How to get from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Phnom Penh

Ho Chi Minh City – Phnom Penh is a popular route chosen by many people who plan to take a combined Vietnam and Cambodia trip.

How to get to Phnom Penh from Ho Chi Minh? We would like to recommend some tips to make the best comfort for your trip.

There are several ways to travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh. You can consider a flight, bus or speedboat (via Chau Doc). Detailed information is listed below, along with its pros and cons in our experience. First of all, let's see how long it takes to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh.

1. Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh: distance and travel time

As far as you know, it's not too far from Ho Chi Minh City (the largest city in Vietnam, commonly called Saigon) to Phnom Penh (the capital of Cambodia). You will cover a close distance of 225 km and it depends on your budget and interests to choose which one is best among the options.

By plane, you will take a plane from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and then fly to Phnom Penh International Airport. The journey takes no more than 50 minutes, so it's the quickest way between 2 places.

Also, if you want to travel further and gain experience by “checking out” Vietnam and “checking in” Cambodia, the bus will be of interest to you. The bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh takes more or less 6 hours, which depends on traffic and whether the border is busy or not.

If you don't mind spending your time, there is another choice, which is to travel via Chau Doc to Phnom Penh by boat. However, you need to take the bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc first, and then take a boat ticket to Phnom Penh. It will take you around 12 hours for the whole trip.

>> Read more: Top 10 tips and tricks for a successful trip to Cambodia

2. How to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh

There are 3 main ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh:

Flight: It is easy to fly directly from Saigon to Phnom Penh. You can use the services of Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, and VietJet Air. Facilities depend on your ticket class.

Bus (direct bus): Many buses operate between Vietnam and Cambodia. Saigon to Phnom Penh is a popular route. Normally they use a seated bus equipped with air conditioning, the legroom is large and there will be an English-speaking guide who can help you at any time.

Boat (bus and boat): The bus from Saigon to Chau Doc provides basic facilities such as air conditioning, and water. They provide both sleeper buses and seater buses, choose the one that suits your budget. Meanwhile, the speedboat connecting Chau Doc to Phnom Penh is the local one. It's not fast and you have enough time to enjoy the scenery along the banks.

Time, ticket and distance travelled information

2.1. Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by plane

This way, all you have to do is book your flight and then enjoy a cup of coffee or read a favourite book. After more or less 1 hour, you can set foot on the land of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It's such a short trip that it's easy to move on.

You should check airlines that operate directly between Saigon (Vietnam) and Phnom Penh (Cambodia) to save time instead of costing you hours of transit in a third country. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Cambodia Angkor Air are still available for flight tickets between Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh.

Ticket prices vary from airline to airline and prices are also different on other days. Normally it ranges from 100 to 200 USD per ticket. Let's check their websites for a ticket or contact your travel agency for help with booking.

2.2. Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by bus

Duration: 6 hours
Ticket fee: 12 – 18 USD
Distance travelled: 250 km
Schedule: direct transport

Giant Ibis, Mekong Express and Sorya buses are among the most famous bus companies that connect Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. They all travel directly so you don't have to change buses after crossing the border. Additionally, at the border, they will help you complete the “exit” from Vietnam and enter Cambodia. These steps take a lot of time but it is much easier than doing it yourself with the help of bus staff.

Check the list below for the choice of Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh bus. Don't forget to ask the travel agency or bus company whether the bus staff can help you finish the border paper or not.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages: It's a heck of a savings-budget option and your experience of entering a new country through the border gate. Additionally, the bus staff can speak English so you can communicate when asking for help.

Disadvantages: It takes your time to travel and sometimes you will be angry with the attitude of Cambodian border agents when they need "tips".

>> Read more: Vietnam Cambodia tour: What to do and what to visit?

2.3. Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by boat

It takes 2 steps to go by boat from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. First, you join a bus from Ho Chi Minh to Chau Doc. Then you take a speedboat from Chau Doc across the river to Phnom Penh.

It takes a lot of time for this option, but if you have free time and want to explore the Mekong Delta and the lives of the people, you must join a tour to visit the local destinations and then take a bus from Chau Doc to cross the border.

First, check the schedule of the company which would be travelling directly. 2 steps with their details are listed below.

Step 1: You take the bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc.

Distance travelled: 200 km

Duration: 6.5 hours

Well, it's very simple, you take a bus from Mien Tay Bus Station to Chau Doc. It’s 6h30 on the road for the journey to the border town.

The bus will depart every hour and is normally a 40-berth bus. Therefore, you will never have the chance to miss the bus. The price is quite good at 150,000 VND. Time must be taken into account as the first speedboat leaves the dock at 7 am.

If you don't mind spending your money to save time and get a better option, let's look at the private car option.

Step 2: You take the speedboat via the Mekong River.

Distance travelled: 130 km

Duration: 5 hours

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages: You get very nice experiences by joining the speedboat across the river. Also, see and understand the life of locals and take your chance to try lots of special dishes and fruits.

Disadvantages: It takes time and money for this option. Plus, it costs extra money for room and transportation if you want to stay overnight in Chau Doc.

2.4. Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by train

Currently, there is no train connection between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh. In 2020, the governments of 2 countries discussed the opening of a train that will run directly and connect Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh to promote the development of the economy, tourism and trade of goods. We hope the road will be open soon.

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