Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
PHNOM PENH ADDRESSES
Thanks to the French, who laid out the city on a
grid system
, Phnom Penh is remarkably easy
to navigate. The
major streets
all have little-used o
cial names, which have been changed
periodically to honour particular regimes or sponsoring countries; the current names have
been around since the mid-1990s. The rest of the streets are
numbered
and generally pretty
easy to find. North-south streets have the odd numbers, with the low numbers nearest the
river; even-numbered streets run east-west, with the low numbers in the north of the city.
Signage is improving, and areas of town are even acquiring district names that are posted
above the road.
Individual
buildings
are numbered, but are almost without exception di
cult to locate,
as the numbering doesn't run consecutively, with the same number often being used more
than once on the same street - Street 76, for example, boasted three no. 25s on the last
count. Cruising until you spot your destination may be the only option unless you can call
ahead for directions.
BY CYCLO
Unique to the capital and increasingly rare, cyclos
provide a leisurely way to get around, although they
do cost slightly more than motos. To find one, head to
the Cyclo Centre Phnom Penh, an NGO set up to help
cyclo drivers, offering showers, medical
care and education at 9 Street 158, not far from Sorya
Mall (Mon-Fri 8-11am & 1-5pm, Sat 1-5pm;
T
023 991178). Starting your ride from here is a good
way to support the drivers, who rank among the poorest
people in the capital. You can also take city tours by cyclo
(see p.78).
BY CAR OR MOTORBIKE
Due to the chaotic driving, the shameless speed traps and
the police checks, the vast majority of visitors to Phnom
Penh find hiring a ride better than driving, although
motorbikes are a great way of exploring the surrounding
countryside. If you do intend to drive yourself or rent a
motorcycle you should be aware that, even compared to
the impatient standards of Cambodian driving, the people
of Phnom Penh take the biscuit. It's best not to insist on
claiming your right of way or to be too heavy on the horn
- incidents of road rage here can be violent. More an
annoyance than a danger are the policemen who stop
foreigners and blatantly demand a $5 “fine” (ie bribe),
usually with the phrase “beer money”. It's unlikely you'll get
away without paying, so it's easier to simply pay up rather
than bravely protesting your innocence; you can usually
bargain them down to a dollar or two.
Car rental firms
Most travellers rent a car with driver;
however, if you want to go it alone try The Car Rental Co, 49
Street 592 (
T
012 950950), which has a selection of self-
drive vehicles.
Motorbike rental firms
Western-run Little Bikes, 223
Street 13, near
Friends
restaurant (
T
023 991570; daily
9am-6pm), has 100cc city runabouts for $5/day or high-
quality trail bikes (up to 650cc) from $15/day, all with
wheel locks. They offer 24/7 support and organize tours,
too. Lucky! Lucky!, 413 Monivong Blvd (
T
012 212788), has
been going for years, and charges $7/day for a 110cc
moped and $12/day for a 250cc off-road bike, with
discounts on rentals of a week or longer. Helmets are
provided, but no insurance.
BY TAXI
Taxis don't cruise for fares, although a few enterprising
drivers meet incoming boats along the riverfront. They can
be hired at any of the major hotels, or by calling a
recommended firm; expect to pay $4-5 for a single
daytime journey within the city, or $6-8 at night. Most
vehicles are unmarked, but a few now use a meter system
and thus have illuminated signs on their roofs.
Day hire
Taxis for hire by the day can often be found lined
up on the east side of Monivong Blvd, near the intersection
with Kampuchea Krom; the going rate is $25-35/day
around the city, and $40-70/day out of town, depending
where you're going.
Taxi firms
Bailey's (
T
012 890000) offers reliable 24hr
service, as does Taxi Vantha (
T
023 993433 or
T
012
855000,
W
taxivantha.com), which is also available for
long-distance trips. Global (
T
011 311888) and Choice
(
T
023 888023) taxis have metered cars.
ACCOMMODATION
Phnom Penh has an increasing number of guesthouses and hotels catering for all pockets and tastes, from basic rooms to
opulent colonial-era suites, and no matter when you arrive, you should have no di
culty
finding a room
- though the
very cheapest
places fill quickly. If you intend to stay for more than a couple of nights, it's worth asking for a
discount
at
guesthouses and mid-range places. With deluxe accommodation you'll often get a better deal by booking online or taking
a package. Free
wi-fi
is generally offered in all but the most expensive hotels.
