da Phnom Penh a Battambang

About the journey from Phnom Penh to Battambang

Traveling from Phnom Penh to Battambang, you will notice similarities in the histories and cultures of these two Cambodian cities. Both are heavily steeped in their Buddhist beliefs, and therefore have fantastic and elaborate pieces of religious architecture. A good example worth visiting in Battambang is the Wat Banan Temple which sits atop a 400 meter mountain and provides views of the sugar palm trees and Sangker River in the surrounding valleys. 

Phnom Penh and Battambang are both French colonies, with rich histories to explore. Battambang has many other interesting historical time periods, such as the Khmer Empire between the 11th and 15th century and more recently the Khmer Rouge regime which led to the loss of many lives during the building of a reservoir near the Kamping Puoy Lake. Despite its difficult past, the lake is now able to be enjoyed by locals as a place to relax and enjoy water sports on the weekends.

The 251 kilometer (156 mile) journey from Phnom Penh to Battambang can be travelled by bus, minivan or car. Most trips from Phnom Penh to Battambang take between 5-6 hours regardless of which travel option you choose. There are other aspects for each travel option which vary and may be important for you to consider such as price, comfort, and flexibility.

In Battambang you will experience many traditional aspects of Cambodian culture while enjoying the unique elements of life in this exciting city. Once you arrive in Battambang your travel isn’t over, as you can tour around the region on the bamboo train.

What to see when traveling from Phnom Penh to Battambang

From Phnom Penh to Battambang, you will travel north west along the Tonle Sap River which leads you to the vast Tonle Sap freshwater lake that lies between the two cities. On the south side of Tonle Sap lake sits Roniem Forest which is a nice area for hiking through the exotic flora and fauna of Cambodia. There are constant areas of vegetation, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries along the route between Phnom Penh to Battambang.

How to get from Phnom Penh to Battambang

Taking a bus 

Bus travel from Phnom Penh to Battambang is provided by Virak Buntham Express. Although the journey is not that long compared to other common bus journeys around Southeast Asia, the bus is a sleeper service and will depart in the evening and arrive in the early morning. Note that there is only one departure time each day for these sleeping buses. The bus from Phnom Penh to Battambang has good luggage allowance with comfortable beds on board. Blankets and air conditioning are standard on the sleeper buses, while some also offer charging ports, water, and toilet facilities. The bus will make stops during the journey.

Taking a minivan

Minivan travel from Phnom Penh to Battambang can be taken through several different providers. Most minivan services do accommodation pick ups and drop offs or will take you from and to central bus stops in Phnom Penh and Battambang. Most minivan operators charge one overall price for a group, so the larger the group, the better deal you will be getting. Some minivan operators have added bonuses such as WiFi availability. Check with your operator what their luggage policy is, as you will need to notify them if you go over the limit.

Taking a car 

Car operators will conveniently transfer you straight from and to your accommodation in Phnom Penh and Battambang. You can also choose a departure time that suits you.There are a few class options available including Standard, SUV, and VIP. Depending on the car there can be between 3-6 passengers. Cars take an average of 6 hours to get from Phnom Penh to Battambang.

 

What is the best time of year to visit Phnom Penh?

The best time to visit Phnom Penh is between November and February for a dry and comfortably warm climate.

What is the best time of year to visit Battambang?

The best time of year to visit Battambang is from November to February for the coolest and most comfortable weather. The high season is between October and December with the arrival of the dry season.