Cambodia’s long‑dormant express boat service between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap has resumed after a six‑year pause, offering travellers a scenic alternative to buses and flights and giving the tourism sector a welcome lift.

 

The service, which halted in 2019 amid rising competition from air routes and improved road links, is now back on the water with the support of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. Ministry spokesperson Phan Rim said the revival restores a historic travel route first used in the 19th Century, even if modern habits have shifted towards faster or more convenient options.

 

Rim stressed that safety would be central to the relaunch. Authorities plan to call in operators to renew licences and will dispatch technical officers to inspect the boats currently in use. He said the ministry “supports” and “encourages” the return of the service, particularly as it offers both domestic and international tourists a distinctive way to move between the capital and Siem Reap.

 

Ticket sellers told Kiripost that a one‑way journey costs $29 for Cambodian passengers and $49 for international visitors, with the fare including a connecting bus from the port to travellers’ final destinations. Operators also offer a road‑return option for those who prefer to travel back by bus.

 

The relaunch has already generated online buzz. In November, a TikTok user under the name ‘កំលោះមួយទឹក’ posted a video showing the boat’s interior and sweeping river views en route to Siem Reap. The clip has attracted more than 1.2 million views, signalling strong curiosity about the service’s comeback.

 

For tourism officials, the renewed route is more than a nostalgic return. It adds another transport choice at a time when Cambodia is working to diversify travel experiences and draw visitors beyond the usual flight‑and‑road circuits. And for travellers, it offers something increasingly rare: a slow, scenic journey along the country’s waterways, reconnecting two of its most visited cities by river once again.

 

 

-2025-12-06

Sound like a great thing to do.  Google says 4-6 hours for the journey depending on the river.

Sadly the river isn't deep enough to run the boat for 8 months of the year.

On 12/7/2025 at 5:07 AM, geovalin said:

express boat service between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap

 

I have travelled on a similar express boat service from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh pre Covid. 

It was during the rainy season (August to November) when the water level is high in Lake Tonle Sap.

For my journey, a tuk-tuk conveyed me from my hotel in Siem Reap to the boarding stage on the shores of Tonle Sap. We then crossed the vast lake at speed (like being at sea) to reach the Tonle Sap River and then onwards to Phnom Penh where another tuk-tuk was waiting to convey me to my Phnom Penh hotel. It was a very enjoyable sailing in sunny weather. Most passengers were tourists and laid on the cabin roof soaking up the sun. I was down in the cabin sheltered from the sun and enjoying a chilled Angkor Beer! From hotel to hotel, the journey time was around 9 hours.

 

 

 

My photos of landing stage near Siem Reap and ät sea" on Tonle Sap Lake.