Trains in Cambodia: Routes, Timetables, Tickets and Whether They Are Worth It

Prepared by the NovAsia Editorial Team

A train in Cambodia is less a default way to get around than an alternative to buses and minivans. The passenger network is small, departures are limited and a journey can consume much of the day. In return, rail travel removes the stress of dense road traffic, gives passengers more room to move and can turn the transfer itself into a memorable part of the trip.

In 2026, two main passenger routes operate from Phnom Penh. The southern line runs through Takeo, Kep and Kampot to Sihanoukville. The northern line connects the capital with Pursat and Battambang. Services leave in the morning; there are no conventional overnight sleeper trains. Rail is therefore not an option for Siem Reap, Angkor, Kratie, Mondulkiri or most other major tourist destinations.

The train makes most sense when your day is flexible and you want to watch rural Cambodia unfold outside the window. If you have a flight, ferry, international border crossing or other fixed connection to make, a bus, private car or plane is usually the safer choice.

Cambodia's railway in practical terms

Cambodia's passenger railway works very differently from the rail networks of Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam or Europe. There is no dense timetable, no easy web of connections and no choice between several trains every hour. A missed departure from Phnom Penh cannot normally be replaced by another one shortly afterwards.

Royal Railway currently describes two passenger lines. The southern route runs from Phnom Penh towards the coast, while the northern route follows the railway towards the Thai border. Regular northern passenger services, however, terminate in Battambang. The fact that track continues towards Poipet does not mean a traveller can buy a normal through-ticket to the border or remain on the same train into Thailand.

Siem Reap is also outside the operating passenger network. This matters because Cambodia's two best-known visitor centres, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, are not connected by train. Searches for a "train to Angkor" often lead to development plans, old reports or itineraries that combine rail with road transport rather than a current direct passenger service.

The limited timetable does have an advantage. The train feels less like a purely functional transfer and more like a journey. Leaving the historic Phnom Penh railway station, the urban landscape gradually gives way to suburbs, fields, small stations and villages. Rail is a slow way to see the country between destinations rather than simply moving from one bus office to another.

The two passenger routes

The southern line is most useful for travellers heading to Kampot, Kep or Sihanoukville. Trains leave Phnom Penh in the morning, pass through Takeo and continue towards the coast. If you are travelling to Kep, check that the service you intend to use stops at the required station and plan the last part of the journey in advance: the railway station is not the same as a door-to-door arrival.

Kampot is the most natural intermediate stop on the southern route. Journey time is broadly competitive with road travel when traffic is heavy, but the train is generally chosen for a calmer pace rather than for outright speed. The scenery also gives a better sense of the agricultural south.

To Sihanoukville, the train is slower than modern road transport using the expressway. Its appeal is space, views and a gentler journey. It is not a good option if the only objective is to save time.

Anyone continuing to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem should build in a substantial buffer. Sihanoukville railway station, the ferry piers and the check-in points used by individual boat companies are in different places. Even when the published train arrival appears to leave enough time, a delay, transfer across town and ferry check-in can quickly consume the margin. Avoid relying on the final boat of the day.

The northern line runs from Phnom Penh via Pursat to Battambang. It is a longer, more atmospheric trip and takes up much of the day. Pursat can be used as a stop in its own right, although visitor infrastructure is more limited than in Battambang or Kampot. Mong Russei also appears in station lists and some timetables; the stops made by a specific train should be checked when booking.

Battambang is the practical end of the regular northern passenger service. From there, travellers cannot simply stay on a scheduled passenger train to Poipet, Aranyaprathet or Bangkok. Continuing towards the border requires road transport. That combination is technically possible when border conditions permit, but it is rarely the most convenient option with luggage or a fixed schedule.

Timetable in August 2026

Royal Railway's current website lists daily departures from Phnom Penh at 06:40 on the northern line and 07:00 on the southern line. A detailed 2026 rail guide gives the following working timetable:

The southern train also serves Takeo and Kep. Intermediate times are best checked for the exact date of travel. Online articles often reproduce old railway tables for years, while the operator may adjust stops, rolling stock or operating patterns.

Even a published daily timetable should not be treated as a guarantee of minute-perfect arrival. Cambodia's largely single-track network carries both passenger and freight trains, and many level crossings run through populated areas. A modest delay is not unusual.

This is why rail is poorly suited to a critical same-day connection. Leave a generous margin before a flight, ferry, border bus or important appointment. If missing the connection would disrupt the entire trip, use a mode with more frequent departures or arrive the previous day.

Schedules are particularly worth rechecking around Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben, the Water Festival and long public-holiday periods. Extra services may be added, train formations may change and seats can sell more quickly. Search results and old screenshots do not always reflect those changes.

