Budget Transport From Phnom Penh International Airport to City Centre
When I first arrived in Phnom Penh City, it was in 2013. And my first impression was: I don't like this city! Because it was scorching hot, dusty, the city looks old, the food & (they said) full of scams so made me a bit down. But since it was for a business trip, I can't really explore the city to my heart's content. So, I kinda had an unfinished business with the city.
Fast forward to now. The city changed.
A LOT!
Still hot, but I can see the progressiveness in their development of infrastructures, as well as their daily lives. I can see now almost every corner in the city has coffee shop. Either franchise, local or street coffee shop (or even street bar). Well, the people here love to hangout anyway.
Oke, now let's talk about their public bus. Back then, when the old airport looks like a terminal bus, there was no any public transportation from the airport to the city. You should hire a taxi, tuk-tuk or moto! It's easy to find them. Just go through the exit gate then they will swarm after you. You had (and have) to have bargaining skills here.
Using Taxi
The fastest and (could be) the safest option if you're carrying expensive equipments on you or you are in a group. Get the airport taxi or a private taxi. All of them could speak English -or broken English. The trip usually takes 1-2 hours or even longer, depends on the traffic. But don't worry, now they finished the flyover bridges along the main road to airport, it reduces the traffic jam and the travelling time a lot! You may plan 30-60 minutes ride by taxi now.
Usually they charged $12 - $15 depends on your destinations. But of course if you aren't well informed, the price they offer might higher than that.
Using Tuk-tuk
Cambodia, just like it's neighboor country in Thai, has similar traditional transportation, called tuk-tuk. They have two types of tuk-tuk, the cart pulled motor tuk-tuk and the three wheeled tuk-tuk. The cart pulled motor tu-tuk can take normally 4 people, but locals sometimes abuse it by load the seat to 8 people. Sometimes they even sit down behind the driver's seat, sometimes they are semi-seating. For the 3 wheeled tuk-tuk, normally for 3 people since it's smaller. Similar design with bemo in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The price is $6-$8, depends on your destination.
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| The motor pulled rickshaw tuk-tuk |
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| The three-wheeled tuk-tuk |
---- Update, now they can't park inside, so you might have to walk outside the airport area. But the drivers still stand by in front of the gate.
Using Moto
Moto or ojeg in Indonesia is a motor cycle taxi. Means can only carry one person. If you're travelling alone, this is the fastest option you can find. But you have to walk through the outside area of the airport. Since they can's park inside. Once you take the exit gate after custom clearance, take a walk through the parking lot until you saw the exit gate where other cars are exiting. They will wait outside, along the pedestrian walk.
The price usually $3-$5, depends on your destination.
On Line Ride Hailing Transportations
In recent years, the internet and digital services are booming in Cambodia, especially in Phnom Penh. Like Uber, they have similar apps; Grab, WeGo & Passapp. Grab is an app from Malaysia (now moving to Singapore) and is very similar with Uber, but in southeast asia they also have grab motor. Yes, you can order motor taxi with this app. What I like about Grab is only one app but available in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam & Philiphines! Perfect for your SEA trip!
Other two are local apps. WeGo & Passapp are similar with grab too, but instead of taxis or motor bikes, you will get tuk-tuks! Both kinds of tuk-tuks (cart pulled motor and 3 wheeled) are available. For Passapp, the cart pulled motor tuk-tuk is KHR4.000 (or equal $1) per kilometers and the 3 wheeled tuk-tuk is KHR3.000 per kilometers (even cheaper!)
I love to use this app whenever I'm in Cambodia. No hassle, no bargaining, just input your pick-ip and drop off location, then they will come. You just pay the amount of price shown after the tuk-tuk drop you off. I usually use it when I need to go to the airport fast, or early in the morning.
From the city center, it cost me around KHR17.000 or equals to $4 plus KHR 1.000 or more. Not the cheapest option but the most comfortable way for me. Please check here for more info!
In Cambodia, I prefer using Passapp instead of Grab or WeGo. They are available on almost any major cities in Cambodia, like Siem Reap, Battambang, Shihanoukvile, Kep & Kampot.
