Getting around Cambodia
Compare complete journeys: hotel pickup, road travel, port waiting and the final arrival.
Use the correct airport
Check the code on the actual flight. Phnom Penh’s Techo International Airport is KTI and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is SAI. Both require a road transfer to the usual visitor areas. Airport-to-airport flight duration is not door-to-door travel time: add checkout, road travel, check-in and the onward transfer when deciding whether a flight improves the day.
Road journeys need their own time
For a first planning pass, allow roughly 3–4 hours Siem Reap–Battambang, 6–7 hours Siem Reap–Phnom Penh, 3–4 hours Phnom Penh–Kampot and 5–7 hours Phnom Penh–Sen Monorom. These editorial ranges are not timetables. Traffic, stops, road conditions and a shared vehicle’s pickups can add time. Prefer a clearly described daytime service and confirm seating, luggage and the actual departure point.
Book island transport backwards from the hotel
First ask the property which island pier and service it uses. Then book the correct crossing and mainland transfer with sufficient check-in time. A ticket to the island is not necessarily a ticket to your bay. Ask whether the final stage is a sandy walk, road transfer or another boat, and arrange luggage assistance if needed. Keep an overnight mainland buffer before an important international flight.
International connections and the Thai border
The Dutch travel advice checked for this guide reports the Thailand land border closed and restricted border areas. The suggested routes therefore begin and end with flights rather than relying on that crossing. Recheck the official advice before arranging any overland connection; visa eligibility and an apparently bookable bus are not proof that a border is open.
Choose fewer bases when time is short
A transfer day can include checkout, waiting and recovery as well as the advertised driving time. With a week, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh make a coherent first trip. With two weeks, add one southern area and one island. Kratie and Mondulkiri fit a deliberate northeast extension; they are not short detours between Angkor and a beach.
Frequently asked questions
Are the transfer times guaranteed?
No. They are broad planning allowances. Confirm the exact service, endpoint and current conditions before booking.
Can I use any ferry for any island hotel?
No. Confirm the arrival pier and final transfer with the hotel first.
Should I book a flight on the day I leave an island?
Keep a mainland overnight buffer before an important international departure rather than relying on a weather-sensitive connection.
More Cambodia guides
Sources and last review
Reviewed 3 November 2026. The routes, visiting pace and transfer allowances are editorial suggestions. Use the named provider or authority for current access, prices and booking conditions.