Safe boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Hardly anyone is taking the overpriced boat these days. By next june it may not even be running. Since the road is now in good shape and the buses comfortable this is the best way to go. There is only one boat and it takes around 5+ hrs the same or if not more than the bus. You either sit inside with a/c, loud music and dirty windows or outside sitting on the deck in the hot sun. Though interesting while close to shore, the trip over the lake is boring, If you want a boat ride wait until SR and take a trip to one of the floating villages. Cost wise the bus is around $10 and the boat $25

Thanks Scotters,
looks as though we will be catching the bus.
Where do I take the bus from and is there more than one per day?

There are several bus companies that run this route and leave from 6.30 until 14.00 and charge between $4-10.. There is no centralized bus terminal as each company departs from different stations.

The Mekong Express is the best of the lot and cost $10. The seat spacing is excellent and for the average person there is at least 6 inches of clearance from the knees to the seat in front. You are greeted by a lovely Khmer girl, shown to your seat and served pastries with a bottle of water. There is a toilet on board and you make one stop on the way for a break. Bus times are 7:30, 8:30, 12:30 and 14:00. They will pick you up at the hotel if you call them. Their office is opposite where the boat to Siem Reap departs on Sisowath Quay - Tel: 023-427-518.

Other bus companies are

Raksmey Angkor Corp.
Station: at #1Eo Street 106 at Sisowath Quay. Tel: 023-884179
Departure Schedule 8:30 and 13:30
Fare: US$10
Just about as good as the Mekong Express

Phnom Penh Sorya Transport
Station near the southwest corner of Phsar Thmey. Tel: 023-210359
Departure Schedule 7:00, 7:45, 8:45, 11:30, 12:45, 13:45
Fare: 16,000R (4US)

Capitol Guesthouse
Station at Corner Streets 111 / 182  Tel: 023-217627
Departure Schedule 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, 10:15, 12:00 and 13:30
Fare: 16,000R

Please NOTE that the SR bus station is a disgrace and for many can be an overwhelming, unpleasant and chaotic first impression to SR.

I am making this trip in March and have booked a private air-conditioned car and driver for $55.00 through a travel agency in Phnom Penh.

We will travel on my schedule and stop whereever I want along the way.

Since you wrote "we", the cost is quite reasonable for the luxury. It is even worth it to me travelling alone.

Well, I think that's aad. A boat no longer running.

You seem to think it is the best thing that could happen.

Long live the car, eh?

And let's all avoid public transport of any kind on our travels.

The boat between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap was one of the biggest tourist rip offs at $25.00 per person...and for your money you were not getting a particularly safety conscious boat company nor a particularly comfortable ride.

It IS a good thing that it is not running. Most locals think so too.

The bus is a faster, more comfortable and much cheaper option...and no more or less safe imo.

And chimani, the bus IS public transportation.

I wonder if there is much worth seeing on the road from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. We are going in late December, and debating the various travel options between the two. Thanks in advance.