What is currently the best (cheapest!) way from Phnom Penh airport to the city centre?

[sellingmystuff]

I'm heading to Phnom Penh at the beginning of December and wondered what is currently the best, cheapest and most reliable way of getting to the centre of Phnom Penh. I'll only be carrying a small backpack, so walking short distances to bus or taxi stops is no problem.

Any other up-to-date tips on visa on arrival, currency, recommended places to see, etc. are also very gratefully received.

Thanks very much in advance!

[rarky]

Pochentong Airport - Phnom Penh central/Riverside;

Taxi - $9

Tuk tuk - $7

Moto - $3

Once you pass through customs there is a transportation booth where you can pre-pay for a taxi or tuk tuk, which will wait for you outside in the parking area. If you want to be a cheap Charlie, you could walk outside the airport to the main road and jump on the back of a motodop's bike, or try and barter for a cheaper tuk tuk, but to be honest its cheap enough to get one inside the airport and they mostly speak English.

A lot of the tuk tuk drivers will try to take you to "their" preferred guesthouse, because if they take you there and you stay they receive commission. Its best to either have pre-booked accommodation, or at least know the name and address of the place you plan on staying at.

Visa on arrival is simple, have 1x passport photo, $20USD (Tourist visa), and completed Visa form which you will be given on the plane. For more info on visas, check the visa thread.

Currency is US dollars. You will receive small change in Khmer Riels (4000KHR = $1USD)

For things to do/see, check out the TA or LP websites.

For night life, check the http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681805-off-the-rails-in-pp/ thread.

Remember to pack your common-sense, be aware of your personal safety, respect the locals and you'll have a great time.

[Wimbledon]

If you want decent touk touk for 5 us and. Speaks english ,PM ME for info

[phuketrichard]

you could walk the 12 + kms to Riverside and save the $3

Visa on arrival $20

PIck up the lonely plenty guide book (copy) on riverside for $5

[rarky]

Walk! Haha...probably not a great idea for a new visitor to PP, but it is the cheapest option

[F4UCorsair]

Walk to the gates and take a motorcycle taxi. Last time I was there they weren't permitted at the terminal building, similar to Chiang Mai, so it's just a short walk to the main road.

[ronrat]

Apply for a visa on line. Much easier.. get a taxi. Under 10 bucks and Cambodia needs the money.

[Theo007]

Make sure you have the $US 20 to pay for your visa on arrival otherwise they charge 1,000 baht. When I visited three weeks ago i took a taxi from the airport, $US 9.

[oxo1947]

Raky--Pochentong Airport - Phnom Penh central/Riverside;

Taxi - $9

Tuk tuk - $7

Moto - $3

Wow 6 years since I have been there, and those prices have hardly changed..........or maybe I paid way tot much way back then...

[rarky]

Make sure you have the $US 20 to pay for your visa on arrival otherwise they charge 1,000 baht. When I visited three weeks ago i took a taxi from the airport, $US 9.

Immigration at Pochentong airport only accepts $US, did you pay in THB??? Normally people who don't have $USD are escorted out to the ATM's to withdraw money.

[freebyrd]

Maybe I'm getting old, why take a moto? $9 for a taxi is too much? Give the driver $10, he will welcome the $1 tip. I've lived here years, motos are for the young, adventurous (stupid) or those who can't afford an extra few dollars, sad if you can't....

See the National Museum, Toul Sleng, Choueng Ek (Killing fields) and a boat trip down the Tonle Sap. That said, if you're looking for the cheapest way into town, will you be able to afford any of these?

[sanmyn]

Tuk Tuk in departure area at Airport is $7 to your hotel. Find an older (slow) driver who speaks English.

[mrdome]

Ignore touts and walk out of terminal to main road, you can hail a tuk tuk for $5.

[feest monty]

obviously the cambodian people still survive on $1/day

[F4UCorsair]

Raky--Pochentong Airport - Phnom Penh central/Riverside;

Taxi - $9

Tuk tuk - $7

Moto - $3

Wow 6 years since I have been there, and those prices have hardly changed..........or maybe I paid way tot much way back then...

