“In Phnom Penh, it seems that the more money you have, the more stairs you have to climb to your home. Ma.”
— Lou Holtz (Football coach)
Ready to conquer another wanderlust from your bucket list? Take off on an enchanting journey from the ancient wisdom of Sien Read to the ever-dazzling ‘Pearl of Asia’.
There’s some kind of magic in the charming kingdom that casts spells on the travelers and makes them admirers of its vibrant atmosphere.
So, whether you are on a solo trip or exploring with a group, this place will reward you with exhilarating waterfalls and incredible wildlife-filled treks.
That is why, In this complete travel guide to Cambodia, I will walk you through literally everything you may want to add to your trip.
On top of that, we will also explore the different ways to explore the major tourist attractions, from the Siem Reap to Phnom Penh bus.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Siem Reap: Temple and Beyond
Siem Reap is the second-largest city in Cambodia and serves as the base for exploring UNESCO’s World Heritage site of Angkor.
The city was the capital of the great Khmer kingdom from the ninth century to the 15th century and still contains their millennium-old temple ruins.
Siem Read is a lively city with delicious street food and vibrant nightlife. It also has some well-preserved colonial buildings, museums, and traditional markets to explore
Things to do in Siem Reap
- Explore the Magnificence of Angkor Wat
- Have a Glimpse of night Life at the Old Market
- Discover the thrilling adventure of Zip lining at Angkor Archaeological Park
- Visit Tonle Sap Lake to see the floating villages of Kompong Phluk.
- And, explore the spiritual center of Bayon.
Fast fact #1
Angkor Wat is the largest and most famous temple built by Suryavarman II during the 12th century. The temple is built for the Hindu gods of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu.
Phnom Penh: Taking Back the Pearl of Asia
Phnom Penh is the chief and capital city of Cambodia, which lies at the confluence of the Basăk, Sab, and Mekong River systems. This vibrant city is known as the pearl of Asia due to its early 20th-century French architecture.
It is not usually a love-at-first-sight kind of city. But its major attractions such as the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, Killing Fields, S21, and Wat Phnom make travelers fall in love with this enchanting place.
Things to do In Phnom Penh
- Discover the breathtaking Khmer architecture of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.
- Witness the epic Apsara and Traditional Khmer Dance.
- Visit the past at the National Museum Of Cambodia.
- Explore the Killing Field and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S21).
- Explore Mekong Island and explore street foods.
Fast fact #2
Phnom Penh was founded in 1434 as the capital of the Khmer kingdom, But it was abandoned several times before being reestablished by King Norodom in 1865.
So, What is the Best Way to Travel from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh?
Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are two major attractions and a must-have in your Cambodian bucket list. Currently, there are 6 different routes you can use to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. This includes transport like buses, vans, taxis, and flights.
Let’s take a look at each of them one by one:
Bus
It is the cheapest yet comforting way to get from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. There are more than 50 bus options available to choose from that will cost an individual $12 to $26.
The bus departure from Siem Reap begins at 6 in the morning and takes approximately 5 to 6 hours to reach its final destination of Phnom Penh.
Van
Traveling by van will cost $20 per ticket, which will be operated by the travel company of Angkor Ebooking.
This is a safe traveling option that often comes with the freedom to customize your journey. The first departure leaves from Siem Reap at 7 in the morning and takes up to 6 hours to commute.
Taxi
Taxis between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh will cost somewhere between $134 to $344 per vehicle. However, it also depends on the departure station and the amount of luggage you carry with you.
The taxis usually host 3 to 10 people, who will further split the bill. It takes 4 to 6 hours to commute, depending on the traffic and how often you need to stop.
Flights
Flights are expensive, yet they offer the most comfortable and quickest commute of all. The commute usually takes 45 to 60 minutes, with ticket prices ranging from $146 and going up to $531 per person.
All the flights depart from SAI Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and arrive at PNH Phnom Penh Airport.
[The above graph explores the statistics of Cambodia’s tourist arrivals]
Bottom Line
Cambodia has always been a major tourist attraction for travel enthusiasts due to its rich culture and Vibrant landscape. The plentiful attractions of this kingdom range from unspoiled beaches and colonial architecture to dense forests and majestic rivers.
Meanwhile, Its roads have seen a phenomenal improvement in the last five years, making getting around the country much easier.
Also Read: 5 Essential Tips to Travel for Seniors
