About Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh came into existence in the 14th century. The city was closely linked to the traditional story of Wat Phnom pagoda, in a swamp tiny village with fishing as a sole occupation to earn a livelihood. A woman named Don Penh spotted a bodhi tree post a great flood near the river bank after which, the Lady Penh urged the local people to raise a small hill named Phnom and built a small pagoda called Wat Phnom to worship the four Buddha statues. The sanctity of this place enhanced the inhabitants migrating to this region ultimately to form a community considered as the predecessor of the capital Phnom Penh. To commemorate the lady, the king christened the city with the name Phnom Penh. Come to this city full of organized chaos and find yourself amazed by it! 

Public Transport System

The public transport i.e buses operate from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The air-conditioned buses run across the city and are one of the cheapest modes of transportation. Other unregulated forms of public transport available are auto rickshaws (tuk-tuk), taxis and motorcycle taxis.

Cleanliness and Efficiency

Cleanliness: Moderate, Efficiency: High

Mode & Cost of Transports

1. US $2.50 by Train

A shuttle train operates at the airport direct to Phnom Penh Railway Station from the city center. It is a 10-minutes walking distance to the railway station. The train takes about 30 minutes to reach the city. You can board the train from the airport's parking area. The train leaves at an interval of 30 min.

2. $5 by Shuttle Bus

We highly recommend traveling through Shuttle Bus. Though expensive compared to the train it is a comfortable option.  The shuttle service operates between 0900 hrs to 1750 hrs. With a frequency of 30 minutes and 60 minutes during peak and lean hours, respectively.

3. $0.40 by Public Bus

Buses are accessible close to the airport's exit area and across the city, with an interval of 15-minutes. It operates between 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

4. $12- US $18 by Airport Taxi

The airport taxi is available at the arrival area of the airport. It is quite a safe and convenient option especially when carrying pieces of luggage. Actual fare would depend on your destination. You should ensure correct payment as per the chart displayed. We advise you to tender change.

5. $6- US $9 by Tuk-Tuks

Tuk-tuks are accessible at the airport's exit gates. If you are a good negotiator, you can end up paying $6-$7 to reach the city centre. Tuk-tuks are the most popular and readily available local transport.

6.  $1.5 for a Remork-Moto

More like an open air-conditioned bus, they usually use this mode of transport to carry goods and passengers. This is a low-tech version of a bus hitched behind a motorcycle. It is widely driven in rural Cambodia.

Warning: Do not keep your luggage outside tuk-tuks as there have been reports of loss of luggage.

7. $1- US $3 for Cyclos

It is the cheapest way to get around in urban areas. But be a good negotiator. Cyclo can be flagged down at any place of your convenience.

8. Outboards

You can understand an outboard as a local river bus or taxi. Usually, outboards don't run on schedules as they wait to fill up vacant seats. it connects small villages on the upper wing of Mekong.

Basic Items & Cost

Name Price
Water Bottle USD 0.47
Cup of Coffee USD 2.26
Milk Carton Pack USD 2.29
Rice/Kg USD 1.19
White Bread USD 1.35
Eggs (12) USD 1.56
Combo Meal USD 5.02
Fine Dining USD 20.10
Bottle of Coke or Pepsi USD 0.77
Domestic Beer USD 0.90
Imported Beer USD 2.01
Bottle of Wine USD 10.05
Cigarettes (20 Pack) USD 1.51
Taxi ( 1 km ) USD 0.75
Ticket in local transport (Single way). USD 2.01
Rent ( One Bed Room) USD 513.63

Do’s

  • Use the bus for going around the city as much as possible. Bus routes can be figured out using the website https://www.movetocambodia.com/phnom-penh/phnom-penh-public-buses/, as a single journey ticket usually costs about 0.40 US $ which is super cheap and affordable. 
  • Ask for permission prior to taking pictures of any locals or monks. 
  • People in this city believe in behaving in a polite manner with each other, and avoid any kind of ruckus in public. Therefore it is important for travelers to do so as well.
  • Although Phnom Penh has modernized over the last few years, try dressing modestly to be mindful of the culture and people.
  • Remove your shoes before visiting temples, other religious pilgrims or even someone’s house to show respect for the culture.
  • We highly recommend flip flops for comfortably walking around the city. 
  • Try to use only your right hand while eating.
  • When offered a gift, politely accept it with both hands. Also, if you want to exchange business cards with someone, give and take with both hands. 
  • If invited to dinner to a Cambodian family’s home, it is polite to bring along a small gift like fruits, flowers or some dessert.  

