Getting Around Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Globetrotter

03 Feb 2023 - 7 min read

Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh is a great destination for those who’re looking to experience Asian culture, rich history both grim and golden bright, and enjoy an urban lifestyle that still holds all the local flavors for you to appreciate. There are many sights to be seen in the bustling city that reflect its long relationship with religion plus the accompanying distinct Cambodian architecture, and the many markets and bars/cafes will give you an exciting glimpse into the charms of Southeast Asia.

For locals, the city of Phnom Penh can be a bit difficult to navigate due to the lack of a central transportation system such as subways, but do not fret! Getting around in this city, while relying heavily on cars and other types of taxis (which you will get to know in a minute), will mostly just require cash and some talking (or bargaining) skills with locals. For day to day transport, check out these methods of transportation for your trip to the gorgeous ever-sunlit city of Phnom Penh.

Transportation in Phnom Penh

As with other Southeast Asian countries, motorcycles abound on the streets of Phnom Penh. Due to its swiftness and ability to traverse through small alleys and go between cars, it’s an ever-popular choice among locals. Similarly, if you travel to Phnom Penh, you might want to adopt this practice if you have a Cambodian driver’s license (not an international driver’s license) and can afford to rent the bike for your trip. If that does not sound possible, there are still other cool options such as the charming tuk tuks called remok, cyclos (three-wheel carriages), and your plain ol’ taxis, which is the most convenient and common transport for tourists. The city bus is an option too, and they’re very cheap if you’re willing to check out route maps and where each line of the bus goes.

Motorbike Rental

What do locals call motorbikes?: The motorbikes in Phnom Penh are cutely called Moto, and you can rent them for varying prices depending on whether you rent daily, weekly or monthly, and also depending on the model and type. This is different from the moto taxis which are available everywhere in the city for short-distance rides from point A to point B. For locals, motorbikes are the most common way to go around the city, and if you have experience driving them and are confident enough in your ability, you can easily rent them for your trip. One thing is that you will need a Cambodian driver’s license to drive a moto over 125cc. You might also find electric motorbikes around too which do not require a license, but they are definitely difficult to come by compared to normal motos.

Rental costs: Rental costs start from as low as 5 USD per day, and can go up to 70 USD for a month. Again, this depends on the model of the motorbike and whether they’re automatic bikes. Most commonly available are cheap and simple Japanese models you will see used by locals.

Advantages: Due to the difficult nature of Phnom Penh roads which are chaotic, riding motorcycles can help you to travel nimbly, visit attractions independently, and even go out of the city on your own. One downside is that the shop might ask you to give them your passport for the duration of your rent, and you might be called by police around the city and randomly ask for fines if you do not have a Cambodian driver’s license. Moreover, it can not be stressed enough that the Phnom Penh streets can be dangerous for any drivers, local or otherwise, so you should avoid it if you are not experienced with motorbikes!

Tips when riding a motorbike in Phnom Penh as a tourist: No.1 tip for riding on motos in Phnom Penh is to always wear helmets. The streets of the city can be dangerous and safety is key! Moreover, theft of motorbikes is common and you should use the provided safety chain whenever you park your motorbike for a visit at tourist spots. Be careful of your belongings since they might be stolen while you’re carrying them. If you do not have a Cambodian driver’s license, you will be fined by the police if you rent a moto over 125cc, and you should just pay the fine directly to the officer if you’re pulled over. You can ride electric bikes without a license, though.

Remok

What is a Remok: Remok is unique-looking tuk tuks in Phnom Penh. You will see these bright (usually red) modified three-wheel motorcycles all over the city. They’re an easy way to go from attraction to attraction, and generally do not cost much. Most of the time, they will be waiting in front of hotels, temples, and other popular attractions, so finding them should be easy. They might cost more for further destinations such as Phnom Penh International Airport and Choeung Ek Killing Fields Memorial. Remoks are now also available through apps and can be booked in advance and paid through credit card just like other types of taxi cars.

