Over the past year or so there have been some major changes in how to get to Koh Rong and its sister island Koh Rong Samloem – From much faster ferry services from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, to more convenient flights into Sihanoukville, to the first cross-country train, it has never been easier to get to the beautiful islands. Here’s all the latest information to help you plan and book your trip.

P.S. You can book your tickets online now and save up to 30%:

Before you set off…

Please make sure you know where you are going – Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are big islands, and there are many hotels scattered around their 30+ beaches (See Video Map).

Most hotels are on the main tourist areas – Koh Touch on Koh Rong and Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem.

Below is all the latest information on how to get to these popular beaches, as well as how to get to other areas of the islands, including how to get to Sok San Village, Long Set Beach, Nature Beach, Coconut Beach, Palm Beach, Prek Svay, M’Pai Bay, and more.

Sihanoukville to Koh Rong / Koh Rong Samloem

There are now 5 modern ferry services from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong and from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Samloem – Speed Ferry Cambodia (SFC), Island Speed Boat Cambodia (ISBC), Buva Sea (BS), Angkor Speed Ferry (ASF), and GTVC. (There are also a couple of $5-$10 ‘Slow Boat’ services that take 1.5 – 2.5 hours – These services are not professionally run and are not recommended).

It will take about 40 minutes to get to your destination if it’s the first stop. If the boat first stops elsewhere, it may take 1 hour or so. Watch this short video to learn more about the ferries:

The 5 services offer modern speed boats with comfortable chairs, life jackets, and the option to buy food and drink on board. Not all of the ferries have air-conditioning, but once the boats set off there is a strong cool breeze throughout the sitting areas which more than makes up for it.

All 5 services will charge roughly $25 return, though prices can vary depending on time of year, special offers, etc.

All services leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville and go to the main tourist beaches on the islands (Koh Touch on Koh Rong, and Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem). If your hotel is not on the main beaches (Koh Touch / Saracen Bay), please read on below.

Speed Ferry Cambodia From Sihanoukville to Koh Rong

For Koh Rong the services stop at 2 piers that are very close to each other. However, for Koh Rong Samloem, SFC, ISBC, and BS stop on the left side of the bay, while ASF and GTVC on the right (it’s a 20 minute beach walk between the two, but your hotel should pick you up from either).

For the return journey the 5 services will leave from the same pier that they arrived on. All services will go back to the Ochheuteal (Serendipity) pier in Sihanoukville.

All ferry services can be very busy – We strongly recommend you book your tickets in advance and not miss out on the day. You can book your ferry tickets online now here:

Ferry Boat Timetables: Sihanoukville to Koh Rong / Koh Rong Samloem

Speed Ferry Cambodia (SFC), Island Speed Boat Cambodia (ISBC), Buva Sea (BS), Angkor Speed Ferry (ASF), and GTVC all leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville. Please Note: All times provided are approximate. We advise you to always arrive early for your chosen service.

Ferry Boat Timetables: Koh Rong / Koh Rong Samloem to Sihanoukville

For the return journey, Speed Ferry Cambodia (SFC), Island Speed Boat Cambodia (ISBC), Buva Sea (BS), Angkor Speed Ferry (ASF), and GTVC will leave from the same pier that they arrived on. All services will go back to the Ochheuteal (Serendipity) pier in Sihanoukville. Please Note: All times provided are approximate. We advise you to always arrive early for your chosen service.

How to Get From Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem (and Vice Versa)

To get from Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem (or from Koh Rong Samloem to Koh Rong), you can buy a transfer ticket with any of the ferry companies above. To give you an idea of price, a transfer ticket from Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong) to Saracen Bay (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Samloem) costs roughly $6 one way.

You can buy your tickets at any of the ferry ticket shops on the islands or at the Serendipity Pier in Sihanoukville. The journey will take approximately 15 minutes (try to make sure that the ticket you buy is direct or the journey may take longer).

You can also hire a private long tail boat (traditional Khmer fishing boat – pictured below) to take you.