Don’t’s

  • According to the beliefs of some Buddhist Southeast Asian countries, the head is a person’s sacred space, hence never touch a Cambodian person on his head, not even children. 
  • Do not point or gesture with your feet as they are considered the lowest form of the body. Do not put your feet over furniture for the same reason.
  • Kissing and hugging in public is considered inappropriate in Phnom Penh even if other tourists may do so, hence kindly avoid this. 
  • Don’t point with your finger. It is considered especially rude.
  • Women should never touch male monks or give something directly to them in Phnom Penh. 
  • Do not buy or consume any type of narcotic, it is illegal. 
  • Don’t demean the city or country. Locals could get offended.

Night Life

Nightlife in Cambodia has been developing over the years. It might not compete with Bangkok, but has a vibrant dusk-till-dawn nightlife. There are several areas in Phnom Penh where bars and nightlife venues are concentrated. It is a good party town. You can choose from hostess bars, sports clubs, pubs, karaoke bars, discos and dance clubs. It does not spread out the area so it is easy to get to any club through tuk-tuk or moto (the safest way to get around). The atmosphere in bars and clubs is quite laid back and you can enjoy the music of the 60s in some of them. The menus of the nightclubs have a huge variety to offer. From mojitos to tequila's, from roasted beef to texas chilly, you can relish the best of the delicacies around there. Few of the cafes have been information exchange places for expats visiting Phnom Penh city.  You can visit Candy Bar which has a beautiful ambiance and some vibrant music to enjoy. A good selection of western food, Thai food, and pizzas is not to be missed. You can also find happy hours at some pubs. Usually, clubs are open past midnight and some for 24 hours. The atmosphere is relaxed and you would love to give into it.

Must See

  • Street Art- New to Cambodia and particularly Phnom Penh, street art lovers are delighted after a visit here. Once a shady area, Street 93 has become one of the most colourful places in Phnom Penh.
  • Drop by at Katy's Peri Peri Pizza- The USP of this drunk food zone is that it has a wood-fired oven at the back of a Tuk-Tuk. Both vegetarians and non-vegetarians can relish the cheesiest, cheapest and best options here. But they serve only after 10 pm so it's for all you night owls out there! 
  • Comedy Show- No one could ever imagine that comedians from all over the world come here for shows at the Meta House in the city. Check out the next show for a "Verbal High".
  • Quirky Street Food- The streets of Phnom Penh city boast about weird delicacies. Fried crickets, large tarantulas, ants, and bugs are a local staple in the city. Don't miss those duck embryos.

 

Experiences

  • An offering to the monks in the mornings- At 6 a.m., you can catch a sight of groups with saffron dress codes out on a procession. You can offer them some water or food with humility.
  • Farmer's Market- You can visit the farmers' market at Street 360 every Saturday. You can catch up with live music, fresh foods with ice-cream and even seasonal cocktails at $5. The entry is free.
  • Public speaking event- Nerd Night is a rapid-fire event where expats and locals make presentations on any topic of their choice. There are typically 4-6 speakers who can make your knowledge base expand in 7 minutes (check out their facebook page for date and location). 
  • Free meditation classes- Wat Langka offers meditation classes four days a week. In an hour-long class, be prepared to sit cross-legged in silence. Make sure you wear comfortable clothing. Cover your knees and shoulders and remove your shoes. 
  • Free local language classes- You can gain some knowledge about their local language for easy communication if you have some free time in your itinerary. Khmer Study group offers Sunday afternoon classes plus regular Sunday dinner events for foreigners.
  • Workout at Olympic stadium- The asphalt tracks and central fields both are in good condition even today for some sweat out sessions.
  • Tour of Kingdom Breweries- Beer is a huge business in Cambodia. Taproom Bar arranges tours for visiting breweries, Monday to Saturday between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. It would cost $6 plus and they give you a free sample.