When I worked there 10 years ago it was $1.00 by moto taxi, so trebling the price in 10 years is somewhat more than the inflation rate.....maybe not more for Cambodia?

Ahh, the good old days, Sharkey's Bar, the Cathouse.........many a pleasant night spent in those fine watering holes, when one could procure the Best in the Bar for between 5 and 10 bucks!! That was value.

My last visit was a few years ago, and the sign on the door of the Cathouse was gone. It read, "Firearms must be left with the security guard"! It was still a pretty wild place then, when the authorities didn't have a communication system, so a volley of shots in the air was the signal for an ambulance, a longer volley for fire brigade, etc.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

I'm recommending a tuk tuk. A bit safer. Many of those old Daelim moto taxis barely have any brakes and passenger footpegs are usually bent to useless. It's a long ride when you have to hold up your legs and bag. From the seat of a tuk tuk, you can relax and look around.

You can get a tuk tuk outside the gates for $5 or, being there for the first time, just take one from the arrivals area.

Mobile phone wise, just outside Customs, you can pick up a local SIM -- Smart, Mobitel, Metfone -- for a couple of bucks.

[Sheryl]

Not sure I agree when you factor in thefts. Things get snatched from tuk-tuks by thieves on motos so I'd be wary of travelling in one with luggage etc, esp. at night.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Not sure I agree when you factor in thefts. Things get snatched from tuk-tuks by thieves on motos so I'd be wary of travelling in one with luggage etc, esp. at night.

I am aware, but the response is easy. You need to bury the luggage on the floor and put your legs around them. If you've got too much luggage, then you have to adjust. Keep your light stuff on the floor and put the heavy stuff on top. Very easy. And be aware.

So your answer is what? You can take a four-door taxi. Sure. But tuk tuks are quicker than four-wheeled vehicles, motos even faster, but I think you're too vulnerable to accidents and such in the latter. Any transport vehicle is vulnerable to something. But you don't want to walk.

[Wimbledon]

For a completely reliable touk touk , that helps charity organization for khymer s at the bottom of the food chain and can provide references by decent organizations PM me , and speaks fluent english .... In this day and age you must be a little more diligent ie ladies dont Carry purses dangling from your shoulder that motorcycles can swing by quickly and be off with it , try to keep your money higher upon your body as its so easy to be pick pocketed at thigh level keep,alot of small us currency on you as often as possible so its easier to do transactions

[Fifteen15]

I took a motorbike taxi from the airport to town today for 4 USD. He said 5, I said 4, he said OK.

Slightly OT, but these free sim cards, do they offer 3G (roaming internet)? And if so, what's the catch? I don't want to make calls, it would just be nice to have access to the Internet for looking at maps and doing quick online searches.

[rarky]

I took a motorbike taxi from the airport to town today for 4 USD. He said 5, I said 4, he said OK.

Slightly OT, but these free sim cards, do they offer 3G (roaming internet)? And if so, what's the catch? I don't want to make calls, it would just be nice to have access to the Internet for looking at maps and doing quick online searches.

What free SIM cards? SIM cards cost $2 from most providers, and then you purchase credit. Most have 3G, but when you put credit on the phone you have to send a txt message with a certain code, different codes for different data packages. Just ask at any phone shop or network provider store and they will give you all the info you need.

Network coverage differs from area to area, and I have found Mobitel to be the most reliable so far, I only spend $5 per month for 3G and have never run out, usually spend about $1 a month on calls and SMS.

[rarky]

Slightly OT, but these free sim cards, do they offer 3G (roaming internet)? And if so, what's the catch? I don't want to make calls, it would just be nice to have access to the Internet for looking at maps and doing quick online searches.

SIM cards cost $2 from most network providers. 3G is available, ask the vendors or at any phone shop for instructions and data package options. I use Mobitel, great coverage and reliable, $5 p/mth for 3G and I have never run out, spend about $1 - 2 p/mth on phone calls and SMS.

[sellingmystuff]

Thanks again for the great advice.

