How to get to Kep

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

Wondering how to get to Kep? Check our handy guide to getting to Kep from Phnom Penh, Kampot, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap. We’ll cover all of your options for how to get to Kep, including taxis, tuk tuks, mini-buses, and even a riverboat.

Kep is within reach. Here’s how to get there.

How to get to Kep from Phnom Penh

Bus: Phnom Penh Sorya runs four buses a day to Kep, at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:45 p.m. Tickets cost $7 and while they claim that the trip takes 3.5 hours, Sorya buses are known for usually taking at least an hour more than their estimated time, and sometimes several hours more. Sorya is not one of our favorite bus companies in Cambodia — all of their buses are quite old — but this is the only full-size bus that goes from Phnom Penh to Kep and tickets can be purchased online.

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Visit the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, aka the ECCC

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Pete Ford

Occupying swampy land about an hour outside of Phnom Penh, behind the National Army Headquarters on National Road 4 beyond Phnom Penh International Airport, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)—more commonly known at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT)—continue to quietly try those accused of being responsible for alleged crimes of the Khmer Rouge, whose four year reign saw the loss of up to 2 million lives and widespread destruction of culture, livelihoods and infrastructure.

The grounds of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. Photo courtesy of the ECCC.

In the 11 years since the first judges were sworn in, the United Nations-supported hybrid court has had three successful prosecutions, seen two defendants pass away, and heard the testimonies of thousands of survivors, perpetrators and experts on what happened in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979 when the Khmer Rouge controlled the country. Continue reading →

How to get to and from Sihanoukville Airport

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

Showing up at a strange airport in a strange country is, for most people, a stressful experience. Luckily, Sihanoukville Airport is so small that there’s almost nothing to worry about. There are limited options for getting from Sihanoukville Airport into town, but it’s best to have an idea in advance of what your plan is.

The Sihanoukville Airport is small but perfectly formed.

The Sihanoukville Airport is located approximately 12 miles (20km) north of Sihanoukville, on Route 4. Only four planes per week that land there, all of them Cambodia Angkor Air’s Siem Reap to Sihanoukville flights. Continue reading →

Visiting Koh Dach, Cambodia’s ‘Silk Island’

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Pete Ford

Phnom Penh might not have the star draw of Angkor Wat to attract tourists, and the modest attractions of the Royal Palace, National Museum, and Khmer Rouge sites see only a fraction of the visitors that flood to Siem Reap. But a short trip to Koh Dach by bicycle, tuk-tuk or public bus offers a fantastic experience to witness rural Cambodia and avoid the city’s traffic and noise.

A young weaver at her family loom on Koh Dach.

Silk Island—Koh Dach in Khmer—gained its name from the island’s primary occupation, silk weaving. A decade ago nearly every household on this island in the middle of the Mekong had their own loom, but as the cost of silk production has increased, more and more of the island’s young weavers have left to look for work in nearby garment factories. Traditional weaving still takes place today, albeit on a more modest scale, and the sound of looms can still be heard as one travels along the narrow lanes that criss-cross the palm tree-dotted landscape. Continue reading →

Why Otres Village is Sihanoukville’s new foodie hotspot

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Cassie Wilkins

Once a peaceful river retreat between rice paddies, Sihanoukville’s Otres Village has quickly evolved into one of Cambodia’s coolest and most vibrant destinations. A short walk from Otres Beach, the village is home to locals, expats and tourists alike, offering a wide array of quirky and comfortable accommodation options and a myriad of cafes, restaurants, bars, and teahouses featuring dishes from all across the world. From Japanese to Czech, Lebanese to Indian, and American diner to traditional British fish and chips, Otres Village has become a true foodie’s paradise. Here’s our rundown of the best of the best!

Where to eat on Otres.

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How to get from the airport into Phnom Penh

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

If you’re looking for a great introduction to Cambodia, there’s no better way to do it than to negotiate your transfer to Phnom Penh from Phnom Penh International Airport (nee Pochentong). Be aware that the taxi situation can border on scammy, so it’s good to know what to expect before you go.

As in many cities, you’ll probably have a group of men shouting at you and trying to rope you into various transport options the minute you leave the arrivals hall. Take a deep breath and ignore them. You have three transportation options for Phnom Penh Airport transfers: taxi, tuk tuk, and moto.

Phnom Penh international airport arrivals

Welcome to Phnom Penh International Airport. Here’s how to leave.

Taking a taxi from Phnom Penh Airport

Taxis are the fastest, safest way to get from the airport into Phnom Penh, especially if you’re carrying lots of expensive equipment on you. You can either get an airport taxi or a private taxi.
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Phnom Penh metered taxis and taxi-booking apps

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

In the last few years metered taxis have become popular in Phnom Penh, offering a safer and sometimes less expensive ride than the alternatives. Unlike in many major cities, taxis need to be reserved in advance by phone or app, and can almost never be flagged down on the street. However a quick call or swipe can have a taxi to you in less than ten minutes. Here’s a rundown of the best taxi companies and taxi booking apps in Phnom Penh.

Metered taxis can be a safer and less expensive alternative way to get around Phnom Penh

Cambodia taxi apps

Uber has finally arrived in Cambodia, but the local alternatives are better established and often less expensive. PassApp Taxis, Exnet Taxi, and iTsumo are Uber-like taxi apps operating in Phnom Penh that allow you to book a metered tuk tuk, taxi, or SUV with the touch of a button (theoretically). Continue reading →

Kirirom National Park: Pine trees, fresh air, and dinosaurs

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Pete Ford

The most southerly point of the Cardamom Mountain range, Kirirom National Park rises from the flat rice fields and mango plantations, and the natural beauty found its pine trees, mountain lakes, wildflowers, and seemingly endless vistas make the journey to Cambodia’s first National Park worth the effort.

Kirirom National Park: Worth the Effort.

Halfway between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville along National Road 4, Kirirom National Park is 700 meters above sea level. The cooler temperatures and inviting odor of pine means that Kirirom offers the closest glimpse of the forests of Europe in Cambodia, while the piles of plastic garbage along the winding road help to remind you just where you actually are. Continue reading →

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