Sihanoukville To Phnom Penh: From Coastal City To Capital

There are numerous ways for vacationers to travel from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, such as motorbike, bus, minivan, private car, taxi, train, and plane. Based on your demand and money, let’s choose a suitable way to have a wonderful adventure.

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Overview Of Sihanoukville To Phnom Penh

The trip from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh is a wonderful mixture of Cambodia’s main coastal city and its cultural capital, along National Road 4. At present, travelers can choose multiple types of transportation, such as motorbike, bus, minivan, private car, taxi, train, and plane.

Travel time regularly varies from under 1 hour by plane to 5 to 7 hours by road, with buses and minivans being the most common selections. With better road conditions and improved services, going between Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh is easier and more accessible for vacationers, business travelers, and local people.

Serendipity Beach is amongst the top beaches in Sihanoukville

How Far Is It From Sihanoukville To Phnom Penh?

The Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh distance is about 230 to 260 kilometers, based on your specific direction taken. With the distance above, the common Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh travel time is about 5 to 8 hours (by motorbike), from 4.5 to 6.5 hours (by bus or minivan), about 4 to 5.5 hours (by private), from 4 to 5 hours (by taxi), about 6 to 7.5 hours (by train), and from 45 minutes to 1 hour (by plane).

How To Travel From Sihanoukville To Phnom Penh?

Going from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, you can select various types of transportation, consisting of a motorbike, a bus or a minivan, a private car, a train, or a plane. In this part of this blog, Seni World will show you how to get from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh.

By Motorbike

Traveling from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, you can set your own pace, stop anywhere along National Road 4 and the surrounding areas for a short break, see beautiful scenery, try food and coffee, or take photos. The trip will be thrilling and rewarding, especially when you start early in the morning to say no to heat and traffic.

However, this Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh itinerary can be tiring and requires your constant focus, particularly when you ride at night, when there is limited visibility. Besides, breakdowns or sudden weather can cause delays to your adventure. Therefore, riding from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh is just suitable for experienced riders, and not recommended for amateurs.

Aspect	Option 1 (National Road 4, known as NR4)	Option 2 (mixed NR4 and Provincial Roads)
Route	Sihanoukville → Veal Rinh → Kampong Speu → Phnom Penh.	Sihanoukville → Veal Rinh → countryside detours → Kampong Speu → Phnom Penh.
Distance	About 230 kilometers.	About 240 to 260 kilometers.
Travel Time	From 5 to 7 hours total (recommended in 1 day).	From 6 to 8 hours total (recommended in 1 day with longer stops).

By Bus Or Minivan

The Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh bus or minivan adventure is one of the most practical and convenient choices for vacationers who want to have a balance of cost and comfort. This type of transportation is available throughout the day, so your journey will be more straightforward and reliable. Buses are larger for travelers to store their baggage and luggage, while minivans are quicker with fewer stops, so travelers can save time efficiently.

Vehicle Type	Price (VND)	Travel Time	Notes
Standard Bus	About 10 – 15 USD (per person)	About 5 to 6 hours	It has air-conditioned seating with various rest stops, which is economical and reliable, but it can be crowded during weekends and public holidays.
VIP or Luxury Bus	About 10 – 20 USD (per person)	About 5 to 5.5 hours	A VIP or luxury bus has larger reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, USB charging, and better legroom. It is a good balance between comfort and price.
Sleeper Bus	About 18 – 25 USD (per person)	About 5.5 to 6.5 hours	Flat sleeping beds are suitable for a night’s trip. This is comfortable for long rides, though its movement space can be limited.
Standard Minivan	About 12 – 18 USD (per person)	About 4.5 to 5.5 hours	This transportation is faster than buses with fewer stops, and it has limited luggage space as well as tighter seating.
VIP or Limousine Minivan	About 18 – 25 USD (per person)	About 4.5 to 5 hours	Fewer seats, smoother ride, more tranquil cabin, and more legroom. It is great for vacationers who value comfort and speed.

By Private Car

Traveling from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh by private car is the most comfortable, flexible, and convenient way for travelers. It has door-to-door service with a skilled and professional local driver. So you can freely select your own departure time, have a short break, or try food in Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh whenever you want. In particular, you will avoid crowded public transport and have a faster and smoother experience during this trip.

Cabin Type	Price (VND)	Travel Time	Best For
4-Seater Sedan	About 120 – 160 USD (one way)	About 4 to 5 hours	Solo vacationers or couples who prefer privacy, flexible stops, and a smooth door-to-door trip.
7-Seater SUV or MPV	About 150 – 200 USD (one way)	About 4 to 5 hours	Families or small communities (from 3 to 5 members). There is more luggage space and better comfort for long trips.
9-12-Seater Minibus	About 220 – 280 USD (one way)	About 4.5 to 5.5 hours	It is suitable for medium-sized groups traveling together, and it is a great balance of space, comfort, and budget per person.
VIP Limousine Van	About 260 – 350 USD (one way)	About 4 to 5 hours	Tourists who love premium convenience, reclining leather seats, modern USB charging ports, and onboard Wi-Fi.

