Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Phnom Penh is the one place where, amid all the chaos, traffic police take issue with Westerners breaking
even the most trivial road rules. Make sure you don't turn left at a 'no left turn' sign or travel with your
headlights on during the day (although, strangely, it doesn't seem to be illegal for Cambodians to travel
without headlights at night). New laws requiring that bikes have mirrors, and that drivers (not passengers,
even children) wear helmets, are being enforced around the country by traffic police eager to levy fines. For-
eigners are popular targets.
Local Transport
Bus
There are currently no local bus networks in Cambodia, even in Phnom Penh.
Cyclo
As in Vietnam and Laos, the
cyclo
(pedicab) is a cheap way to get around urban areas. In Phnom Penh
cyclo
drivers can either be flagged down on main roads or found waiting around markets and major hotels. It is
necessary to bargain the fare if taking a
cyclo
from outside an expensive hotel or popular restaurant or bar.
Fares range from 2000r to US$1 (about 4000r). There are few
cyclos
in the provinces, and in Phnom Penh
the
cyclo
has almost been driven to extinction by the
moto
.
Moto
Motos
, also known as
motodups
(meaning
moto
driver), are small motorcycle taxis. They are a quick way of
making short hops around towns and cities. Prices range from 1000r to US$1 or more, depending on the dis-
tance and the town; expect to pay more at night. In the past it was rare for prices to be agreed in advance,
but with the increase in visitor numbers, a lot of drivers have got into the habit of overcharging. It's prob-
ably best to negotiate up front, particularly in the major tourist centres, outside fancy hotels or at night.
THE MOTO BURN
Be careful not to put your leg near the exhaust pipe of a
moto
after long journeys; many travellers
have received nasty burns, which can take a long time to heal in the sticky weather, and often require
antibiotics to recover.
Outboards
Outboards (pronounced 'out-boor') are the equivalent of Venice's
vaporetto,
a sort of local river-bus or taxi.
Found all over the country, they are small fibreglass boats with 15HP or 40HP engines, and can carry up to
six people for local or longer trips. They rarely run to schedules, but locals wait patiently for them to fill up.