Just as a quick update I paid 6 USD from outside the airport to Independence Monument, and the return journey cost me 7 USD. I certainly think I could have got it a dollar or two cheaper, but didn't really feel the need to argue it down further.

From the airport took about an hour in rush hour traffic and the return journey took a leisurely 45 minutes.

Fascinating place, for a wide variety of reasons. The biggest surprise for me was the varied, excellent and reasonably priced restaurants. As a vegetarian, I expected to struggle for decent food, but I found several fantastic places. Definitely one of the better food destinations I've been to in SE Asia.

Recommended!!

[Chippen Dong]

i've walked it a few times. these days i avoid the dilemma by catching an international bus instead. come to think of it i have never done anything other than walk it both ways even when one arrival was in the dark of evening.

[Sheryl]

Thanks again for the great advice.

Just as a quick update I paid 6 USD from outside the airport to Independence Monument, and the return journey cost me 7 USD. I certainly think I could have got it a dollar or two cheaper, but didn't really feel the need to argue it down further.

From the airport took about an hour in rush hour traffic and the return journey took a leisurely 45 minutes.

Fascinating place, for a wide variety of reasons. The biggest surprise for me was the varied, excellent and reasonably priced restaurants. As a vegetarian, I expected to struggle for decent food, but I found several fantastic places. Definitely one of the better food destinations I've been to in SE Asia.

Recommended!!

Agree. IMO the best place in SE Asia, and one of the best places in Asia, for a wide arrange of foreign cuisine at very affordable prices.

The local cuisine I am not so fond of, and it is not vegetarian-friendly though the more upscale places catering to foreigners can prepare usually vegetarian Khmer food. (Local restaurants, forget it).

[sellingmystuff]

i've walked it a few times. these days i avoid the dilemma by catching an international bus instead. come to think of it i have never done anything other than walk it both ways even when one arrival was in the dark of evening.

Wow, I'm impressed! Maybe I should try that next time. I suppose it would be managable without too much luggage...

I think author Will Self makes a point of walking to and from airports on all his trips as a way of seeing the 'real' world.

[Sheryl]

A pretty long walk in this climate and not through anyplace interesting IMO....but to each his own.

[davee58]

Raky--Pochentong Airport - Phnom Penh central/Riverside;

Taxi - $9

Tuk tuk - $7

Moto - $3

Wow 6 years since I have been there, and those prices have hardly changed..........or maybe I paid way tot much way back then...

The cost of a taxi from Pochentong to the city increased from $9 TO $12 at the start of the year.

More expensive than Bangkok!

[General Mackevili]

Raky--Pochentong Airport - Phnom Penh central/Riverside;

Taxi - $9

Tuk tuk - $7

Moto - $3

Wow 6 years since I have been there, and those prices have hardly changed..........or maybe I paid way tot much way back then...

The cost of a taxi from Pochentong to the city increased from $9 TO $12 at the start of the year.

More expensive than Bangkok!

The official taxis now have set rates to different parts of the city.

A buddy just got handed a pricier ticket that he was supposed to get. He pointed it out, and they gave him the correct, cheaper ticket based on his destination.

[Tomtomtom69]

Maybe I'm getting old, why take a moto? $9 for a taxi is too much? Give the driver $10, he will welcome the $1 tip. I've lived here years, motos are for the young, adventurous (stupid) or those who can't afford an extra few dollars, sad if you can't....

See the National Museum, Toul Sleng, Choueng Ek (Killing fields) and a boat trip down the Tonle Sap. That said, if you're looking for the cheapest way into town, will you be able to afford any of these?

Yes you are getting old because you seem to just be throwing around money and abusing those who want to save a few bucks (what's wrong with that anyway?) If the price is US$9, you pay that for the ticket before even getting into the cab, no need to tip or anything - Cambodia isn't America. It's US$12 now for most destinations in the city and possibly US$15 to destinations further afield, such as in the southern part of the city.

But there's nothing wrong with taking a motorcycle taxi or tuk-tuk, especially if there's not much luggage.

Then again if you want maximum convenience, independence and don't care about saving anything, AVIS operates self-drive rental cars from the airport or if you're already in town, they also have an office there.