How to Get from Phnom Penh to Krong Stung Treng
Compare bus, van and private car options from Phnom Penh to Stung Treng, with prices and travel times for your Cambodia trip.
Last updated: October 29, 2026
Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Contents
Leaving the frantic energy of Phnom Penh for the northern Mekong is a journey into rural Cambodia. While the capital hums with motorbikes and commerce, Stung Treng sits quietly on the river, a gateway to the Lao border and the remote wilderness of the northeast. This route takes you away from the coastal crowds and temple circuits, past rubber plantations and stilted wooden houses, to a part of the country that is vast, green and deeply tied to its waterways.
You can go by bus, luxury van or private car. Compare the options and book your tickets through GoAsia.cc.
Phnom Penh to Krong Stung Treng by Bus
The bus is the classic way across the Cambodian countryside: affordable, with a front-row seat to the changing landscape. On booking platforms, tickets cost about $10 to $17 (October 2026). The journey takes from about 6 hours 45 minutes to about 9 hours, longer with traffic, weather or stops.[1]
Booking platforms list daytime seater buses as well as night and hotel buses.[1] A night bus saves you a night of accommodation. If you arrive in the dark, have your guesthouse name written down or saved on your phone for the tuk-tuk drivers.
Phnom Penh to Krong Stung Treng by Van
A luxury van costs about $17 on booking platforms (October 2026) and takes from about 6 hours 45 minutes.[1] Vans are smaller and usually plusher than the standard buses. Luggage space is limited, so a large trekking pack or hard-shell suitcase can be a squeeze.
Phnom Penh to Krong Stung Treng by Private Transfer
A private transfer picks you up at your hotel in Phnom Penh and drops you at your address in Stung Treng. The drive takes from about 6 hours 30 minutes. Vehicles range from cars for 3 passengers to SUVs, vans for 8, 10 or 17 and minibuses for 25. On booking platforms, a whole vehicle costs about $380 to $510 (October 2026),[1] which makes sense mainly for groups who split the fare.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | About $10 - $17[1] | 6h 45min - 9h[1] |
| Luxury Van | About $17[1] | From 6h 45min[1] |
| Private Transfer | About $380 - $510 per vehicle[1] | From 6h 30min[1] |
Tips for Traveling from Phnom Penh to Krong Stung Treng
- Book in Advance: Around Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben, when many people travel to their home provinces, seats sell out early. Use GoAsia.cc to secure yours.
- Prepare for the AC: Cambodian buses and vans are famous for their strong air conditioning. Bring a light jacket or a sarong.
- Snacks and Water: Rest stops are hard to predict. Carry water and light snacks.
- Onward to Laos: The Trapeang Kreal (Dong Krolar) crossing into Laos lies in Stung Treng province.[2] Stay a night in town before you cross.
- Luggage: Space in vans is tight. With oversized luggage, a private SUV or a larger bus is more comfortable.
Timetable
| Bus Phnom Penh - Krong Stung Treng $ 10.46โ17.28 6h 45m โ 9h | |
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| Taxi Phnom Penh - Krong Stung Treng $ 381.88โ508.08 6h 30m | |
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| Van Phnom Penh - Krong Stung Treng $ 17.28 6h 45m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Phnom Penh to Krong Stung Treng, including current prices and schedules.
The bus is the cheapest option, with tickets from about $10 on booking platforms (October 2026). It suits budget travelers who do not mind a longer journey.
A private transfer is the fastest, taking from about 6 hours 30 minutes. A luxury van or a night bus takes from about 6 hours 45 minutes.
The journey takes from about 6 hours 30 minutes to about 9 hours. Private transfers and vans are generally faster, while the daytime seater bus takes the longest.
Night buses are a common way to travel in Cambodia. The beds are often narrow and the road can be bumpy, so light sleepers may prefer a daytime van.
Yes, most bus and van services stop at a roadside restaurant or market, where you can use the restroom and try local Khmer dishes or snacks.
Yes. The Trapeang Kreal (Dong Krolar) crossing into Laos is in Stung Treng province, so the town is the natural stop before the border.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: 12Go Timetable: Phnom Penh - Krong Stung Treng. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- [2] Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Berlin: Cambodia Border Entry Points (e-Visa status). Retrieved October 25, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.