Fares: Fares vary depending on the distance and duration of each ride, and are usually more expensive than taxis. However, most trips within the city will still cost a few dollars only. Keep in mind that you need to agree on the price before you hop in the car, and it’s important to ask whether this price is for your whole group or per passenger. As with remok or tuk tuks in other cities, they might try and haggle you for more. You can avoid this by asking for the contact number of the remok driver you’re already used, so you don’t have to find a new driver every time. You can also ask for a round-trip transfer if you don’t want more hassle when getting a driver. If you use taxi apps, you will see the price beforehand making your trip smoother as well.

Tips: Due to its open-air nature, you should be aware that there is bag snatching on the streets, and that you should keep your bags and valuables close to your chest. Get a remok app if you want to book a ride in advance. Stand your ground when talking prices and make it clear from the get-go how much you will pay. Keep small banknotes and coins to pay for these rides easily.

Taxi

Why are taxis the most popular transportation?: As mentioned before, the streets of Phnom Penh are quite chaotic and there are bag snatchers targeting tourists on moto taxis and remok, so riding in a taxi is a safer way to travel. Taxis are available from the popular spots of Phnom Penh such as the major streets and the riverfront, and most of the time cost less than remoks. Drivers might have some English skills making it easier for you to communicate. Other than metered and non-metered taxis you might find on the roads, rides through private car apps can be helpful for tourists as well. For regular metered taxi services, book through its apps although in apps mentioned earlier taxis can also be called.

Taxi fares: Taxi fares can be cheaper than remoks which costs a few dollars per ride (2,500 Riel per km.) There are both metered and non-metered taxis. If you find a non-metered one (although a metered one is preferred and is similarly available), agree on the price firmly in advance. Using taxi apps from Cambodian taxi companies will help you see the price beforehand and avoid the hassle.

Tips and tricks: Check navigation apps to see your routes and give drivers some instructions if they’re not sure of the way. Booking in advance, as you probably well know, is the most convenient and certain way to get a taxi. For non-metered taxis, agree on the price before you ride. However, it’s better to not bother and find a metered one.

Advantages: Air-conditioned and door-to-door transfer is obviously better than open riding in remoks. As mentioned, taxis are generally cheaper than them as well, making it ideal for traveling between your hotels and attractions. For bar goers and those who travel in the evenings, taxis will also usually hang around the area, making it convenient for grabbing a ride at any time of the day. And if you have a clear plan, you can book a car from taxi services to smoothen your plans.

Bus

Fares: Fare for the bus is 1,500 Riel (0.36 USD) for adult passengers, and free for the elderly and kids. Prepare cash to pay directly to the drivers to get a ticket. Press the stop button when you want to depart. You can check the Stops Near Me app for information on routes and which color line to go on. The bus generally runs from 05:30 to 20:30.

Advantages: Although slower and less private than remoks or taxis, the incredibly cheap fares attract some travelers to use the bus. The bus covers most major points in Phnom Penh and even though you will encounter traffic jams, you can be more comfortable and safer. They also reach Phnom Penh airport via Line 3 (dark blue) so it can be useful for tourists. Moreover, since riding on remoks include risks of bag snatching, riding on the bus can help you avoid dangers of theft. Another good point is that you won’t need to worry about negotiating prices.

Traveling in a country without a public transport system can be a lot of work, but by using apps to book in advance you can avoid the complications that come with foreign travels. For your trip in Cambodia, be firm when talking with any drivers about prices, and don’t hesitate to say no if you don’t want a ride from them since they tend to try and be persuasive. Motorbike rentals is a go-to if you are an experienced driver especially if you’re an independent solo tourist, but you need a Cambodian driver’s license if you ride a moto above 125cc. The best option, though, is to find a taxi, whether it’s book-in-advance ones via various apps by ride companies or taxi companies, or just by looking on the streets. You can get anywhere in the charming city via taxi and it’s safer too!