After spending three unforgettable nights exploring the temples of Siem Reap, it was time to head south to Cambodia’s bustling capital, Phnom Penh, before making our way toward the Vietnamese border. Covering a distance of over 300 kilometers, the route between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh is incredibly popular and packed with transport options. To ensure a smooth and dependable journey, we bypassed the standard large tourist buses and chose to travel by minibus with Larryta—a company highly regarded for its reliability and frequent departures.
In this practical transport guide, we share our first-hand experience of traveling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by bus. From navigating ticket costs and payment snags at the office to what you can expect regarding on-board comfort, seating space, and amenities, we cover all the essentials. We also include crucial, real-time tips on the midway lunch break so you can plan your snacks wisely.
If you are looking for a reliable, efficient, and authentic way to travel overland between Cambodia’s two major cities, here is everything you need to know about booking and riding with Larryta.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む：シェムリアップからプノンペンへのバス移動：信頼のラリータ(Larryta)社ミニバン乗車記
Quick Travel Summary: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by Bus
- Bus Company Used: Larryta (Highly reliable, departs every 30 minutes)
- Ticket Price: USD 13 per person (Hyundai 22-seater minibus)
- Journey Duration: Approx. 6 hours (Including lunch and toilet breaks)
- Distance: Over 300 km
- Included: Small bottle of water and wet towel upon boarding.
Overview of Transport from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is over 300 km and is his a popular route with many bus companies. As well as buses, there are also shared taxis.
The journey takes about six hours, including time for meals and toilet breaks.
Several companies offer bus tickets for sale online. Bus companies are dotted along the main streets of Siem Reap, so you can also arrange tickets directly there. Prices vary from company to company, but are usually around USD 10-13.
It is also possible to arrange bus tickets at guesthouses. In this case, you can also expect a pick-up service at your accommodation. You’ll also pay a commission too.
Why We Chose Larryta Bus Company & Getting to the Office
As we were staying a little further from the city centre, we took a tuk-tuk to the bus company on the main street. We called a tuk-tuk using the car dispatch app Grab to the Larryta bus company on Main Street for 9,000 Riel.
There are so many bus companies in Siem Reap and buses to Phnom Penh run frequently every day; Larryta is relatively expensive at USD 13 to Phnom Penh, but we chose this company because it is seemingly reliable and there is a bus to Phnom Penh every 30 minutes.
After confirming online that the bus times and seats were available, we made my way to the ticket office.
Buying a Bus Ticket: Pricing and Counter Logistics
Enter the Larryta office and purchase a bus ticket to Phnom Penh.
On line, there were many empty seats on the 9am bus, so I thought I would take that one, but when I asked at the ticket office, I was told that there was an 8:50am bus, so I decided to take this one. The price was USD 13 per person. Credit cards were supposed to be accepted, but the machine didn’t work properly, so we paid in cash.
Seat numbers are printed on the bus ticket and you board the bus accordingly.
Boarding the Minibus and On-Board Amenities
Our bus was a Hyundai 22-seater minibus, departing at 8.50am, with the 9am and 9.30am buses also already in front of the Larryta office. Our bus appears to be an extra service because of demand.
At around 8:45am, our bus arrived. At the time, an announcement was made and we are asked to board. The announcement was made in Khmer and English.
At the entrance to the bus, we showed our tickets to the staff and boarded the bus. We were told to sit according to our seat number.
The bus was relatively new and clean, but the leg space was quite limited. Luggage could be placed in the space behind the front passenger seat.
Small bottles of water and hand towels were given to passengers when they boarded the bus.
The Journey: Lunch Break and Practical Food Tips
Shortly after 11am, we stopped for a lunch break.
There is a small shop right next to the restaurant where we bought Oreos. We should have got our lunch beforehand.
Some passengers were having lunch, but we did not eat here as the menu was a bit expensive and we had already had a huge breakfast of chicken fried rice..
Arrival at Larryta Bus Office in Phnom Penh
There was another toilet break before we arrived in Phnom Penh at 3pm.
We arrived at the Larryta bus company office in the north of Phnom Penh city centre.
What’s Next on Your Cambodian Overland Route?
After arriving at the Larryta office in northern Phnom Penh at 3:00 PM, we prepared for our next leg of the journey towards the Vietnamese border.
To see our complete route in 2023, local bus connections, train journeys, and regional travel tips across the country, check out our comprehensive travel hub: ➡ Return to Cambodia Travel Guide
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