A Private Long Tail Fishing Boat Can Take You From Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem (and Vice Versa)

A private long tail boat will cost considerably more but can be shared among a group. For example, the boat will cost in the region of $30 to go from Koh Touch to Saracen Bay, $20 to go from Koh Touch to M’Pai Bay, and $60 to go from Koh Touch to Lazy Beach. Please only choose this option if the weather is nice enough for the journey.

Ferry Boat Services to Koh Rong’s Alternative Beaches

If you’re staying on either Sok San Beach, Long Set Beach, Nature Beach, Palm Beach, or Coconut Beach on Koh Rong, or if you’re staying on M’Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem, you can now get there directly by ferry boat. If you’d like to see all the different areas on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, please watch this video:

How to Get to Sok San Village

As of 2019 both Island Speed Boat Cambodia (3 times per day) and Buva Sea (1 time per day) stop at Sok San Village. The journey will cost roughly $25 return and will take approximately 1 hour. (Sok San Beach Resort also runs a daily ferry service from Sihanoukville to Sok San, but their guests get priority and prices are inflated ($40) for non-guests).

Island Speed Boat Cambodia Timetable:

Sihanoukville to Sok San Village: 9am, 12pm, and 3pm.
Sok San Village to Sihanoukville: 9.30am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm.

Buva Sea Timetable:

Sihanoukville to Sok San Village: 1pm.
Sok San Village to Sihanoukville: 2pm.

How to Get to Long Set Beach, Nature Beach, Coconut Beach, and Romdoul Beach

Buva Sea Ferry From Sihanoukville to Longset Beach & Nature Beach on Koh Rong

Buva Sea and Speed Ferry Cambodia now go directly to Long Set Beach, Nature Beach, and Coconut Beach. Speed Ferry Cambodia also stops at Romdoul Beach. The journey will cost roughly $25 return and will take approximately 45-90 minutes.

Buva Sea Timetable:

Sihanoukville to Long Set Beach / Nature Beach: 8am, 11am, 2pm, and 5pm.
Long Set Beach / Nature Beach to Sihanoukville: 7am, 9.15am, 12.15pm, and 3.15pm.

Speed Ferry Cambodia Timetable:

Sihanoukville to Long Set Beach: 7.30am, 9am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm, and 5pm.
Long Set Beach to Sihanoukville: 10.00am, 12.30pm, and 4pm.

Sihanoukville to Romdoul Beach, Nature Beach, and Coconut Beach: 7.30am, 1.30pm, and 5pm.
Romdoul Beach, Nature Beach, and Coconut Beach to Sihanoukville: 8.15am, 10.15am, and 3.45pm.

How to Get to Palm Beach and Prek Svay

If you are staying on the northern side of the island at either Palm Beach or Prek Svay, Speed Ferry Cambodia now stops there 3 times a day. The timetable is as follows.

Speed Ferry Cambodia Timetable:

Sihanoukville to Palm Beach / Prek Svay: 7.30am, 1.30pm, and 5pm.
Palm Beach / Prek Svay to Sihanoukville: 8.00am, 10am, and 3.30pm.

How to Get to M’Pai Bay

GTVC Ferry From Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem

There are now 4 ferry companies stopping directly at M’Pai Bay – GTVC, Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Boat Cambodia, and Buva Sea.

The 4 ferry companies leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville. A ticket will cost around $25 return and the journey should take 40 minutes – 1 hour depending on whether M’Pai Bay is the first stop.

GTVC Timetable:

Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay: 8am, 11am, 2pm, and 4pm.

Speed Ferry Cambodia Timetable:

Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay: 9am, 11.30am, and 3pm.

Island Speed Boat Cambodia Timetable:

Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay: 9am and 3pm.

Day Tours of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem

Daily Tour Boat to Koh Rong

If you would like to see Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem but you have limited time, an organised day tour is a great option – We recommend the (appropriately named) Daily Tour Boat.

The Daily Tour Boat will take you to both of the islands and will give you several hours to explore, relax, and take part in activities (e.g. snorkelling and swimming).

The day tour will start at 9am (finish at 5.30pm) from the Ochheuteal (AKA Serendipity) Pier. Breakfast and Lunch are included, and the price for the Daily Tour Boat is $25 per person.

