Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
times of the year; when the lake recedes in the dry season, both the port and floating vil-
lage move with it. An all-weather road has improved access around the lake area, but the
main road out to the lake takes a pummelling in the annual October floods.
Most of the guesthouses in town sell boat tickets. Buying the ticket from a guesthouse
usually includes a
moto
or minibus ride to the port. Otherwise, a
moto
out here costs about
US$2, a
remork-moto
about US$5 and a taxi about US$10.
BUS
The road linking Siem Reap to Phnom Penh varies in condition from year to year, but was
severely damaged by floods in late-2013, leading to some very bumpy sections between
Kompong Thom and Skuon. The road west to Sisophon, Thailand and Battambang has
been completely rebuilt and is in great condition.
All buses depart from the bus station/taxi park, which is 3km east of town and nearly
1km south of NH6. Tickets are available at guesthouses, hotels, bus offices, travel agen-
cies and ticket kiosks. Some bus companies send a minibus around to pick up passengers
at their place of lodging. Most departures to Phnom Penh are between 7am and 1pm, but
there are also some night buses available. Buses to other destinations generally leave early
in the morning. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, be prepared for a rugby scrum of eager
moto
drivers when getting off the bus. Express minibus services to Phnom Penh (US$10) are
gaining in popularity as they can save considerable time on the poor sections of road.
Newcomer Golden Bayon Express is a recommended option.
A number of bus companies serve Siem Reap, and all have booths or offices out at the
bus station. Some also have offices in the downtown area where Sivatha St meets the
Siem Reap River.
Tickets to Phnom Penh (six hours), via NH6, cost US$5 to US$13, depending on the
level of service (air-con, comfy seats, a toilet, a hostess) and whether there's a hotel pick-
up. Many companies charge the same price to Kompong Thom as they do to Phnom Penh.
Several companies offer direct services to Kompong Cham (US$6, five or six hours), Bat-
tambang (US$3.75, three hours), Sisophon (US$3.75, two hours) and Poipet (US$3.75,
three hours). GST has a bus to Anlong Veng (US$4, two hours) and on to Sra Em (for
Prasat Preah Vihear; US$10, four hours, 7am). There are no through buses to Ho Chi
Minh City, but it is possible to change in Phnom Penh.
Advertised direct services to Koh Kong do not actually go direct, but via Sihanoukville,
so it is better to take a bus to Phnom Penh and change for Koh Kong there.