 

 

 



Activities

Shopping

Phsar Chas (Old Market)
Antique Markets
South end, Old French Quarter, Phnom Pehn
Distance From City Center
2.4 km
Phnom Penh Night Market
Antique Markets
Preah Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
3.8 km
Street 240
Handicrafts and Souviners
Oknha Chhun St. (240), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
3.7 km
Thai Huot Market
Antique Markets
Thai Huot Market, Sangkat Beung Kok 2,Khan Tuol Kork, 6 Street 592, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
4 km
Tuol Tompoung Market
Antique Markets
St 163, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
5.4 km
Lotus Silk
Handicrafts and Souviners
Phnom Penh 12206, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
3.4 km
Boeung Trabek Plaza
Shopping Malls
C 18, St 105 Sangkat Boeng Trabek, Khan Chamkamon, Phnom Penh 12300, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
5.2 km
Central Mall
Shopping Malls
N. 12, street 126, Sangkat, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
1.6 km
City Mall
Shopping Malls
# 1 Chamkar Doung Street (217), 12253, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
2.1 km
Golden Sorya Mall
Shopping Malls
Rue Pasteur No. 51, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
2.3 km
Hidden Treasure
Antique Markets
Oknha Ouk Lonn St. (148), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
2.8 km
Kravan House
Shopping Malls
No. 13Eo, Preah Ang Makhak Vann (St. 178), 12206 Phnom Penh, Preah Ang Makhak Vann St. (178), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
4.7 km
Sorya Center Point
Shopping Malls
3rd Floor, Lot R16-R17-R18 Sorya Mall, 12210, Cambodia
Distance From City Center
1.9 km

Locally made:

  • Cambodian silk
  • Lacquerware 
  • Recycled eco-friendly bags
  • Stone and wood carvings
  • Art (from local art shops and galleries on Street 172)
  • Kampot pepper
  • Palm sugar
  • Krama (traditional scarf)
  • Unique silver jewelry (styled with leftover bomb casings from the war)

Handmade Handcrafts

  • Woven scarfs
  • Handmade purses
  • Silk and cotton quilts
  • Beauty Products made by hand in Cambodia
  • Artwork made out of handprints from Cambodia.
  • A featured Vietnamese Coffee Filter

Other Famous Souvenirs

  • Stunning coconut bowls of Cambodia
  • Jade made in Vietnam
  • A cinnamon box 
  • Special incense from Vietnam
  • Wine made from rice

Official Language

Khmer

Other Language

Cham, English, Chinese, French... Read more

Spoken Language

While the official language is... Read more

Currency

Riel (KHR)

Population

16.48 (Millions)

Weather Icon

Weather

Light Rain 25.97°C

Clock Icon

TimeZone

01:24 AM (GMT +07:00)

 

Ambulance Icon

Ambulance

119

 

Police Icon

Police

117

 

Electric socket

Type A
Type A (120 V 60 Hz.)
Type C
Type C ( 220 V 50 Hz)
Type E
Type E ( 230 V 50 Hz)
Type F
Type F ( 220 V 50 Hz)
Type G
Type G ( 230 V 50 Hz)
Airplane Icon

Airport Name / IATA Code

Pnom Penh International Airport - PNH

Airport Name / IATA Code

REP - Siem Reap

Best time to visit

Best time of the year to visit is in October, November, December, and January as the temperatures cool down and rainfall decreases. Especially since October and December bring the two most special times of the year i.e the Pchum Ben festival and the New Year.

Moderate time to visit

A moderate time to visit Phnom Penh is in February, March, April, and May as the rainfall is at its lowest and temperatures although hot, are bearable.

Worst time to visit

June, July, August and September are the months for visiting if you want to avoid crowds during your trip as the rainy season makes travel difficult, but mostly these are afternoon showers, so you can plan around them and save money on off-season deals.

Taxi

Start Tariff: KHR 1.00

1 Km. Tariff: KHR 0.75

1 Hour Waiting Tariff: KHR 5.00

Available service

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Monthly Average Temperature & Rainfall

Local Services in Phnom Penh (Contact directly)

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