How to Get From Siem Reap to Cambodia's Southern Islands (Bus, Flight & Ferry)

Around Cambodia Travel
May 24
4 min read

Temples to Paradise: Ultimate Guide from Siem Reap to Koh Rong

You’ve spent days waking up at 4:30 AM to catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, scrambled over the jungle-choked ruins of Ta Prohm, and walked until your feet feel like they’re made of stone. Siem Reap is magical, but let’s be honest: after all that temple-hopping, you are ready to drop everything and park yourself on a white-sand beach with a cold coconut.

Enter **Koh Rong** and Cambodia's stunning southern islands.

Getting from the dusty roads of Siem Reap down to the crystal-clear waters of the south coast used to be an absolute nightmare of a journey. Luckily, it is easier than ever. Whether you want to save your pennies for cocktails or get to the beach in record time, here is the ultimate breakdown of exactly how to travel from Siem Reap to Koh Rong and the southern islands.

Route Overview: The Hub-and-Spoke System

Before choosing your transport, there’s one golden rule you need to know: You cannot travel directly to Koh Rong by land or air.

No matter how you travel, your journey will always look like this:

1: Siem Reap - Sihanoukville (via plane, bus, or private car).

2. Sihanoukville Port - Koh Rong / Koh Rong Samloem (via speed ferry).

Option 1: The Fast Track (Fly + Ferry)

Best For: Travelers short on time who want maximum comfort.

Total Time: Around 3 to 4 hours (including airport transfers and ferry).

*Total Cost: $75 – $140 USD.

If you don't want to waste a whole day of your vacation staring out a bus window, flying is a no-brainer. Direct flights run daily from the new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) to Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS). Airlines like Air Cambodia and Cambodia Angkor Air operate these quick 1-hour hops, with one-way prices often dipping as low as $55 to $70 USD if you book a few weeks out.

Insider Tip: Make sure to book a morning flight so you have plenty of buffer time to catch the afternoon ferries out to the islands! Check out the best flight deals.

Once you land in Sihanoukville, a quick 30-minute taxi ride will bring you to the Autonomous Port or Ochheuteal Pier to grab your boat.

Option 2: The Budget Backpacker Classic (Overnight Sleeper Bus)

Best For: Budget travelers looking to save on a night’s accommodation.

Total Time: 11 to 13 hours.

Total Cost: $25 – $40 USD.

For the true adventure feel, the night bus is a rite of passage. You board the bus in Siem Reap late in the evening, curl up in a tiny cabin bed, and wake up just as the sun is rising over the coast.

Several reputable companies run this route, but **Giant Ibis** and **Virak Buntham** are widely considered the gold standards for comfort and safety. Their VIP sleeper buses feature reclining hotel-style beds, air conditioning, power outlets, and sometimes even Wi-Fi.

Step-by-Step Sleeper Bus Journey

Book a Combined Ticket, Do this 2-3 days in advance

Secure a combined bus + ferry ticket online, This ensures your ferry seat is guaranteed when the bus drops you off. Board in Siem Reap Around 8:30 PM - 11:30 PM*

-Arrive at the operator terminal 45 minutes early. Swap your digital voucher for physical boarding passes and store your large backpacks in the luggage hold. The Journey and Phnom Penh Stop

Overnight.

Most buses take the clean, fast expressway via Phnom Penh. There will be 1 or 2 rest stops for bathroom breaks and snacks. Keep your valuables in a small daypack next to your pillow.

Sihanoukville Arrival Ferry Transfer around 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM*

The bus drops you off near the Sihanoukville Port. Walk or take a brief local tuk-tuk to your specific ferry operator pier check-in desk to get your boat boarding pass.

2: Sihanoukville to the Islands (The Speed Ferry)

Once you are at the Sihanoukville pier, you're only a short boat ride away from paradise. There are five major, modern ferry operators running high-speed catamarans out to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem: **Speed Ferry Cambodia (SFC), Island Speed Boat Cambodia, Buva Sea, Angkor Speed Ferry,** and **GTVC**.

Detail | What to Expect |

Ferry Cost** | $14 – $17 USD one-way ($25 – $30 return)

Travel Time: 40 to 60 minutes depending on your beach stop

Key Piers: Koh Touch (main backpacker hub), Sok San Beach, M'Pai Bay

Warning: Make absolutely sure you tell the ferry staff *exactly* which beach or resort you are staying at before you board. Koh Rong is massive, and getting stuck on the wrong side of the island can result in a very expensive private taxi boat ride to fix it!

Pro-Tips for the Southern Islands

Cash is King: While some high-end resorts accept cards, ATMs on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are notoriously unreliable or charge massive fees. Withdraw plenty of US Dollars or Cambodian Riel in Siem Reap before you leave.

Protect Your Tech: The ferry rides can occasionally get bumpy and wet if the sea is rough. Wrap your electronics in a dry bag.

Where to Stay: Looking for a lively party vibe? Book a bungalow near **Koh Touch**. Want isolated luxury and pristine sands? Head over to **Sok San Beach** or **Long Set Beach**.