Contents
- 1. Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by Van
- 2. Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by Bus
- 3. Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by Train
- 4. Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by Private Transfer
- 5. Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville with a Combined Van and Ferry Ticket
- 6. Comparing Your Options
- 7. Tips for Traveling from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville
- 8. Timetable
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions
- 10. Sources and background
Sihanoukville is the mainland gateway to the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem. Road services from Phnom Penh now use the Express Highway, and Giant Ibis gives 4 hours for its 240 km bus journey.[1]
You can check schedules and book your transport on GoAsia.cc before you head to the station. Here is how the options compare.
Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by Van
Vans and minivans are the most popular choice: faster than a large bus and cheaper than a private car. Larryta lists 15-seat minivans via the Express Way at ៛60,000 for 3 hours 30 minutes; on 15 October 2026 its departures were at 18:00 and 19:00 from France Street 47 in Phnom Penh to St. Kamakor in Sihanoukville.[2]
On booking platforms, seats in shared vans from several companies cost about $12 to $20 and are listed at 3 to 3 hours 30 minutes (October 2026).[3]
Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by Bus
Giant Ibis lists a bus at 07:45 from its terminal on Street 106 (Night Market) in Phnom Penh, with return buses from Sihanoukville at 13:30 and 19:00.[4] The trip takes about 4 hours via the Express Highway with a 30-minute rest stop, and the bus arrives at the Giant Ibis ticket office on Phe Street next to the Autonomous Port. Pastry, water and a 20 kg baggage allowance are included, and guests of partner hotels get a free pickup.[1]
Booking platforms list bus tickets from other companies at about $11 to $19 (October 2026).[3]
Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by Train
Royal Railway's Southern line connects Phnom Penh with Takeo, Kep, Kampot and Sihanoukville.[5] On the dates we checked, the train left Phnom Penh station at 07:00 and reached Sihanoukville at 13:36, a journey of 6 hours 36 minutes. Normal class cost $12 and First Class $17. The return train left Sihanoukville at 14:00 and arrived at 20:36.[6]
The train is the slowest option and runs only once a day in each direction, so it suits a relaxed day through the countryside better than a quick transfer.
Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by Private Transfer
A private transfer suits families, groups and travellers with a lot of luggage. You choose the departure time and the drop-off point instead of following a fixed timetable. Booking platforms list private cars from about $77 for an economy car, with vans and minibuses costing more, and travel times from about 2 hours 30 minutes (October 2026).[3]
Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville with a Combined Van and Ferry Ticket
Sihanoukville is on the mainland, so no ferry is needed to reach it. Some booking platforms still sell a "Van + Ferry" ticket for travellers who continue to an island such as Koh Rong; it is listed at about $15 and 3 hours 30 minutes (October 2026).[3]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Train | $12 to $17[6] | 6h 36m[6] |
| Bus | About $11 to $19 on booking platforms[3] | About 4h (Giant Ibis)[1] |
| Van | About $12 to $20 on booking platforms[3] | 3h to 3h 30m[3] |
| Van + Ferry | About $15 on booking platforms[3] | 3h 30m[3] |
| Private Transfer | From about $77 on booking platforms[3] | From about 2h 30m[3] |
Tips for Traveling from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville
- The Expressway: Giant Ibis and Larryta's minivans use the Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville Express Highway.[1] Ask your operator whether it takes the expressway or the older National Road 4, because journey times differ.
- Booking in Advance: During Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and regular weekends, transport to the coast fills up quickly. Book at least a few days ahead in those periods.
- Luggage: Giant Ibis includes a 20 kg baggage allowance.[1] Space for large suitcases can be limited in shared vans, so consider a bus or private car if you carry bulky gear.
- Arrival in Sihanoukville: Check where your operator drops you off. Giant Ibis stops at its ticket office on Phe Street, Sangkat 3, next to the Autonomous Port.[1]
- Connectivity: Giant Ibis offers free wifi on board but says the connection is temperamental in rural areas, so download maps and entertainment before you leave.[1]
Timetable
| Bus Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville $ 11.18–19.38 2h 45m – 6h | |
|
|
| Taxi Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville $ 76.38–472.64 2h 30m – 5h 40m | |
|
|
| Ferry Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville $ 15.37 3h 30m | |
|
|
| Train Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville $ 10.25–12.11 6h 36m – 6h 45m | |
|
|
| Van Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville $ 12.11–19.56 3h – 3h 30m | |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, including current prices and schedules.
Buses and shared vans are the cheapest options, starting at about $11 to $12 on booking platforms (October 2026). The Royal Railway train costs $12 in Normal class and $17 in First Class.
A minivan or private car on the Express Highway is the fastest: Larryta lists its minivan at 3 hours 30 minutes, and booking platforms list vans at 3 to 3 hours 30 minutes. Giant Ibis gives 4 hours for its bus.
About 3 hours 30 minutes by minivan, about 4 hours by Giant Ibis bus and 6 hours 36 minutes by Royal Railway train.
The distance is short, so most travellers go by day. Giant Ibis lists a morning bus at 07:45 from Phnom Penh and return buses from Sihanoukville at 13:30 and 19:00. Check the operator's booking page for current times.
It is the slowest option at 6 hours 36 minutes, but it is the only one that runs through the countryside on rails. It leaves Phnom Penh station at 07:00, so it works as a full day trip.
Boats to the islands leave from Sihanoukville, not Phnom Penh. Some booking platforms sell combined Van + Ferry tickets, or you can arrange a private transfer and agree where to be dropped off.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Larryta Bus: Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville Bus Schedule, Fare & Online Booking. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus Schedule. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [5] Royal Railway Cambodia: Passenger Train. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [6] Royal Railway Cambodia: Train Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville (Royal Railway online booking, 16-17 October 2026). Retrieved October 15, 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.