Travel from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Traveling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh with mr.hotsia's perspective

My journey from Siem Reap to Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh is a unique travel experience I, mr.hotsia, want to share. This time, I chose to travel by bus through rural routes that still preserve the authentic Khmer lifestyle, something you can't find by flying or private car.

After entering Cambodia via Poipet and fully exploring Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, it was time to buy a bus ticket to Phnom Penh. It was very convenient because I booked through an agency at my hotel. Hotels here act as intermediaries selling tickets for various transport companies with a small commission, making ticket and trip arrangements much easier for solo travelers like me.

Route through Kampong Thom: Experience authentic Khmer rural life

The route from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh passes through Kampong Thom province in northern Cambodia. This province is very interesting for those who enjoy traditional rural lifestyles because ox carts are still used to pull goods and travel in some areas instead of cars, and most houses maintain the beautiful traditional Khmer style.

I took a bus from Soraya company, which I recommend remembering because of its good vehicle quality and reliable service. There are 4 departures daily from Siem Reap, with the last leaving at 12:30 PM. The journey takes about 6 hours, with a stop for dinner around 4:30 PM before reaching Phnom Penh.

The afternoon journey was my favorite time because the sun shines from the right side, so I chose to sit on the left to avoid the heat and enjoy beautiful views of the Khmer countryside—horse carts passing by, old houses, and wide rice fields—giving a peaceful feeling and evoking simple rural life.

Arriving in Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital by the Mekong River

Phnom Penh is Cambodia's capital, located by the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, which flow through the city center, giving it a unique charm. I have described in an articlePhnom Penh Travel Information (Phnom Penh 2012)that this city has both tranquility and vibrancy at the same time.

When the bus stopped at Phnom Penh bus station, not far from the accommodation area, I took a tuk-tuk into the city for only 40 baht. The roadside atmosphere on the way to Phnom Penh was full of life, with fresh markets offering food and goods, including roasted duck at the morning market, which I recorded inKhmer Roasted Duck Eating Clip in Phnom Penhthat clearly shows the freshness of Khmer cuisine.

Convenience of Cambodia's transportation system

For travelers like me, buying bus tickets in Cambodia is very easy because most systems sell tickets through agencies at hotels or accommodations, which is more convenient than buying directly at bus stations. They also provide shuttle service from the hotel to the bus station. Although communication in Khmer is not as easy as in neighboring Laos, this ticketing system made my trip much smoother.Read more about Phnom Penh Bus Station

For those wanting to try other routes in Cambodia, I also recommend Soraya Tours because I used their service from Phnom Penh to Takeo and was very impressed. They have multiple daily departures and reliable service.See travel details from Phnom Penh to Takeoin my article

mr.hotsia's personal perspective on Kampong Thom and Phnom Penh

Kampong Thom is a province I plan to revisit on my next trip because I love its traditional and peaceful rural style. Although not a major tourist destination, for those who enjoy simple and natural lifestyles, Kampong Thom is a worthwhile place to explore.

As for Phnom Penh, besides being the capital with a beautiful royal palace and many historical sites such asTuol Sleng, the Khmer Rouge prisonand the Killing Fields, it also has fresh markets full of food and ingredients where you can truly experience local life.Phnom Penh Fresh Market 2013is one of the places I often stroll and try Khmer food.

Khmer food in Phnom Penh is clean, delicious, and affordable

Before coming to Cambodia, I wondered how similar or different Khmer food would be from Thai food. After trying it, I must say it is convenient and surprisingly close in taste to home, especially in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap where both Thai and Khmer dishes are widely available at very reasonable prices.

If you want cheap meals, I recommend trying street rice with curry dishes priced at only 20-30 baht. If you want to taste authentic Khmer food, there are also clean restaurants easy to find here.Read more about Khmer food from my experienceand you will realize that Khmer cuisine's deliciousness rivals any in the world.

Summary of traveling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh with mr.hotsia

For travelers who like simplicity, no rush, and want to experience the real rural life of Cambodia, the bus route from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by Soraya is an excellent choice. It takes about 6 hours with scenic views and a meal break. Sitting on the left side to avoid the afternoon sun is a small tip I want to share.

Upon arriving in Phnom Penh, don't forget to visit important attractions like the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom, and fresh markets with fresh food to taste. You can also continue traveling to other provinces such as Takeo, Kampong Thom, or Sihanoukville conveniently and worthily.

For those interested in more details about travel and attractions in Phnom Penh, you can click to readPhnom Penh Bus StationandPhnom Penh Travel Information (Phnom Penh 2012)from my real experience as mr.hotsia.