Most international travelers arrive in Cambodia by air at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Phnom Penh receives direct flights from several Asian cities including Bangkok, Vientiane, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Nanning, Qatar, Singapore, Taipei and Seoul.
There are also regularly scheduled buses from or to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, buses are also available if going from Siem Reap and Shanoukville to Phnom Penh.
Cambodia shares international crossings with all neighbor countries. The international crossing with Vietnam at Bavet (Cambodia) – Moc Bai (Vietnam) is most convenient to Phnom Penh. Cambodian visas are available on arrival at both airports and most international border checkpoints.
By Air
There are daily direct flights between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.
See about airline service in Phnom Penh here
Overland
There are several international border crossing points between Cambodia and Thailand, though most are more easily accessed from other Cambodian cities. The most frequently used by international travelers include the Poipet Crossing (most convenient to Siem Reap) and Cham Yeam Crossing (most convenient to Koh Kong and Sihanoukville).
By Air
Flights between Phnom Penh and both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are available daily.
See about airline service in Phnom Penh here
Check flights at vietjetair.com, jetstar.com for cheap flights.
Overland
There are several international border crossing points with Vietnam. The most direct and convenient border crossing to Phnom Penh is the Bavet checkpoint on National Route #1 and the ‘Chau Doc crossing’ on the Mekong River.
Bavet Checkpoint: Moc Bai (Vietnam) – Bavet (Cambodia). (National Route #1 to Phnom Penh)
Cambodian visas available at the border. Vietnamese visas not available at the border
The Moc Bai crossing is the most convenient to Phnom Penh. The road to Moc Bai is in very good condition, though the bridge over the Mekong at Neak Luong town is under construction requiring ferrying across the river.
Buses: There are several bus companies offering direct a/c service between HCMC and Phnom Penh for $10-$12, taking about 6 hours. (Deluxe buses are slightly more expensive.) No bus change at border. In HCMC, most of the bus stations are in the Pham Ngu Lao street (Traveler area in HCMC)
See more bus schedules here and Phnom Penh bus station locations here.
Phnom Penh Sorya Transport
PP-HCMC : 6:30, 7:45, 8:45, 12:45, 14:15
HCMC-PP : 6:45, 8:00, 10:00, 11:30, 14:30
Full-size a/c buses – $11/pax
Giant Ibis Transport (deluxe buses)
PP-HCMC : 8:00
HCMC-PP : 8:30
Deluxe a/c buses – $18/pax
Kumho Samco Busline
PP-HCMC : 6:30, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00
HCMC-PP : 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00
Full-size a/c buses – $10/pax
Sapaco Tourist
PP-HCMC : 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00
HCMC-PP : 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00
Full-size a/c buses – $12/pax
The Chau Doc Crossing: Vinh Xuong (Vietnam) — Kaam Samnor (Cambodia)
Cambodian visas available at the border. Vietnamese visas NOT available at the border
The ‘Chau Doc crossing’ is on the Mekong River. At least part of the trip to/from Phnom Penh will involve boat travel. From Phnom Penh there are two options:
1) Slow boat (the old route): From Phnom Penh bus to Neak Luong, where Route #1 meets the Mekong River (2 hours). At Neak Luong transfer to a boat to ‘Chau Doc crossing’ (5 hours). After crossing into Vietnam catch a motorcycle to Chau Doc and then a bus to HCMC (6-7 hours). $15-$20.
2) Fast boat: Direct boat from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc (5 hours). As above, catch a moto to Chau Doc and then a bus to HCMC (6-7 hours). $20-$25. Consult a travel agent for tickets.
Source: Canby Publications
