Sihanoukville is 232km south off Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia on National Highway No 4. Since there is much improve for road condition, we can reach Sihanouk Ville without worry. Because there is just improved the road from Phnom Penh and Koh Kong to Sihanouk Ville. Sihanouk Ville has improve a lot of trade, transportation, tourism business and other sectors which give the province new look and images.
Sihnouk Ville can also be entered directly through Koh Kong Province from nearby Thailand, as more and more tourists do on this road. It enter either by the new built Major Road 48 passing the edge of the Cardamom Mountains or by speedboat from Koh Kong town, next to the Thai border.
Get in
By plane
The small Sihanoukville Airport (IATA: KOS | ICAO: VDSV) is located 17km to the east of town, on the edge of Ream National Park. There is no commercial service to/from this airport. However, the runway is being extended and flights are anticipated in the future (hopefully).
By helicopter
Sokha Helicopters offers a VIP charter service between a private helipad at Sokha Beach Resort and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Charter rates start at US$1495 per flight hour plus 10% VAT & 10% SPT, with discount packages for stays at Sokha Beach Resort. Helicopters are modern, French-built Eurocopter Ecureuils with luxury leather seating for 5 passengers. Licensed pilots are from Australia and Europe. Flight time from Phnom Penh is 55 minutes and Siem Reap 1 hour and 40 minutes.
By bus
Many bus companies operates a/c buses depart Phnom Penh several times per day (From 7am to 1pm)., taking 3-4 hours and costing around 12,000Reil -16,000Reil depending on the quality of the bus and the number of stops. The buses start mostly at the southwest corner of the Central Market (Phsar Thmey). The first bus leaves Phnom Penh at 7:00AM; the last bus leaves at 2:45PM. All buses arrive and depart from the bus station downtown near the market. Phnom Penh Sorya Transport , GST Express, and Mekong Express operate hourly bus services from Phnom Penh. Tickets can be booked at the bus company offices, travel agencies, and many guesthouses. It is worth reserving a day in advance to be sure of a seat. National Route 4 between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville is one of Cambodia’s best roads.
You may be offered pickup at your hotel for a premium. Sometimes there are buses leaving at 2:00PM but the service may be available only with suitable demand and ticket prices may be higher (~US$15).
In 2010, Virak Buntham Express started a bus service from Ha Tien in Vietnam to Sihanoukville via the new Xa Xia/Prek Chak border post. (From Ha Tien to Phu Quoc island by ferry , another popular tourist destination). Unlike even recent travel guides report, this trip now has become easy and straightforward. Visa on arrival for USD 25/550.000 VND (but bring a photo!)
Rith Mony, Bun Thou, and Virak Buntham Express operate daily air-conditioned minibus service leaving at 8:30AM to/from the the border with Thailand at Koh Kong/Hat Lek, taking about 5 hours. “Local” and “Tourist” minibuses service this route; they are always jam-packed, and the trip can be uncomfortable. “Local” service price depends on how much space you want (a whole seat, half a seat, or a space on the roof); foreigners can expect to pay around US$6-8. They will also typically have pickup in front of the offices on the main strip in town at 7:30AM (at which point they simply drive over to the station to wait until the 8:30AM departure time.)
By taxi
A chartered taxi from Phnom Penh’s Central Market can make the trip in less than three hours and will cost anywhere from US$25-40 per seat, depending on the petrol price of the day and how beat up the vehicle is. You can reduce the price by sharing seats, but be warned that Khmers will squeeze as many as eight people into the car, including two in the drivers seat, so most people will need to buy two seats for comfort.
By boat
Boats used to run daily from Koh Kong/Hat Lek (the border crossing with Thailand), taking around 4 hours and costing US$20/700 baht. However, the service was suspended in 2008 and it’s unclear if it will resume, since travel by road is now cheaper, safer and just as fast. Several sources quote “persistent rumours” about a future ferry service with the nearby Vietnamese Phu Quoc island, but nothing happened yet.
By train
The Royal Railway now is providing train from Phnom Penh to Takeo, Kampot and Sihanoukville and v.v every weekend Friday, Saturday, Sunday and major holidays. It is available only 74 – 76 seats for passengers.
Train Schedules:
- Phnom Penh – Takeo – Kampot – Sihanoukville:
Friday: 7:00 AM and 03:00 PM
Saturday and Sunway: 7:00 AM - Sihanoukville – Kampot – Takeo – Phnom Penh:
Saturday: 7:00 AM
Sunway: 7:00 AM and 04:00 PM
The train will take about 7 hours from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville or v.v. The schedules are subject to change without prior notice, so you must check with the company before you travel.
The ticket can be purchased at Phnom Penh in Railway Station with cost 6$ to Kampot and 7$ to Sihanoukville. Tickete office will be open from 08:00 till 16:30 each weekday and 06:00 to 12:00 each weekend. They are in the process to open up passenger sales at Takeo, Kampot and Sihanouk Ville soon.
This office can answer all your questions however should you not be able to get to the station you can call to: 078 888 582 or 078 888 583 during the office hours.
Get around
Distances between the beaches are a little too long to walk comfortably, but getting around is easy, as the roads are wide and bike taxis (motodop) are everywhere. The standard price is US$1 per trip, although expect to haggle at night or if the distance is long. They’ll gladly pile on two people and their luggage too. For larger groups, car taxis can be called up by phone (flat US$5 to most places around town).
There are dozens of the ubiquitous tuk-tuks around the new bus station and the accommodation areas. They are some of the most persistent and over-charging drivers in Cambodia; they have formed an “association” for price fixing – a trip to the bus station, US$2 in Phnom Penh, costs US$3 if your bus company pays but they will hit you for US$6 if you arrive at the bus station and want to go to the beach. If you have decided where you will stay it can help to call for a pick up; even if its not free, it may save you some overcharging.
The ride from the new bus station to Serendipity Beach should cost no more than US$3 during the day.
Another great choice to get around is to rent a scooter. Haggle a bit and you can get it for US$5 a day. Fuel is quite cheap and can be bought at many roadside shacks. However, as of 2009, renting scooters to foreigners is technically illegal, and the police may stop and fine you.