From most places within Cambodia, you will have to go through Phnom Penh (PP) to get to Sihanoukville, or at least this will be the easiest, cheapest and fastest way. The exception to this is if you’re coming from the Kampot area.
If you’re coming from PP, you have various options to get to Sihanoukville. National Route #4 to Sihanoukville is a paved and smooth, fast, easy road.
Relatively comfortable, a/c buses (but no toilet) depart Phnom Penh several times per day. $4 and it takes about 4 hours. All buses depart from the bus stations near the Central Market (Psar Tmei). Most will stop half way for a break for 15mins. In high season it’s best to buy a ticket ahead of time.
Schedule:
- PP to SKV : 6:55, 7:30, 8:30, 12:30, 1:30
- SHV to PP : 7:10, 8:00, 12:15, 1:10, 2:00
- Stations:
- Phnom Penh: On Charles de Gaulle, next to the Central Market.
- Sihanoukville office: Center of town on Ekareach St.
Schedule:
- PP to SKV : 7:15, 8:15, 12:30, 1:30
- SHV to PP : 7:15, 8:15, 12:30, 1:30
- Stations:
- Phnom Penh: Just southwest of the Central Market, on the corner of 142 St. and Charles de Gaulle Blvd.
- Sihanoukville office: On Ekareach and Sopheakmongkol Streets.
Capitol Guesthouse in Phnom Penh is running daily a/c buses to Sihanoukville. Departs from the Capitol G/house in Phnom Penh at 7:15AM. $3.50 one way. Discount for round trip ticket. In Sihanoukville contact Capitol Tours on Ekareach in the middle of downtown. The Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh bus departs at 12:30PM
Most shared taxis depart Phnom Penh before 10:00AM, though you can still find one into the mid afternoon. R10,000/person. Shared taxis offer a cramped and harrowing 3-3½-hour ride with 8 or more people stuffed in a compact car. You can opt to pay for 2 places and get the front seat to yourself, but bear in mind a lot of the cars have the steering on the wrong side of the car so you could find yourself in the hot seat when it comes to overtaking! Private taxis (just you) run about to $55+. In Phnom Penh taxis wait at the southwest corner of the Central Market (Phsar Tmei). In Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh bound taxies wait on Street 108.
It is a 230 km, 4-5 hour trip on Route #4. Most cyclists rent 250cc off-road bikes for the trip. Rent motorcycles at Lucky Lucky or New New Motorcycle on Monivong, near Street 184 in Phnom Penh. Leaving Phnom Penh, follow Confederation dela Russie (Airport Road) south past the airport and out of town. At the Route #3/#4 fork just east of Phnom Penh (Chom Chao), bear right. National Route #4 to Sihanoukville is paved and smooth, fast, easy, and a relatively dangerous road, speeding taxis and reckless lorries are the norm. Slow down through the villages, watch for errant animals and oblivious children. By all means wear a helmet and bear in mind that medical help and rescue is non-existent in the countryside. Stop for a refreshment break at one of the many road side stands at Pich Nil near the half way point.