Getting around Cambodia with kids is pretty easy – transport is brilliant and there are many choices – like tuk tuks, bus, private car, train and boat. Using local transport is one of the best ways to see a country and meet its local people, and we found traveling in Cambodia safe and easy. If you’re visiting Siem Reap check out our favourite things to do, enjoy the temples and the Angkor zipline and if possible donate blood at Angkor Hospital for Children.  Cambodia is an incredible country to visit with kids.

 

Here’s how we travelled around Cambodia:

Tuk tuk

We love the Cambodian tuk tuks, they are like little chariots and always so ornate and colourful. $2 – $3 USD should get you anywhere around town. I think this is expensive, especially after coming from Vietnam where a taxi is the same or less but the US dollar tends to push prices higher I think. The drivers are generally lovely, and will wait for you if you’re ducking into Browns to grab a coffee or are making a quick stop.

 

Busses and minivans

We used a few different kinds of buses and all were fine. I love local buses cause they’re a snapshot into local life. On our way out of Battambang we sat next to a lady eating oily fried cockroaches from a plastic bag, and our bus out of Mondulkiri to the border was piled high with bags of produce and live ducks under the seats.

For easy bookings you can go online to Giant Ibis. Giant Ibis has a network of buses and mini-buses traveling all over Cambodia. They’re comfy and have seatbelts, free wifi, plus you get a croissant and bottle of water! Costs differ for the distance but between Battambang and Phnom Penh we paid $11US.

 

Boat

This was an amazing adventure, taking a small boat from just outside of Siem Reap through narrow tree and grass lined channels through the Tonle Sap river to Battambang. You can sit inside or on the roof and watch as you pass by the beautiful lakes, stilt villages, buffalos, fishermen and rural life in Cambodia Some paths are very narrow so mind the whipping branches! we organised tickets through our guesthouse for $20 each. You can only do this trip around the rainy season when the river is high – we went in November.

We spent a lot of time on the roof. I fell in love with the scenery and Emmie loved feeling like an explorer as the boat cut its way through the river grass. It’s very hot though so wear your sunscreen and hats.

 

Private car

When the bus timetable didn’t meet up with our boat from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Island we took a private car. It was a new car and the driver was careful and courteous. We stopped for a coffee on the way out (at Browns, I love that place) and another toilet stop and basically just chilled. It cost us $60 AUD for the trip, arranged by the hotel so there’s prob extra fat built into that and would be cheaper if you found a driver directly.

 

Train

Cambodia is still recovering from the war and rebuilding its train networks. We took the train from Phnom Penh to Kampot when we travelled to Kep for a weekend – the most lovely seaside town.The train ride took about six hours and was so comfortable and relaxing as we watched the world go by. My post about our trip to Kep has links to timetables and more train info.

Please do not ride elephants

Please do not ride elephants. It’s cruel and painful and elephants live a life of pain and loneliness. If you’re planning to do this please read more here and read Sambo’s story here and I’m sure you’ll change your mind.

I think one of the keys to enjoying Cambodia with kids – as with all south East Asia travel – is to be flexible and slow and just take your time enjoying this beautiful country.

And if you’re in Siem Reap please donate blood. I did it and it’s really SAFE, simple and you’ll feel so great about it. Read our story here.

BUY FOR KIDS: LEAP & HOP KIDS GUIDE

Emmie loved her Leap & Hop Cambodia kids guidebook. It’s a fabulous guide to Sri Lanka for kids with puzzles, drawing challenges, beautiful pictures and so much fin you’re kids won’t even realise they’re learning so so much about this beautiful country. Buy yours here.

Have a great time and let me know how you go xoxo