Overview
Cambodia is a country in Asia according to ehistorylib. Boasting some of the world’s most impressive ancient ruins, backpacker-loving Cambodia is made up of rugged jungles, muggy cities and a past that’s part inspirational, part saddening. The overwhelming splendor of the Angkor Wat temple complex is the country’s top tourist attraction, but Cambodia has more to offer than just its Khmer past. The capital, Phnom Penh, is one of the most fascinating cities in the entire region, and elsewhere in Cambodia tourists can find worthwhile destinations such as national parks, beaches and tropical rainforests full of jungle adventures. Pol Pot’s devastating Khmer Rouge regime ruined the country and still makes for chilling sights today, but Cambodia has largely recovered. Today it is one of the tourist highlights of Southeast Asia.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
National carrier Cambodia Angkor Air (K6) currently operates international flights from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang in Vietnam. In cooperation with Bangkok Airways (PG), the national airlines Lufthansa (LH) fly from Frankfurt/M., Austrian Airlines (OS) from Vienna and Swiss (LX) from Zurich to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Singapore Airlines (SQ) connects Frankfurt/M. and Zurich via Singapore with Siem Reap and Phnom Penh; Eva Air (BR) flies from Vienna via Bangkok and Taipei (Taiwan).
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Siem Reap: 13 hrs 15 mins; Vienna – Siem Reap: 12 hrs 10 mins; Zurich – Siem Reap: 13 hours 45 minutes Frankfurt/M. – Phnom Penh: 14 hrs 20 mins; Vienna – Phnom Penh: 13 hrs 15 mins; Zurich – Phnom Penh: 14 hrs 50 mins (each with at least 1 stopover)
Departure fee
€22 (US$25); Children under 12 pay around €12 (US$13). Children under the age of 2 are excluded. The airport fee is usually already included in the ticket price.
Arrival by car
Entry by land is possible from Thailand via the Aranyaprathet/Poipet, Hat Lek/Cham Yeam and Surin/Samraong border crossings. The Suay Chrom border crossing in Preah Vihear province is only open to Thai and Cambodian citizens. From Vietnam you can get to Cambodia via the Moc Bai/Bavet, Tinh Bien/Phnom Den and Ha Tien/Kampot border crossings. In Laos, the border into Cambodia can be crossed at Veun Kham; Difficulty entering the country may arise due to tensions over border disputes. Long-distance bus: Virak Buntham Express connects Phnom Penh with Bangkok (Thailand) (journey time: approx. 13 hours 30 minutes) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) (journey time: 10 hours). Toll: Two toll road sections of 6.5 kilometers each are located near Phnom Penh between the Steung Mean Chey Bridge and the intersection of highways 3 and 4 and on a connecting road between highways 3 in the east and 5 in the north of the city. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required. A Cambodian driver’s license must be applied for if the stay is longer than 3 months. 5 kilometers are located at Phnom Penh between the Steung Mean Chey Bridge and the intersection of highways 3 and 4 and on a connecting road between highways 3 in the east and 5 in the north of the city. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required. A Cambodian driver’s license must be applied for if the stay is longer than 3 months. 5 kilometers are located at Phnom Penh between the Steung Mean Chey Bridge and the intersection of highways 3 and 4 and on a connecting road between highways 3 in the east and 5 in the north of the city. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required. A Cambodian driver’s license must be applied for if the stay is longer than 3 months.
Arrival by train
There is no cross-border rail traffic.
Arrival by ship
Sihanoukville, the country’s main port, is regularly visited by cruise ships. The port of Phnom Penh can be reached on ferry services through the Mekong Delta.
Cruise ships
Shipping companies such as AIDA, Costa and Phoenix also dock in Cambodia on their cruises departing from European ports.
Ferry provider
Mandarin Cruises speedboats connect daily Chau Doc (Vietnam) with Phnom Penh (journey time: 5 hrs); Hotel transfer possible in both places.
Transportation
Traveling by plane
The national airlines Cambodia Angkor Air (K6), Cambodia Airways (KR), Lanmei Airlines (LQ) and JC Airlines (QD) connect the cities of Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville several times a day on their domestic flights.
Traveling by car/bus
The Cambodian road network has a length of approx. 34,000 km. Six of the country’s eight national roads run in a star pattern from Phnom Penh to the borders of neighboring countries and the coast. Raids happen relatively frequently; the risk of being mugged can be reduced by driving in a convoy. Night driving should generally be avoided. Tolls: Two toll road sections of 6.5 kilometers each are located near Phnom Penh between the Steung Mean Chey Bridge and the intersection of highways 3 and 4 and on a connecting road between highways 3 in the east and 5 in the north of the city. Gas stations: Normal gas stations are rare in Cambodia;
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
Most roads are in poor condition; just under 10% of the entire road network is paved, such as the Phnom Penh – Battambang route; however, a gravel road leads from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
Road classification
Cambodia’s road network includes national roads, which are signposted with one digit in black letters on a white background, and branch roads connected to these with two-digit numbers, the first digit of which corresponds to the number of the national road from which they branch off.
Car rental
Rental cars are available at international airports and in cities; even with a driver. The minimum age for drivers is 21 years; Drivers under the age of 26 pay a young driver fee.
Taxi
Taxis are available in larger cities, at taxi ranks or in front of larger hotels. Shared taxis are also on the road; these start at fixed stops as soon as all seats are occupied; there is also the possibility to pay for several places in order to speed up the departure.
Bicycle
In Siem Reap, companies rent out motorcycles to travelers despite the ban to protect tourists. Tip: You should always make sure that the insurance cover also includes the driver and front passenger.
Coach
Phnom Penh Sorya Transportation buses connect numerous locations in the country, serving Phnom Penh, Kampot, Sihanoukville, Battambang and Siem Reap, among others.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – blood alcohol limit: 0.1 ‰ Speed limits: – in towns: 60-80 km/h; – on rural roads (single lane): 90 km/h; – on dual carriageways: 120 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of damage to the vehicle: Tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. In the event of breakdowns or accidents with the rental car, the car rental company should be contacted first.
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required. A Cambodian driver’s license must be applied for if the stay is longer than 3 months.
Traveling in the city
Phnom Penh: The city center is easily explored on foot, where most of the sights, shops and restaurants are located. Also, tuk-tuks, moped-taxis and rickshaws can be found throughout the city.
Locally on the way by train
Royal Railway trains run from Phnom Penh to Banteay Meanchey, Battambong and Kampot.
Traveling by ship
Daily ferries operate between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap on the Tonle Sap river and lake (departure: 7:00 am, journey time: 4-6 hours). Speedboats commute along the Mekong between Phnom Penh and Kampong (journey time: 2 hours) and Kampong Cham and Kratie (journey time: 3 hours).
