The Long Way Round Asia 20188 views
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Step 13/60: Cambodia - Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh photo by Jantine De jong

About Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh was not my favorite city. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. Unfortunately for me (as this was what triggered my disliking for this city) the bus that got us from the slowboat docking into the city, dropped us all off at Psar Thmei, a very busy market. As soon as you hop off the bus people flood over you trying to get you to choose their hotel or guesthouse. There are cyclos everywhere and all I heard was 'Hello miss, where you go? I take you, hello?', which drove me nuts. As soon as I would show my face on the balcony of the hotel I ended up choosing, 10 people would be halfway up the stairs hoping I would let them take me somewhere. I did walk all the way to S21 with sunglasses on and headphones in my ears to be left alone and afterwards I booked the first bus to Siem Reap.
Boat icon
How I got here ?

Price: 22 $

Traveling time: 8 hours

Slowboat from Chau Doc to the border. $22 for the visa. Slowboat to Phnom Penh. Price for slowboat to P.P. was included in the Mekong Tour in Vietnam.

Tips & Tricks

  • Most streets have numbers, but they're not ordered logically. Bring a map!

Things to see

Slowboat to Phnom Penh 6 /10
- $
Slowboat to Phnom Penh photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
After the border crossing you hop on a different boat than the one leaving Chao Doc. It has pillows, even places where you can sit on mattresses and stretch your legs. The scenery changes a bit as well, since you're on the wide Mekong River again. It's a long ride, but definitely a nice experience.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) 9 /10
2 €
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Very impressive! This used to be a high school, but in 1975 Pol Pot turned this school into Security Prison 21 (S-21). Here, many people were tortured and later killed on the Killing Fields. The Khmer Rouge picked up everyone who had slightly different believes. Or who they thought did not life up to their standards were killed, resulting in 1/3 of the total population being completely wiped out! Horrific!

Practical

Hotel near phsar thmei 6/10
Price 5 $
Address

Phsar Thmei market, Capitol.
Phnom Penh

User's opinion:

There are plenty of hotels in this area. All ask about the same price. Very basic rooms. I had a fan, tv and private bathroom. Busstation right around the corner.


No Curfew