How to get from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville by bus, plane

As the gateway to impressive Angkor, Siem Reap is one of the top tourist destinations in Cambodia. Often most tourists spend most of their time here. However, Cambodia has many other beautiful places to visit as well, such as Sihanoukville, one of the most famous coastal cities in the country.

With its beaches that rival some of the most famous beaches in Thailand, Sihanoukville is the perfect place to spend a few days relaxing after exploring Angkor. If you're not ready to leave Cambodia yet, consider heading south from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. Read on for more information about the trip.

How to get to Sihanoukville from Siem Reap: Options

Traveling by road from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville is a long distance, largely because you can't just drive in a straight line. You will have to travel quite a long way east or west to follow the paved roads. The route to the East is the shortest, but it is about 520 kilometers (325 miles), so even if you drive in a private car and don't stop anywhere, it will take 8 to 9 hours.

Buses and minivans are available, they take even longer than traveling in a private car, so is there a faster alternative? Yes, fortunately there is! You can also take a plane from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville, and it will save you a whole day of travel.

Plane Siem Reap - Sihanoukville

Let's start with the fastest way to get there. Since there are airports in Siem Reap and in Sihanoukville, flying between these two cities is a very viable and quick option, and it is the perfect way to travel if you are in a hurry. The flight from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville takes only 50 minutes, so even if you add in the time it takes to get to and from the airport, check-in, and security, it still easily beats any other way to get from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville.

There are several airlines offering their services, and this means some competition, which gives you the opportunity to save money. Price, of course, is the other side of this coin. The flight from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville is the fastest, but also the most expensive, so if you are trying to stick to a tight budget, a plane is probably not for you.

JC International Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Lanmei Airlines offer flights from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. The first two carriers have one flight per day, so there is plenty of chance of finding one that fits your schedule.

From Siem Reap to Sihanoukville by bus

Because flying is expensive, many tourists prefer to travel from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville by bus. You might say that you see more of Cambodia's scenery and culture this way, but the journey is long and probably not good for those who don't like to be cooped up in a small space for long periods of time. The bus trip lasts about 10 hours and takes all night. The advantage of traveling at night is that it's cooler and you can get some sleep, but sleeping on the bus isn't always easy and while it's dark, you're not enjoying the scenery!

On the other hand, the buses operated by the giant Ibis Transport are comfortable, safe and well equipped. Their night bus has reclining seats that are almost as good as a real bed, so sleeping might not be so bad after all. The buses are equipped with Wi-Fi and restrooms, and snacks are available. The giant Ibis transport bus leaves Siem Reap at 8:30 p.m. and arrives in Sihanoukville around 06:30 the next morning.

Alternatively, Virak Buntham Express also has buses from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville. Their sleeping VIP buses have televisions, steward service, toilets, and snacks. The campaign has different flights each day, with each one taking a different time. The fastest flight is the night flight. It will leave Siem Reap at 8 p.m. and arrive in Sihanoukville around 8 a.m. the next morning, but there are also later and earlier departures.

By minibus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville

Traveling by minibus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville is another option. The aforementioned company Virak Buntham Express manages the service not only of buses, but also of minivans. The advantage of a minivan over a bus is that it can be faster, and that there aren't as many strangers. Therefore, it can be a good option for anyone traveling in a group, since you can probably arrange to fill a minivan. However, tickets are only sold individually, so you will not save money by choosing this mode of transportation.

The disadvantage is that because minivans are smaller, you won't have any services, and you'll feel cramped. So weigh the pros and cons when making your decision. From Siem Reap to Sihanoukville, a minibus takes about 11 hours, so it may be faster than some buses. These minivans only operate during the daytime, leaving Siem Reap at 06:00, 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00, so you will at least see a lot of scenery along the way.