Transportation

From the airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the easiest options into town are booking a ride app such as Grab or PassApp, or taking an official airport taxi. Many hotels also offer free or paid pickups, which is the smoothest choice, especially at night. Agree the fare or use the app price rather than negotiating with touts at arrivals. Have your hotel address ready in Khmer, and keep small US dollar notes for the fare.

Cambodia has no metro or extensive urban rail, so getting around cities relies mostly on tuk-tuks, motorbike taxis and ride apps. Phnom Penh has some public city buses, but tourists rarely use them, and Siem Reap is compact enough for tuk-tuks and cycling. Cambodia drives on the right. For sightseeing, hiring a tuk-tuk driver for the day is popular and good value. Use apps like Grab or PassApp to see fair prices and avoid haggling.

Ride-hailing apps make getting around easy and fair: Grab and the local PassApp let you book tuk-tuks, motorbikes and cars at an upfront price, avoiding haggling. Street tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis are everywhere but you must agree the fare before you set off. Metered street taxis are rare. For safety, prefer apps or a driver arranged by your hotel, note the vehicle details, and share your trip. Keep small US dollar notes and riel for cash fares.

Between cities, comfortable long-distance buses and minibuses connect Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and other towns; reputable companies with air-conditioned coaches are the most comfortable. A limited train service links Phnom Penh with the coast and, on some routes, the airport. Roads can be slow and bumpy, and night travel carries more risk, so prefer daytime departures with a trusted operator. Book ahead in peak season and keep your bag with you rather than in an overhead rack.

Cambodia has a small domestic air network, with flights linking Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. The Siem Reap to Phnom Penh hop takes under an hour and can save a long road journey, useful if time is tight. Airlines and schedules change, and delays happen, so book with a bit of buffer and confirm your flight the day before. For most travellers, comfortable buses cover the same routes affordably; choose flights mainly to save time.

Get around Cambodia smoothly with a few habits. Use ride apps like Grab or PassApp for set prices, or agree tuk-tuk fares before you set off. Keep small US dollar notes and some riel for fares and tips. Cross roads slowly and predictably, as traffic flows around you. For sightseeing, hiring a friendly tuk-tuk driver for the day is great value. Prefer daytime intercity travel with trusted bus companies, and keep bags in front of you against snatch theft.