Bus
Last option and the most cheapest of all (ok, I know the grammar is wrong, but I use it to emphasize it). But I warn you, it might be not comfortable, since it's a public bus which by chance it's route passes the airport. Means locals with their belongings from the market & the factory workers also use it. But if you ask me, I LOVE IT!
First time I arrived in Phnom Penh, it was 2013. There were no public buses before! Fast forward to 2017, my second time in the city, they have the buses now. But the condition was not so good. It was the old buses imported from Japan. In 2018, back here again, now the buses were getting better. Each time I came to the city, they are improving. Now all the buses are brand new, and they have tap card system. Now they even have an application to see where is the nearest bus stop, where is the bus located and inform the bus driver that you're waiting them at the bus stop! It's called Stops Near Me app.
To get to the bus from the airport, You should walk to the outside area of the airport until the main road. Then turn left. Ignore all the tuk-tuk and moto drivers offer you a transport to the city. Just walk until you see a bus shelter. You know when you see it. Then wait for bus #3 to arrive. Sometimes I waited for less than 5 minutes, sometimes 30 minutes, depends on your luck. But the bus supposedly arrive every 15 minutes. It starts from 5.30 am until 8.30 pm.
Once the bus #3 arrived, hop on and gave your money to the driver. It's flat rate, KHR 1,500 per person. Be sure to have exact amount of Riel before you hop on. Otherwise you should depend on luck. Sometimes the locals whom already inside the bus offer you their Riel in exchange of your dollar. Don't worry, most of the time they are honest people, unlike those drivers that loves to scam tourists. Just remember that US$1 is equal to KHR4.000. Flat rate, anywhere in the country, execpt in the banks or some convenient store. Might to remind you that US$ is also accepted as payment instrument in Cambodia.
Once you have the Riel, put the money into the tray beside the driver, then take a seat. The first time I use this bus, it was an old bus, but usable. This bus is granted by the Japanese government, so the interior is similar with the ones in Japan right now, but it was old. But now? It is new, full aircon, the seat is soft with some spots prepared for those in needs. They even have tap card now as payment system! For local students, it's free.
If no seats available, you can just stand up. Once you arrive at your destination, just push the red button on several spots inside. Back then, the final destination of this bus in near the Phnom Penh Night Market, which is just a walking distance to the riverside and all the budget hostels in the city. Now, they have their own pool near the Japanese bridge. If you are staying in riverside or near royal palace it is better to alight at Preah Norodom Boulevard, across Ang Duong Hospital. The bus stop is in front of CIMB Bank. Your cue is, when the bus pass through the central market, then get ready to hop off.
Once you alight from the bus, the tuk-tuk driver will swarming you. You can bargain to your hotel, or ignore them if you want to walk. Or walk a bit further from them then use pass-app.
UPDATE
Shuttle Train
This option is the newest one, which just starting operation April 2018 (last year!). This will connect you straight to the Phnom Penh Station in the heart of the city in just 40 minutes, free from traffic jam! Runs every 90 minutes for 24 hours a day (that's what they said!)
Currently it using the old single coach locomotive, 1994 made in Checzh Republic. With aircon, Wi-fi and (currently) clean toilet! The city currently in waiting for 3 new locomotives to arrive from Mexico! A milestone to this city, also this country!
Whatever you choose, it is best to say that the city has upgrading itself into a less-scamm-more-tourist friendly city.
In recent years, the internet and digital services are booming in Cambodia, especially in Phnom Penh. Like Uber, they have similar apps; Grab, WeGo & Passapp. Grab is an app from Malaysia (now moving to Singapore) and is very similar with Uber, but in southeast asia they also have grab motor. Yes, you can order motor taxi with this app. What I like about Grab is only one app but available in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam & Philiphines! Perfect for your SEA trip!
Other two are local apps. WeGo & Passapp are similar with grab too, but instead of taxis or motor bikes, you will get tuk-tuks! Both kinds of tuk-tuks (cart pulled motor and 3 wheeled) are available. For Passapp, the cart pulled motor tuk-tuk is KHR4.000 (or equal $1) per kilometers and the 3 wheeled tuk-tuk is KHR3.000 per kilometers (even cheaper!)