By Taxi

The Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh taxi journey is convenient and comfortable, offering you a door-to-door experience with an experienced driver. Taxis bring you flexible departure times, private space, and stops for food or rest. This type of transportation is more expensive than public transportation, but it ensures a smoother, faster, and stress-free adventure for you along National Road 4.

Cabin Type	Price (VND)	Travel Time	Best For
Standard Taxi (Sedan)	About 110 – 150 USD (one way)	About 4 to 5 hours	Solo tourists or couples who love privacy and want to enjoy door-to-door convenience.
SUV or MPV Taxi	About 140 – 190 USD (one way)	About 4 to 5 hours	Small families or communities with medium to large baggage and luggage.
VIP Taxi	About 180 – 260 USD (one way)	About 4 to 5 hours	Travelers seeking a greater convenient, quieter ride, and flexible destinations.
Ride-Hailing Taxi (App-based)	About 100 – 160 USD (one way)	About 4 to 5 hours	Vacationers who prefer booking through online apps and see the clear pricing.

By Train

The Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh train provides an enjoyable and scenic trip, especially when you choose to travel during the cool and dry season, which is the best time to visit Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. The train has stable seating, larger legroom, and you can freely move around, so it is less tiring than road travel. You can also avoid heavy traffic on National Road 4 while enjoying the affordable ticket.

Cabin Type	Price (VND)	Travel Time	Best For
Standard Seat	About 6 – 8 USD (per person)	About 6 to 7 hours	Economic travelers seeking an affordable and relaxing day trip with basic comfort.
Soft Seat	About 8 – 10 USD (per person)	About 6 to 7 hours	Tourists are seeking slightly improved cushioning and a pleasant experience for a scenic ride.
First Class or Reserved Seat	About 10 – 12 USD (per person)	About 6 to 7 hours	Travelers who prefer guaranteed seating, a larger space, and a quieter travel atmosphere.
Weekend or Holiday Tourist Train	About 10 – 14 USD (per person)	About 6.5 to 7.5 hours	Leisure travelers want to unwind in sightseeing, a slower pace, and a more chilled experience.

By Plane

The Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh flight is the quickest and the most time-saving selection for vacationers, particularly business travelers or some visitors with limited schedules. Flying also brings you a great level of comfort, convenience, minimal physical fatigue, and keeps you away from heavy traffic as well as many long-distance road risks.

Aspect	Details
Flight Duration	About 45 minutes to 1 hour (the actual flying time).
Airlines	Cambodia Angkor Air (schedule can vary). They are occasional charter or seasonal flights.
Airport in Sihanoukville	Sihanouk International Airport (KOS), about 20 kilometers from the Sihanoukville city center.
Airport in Phnom Penh	Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH), about 10 kilometers from the city center.
Estimated Price (VND)	About 80 to 150 USD per person, based on season and availability.
Best For	Tourists who value speed and comfort, business travelers, or people with limited time.
Required Documents	Passport or valid ID (domestic travel).
Important Notes	Flights are less frequent than buses or trains. Let’s check schedules in advance.

Tips For Traveling From Sihanoukville To Phnom Penh

If you want to have an exciting, comfortable, and safe trip from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, you need to find out more about the important travel tips. Seni World has listed them for you to have a memorable trip in this Cambodia itinerary.

Book transportation or accommodation tickets from 1 to 2 days in advance during weekends, holidays, or the peak travel season.
Carefully check and book reputable travel operators to ensure safety and reliability for yourself.
Keep your valuables and belongings in a small carry-on bag with you at all times, particularly when using buses, minivans, or trains.
Eat light foods and drinks before journeying to avoid motion sickness. Besides, don’t forget to drink enough water to protect your health, especially during the hot season.
Check and confirm the pickup and drop-off points before departure. Especially, you need to save your driver’s or travel operator’s contact number for urgent situations.

Recommended Stops Along The Way

Touring from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, you can have an opportunity to explore Cambodia’s beautiful coastal city and the famous cultural capital. Here are some suggested stops for you.

Veal Rinh District

This is the first popular stop for you to take a short break. You can enjoy at local coffee shops and try at small restaurants. If you ride a motorbike or drive a private car, Veal Rinh District will be a great fuel station after leaving Sihanoukville.

Kampong Speu Town

Kampong Speu Town is a larger destination, wonderful for longer breaks. Vacationers can unwind in local restaurants, visit local markets, and enjoy the shade at rest areas. Motorbike riders and private car drivers will often refuel and rest here before continuing to go to Phnom Penh.

Final Thoughts

Traveling from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, you can select many different types of transportation, consisting of a thrilling motorbike, an economical bus or minivan, a comfortable private car, a convenient taxi, a pleasant train, or a fast plane. This choice will depend on your demand, traveling budget, and your favorite. If you want to take an adventure from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, know more about things to do in Sihanoukville as well as Phnom Penh, and receive support for the visa process, let’s contact Seni World!

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