Cambodia - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 581

Getting Around
AIR
All domestic routes are operated by Cambodia Angkor Air, a monopolistic joint-venture
with Vietnam Airlines. The only scheduled domestic flights at the time of writing were:
» Phnom Penh-Siem Reap (from US$90, several daily)
» Siem Reap-Sihanoukville (from US$110, daily)
BICYCLE
Some guesthouses and hotels rent out bicycles for US$1 to US$2 per day. If you'll be do-
ing lots of cycling, bring along a bike helmet, which can also provide some protection on
a moto .
Cambodia is a great country for cycle touring, as travelling at gentle speeds allows for
lots of interaction with locals. Much of Cambodia is pancake flat or only moderately hilly.
Safety, however, is a considerable concern on paved roads, as trucks, buses and cars barrel
along at high speeds. Usually flat unpaved trails run roughly parallel to the highways, al-
lowing for a more relaxed journey and much more interaction with the locals.
BOAT
Long-distance public boats are increasingly rare as the roads improve, but fast boats still
ply the Tonlé Sap from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, while smaller boats take on the sub-
lime stretch between Siem Reap and Battambang.
BUS
About a dozen bus companies serve all populated parts of the country. Comfort levels and
prices vary wildly, so shop around. Booking bus tickets through guesthouses and travel
agents is convenient, but often incurs a commission. Also note that travel agents tend to
work with only a handful of preferred companies, thus won't always offer your preferred
company and/or departure time, so it pays to shop around.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Renting a (self-drive) motorbike is a great way to get around provincial cities and their
surrounding sights (although tourists are forbidden from renting motorbikes in Siem
Reap). Basic 100cc to 125cc motorbikes are widely available and cheap (about US$5 per
day). No-one will ask you for a driver's licence except, occasionally, the police. Make
sure you have a strong lock and always leave the bike in guarded parking where possible.