Last updated: 18 May 2012
Travel
Airports
At present there are domestic flights from Phnom Penh to seven airports in the major provincial capitals: Siem Reap, Battambang, Stung Treng, Rattanakiri, Mondulkiri, Koh Kong and Sihanoukville. Air travel to Siem Reap to view the Angkor Temple complex by air is recommended over other transport options, although travel by boat is possible. The three domestic airlines are Royal Air Cambodge, President Airlines and Phnom Penh Airways. Passengers should check in half an hour before flights.
There are two international airports in Cambodia, Pochentong Airport (Phnom Penh) and Siem Reap Airport (to access Angkor Wat). There are direct flights to Phnom Penh from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Guangzhou (two per week), Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Vientiane. Airlines operating into Phnom Penh are:
- Thai Airways International
- Royal Air Cambodge
- Lao Aviation
- Vietnam Airlines
- Dragonair
- Malaysian Airlines
- Silk Air
There are also direct flights to Siem Reap from Bangkok, Phuket and Ho Chi Minh City. Remember to keep US$20 for departure tax which is payable for all flights on departure from Cambodia.
At Pochentong Airport, there are only limited facilities, including a money exchange counter (offering the same rates as those in the city), a hotel reservation desk, a cafeteria, and several shops. There is a counter outside the entrance to Pochentong Airport where you can hire a taxi at the fixed rate of US$7 into town. Pochentong International Airport is located 12 kilometres from the city, a 20-30 minute drive into town in normal traffic.
Ground transport
Taxis can be booked by phone and are increasingly reliable. They are also available at the larger hotels. Meters are usually not used and drivers prefer a fixed rate around town of around US$4 per trip. For longer trips out of town, however, taxis can be rented for a full or half day for more negotiable rates.
There is no public transport system operating in Phnom Penh. The main mode of transport for the local population and some expatriates is by man-powered 'cyclo' taxis or by motorbike taxis. Prices are usually negotiated in advance, but would be around 2000 riels for a 10-minute journey. For security and safety reasons you should not use cyclos and motorbikes at night. Accidents are frequent and personal injury rates quite high.
Travelling by train, bus, taxi, boat, helicopter and aircraft outside of Phnom Penh have varying degrees of risk attached. The train services from Phnom Penh to Battambang and to Kampot have in the past been attacked by bandits.
Dining
Phnom Penh has a growing range of restaurants of Western standard which are suitable and/or safe to dine at. Local versions of Malaysian, Thai, Japanese, French, Chinese, Italian and European food are represented at varying standards and prices. Vegetarians are not usually catered for in most restaurants and you may have to request a meal without meat, chicken or fish. BYO is accepted in most restaurants, usually with no charge, but it is best to ascertain in advance as some larger hotels and Western restaurants levy expensive corkage charges. English is spoken in all the international restaurants, but to a limited extent in the local Cambodian restaurants.
Bills are usually paid in US dollars though most down-market restaurants or eateries will accept riel. Credit cards are accepted only in the larger hotels.
Tipping
Usually, tips in Phnom Penh amount to five per cent of the bill in restaurants, cocktail lounges. However, most of the larger establishments have a service charge to cover the tip. Nothing else is necessary but small 'riel' change is usually left. There is usually an added charge of 10 per cent government tax as well. When there is no monetary amount on which to base a tip, the amount is determined according to one’s assessment of the worth of the service.