How To Get From Siem Reap To Sihanoukville (Or Vice Versa)

Cambodia

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A lot of tourists never venture far from Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples, but Cambodia has so much more to offer than this one singular experience!

We really wanted to explore various different regions of Cambodia, together with throwing in a nice dose of relaxation! 

We chose to spend the end of our holiday at Koh Rong Samloem Island and Otres Beach, to do just that!  A perfect way to finish off a great holiday! 

If you want to travel from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville (or vice versa), you have several modes of transport options to choose from: including bus, plane, taxi, and even mini-bus.

How Far is Sihanoukville from Siem Reap?

The distance from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville is around 532km (350 miles) by road.  It is due to this long-distance transfer (10-15 hours by road) that a lot of travelers choose not to travel to Sihanoukville at all. 

Airport-to-Siem-Reap-Airport-Photo

However, if you build in a few other destinations (such as Kampot and Kep) into your trip to the South of Cambodia, the effort to reach this destination will be well worth it! 

So if you are wondering how to travel from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap, we will outline the various options and hopefully make it easy for you to choose the one that suits you best!

 

Quick Guide: Best Ways How to Get From Siem Reap to Sihanoukville

After a quick list of the top 3 ways to travel from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. Here are our top picks:

Quickest
Plane from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville

BY PLANE

  • The flight takes 1 hour
  • Very affordable (avg price $130 USD)
  • Cost getting to airport & you have to wait around at the airport for a flight
Most Expensive
The Stanley Hotel Athens, Greece, roof top pool with views, square image

BY TAXI

  • Takes approx 10 hours
  • Freedom to stop when and as often as you want – great for sightseeing
  • Can be costly (avg price $150 USD) and drivers may not drive safely
Check Availability
CHEAPEST
Travel by Bus or Mini Bus

BY BUS

  • Takes approx 11+ hours
  • Most cost-effective (avg price $25 USD)
  • Scheduled stops so may miss sights; drivers may not drive safely

How to Get From Siem Reap to Sihanoukville (or vice versa

Below are our detailed guides on how to travel from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap.

We have outlined the various options and to make it easy for you to choose the one that suits you best!

1. Flights from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville (or vice versa)

It is no surprise that choosing to fly from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap (or vice versa) is by far the easiest and it actually even happens to be cheaper than the taxi option!  

For us, choosing between a flight of slightly less than an hour, compared to a 10+ hour journey by road was a no-brainer!  Traveling with young kids in tow, and I was in my second trimester of pregnancy, I can vouch for the ease of choosing the flight option, and I believe it is worth every dollar!

Currently, there are two different airlines offering affordable flights from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville.   Both domestic airports are pretty small. 

I think we went through the whole check-in and baggage scan process in about 10 min at Siem Reap.  Sihanoukville airport is even smaller as you can see in the picture below!

One thing I should point out is that whilst you can get some basic quick food at Siem Reap domestic airport, your choices at Sihanoukville are pretty limited to a muffin or two, a croissant, or some sandwiches, so I would recommend eating prior to arriving at the airport!

Cambodia Angkor Air

We chose to fly with Cambodia Angkor Air. This airline has the best reputation out of the airlines you get to choose from, the reviews I read all mentioned that it is the safest flight option as well. 

We had a really smooth flying experience. No complaints, the plane was on time, no issues at all. 

The typical plane for this flight is the propeller-style plane. It is important to note that your overhead compartment to store your carry-on will most likely be smaller than normal (our bag could not fit in there at all), so think about what you can book in instead!

Tickets can be purchased online: US$80 – US$130 (flight) + taxes. This includes booked baggage of 20kg. 

There is generally only one flight a day from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville, and then a flight back from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap.  So a choice of times will be limited.

>>>Click here to check prices on Baolau (we use this company for all our plane and bus tickets for travels in Cambodia!)

Cambodia Bayon Airlines

Banyon Airlines is a newer airline that also offers flights at similar pricing to Cambodia Angkor Air.  It is worth comparing prices and flight times.

Check prices on Baolau for flights form Siem Rap to Sihanhoukville

We use this company for all our plane and bus tickets for travels in Cambodia.


2. Mini Bus or Bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville (or vice versa)

Another option is to travel by bus from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap (or vice versa). Whilst we did not use the bus services on this trip, we did give bus travel a tester on a journey from Phnom Penh to Kep later in our holiday.

Unfortunately, your choice of a direct bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville is very limited. 

Getting from Hanoi to Sapa - Bus Hanoi to Sapa

If you would like to have a direct transfer, your only option is the night bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville and unfortunately, the company you need to book with, Virak Buntham, has a dreadful reputation for lying to travelers, as well as being incredibly unsafe drivers too. So I wouldn’t recommend them!

That leaves you with the option of having to go via Phnom Penh which doesn’t just add time to your journey but also a potential complete bus swap altogether.

Mekong Express

Costs: US$25 (Ticket)

Where to purchase a ticket:  You can purchase tickets easily from any tour company around the city, and your hotel will be able to help you out with organizing tickets too.

A really handy site BookMeBus.com allows you to simply just do it all online yourself! Nice and easy!

  • Duration: 11 hours
  • Departure times from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville:  Departure 7 am, arrival 6 pm.
  • Departure times from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap: Departure 7:30 am and arrival 6:30 pm

Another great option is Giant Ibis who has a great reputation! But you would need to book two tickets, one to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and one to get from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. 

Again you can simply use BookMeBus.com to sort out your own tickets.


3. Taxi from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville (and vice versa)

Another choice of travel from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap is via taxi!  I’m not sure that I would be keen to sit in a taxi for 10+ hours, however, this option might mean that you can work in a few stops where you want! 

Another benefit to a taxi over a bus is that you can ask them to stop whenever you need to have a toilet break!

Siem-Reap-to-Phnom-Penh-Taxi

A taxi from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville will generally take around 10 hours to get from point A to point B.  

Taxi’s (can fit 4 passengers) costs around $150 for the journey, do make sure you arrange a set price before you hop into your taxi!

They cost around $250, so best to negotiate your price before you leave.

Van Taxi’s (can sit up to 15 passengers) are more suitable for families or those with more baggage. Don’t assume that they all have seatbelts though. 

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Best Way to Travel from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap

I honestly personally would pay the extra money and simply hop on a plane for this leg of the journey! 

Usually I love ground travel, but 10-15 hours is a long time out of your holidays to simply get from point A to B.  

But above all else, make sure you avoid taking the night bus option!  Your safety is important, as well as your comfort, if you can afford the plane ticket, do it I say!

Have an awesome time on your holiday!!

Which means of travel do you prefer when traveling across a country?

If you would like to read more about travels is Cambodia here are some more articles you can read.

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Jolene Ejmont

Originally from South Africa, now living in Australia, Jolene is a wife and a mother to three beautiful daughters. Together with her family, she is embarking on a journey towards changing her current stress-filled life to one focusing on her dreams and her passion for travel. She wants to share her stories in the hope to inspire you to chase your own dreams!