How to Get from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by bus or private transfer across the Moc Bai-Bavet border, with prices, times and visa tips.
Last updated: November 5, 2026
Contents
Leaving Saigon's energy for the riverside charm of Phnom Penh is a classic Southeast Asian journey across the Moc Bai-Bavet border. Skyscrapers and French colonial architecture give way to the flat, green floodplains of the Mekong Delta, and the hum of millions of motorbikes fades into golden-roofed pagodas and the slower pace of life along the Tonle Sap.
The distance is short, but the experience depends on whether you share the ride with other travellers or book a private car. You can compare and book tickets for this cross-border trip on GoAsia.cc.
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by Bus
The bus is the most popular way to travel between the two cities. On booking platforms, tickets cost from about $25 to $48 depending on the bus type (November 2026). The trip takes from about 6 hours, and longer with traffic or a slow border crossing.[1]
Bus types range from seater coaches and First Class to VIP Limousine, Luxury Hotel and sleeper services. The daytime seaters are the standard choice; with more space you arrive fresher.
Giant Ibis, which runs buses between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, describes the border procedure: passengers get off for the exit stamp and the crew collects passports for the second immigration check.[2] Expect to take your luggage off the bus for screening and be patient, as queues vary through the day.
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by Private Transfer
A private transfer gives you privacy, flexibility and door-to-door service. On booking platforms, prices run from about $111 to $395 depending on the vehicle (November 2026). The trip takes from about 6 hours.[1]
Vehicles range from Economy and Comfort cars and 4- or 5-seat SUVs to a 5-seat premium van and a 7-seat minivan. Your driver guides you through the border at your own pace, so you do not wait for other passengers to clear immigration before moving on.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | From about $25 to $48 | From about 6h | Standard to High[1] |
| Private Transfer | From about $111 to $395 | From about 6h | Luxury[1] |
Tips for Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
- Visa: The Cambodian e-visa is accepted at the Bavet land crossing. A tourist e-visa costs USD 30 (USD 35 for the E type), allows a one-month stay and takes about 3 business days to process. Complete the Cambodia e-Arrival form within 7 days before you arrive.[3]
- Currency: The riel is the official currency, but US dollars are widely used in Phnom Penh. Carry small US notes for the border and your first hours.
- Snacks and water: Carry water and light snacks in case of delays at the border.
- Valuables: Keep your passport and valuables in a small daypack that stays with you at the border.
- Arrival in Phnom Penh: Have your hotel address ready for the tuk-tuk drivers waiting at the drop-off.
Timetable
| Bus Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh $ 23.43–37.05 5h 45m – 7h | |
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| Taxi Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh $ 158.80–264.67 6h | |
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| Bus ZzNOTUSEHo Chi Minh - Phnom Penh $ 27.07 6h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh, including current prices and schedules.
The bus is cheapest, with tickets from about $25 on booking platforms (November 2026). A standard seater is the most economical type.
Flying takes about 1 hour in the air. By land, a private transfer or an express bus can take from about 6 hours, depending on the border crossing.
By road allow from about 6 hours. The time varies mostly with the wait at the Moc Bai-Bavet border and with traffic.
Most visitors need a Cambodian visa. You can apply for an e-visa, which is accepted at the Bavet crossing, or check the requirements for visa on arrival for your passport before you travel.
The bus stops at the Vietnamese side for exit formalities, then continues to the Cambodian side. You get off with your luggage, pass immigration and customs, and board the bus again.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: 12Go timetable: VN/Ho-Chi-Minh-City/Phnom-Penh. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [2] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [3] Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia: eVisa Kingdom of Cambodia (Official Government Website). Retrieved October 31, 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.