Sihanoukville Airport (KOS) is situated approximately 20 km from the city centre and about 15 km from the harbour, from where boats depart for the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem.

The journey to the city centre usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Unlike the airports in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, there is no regular public transport service here. Virtually all passengers use a taxi, a hotel transfer or a pre-booked pick-up service.

What’s the best way to get there?

• Theharbour and ferries to Koh Rong: taxi
• Sihanoukville city centre: taxi
• Resorts outside the city: hotel transfer
• Kampot and Kep: private transfer or taxi

If you’re arriving in the evening, I recommend arranging your transport in advance. The choice of vehicles tends to be significantly more limited after the last flights arrive than during the day.

Grab

The simplest and usually cheapest option is the Grab mobile app.

The fare to the centre of Sihanoukville is usually around 44 000 khr and you can usually pay using the card linked to the mobile app.

Cars are readily available even in the evening or early morning.

Taxi

Another option is the official airport taxis waiting outside the terminal.

The fare to the centre of Sihanoukville is usually around 60 000 khrfor the whole vehicle. You can also pay in US dollars – 15 usd.

You’ll pay the same amount for a journey to the main beaches or the harbour.

The advantage is that you don’t need to book anything in advance and drivers are available for all arrivals.

The downside is that prices are higher than those offered by apps or private transfers arranged in advance.

Hotel transfers

Many hotels and resorts in Sihanoukville offer their own airport transfer service.

If you’re heading to a more upmarket resort or one of the islands, I recommend checking whether transport is included in the price of your stay before booking. Some resorts organise all transport, including boat transfers.

The advantage is convenience – the driver will be waiting for you right in the arrivals hall and you won’t have to haggle over the price.

Private transfer

If you’re travelling in a group or have a lot of luggage, it may be worth booking a private transfer in advance.

The price is usually only a few dollars more than a standard taxi, but you’re guaranteed both the price and the driver.

You can book a taxi via booking.com, for example, which we’ve tried several times and it’s always worked without a hitch.

Transport to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem

Most tourists don’t come to Sihanoukville for the town itself, but carry on to the islands of Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem.

Upon arrival, you’ll first need to make your way to one of the harbours in the city centre. The journey from the airport takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

The ferries to the islands depart several times a day, and the crossing takes approximately:

• Koh Rong – 45 to 60 minutes and approx. 69 000 khr
• Koh Rong Samloem – 30 to 45 minutes and approx. 71 000 khr

You can book ferries in advance via the website 12go.asia, which I use all the time when travelling around Asia.

If you have a connecting ferry, I recommend allowing at least 90 minutes between your scheduled flight arrival and the ferry’s departure.

• Grab to the port – approx. 44 000 khr

Transport with a travel agency

If you have booked a package holiday to Cambodia through a travel agency (flight + accommodation + airport transfer), once you have passed through immigration, you will collect your luggage and exit the transit area.

Travel agency representatives are always waiting in the arrivals hall.

They will then escort you to your coach, which will take you directly to your hotel at no extra charge.

Car hire

There are several local car hire companies operating at the airport.

However, for general travel along the coast, hiring a car usually doesn’t make much sense. Most tourists use taxis and transfers, which are relatively cheap in Cambodia.

It’s more worthwhile to hire a car if you’re planning a longer trip around southern Cambodia, such as a route combining Sihanoukville, Kampot and Kep.