Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cardamom Mountains. Guesthouses and hotels throughout Cambodia rent out bicycles for around US$2 per
day, or US$7 to US$15 for an imported brand.
PEPY Ride
( 023-222804;
www.pepyride.org
)
is a bicycle and volunteer tour company offering ad-
ventures throughout Cambodia. PEPY promotes 'adventurous living, responsible giving' and uses proceeds
to help build schools in rural Cambodia and fund education programs.
Boat
Cambodia's 1900km of navigable waterways are not as important as they once were for the average tourist,
given major road improvements. North of Phnom Penh, the Mekong is easily navigable as far as Kratie, but
there are no longer regular passenger services on these routes, as buses have taken all the business. There
are scenic boat services between Siem Reap and Battambang, and the Tonlé Sap lake is also navigable year-
round, although only by smaller boats between March and July.
Traditionally the most popular boat services with foreigners are those that run between Phnom Penh and
Siem Reap. The express services do the trip in as little as five hours, but it's not the most interesting boat
journey in Cambodia, as the Tonlé Sap lake is like a vast sea, offering little scenery. It's more popular (and
much cheaper) to take a bus on the paved road instead.
The small boat between Siem Reap and Battambang is more rewarding, as the river scenery is truly mem-
orable, but it can take as long as a whole day with delays.
Bus
The range of road transport is extensive. On sealed roads, the large air-conditioned buses are the best choice.
Elsewhere in the country, a shared taxi or minibus is the way to go.
Bus services have come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years and the situation is getting even bet-
ter as more roads are upgraded. Bus travel is arguably the safest way to get around the country these days.
The services used most regularly by foreigners are those from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Battambang, Si-
hanoukville, Kompong Cham and Kratie, and the tourist buses from Siem Reap to Poipet. 'Express
minibuses' now connect Phnom Penh and major cities around the country and these can be faster than the
bigger buses. These minibuses are usually modern Ford Transits or Toyota HiAces and operate a one seat/
one passenger policy. Older minibuses serve most provincial routes but are not widely used by Western vis-
itors. They are very cheap but often uncomfortably overcrowded and sometimes driven by maniacs. Only
really consider them if there is no alternative.
Car & Motorcycle
Car and motorcycle rental are comparatively cheap in Cambodia and many visitors rent a car or bike for
greater flexibility to visit out-of-the-way places and to stop when they choose. Almost all car rental in Cam-