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| Passapp interface and your ride |
I love to use this app whenever I'm in Cambodia. No hassle, no bargaining, just input your pick-ip and drop off location, then they will come. You just pay the amount of price shown after the tuk-tuk drop you off. I usually use it when I need to go to the airport fast, or early in the morning.
From the city center, it cost me around KHR17.000 or equals to $4 plus KHR 1.000 or more. Not the cheapest option but the most comfortable way for me. Please check here for more info!
In Cambodia, I prefer using Passapp instead of Grab or WeGo. They are available on almost any major cities in Cambodia, like Siem Reap, Battambang, Shihanoukvile, Kep & Kampot.
Bus
Last option and the most cheapest of all (ok, I know the grammar is wrong, but I use it to emphasize it). But I warn you, it might be not comfortable, since it's a public bus which by chance it's route passes the airport. Means locals with their belongings from the market & the factory workers also use it. But if you ask me, I LOVE IT!
First time I arrived in Phnom Penh, it was 2013. There were no public buses before! Fast forward to 2017, my second time in the city, they have the buses now. But the condition was not so good. It was the old buses imported from Japan. In 2018, back here again, now the buses were getting better. Each time I came to the city, they are improving. Now all the buses are brand new, and they have tap card system. Now they even have an application to see where is the nearest bus stop, where is the bus located and inform the bus driver that you're waiting them at the bus stop! It's called Stops Near Me app.
To get to the bus from the airport, You should walk to the outside area of the airport until the main road. Then turn left. Ignore all the tuk-tuk and moto drivers offer you a transport to the city. Just walk until you see a bus shelter. You know when you see it. Then wait for bus #3 to arrive. Sometimes I waited for less than 5 minutes, sometimes 30 minutes, depends on your luck. But the bus supposedly arrive every 15 minutes. It starts from 5.30 am until 8.30 pm.
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| City Bus #3 from downtown through airport only KHR 1.500 |
 |
| Inside the City Bus, it's comfy with aircon |
 |
| Find this sign for a bus stop (if the bus shelter not available) |
Once the bus #3 arrived, hop on and gave your money to the driver. It's flat rate, KHR 1,500 per person. Be sure to have exact amount of Riel before you hop on. Otherwise you should depend on luck. Sometimes the locals whom already inside the bus offer you their Riel in exchange of your dollar. Don't worry, most of the time they are honest people, unlike those drivers that loves to scam tourists. Just remember that US$1 is equal to KHR4.000. Flat rate, anywhere in the country, execpt in the banks or some convenient store. Might to remind you that US$ is also accepted as payment instrument in Cambodia.
Once you have the Riel, put the money into the tray beside the driver, then take a seat. The first time I use this bus, it was an old bus, but usable. This bus is granted by the Japanese government, so the interior is similar with the ones in Japan right now, but it was old. But now? It is new, full aircon, the seat is soft with some spots prepared for those in needs. They even have tap card now as payment system! For local students, it's free.
If no seats available, you can just stand up. Once you arrive at your destination, just push the red button on several spots inside. Back then, the final destination of this bus in near the Phnom Penh Night Market, which is just a walking distance to the riverside and all the budget hostels in the city. Now, they have their own pool near the Japanese bridge. If you are staying in riverside or near royal palace it is better to alight at Preah Norodom Boulevard, across Ang Duong Hospital. The bus stop is in front of CIMB Bank. Your cue is, when the bus pass through the central market, then get ready to hop off.
Once you alight from the bus, the tuk-tuk driver will swarming you. You can bargain to your hotel, or ignore them if you want to walk. Or walk a bit further from them then use pass-app.
UPDATE
Shuttle Train
This option is the newest one, which just starting operation April 2018 (last year!). This will connect you straight to the Phnom Penh Station in the heart of the city in just 40 minutes, free from traffic jam! Runs every 90 minutes for 24 hours a day (that's what they said!)
 |
| Airport Train |
Currently it using the old single coach locomotive, 1994 made in Checzh Republic. With aircon, Wi-fi and (currently) clean toilet! The city currently in waiting for 3 new locomotives to arrive from Mexico! A milestone to this city, also this country!
Whatever you choose, it is best to say that the city has upgrading itself into a less-scamm-more-tourist friendly city.
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