look again next time…

  10. Sean Reply
    April 7, 2017 at 10:05 am

    We took a taxi the opposite direction for $60 USD and the driver was AMAZING! Literally one of the highlights of our trip was the time with him talking about the nation’s history, politics, his family and more, The restaurant we stopped at was delicious and normally priced for Cambodia.

    We didn’t go through out hotel though, but rather asked our tuk tuk driver in Siem Reap for a recommendation. The car was a nice Toyota Camry that was clean and stocked with water. We ended up inviting him to stay at our hotel after he pointed out that we had time to do some activities around Phnom Penh before our flight left (we were allowing too big a buffer for the small Phnom Penh airport) and offered to take us around. He didn’t ask for more, but we definitely tipped appropriately.

    His name is Khen and he can be reached at angkortaxiservice@gmail.com. We give it to all our friends who travel to Cambodia and none have had any negative experiences,

  11. Jeff Brodsky Reply
    April 8, 2017 at 11:31 am

    I took the Giant Bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. It was the same 6 hours. The bus had Wifi the entire way. The cost of a seat? $15. I bought 2 seats for $30… As a result was very comfortable. High off the ground in the big modern bus so nice views of the countryside. Stopped (probably at the same restaurant half way). Had a delicious cheeseburger. I’d do it again that way in a heartbeat.

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