The Daily Tour boat can be very busy – We strongly recommend you book your tickets in advance and not miss out on the day. You can book your day tour online now here:

How to Get to Sihanoukville

International Flights to Sihanoukville

You can now fly directly into Sihanoukville from Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Ming City, and Macau – The first international flights to the airport.

Opening Ceremony for the Flight Between Kuala Lumpur and Sihanoukville. Image Courtesy of Phnom Penh Post

The timing of the flights isn’t always that convenient, but we predict that the airport will open for further international flights in the near future. In particular, AirAsia, which provides the flights between Kuala Lumpur, Macau, and Sihanoukville, plans to open a subsidiary company in Cambodia, suggesting that they are looking to expand their services very soon. Read the full articles here and here.

Domestic Flights to Sihanoukville

If you are already in Cambodia, you can fly directly from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville and from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. The flights to Sihanoukville from Siem Reap are quite regular (and this is the most common way to get from Siem Reap to Koh Rong). However, the flights to Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh can be inconvenient, and so other forms of transport (e.g. taxis, buses, and trains) are sometimes preferred. (See: How to Get From Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville).

How to Get From Sihanoukville Airport to Koh Rong

To get from Sihanoukville airport to Koh Rong, you can take a shuttle bus (around $4) that should be waiting outside the airport when you arrive.

The shuttle bus will take you into the centre of Sihanoukville, from which it is very easy to find the pier (just ask a passing Tuk Tuk to take you).

If for whatever reason you miss the shuttle bus, you should be able to find a Tuk Tuk (roughly $20) at the airport.

A Tuk Tuk Can Take You From Sihanoukville Airport to the Koh Rong Pier

You can also hire a private taxi to take you – this will be more expensive at around $30.

Taxis to Sihanoukville

If you’re looking for a bit of comfort for your journey to Sihanoukville (perhaps you’re travelling from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong or from Kampot to Koh Rong), then a private taxi is your best option. Not only are taxis quicker and more enjoyable than buses, but you have the option of stopping for toilet breaks, coffees, and even sightseeing if you wish.

Although prices vary depending on the length of the journey, to give you a rough idea a private taxi from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville will cost in the region of $60 and take 4 hours (2 hours faster than a bus).

The better services offer nice comfortable cars (e.g. a Lexus 4 x 4) and the drivers will pick you up from your hotel, the airport, or any other location convenient for you.

One thing that we recommend however is to book your taxi in advance. Not only is it cheaper, but Cambodian traffic can be hectic, so the taxi rides can be daunting and frightening if you don’t know your driver – please contact us to book a safe, reliable taxi driver from anywhere in Cambodia, or click below and book online now.

Buses to Sihanoukville

Bayon VIP Bus From Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville

There are many bus companies offering economy and VIP buses to Sihanoukville (this is the most common way to get from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong).

An economy bus ranges from $4-$6 on average and sits roughly 50 people. VIP buses are smaller and more comfortable, sitting around 15 people. They are a bit more expensive at $8-$10 one way.

VIP buses tend to be quicker and the journeys more convenient (e.g. you can ask the driver to stop if you desperately need to go to the toilet). To learn more about buses, read: Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville.

Direct Train From Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville

There is now the option of taking a train directly to Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh. Although the total journey can be in the region of 6.5 hours (compare a 4 hour taxi), don’t immediately disregard the idea – There is some absolutely fantastic scenery along the way, and all in all it makes for a very enjoyable experience.

The train currently operates only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays and costs about $7 one-way. The carriages are quite comfortable and come with AC, plug sockets, and TVs (mainly playing Charlie Chaplin re-runs). The atmosphere is very cheerful and joyous, and because the train stops off several times along the way (including once in Kampot), the journey is broken up nicely.

The train’s schedule as of right now is as follows:

Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: Friday 3pm, Saturday 7am, Sunday 7am, and Sunday 4pm.
Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: Saturday 7am, Sunday 7am, Sunday 4pm, Monday 7am.

Don’t be too surprised if it’s delayed by 30 minutes – 1 hour however. If you’re thinking of giving the train a go, we recommend you buy your ticket in advance – Each ticket comes with its own seat number and acts as a reservation.

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