Phnom Penh - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Buses were operating pre-COVID but we haven't seen them since the pandemic began. Everyone here uses an app to call a tuk tuk or taxi to take you from point A to point B. Reasonably safe and very affordable. - Jul 2021
Tuk tuks are really cheap and available through an app. Cars are also available but I only use them for airport trips. - Nov 2020
Tuktuks are generally the way to get around the city. For long distance travel you can hire a private taxi or take a bus. The roads are very dangerous, so be careful when and how you travel. - May 2017
Yuk Tuks are relatively safe and easy. Moto taxis are available but risky. Many expats I know bought a scooter. Some rode bicycles but it also pretty risky because the traffic and driving is crazy. - Oct 2016
Just started a local bus service in the city. Cheap but not sure how often (or where) it runs. Local buses are popular with backpackers to other cities - but they seem to often crash. - May 2015
Tuk-tuks are the best! Most one-way trips cost US$2. I hired a regular tuk-tuk driver who took me to and from work every day. I would also use him on evenings and weekends for dinners or errands. During the day, I felt comfortable hailing any tuk-tuk driver. But at night, I preferred to have a driver I knew lined up. The biggest security concern with tuk-tuks is not the actual driver, but to keep an eye on your bags since a moto can easily drive right up next to you, reach in, steal your stuff, and drive off. - Feb 2015
Taxis are safe as long as you use a service, you can call them to pick you up. There are some buses that the locals use which are small and have no AC, most people don't take them. There are bigger buses with AC that will take you to villages outside of Phnom Penh, but they tend to be crazy drivers as they are the biggest car on the road so they can get away with it. Tuk tuks are a good option for traveling around the city. Most people find a driver that they like and just call them when they need a ride, or you can pick one up almost anywhere. A regular tuk tuk ride (a few blocks) costs about two dollars, same with a taxi. - Aug 2013
Affordable, yes. Safe - more or less. Some bus drivers drive like maniacs, but they're the biggest vehicles on the road, so people tend to get out of the way. It's less safe for chickens, cows, and people on motorbikes. - Jan 2012
There are no trains, few taxis and buses are mainly for traveling far away. There are tuk-tuks which are commonly used and very affordable. Many people hire their own personal tuk tuk driver for their main form of transportation. - Aug 2011
Tuk-tuks are widely available, two reliable taxi services in town. - Aug 2011
No trains.. Buses: I never used them myself, but I heard the buses to Vietnam, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville were quite comfortable and inexpensive. - Oct 2010
There are very cheap local taxis, pick-ups, vans buses and boats. They are generally overcrowded and can be dangerous. There is a middle tier of buses and boats aimed at tourist that is more expensive and safer. Cars/taxis/vans can be rented with drivers that are safe and affordable. ~US$30 for a car for a day in Phnom Penh, which includes car, driver and gas. A bit more in Siem Reap. - Feb 2008
