Phnom Penh to Koh Rong Samloem
Phnom Penh to Koh Rong Samloem is a bus to Sihanoukville port followed by a speedboat to Saracen Bay that takes 30 to 40 minutes. A combined bus-and-boat ticket covers both legs for $37.50 – $40 one way, with no extra charges, and the whole run takes 4 hours 30 to 5 hours 30. The last boats leave Sihanoukville around 5pm, so travel in the morning and you are on the sand the same day.
The journey, in three legs
Different companies run buses throughout the day, and most drop passengers at the port rather than in town, which saves a tuk-tuk. The last boats to the island leave around 5pm, so you need to reach Sihanoukville in good time: travel in the morning. The combined bus-and-boat tickets are timed to make that connection. Arrive at the terminal 20 minutes before departure to check in.
On a combined ticket this leg is handled for you and costs nothing extra: bus staff hand you to boat staff. Booked separately, you buy your boat ticket at the pier office and take the next departure with space, which is usually soon but not guaranteed.
GTVC, Buva Sea and Island Speed Ferry all run the crossing in roughly the same time. Boats land at Saracen Bay pier. The Big Easy Koh Rong Samloem is 200 metres along the sand from it, about four minutes on foot. There are no roads or cars anywhere on the island.
One ticket, or two
Vireak Buntham sell the bus and the boat as a single ticket, using their own buses and Buva Sea's ferries. One purchase covers both legs and the transfer at Sihanoukville port, and their staff handle the connection at the other end, so there is no scramble for a boat ticket when the bus pulls in.
Booking the legs separately is cheaper and gives you your choice of operator and departure time. It also means you own the transfer: if the bus runs late, the boat is not waiting for you. For a first crossing the through ticket is the easier call. For anyone who has travelled the coast before, doing it yourself is fine.
| Bus, Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville | $9 – $15 |
|---|---|
| Combined bus and boat, one way | $37.50 – $40 |
| Combined bus and boat, journey time | 4 hr 30 – 5 hr 30 |
| Dorm bed, Phnom Penh | From $5 |
| Dorm bed, Koh Rong Samloem | $9 |
| Island hopping, Koh Rong | $6 – $10 |
| Onward to Kampot, Buva Sea | 2 hr 15 |
Prices checked September 2026, in US dollars. Cambodia runs on USD; riel is used for change under a dollar. Rates are per night and vary with season and availability. Neither property takes cards — cash and KHQR only, and there are no real ATMs on the island.
The return leg has to be confirmed at least a day in advance, and almost nobody is told this when they buy the ticket.
A return or through ticket does not automatically hold your seat on the boat back. It has to be confirmed, at minimum the day before. This is the most common way the journey goes wrong, and because the last boat off the island leaves at 4.45pm there is no later one to fall back on. Reception confirms it for guests without being asked.
The Big Easy Phnom Penh
No. 4, Street 172 in Daun Penh, the old riverside quarter, above a lively bar and four minutes from the river. Central, social, and in the middle of the action, which is the point — and also worth knowing before you book a room above a bar.
The Big Easy Koh Rong Samloem
On Saracen Bay, 200 metres from the pier. Bar and restaurant on the beach, rooms set behind them and quiet. Aircon and bathrooms inside every room and dorm. First aid and pharmacies on the island; real medical care is Sihanoukville, 30 to 40 minutes by boat.
Book direct, drink on us
Book through this site and you get a free beer or soft drink on check-in, one per person per day of your stay. Direct bookings only — it isn't honoured on Hostelworld, Booking.com or any other channel. Book both ends with us and reception handles the bus, the boat and the return confirmation as one job.
Questions people actually ask
Can I do it in one day?
Yes, on a morning bus. The whole run takes 4 hours 30 to 5 hours 30. Buses run throughout the day with different companies, but the last boats leave Sihanoukville around 5pm, so you need to arrive in good time. The combined bus-and-boat tickets are timed to make that connection.
How much is the combined bus and boat ticket?
$37.50 to $40 one way. It covers the bus to Sihanoukville port, the transfer and the boat to the island, with no extra charges.
Does reception book it?
Yes, at both properties, as one journey including the return leg. Ask at the desk rather than emailing in advance.
What if the boat is cancelled?
Your ticket is honoured on the next available boat with the same company. We help you coordinate it and point you to the right ticket office.
Is the return included?
Round-trip tickets cover both segments, but the return has to be confirmed at least a day in advance. It is not automatic.
Can I carry on south to Kampot?
Yes. Buva Sea started a direct Kampot service in 2026, 2 hours 15 minutes, so the island works as a stop on the way south rather than a detour.
How much cash should I bring across?
Enough for the whole island stay. There are no real ATMs on Koh Rong Samloem, and card cash-out where offered costs a high percentage of the transaction.
Do I need to book beds in advance?
In December to February, yes. The rest of the year a few days ahead is plenty. Booking direct gets you a free beer or soft drink per person per day.