Cambodia Itinerary Feedback

Alright, I’m scaling back the kilometers thanks to the relevance and patience of our Cambodia experts! Here’s yet another hesitation /\ When I arrive early on 01/12 in PP, I have the choice between spending a day in PP (booking a convenience room for half a day and leaving by night bus), sleeping in PP and taking the bus to SR the next morning, or hiring a driver to head back up to PP with a nice little stop and maybe sleeping in Kampong Thom or Kampong Chhnang, then heading to SP on the 13th. Then from the 13th to the 17th or 18th, exploring Angkor. I continue to Kampong Thom and stay for 2 nights (if I didn’t do it on the way there), but I might be templed-out by then. I head to Kampong Cham, where I’ll spend 2 nights—one on the island and one on the mainland. Next, I go to Kampot and Kep: probably 2 nights in Kampot, 2 in Kep, and 1 night on Tonsay Island. On 01/28, I return to PP until 01/29. One detail: how long does it take to get from downtown PP to the new airport? Because I leave on 01/29 around 7:50 PM... Anyway, I’m ready to read your unfiltered reactions 🤓 and thank you in advance for your help!

So, you need to be in Siem Reap on the 13th to meet up with your friends (just so everyone following along is up to speed).

When I arrive early on the 12th in PP, I have a choice between spending a day in PP (booking a room for half a day and leaving by night bus), sleeping in PP and taking the bus to SR the next morning, or hiring a driver to head up to SR with a nice little stop and maybe sleeping in Kampong Thom or Kampong Chhnang, then continuing to SR on the 13th

I’d skip the option with the "nice little stops"—they won’t be that nice given the timing. I’d go with spending the night in Phnom Penh and taking the bus the next morning. On the 12th, visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda OR Tuol Sleng, then do the reverse on the 28th or 29th.

Just FYI, here are a few bus companies for the 13th, but there are others. No matter the departure time, I’d advise against booking your seat in advance online. First, it’s unnecessary given the number of daily departures, and second, if you book through a local agency, the company will often pick you up for free from your hotel to take you to the bus departure point. https://vireakbuntham.com/bus-list https://larrytabus.com/schedules/phnom-penh-to-siem-reap https://giantibis.com/book?origin=1&destination=15&departure_date=14-01-2026&trip_type=one-way&passenger_count=1

Kampong Cham, where I’ll spend 2 nights—1 on the island and 1 on the riverbank.

The only guesthouse I saw on Koh Pen was super basic, and I’m not sure it’s still there. Erwanploz might know more. Anyway, I don’t think staying in two different places 3 km apart in two days is a great idea. Use the town as your base and rent a bike to explore the island and the paths along the east bank of the river. For sights a bit farther out, you can hire a motodop for half a day—they’ll know where to take you. But with only 2 nights in Kampong Cham, you won’t have time for all these trips.

I’ll continue to Kampot and Kep: maybe 2 nights in Kampot, 2 in Kep, and 1 in Tonsay

I wouldn’t split your time between both. In your case, I’d choose Kep since it’ll be your last chance for a beach.

So here’s how I’d plan the itinerary: Phnom Penh – 1 night Siem Reap – 6 nights Kompong Thom – 2 nights Kampong Cham – 3 nights Kep – 4 nights (including Tonsay) Phnom Penh – 1 night Average of 1.83 full days per stop—much more relaxed than your previous version in the other thread.

Hey Songsam,

Yep, the roots-style accommodation, Mekong Bamboo Hut, closed its doors—or rather, its hammocks—at the start of Covid. The only place left on Koh Pen is the big hotel you see right after crossing the concrete bridge. I never see anyone there, and I guess it’s only busy on weekends with Phnom Penh travelers or for meetings/conferences. Doubt anyone there speaks English! As you said, the best bet is to stay in town and find a tuk-tuk driver for exploring the area. During the dry season, you can also go swimming on the north beach of Koh Pen by crossing the bamboo bridge, which has been pedestrian-only for a few years now. You can leave bikes/motos at the bridge entrance (where there’s a long shaded terrace with tons of food and drink stalls—fried rice and meat, stir-fried noodles, fertilized duck eggs, coconuts, beer, sodas, sugarcane juice, etc. Super nice! The first stall right above the bridge entrance under the big tree is great, cheap, and has an amazing view).

Thanks Erwan for this updated overview of Koh Pen’s hotel scene.

You can also go for a swim on the north beach of Koh Pen during the dry season

Over there?

One detail—how much time between downtown PP and the new airport? Since I’m leaving on 01/29 at 7:50 PM…

Since this new airport only started operations in September this year, I don’t know. But you’ll already have the experience of the reverse trip from when you arrived.

From the info I’ve gathered here and there online, there’s a bus service with about 6 departures per hour in each direction for less than half a dollar. You should plan for 1 to 2 hours of travel time depending on traffic jams. This site has a departure schedule: https://avytravel.com/how-to-get-from-techo-international-airport-to-phnom-penh-city-center/

Yes, that’s exactly it! 🙂 With the Kizuna Bridge in the background, which connects the two banks of the Mekong—the Kampong Cham province on the left side of the photo, and Tbong Khmum on the right.

For the bus, that’s right—1,500 riels one way. It leaves from the area opposite the French Embassy in the north, passes by the train station, makes two or three extra stops in town, and then heads straight south toward the airport. The travel time really depends on traffic, and with a departure at 7:50 PM, you’d need to be at the airport by around 6:00 PM, so you’d be on the road during rush hour... better to play it safe and leave 1.5 hours early! !