By moto
Around the major urban centers - Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville –the moto (motorbike taxi) is the most common form of public transport. Motos are speedy, cheap, and available everywhere. English-speaking moto drivers are most commonly found around tourist hotspots. Negotiate your price before your trip, whether for a one-off trip or a whole day's service.
Moto
drivers won't always know where you want to go, but won't admit their ignorance
for fear of losing your fare. Not all of them overcharge, but most will be
loath to turn over any change for the fare. Make sure you carry small change if
you want to give the exact fare.
By cyclo
Like
its motorized counterpart, the cyclo is quite common in the cities – while it’s
slower, it’s a far more pleasant and laid back way to get around. Like the
moto, you should negotiate the price before beginning your ride.
By taxi
Taxis
are easy to find when arriving at Phnom Penh – they’re lined up outside the
arrival hall. Fares from the airport to Phnom Penh will set you back US$7 and
the trip will take about 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. In Siem
Reap, airport-to-town fares cost US$5.
By motorcycle
You might also rent a motorcycle to drive yourself around the city, but be warned: traffic in Phnom Penh is extremely chaotic, and should only be challenged by experienced motorcycle riders.
It's better to rent a motorcycle to visit areas outside of Phnom Penh; renting one will set you back $5-8 a day for a dirtbike, $3-4 for a moto. Do this only if you're willing to chance the nigh-nonexistent medical care in the countryside. Wear a helmet, and slow down in the villages. Animals and children have a nasty tendency to run out into your path, so be vigilant!
Police
in Siem Reap have forbidden motorcycle rental outlets from renting cycles to
tourists.
By rented car
Nothing
beats a rented car for safety and comfort: getting one, driver included, will
set you back about US$20-$30 daily. Self-drive car hire is not recommended,
giv3n the parlous state of most roads and traffic. Ask your hotel or guesthouse
if they can arrange to hire a car for you.
By train
Cambodia’s railway network runs along two lines - from Phnom Penh to Battambang, and from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. The trains are old and decrepit, and the tracks are constantly under repair. Still, this is a cheap and scenic way to travel, and you'll get to meet a lot of locals you'll never otherwise encounter. While this is slow going, you’ll have a view of the countryside and the coast that no other travelers will ever see. Inquire at the station for the train schedule.
By bus
The rapidly developing bus services in Cambodia offer low-cost travel to key cities in the country. From Phnom Penh, you can catch a bus to Siem Reap (six hours, $4), Sihanoukville (four hours, $4), or Battambang (six hours, $4). Bus services also run from Phnom Penh to Cambodia border crossings - Moc Bai (Vietnam) and Poi Pet (Thailand) among them.
