Cambodia (KH)
Affordable Southeast Asian base with easy daily life, a large Phnom Penh and Siem Reap expat scene, strong NGO/tourism/education networks, fast digital payments, and visa rules that are flexible but increasingly document-driven.
Getting Around
Transport options for living in Cambodia.
Public Transport Overview
Cambodia has minimal formal public transit infrastructure compared to Southeast Asian neighbours. Phnom Penh has a city bus network (Phnom Penh Bus) with around 15–20 routes covering major corridors; fares are low (1,500 KHR/~$0.37 per trip, discounted for students) but routes are infrequent and not air-conditioned on all services. Most expats do not rely on city buses for daily commuting. Siem Reap has no meaningful public bus network. The primary transport modes for expats are ride-hailing apps (Grab, PassApp), tuk-tuks, motorbikes, private cars, and intercity buses. A Phnom Penh BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system has been proposed but is not operational as of 2026.
🎫 Transit Passes
Selected Phnom Penh bus routes; covers major arterials in city
Door-to-door tuk-tuk and car service in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (6h), Phnom Penh – Kampot (3h), Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville (4h)
Phnom Penh (PNH) to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI); 45 minutes vs 6 hours by road
Taxi & Rideshare
Traditional metered taxis are not the standard in Cambodia. Options for point-to-point car travel: (1) Grab Car — most reliable; in-app meter and driver tracking; surge pricing during peak hours and rain. (2) PassApp Car — good alternative; sometimes lower prices than Grab. (3) Airport taxis — official taxi line at PNH and SAI airports; agree on destination and fare at counter; more expensive than apps but reliable with luggage. (4) Hotel/guesthouse cars — arranged by accommodation for day trips or airport; negotiated price; more expensive but convenient. (5) Private hired drivers — many expats develop relationships with reliable English-speaking drivers for day trips, airport runs, and long journeys; USD 40–80/day for a driver with car.
Rideshare (Long-distance)
Grab and PassApp are the essential apps for daily transport in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Download both and keep both installed — each has occasional surge periods or driver shortages. Tips: (1) Tuk-tuks are great for short urban trips and in dry weather; PassApp tuk-tuks are particularly popular. (2) Grab Cars are preferred during monsoon rains, night travel, airport transfers, and when travelling with luggage or young children. (3) Add your destination in Khmer or use map pins — many tuk-tuk drivers have limited English; the apps handle this automatically. (4) Both platforms have in-app tipping; tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. (5) Safety: share your trip tracking with a contact for night journeys; use the emergency button in-app if needed.
Cycling
Cycling in Phnom Penh for daily commuting is possible but challenging due to heavy traffic, aggressive motorbike culture, poor road surfaces, heat, dust, and air quality issues. The riverside road (Sisowath Quay) and Koh Pich island have better cycling conditions. Early morning (before 7am) and evening (after 6pm) are the most manageable times. Around Angkor Wat in Siem Reap: cycling is the ideal way to explore the temple complex — bicycle rentals available for USD 2–5/day; electric bikes also popular. Kampot is Cambodia's most cycling-friendly town — flat, quiet roads, scenic routes to the coast. For expats committed to cycling: always wear a helmet, use lights at night, avoid major highways, and use cycling community Facebook groups for route advice.
Intercity Trains
Rail services in Cambodia are limited, slow, and primarily of tourist/curiosity interest rather than practical use for expats. A train runs on weekends from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville (roughly 7–8 hours) — scenic but very slow. Royal Railways operates the limited network. For intercity travel, buses (Giant Ibis, Mekong Express) and domestic flights are significantly faster and more practical. No train service to Siem Reap.
Driving
Traffic in Cambodia drives on the right. Phnom Penh traffic is notoriously chaotic: motorbikes outnumber cars many-to-one, lane discipline is minimal, traffic lights are selectively obeyed, and driving defensively is essential for survival. Speed limits: 40 km/h in urban areas (often ignored), 60 km/h on national roads. Blood alcohol limit: 0.05% BAC (enforcement is inconsistent; roadblocks exist especially around holidays). Licence requirements: International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for up to 6 months; after 6 months, a Cambodian driving licence is required from the Department of Public Works and Transport. A separate motorcycle licence is required for motorbikes. Driving apps: Waze works in Phnom Penh; Google Maps is accurate for major roads. Petrol: approximately 5,900 KHR/litre (~USD 1.47) for Premium 95 at branded stations (CamboStation, Total, PTT) as of June 2026. Road safety: Cambodia has one of the highest road fatality rates in Southeast Asia; motorbike accidents are the leading cause — always wear a helmet; enforce this rule without exception.
Airports
Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) — primary international gateway; 10–15 minutes from city centre; served by Cambodia Angkor Air, AirAsia, VietJet, Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines, China Southern, Thai Airways, Korean Air, and others; Grab and PassApp available for arrival transport; official airport taxi counter also available. Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) — opened October 2023 (old REP airport permanently closed); 50 km from Siem Reap city; shuttle services available; served by Cambodia Angkor Air and regional carriers. Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS) — limited international routes; mostly domestic and some Chinese carrier flights. Departure: arrive at least 90 minutes before departure (2 hours for international flights); departure tax is included in most ticket prices. Airport transport: Grab to PNH typically USD 5–12 from city centre; PassApp slightly cheaper; official airport taxi USD 12–18.