Phnom Penh
Cambodia

"Your Guide to Phnom Penh --
the Capital of Cambodia"

"Phnom Penh" was last updated on May 19, 2010
All information below is subject to change

Phnom Penh is one of the hidden capitals in Asia!

The riverside part of the city is the most beautiful place you can find, and some parts in the center of the city have stunning buildings in french-style architecture.

In this article you'll find:



And not to mention, the great Cambodian food served at the many restaurants.

Another thing that drew me here was the art. Yes, if you're an art-lover or just appreciate art, you're going to love it here!

Find many art galleries and shops; from traditional to contemporary art.

But, let's face it... Phnom Penh has an undeserved reputation of being "dangerous".

I'm a female and I walked down the streets at nights in Phnom Penh.

No trouble.

No harm.

Just use the same common sense as if you were in New York or another big city...

Otherwise, the city is just chaotic because of its strongly trafficated streets with bikes and occasionally elephants walking down the roads.

Backpackers who come to town are usually here for two reasons: the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields.

Sisoqath Quay is where most tourists and flashpackers stay in the city because of the proximity to the river, the endless row of restaurants, shops and bars.

Enjoy!

How to get there

By air: International flights land at the international airport in Phnom Penh.

Have in mind that there's a departure tax at the international airport: $ 25 per person (as of April 2010).

After you've checked in your baggage, you'll find escalators to the depature halls. Before that there's a small counter to the right (same floor as check-in). Here's where you have to pay the departure tax.

So don't get rid of all your dollars just yet!

Cheap flights to Phnom Penh:



cambodia phnom penh river sunset backpacking tips asia
By boat from Siem Reap: A daily boat leaves Siem Reap at 07.00 am and arrives in PP at 13.30 pm. Bring refreshments!

By bus: You can take the bus to PP from major cities/towns like Battambang (5-6 hours), Siem Reap (6 hours), Sihanoukville, Koh Kong (if you're coming from Koh Chang in Thailand) Kampot, Ban Lung, Kampong Cham, Stung Treng (if coming from 4000 Islands in Southern Laos), Kratie etc.

Check if the guesthouse you're staying at provides transportation, or contact a travel agent. Sorya Transport is usually the bus company which can be used. But I never tried it, so I don't have any reviews.

For more information on Sorya Transport, click here (opens in a new window)

In April 2010, we took a minivan from Siem Reap to PP. It was efficient and comfortable (the road between Siem Reap and PP has improved significantly since I visited Cambodia the first time in 2007). The driver dropped us off close to Sisowath Quay, just outside the evening market.

A ticket for minivan cost $10 per person and we arranged it at one of the travel agents in Siem Reap called Neak Krorhorn Travel & Tours.

Departures from Siem Reap to PP with Neak Krorhorn Travel:

07.30 am
08.00 am
13.30 pm
14.00 pm

From Bangkok by train and bus: Take the 05.30 am train from Bangkok (Hualamphong station) to Aranyaprathet -- takes about 6 hours. From Aranyaprathet, take a Tuk-Tuk or the bus to Poipet. Cross the border. Then take a bus from Poipet to the capital, via Battambang or Siem Reap.

From 4000 islands in Laos/Stung Treng: There's no problem arranging transportation from Don Det or Don Khong island all the way to PP. Just contact a travel agent at one of the islands - that's how I did it. It's common to arrange a trip all the way from Laos to Cambodia.

A (mini)bus will be ready to take you the border crossing of Voen Kham/Dom Kralor.

The driver will drop you off at Voen Kham so you can stamp out of Laos. Then you have to walk a bit to the Cambodian side, and pay for a Cambodian tourist visa there. When you're done, a minivan will be ready to drive you further. Just make sure your backpack is on that minivan.

The minivan will most likely stop in Stung Treng, so you can switch to another means of transport (another minivan...yep, a lot of switches here). A minivan will normally carry passengers who are going to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. It will stop by PP first, and then onto Siem Reap.

Phnom Penh Map:

A: Boeng Kak lake
B: Sisowath Quay


Show bigger map

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Important places to know about:

  • Calmette Hospital at 3 Monivong Blvd.
  • Tourist Police. Phone nr: 023-724793, 012-942484.
  • For visa extensions, check if the guesthouse you're staying at provides visa services. You can also try the travel agents.
  • Banks and ATMs are scattered around the city. Traveler cheques can be cashed at many banks in PP.
  • Main post office is located on Street 13
  • Internet access all over town. Price: $1 per hour
  • Bike rentals are available around the city. Price: for regular bikes
    $ 2-4. Some places will require passport.




Phnom Penh Articles



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Where to sleep

Looking for a place to sleep? Thought so!

Check out this page!

Get personal reviews and prices!

CLICK for Phnom Penh Accommodation!



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Where to eat and relax

A good and cheap place to eat?

Here are some prices and good tips for you!

Click to find out more about Cambodia Food!

Where to party

PARTY! PARTY! PARTY!

-- CLICK for Nightlife!



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Where to shop

Read about the shopping in the city, including the most visited markets.

CLICK for shopping!

Sights and Activities

Click here to read about the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Continue to the Killing Fields of Cambodia.

Looking for Shooting Ranges? Click here, we found one!

Visit Tiny Toones -- breakdancing and Khmer music mixed with hip-hop

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Where do you want to go next?

Heading for Southern Laos? Click here to read about the Bolaven Plateau outside Pakse.

Heading towards Cambodia to see the Angkor Temples? Visit my article about the Angkor Temples.

Going south to the beaches of Sihanoukville Cambodia?

Get an interactive Cambodia Map and detailed bus information for Cambodia

Read about Cambodia History

Read about Cambodia Culture

Return from Phnom Penh to Backpacking Tips Asia Homepage.





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