How to Travel From
SIEM REAP TO KOH RONG
How to Travel from Siem Reap to Koh Rong
Siem Reap and Koh Rong are two of the most visited destinations in all of Cambodia and it is easy to see why. Siem Reap is rich in culture and is home to the world renown Angkor Wat complex while Koh Rong is just the perfect tropical island. If you are planning a trip to Cambodia, having Siem Reap and Koh Rong on your bucket list is a must!
However, these two locations are not close, easily taking a full day’s worth of travel hence a bit of forward planning is required to fit everything in schedule.
After traveling Cambodia for nearly 2 months I’ve done all the do’s and dont’s when it comes to travelling from one place to another. So here I’ll outline my recommended way to travel between Siem Reap and Koh Rong.
Travel Summary
The journey from Siem Reap to Koh Rong consists of 2 parts. First you have to get from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville which is the city off the shore to Koh Rong. There are multiple ways to get from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville which I will outline in the sections below. From there all you need to do is take one of the many speed ferries from Sihanoukville to sunny Koh Rong.
If you are planning a trip to Koh Rong, check out some of my other posts:
Siem Reap to Sihanoukville
The first step in getting to Koh Rong from Siem Reap is to head to Sihanoukville where from there you will catch a ferry to Koh Rong. There are a few commuting options between these 2 places and I’ll give my opinion on each of them.
The 3 main ways are:
- Flying
- Sleeper bus
- Private Taxi
Should I fly from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville?
The short answer is no. From my experience there are rarely any direct flights between the airports and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a 10-15 hour connecting flight between the 2 places either.
I found it hard to find a direct flight from these 2 locations and often required multiple flights often making stops in Phom Phoem or even Bangkok! If you do manage to find a direct flight it’ll cut your travel time drastically into only a couple hours however be prepared to shell out some money. I can’t really recommend this option to anyone unless time is of the utmost essence but still, you’re all the way in Cambodia, there are more exciting ways to travel!
I can’t really recommend this option to anyone unless time is of the utmost essence but still, you’re all the way in Cambodia, there are more exciting ways to travel!
Sleeper buses from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville
In my opinion sleeper buses are the best and to most people the most viable option. My experiences with sleeper buses in Cambodia are great! The sleeper buses I was on had a good size single cabin that I had to myself and if I’d wanted to, I could’ve even booked a double cabin for even more space. The buses were also extremely clean and well air-conditioned which is definitely a big plus.
How long does it take?
My bus ride was around 10 hours in the night and it was a very comfortable ride down.
How much does it cost?
Travelling by sleeper bus is also the most cost effective mode of transport to getting to Sihanoukville from Siem Reap with prices generally around that $30 mark.
The only thing is you do arrive relatively early in the morning at Sihanoukville so you would need to wait around for a bit. I’d say it’s not much of a problem because the time flies between getting yourself some breakfast or going to the ATM to pull out some cash.
Where and how should I book a sleeper bus? Do I need to book a seat in advance?
I can’t recommend a specific company to go with as I usually just booked through my accommodation.
If you are unsure about this way or are worried about if bus tickets would sell out if you don’t book in advance, let me give you some assurance. I travelled Cambodia both in high season and low season and basically booked tickets only the night before from my accommodation. I had no problems with availability or the quality of the buses.
From my understanding, there are several large companies operating everyday so availability is never an issue. Secondly, accommodations only partner up with reputable and well known bus operators to ensure the quality of the service for their guests. So I’d say don’t worry too much and trust the locals!
If you still would rather book in advance and not from your accommodation 12Go Asia is always a solid option. They will have a list of options available and is easy to navigate around.
Private Taxi
Now for most people I wouldn’t recommend a private taxi. It’s expensive and I would say a sleeper bus is just way better of an experience.
However, if you require the flexibility to manage your own time and don’t mind dishing out a couple hundred dollars, this option is available. Of course the pros of a private taxi would be that you could choose your own time to travel and this option would definitely be quicker than a bus (much less than 10 hours).
If you fancy a small road trip and don’t mind the price, it might be an interesting way of getting around.
Speedboat from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville
Once you arrive at the ferry port in Sihanoukville, all there is now to do is catch the next available speedboat to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Sanleom.
There are a number of operators available for you to purchase your ticket and they operate every day with a new ferry heading out within relatively short intervals. I suggest when you arrive, just book the next available ferry to Koh Rong.
The ferry ride is quite short, only taking around 30-45 minutes depending on if you want to go to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Sanleom. Ferries run from early in the morning from around 8 am with the last ferry leaving at 5 pm.
The most popular and largest speed ferry operators are:
- Island Speed Ferry
- GTVC Boat
- Speed Ferry Cambodia
All the available speedboats offer roughly the same experience so I wouldn’t worry too much about which ferry operator to go with. Just go with the next arrival ferry!
Conclusion
That’s it! You’ve now made it to Koh Rong from Siem Reap! All that awaits is crystal clear blue waters, pristine white sand and that margarita by the beach! I hope this has helped plan your Cambodia itinerary.