Tickets, fares and boarding

The most direct online booking route is Royal Railway's booking system on Easybook. Travellers select the departure station, destination and date. Tickets are also sold at railway stations, and Royal Railway publishes passenger-service contact numbers for enquiries.

The booking window can be relatively short. Some departures appear well in advance, while others only become available closer to travel. A missing train on a distant date does not necessarily mean the service has been cancelled, but neither should you assume that seats will definitely appear. If the status is unclear, contact the operator or station.

Published fare guides in early August 2026 gave the following one-way indications:

These figures are useful for budgeting, not as a substitute for the fare shown for your specific date. Prices can vary with the train, special services or changes by the operator. If an agent shows a different amount, compare the final checkout total, including any booking fee, rather than the headline fare alone.

An electronic ticket can normally be shown on a phone, but keeping an offline copy is sensible. Allow roughly 30 minutes at the station so there is time to find the correct platform, confirm the service and load luggage without rushing.

Seat allocation depends on the train and booking channel. Do not assume every online purchase guarantees a particular seat or that a family will automatically be seated together at the last minute. Early arrival is especially useful for groups, families with children and passengers carrying larger cases.

Phnom Penh's central station is conveniently located, but destination stations vary. Before buying, check the final transfer from the station in Kampot, Kep, Battambang or Sihanoukville to the exact hotel, pier or meeting point.

What the train and journey are like

Cambodian passenger trains are not uniform. The southern line has used modern Japanese diesel trains with air conditioning and more comfortable seating, while older carriages may still appear elsewhere. Rolling stock can be reassigned, so a photograph from a recent trip is not a guarantee of the train you will board.

That difference matters. A modern air-conditioned set makes the ride to Kampot feel like an easy daytime journey. In an older carriage, heat, dust, noise and a rougher ride become part of the experience. Some travellers find that charming; others simply find six hours uncomfortable.

A toilet is normally available, although condition and facilities vary. Carry drinking water, tissues and toilet paper rather than assuming everything will be supplied. The same applies to food. Cambodia's passenger trains should not be treated as services with a full dining car or continuous catering. Snacks may be available on some trains or at stops, but do not leave the train unless you understand how long it will remain at the station.

A practical kit is simple: water, enough food for several hours, a power bank, tissues, sun protection and a light layer for an air-conditioned carriage. On an older northern train, some passengers may also appreciate protection from dust and earplugs. Mobile data coverage varies along the route, so do not plan important video calls while travelling.

Large luggage is generally placed near doors, on racks or in available storage areas. Keep passports, money, electronics and other valuables close to you. Bikes, scooters, animals or unusually large items should be discussed with the operator in advance because carriage depends on the train formation and available luggage capacity.

The trains are not fast. They sound their horn frequently at crossings and can pass very close to homes and local roads. In return, passengers are not confined to a cramped minivan and can stand, move around the carriage and watch the landscape from a different perspective.

Train or bus?

On most popular routes, the train does not win on pure journey time. Road services to Sihanoukville benefit from the expressway. Buses and minivans to Battambang offer far more departure choices. The difference is narrower on the Kampot route, which is why Phnom Penh to Kampot is often the most balanced first rail trip.

Journey time alone is not the whole comparison. A bus may start from an operator's office, collect passengers, make stops and encounter road congestion. The train departs from a fixed station and is unaffected by traffic jams. On the other hand, the railway station at the destination may be farther from your accommodation than the bus drop-off.

For one or two travellers, the railway provides an inexpensive and unusual experience. Families with young children may appreciate being able to move around, although the early start and long journey can be harder than a private transfer. For three or four people, a taxi may become competitive on total cost while offering clear door-to-door convenience.

Minivans suit travellers who value frequency and speed but can feel cramped. A full-size coach is often more predictable for comfort. The train occupies a different niche: it is neither the fastest nor the most flexible, but it lets you spend the day in transit without constantly thinking about the road.

When the train is genuinely worth choosing

For a first experience of Cambodia's railway, Phnom Penh to Kampot is the easiest recommendation. The journey is long enough to see the landscape change but not so long that the train dominates the entire day. A late-morning arrival still leaves time to check in, have lunch and explore.

Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville works when the journey itself matters more than speed and there is no tight onward connection. It can be particularly attractive to travellers who dislike minivans. If you are continuing to an island, however, use the train only with a generous ferry buffer and a clear plan for the transfer from the station to the correct pier.

The northern journey to Battambang is best for railway enthusiasts, slow travellers and people who enjoy rural scenery. The fare is low, but saving money alone is not a strong reason to spend more than six hours on the train. The value lies in the atmosphere. Someone who simply wants to reach a hotel quickly will probably prefer a bus.

Rail can also fit a journey built around stopovers, such as Phnom Penh -> Kampot -> Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh -> Pursat -> Battambang. The limited timetable means each leg must be checked independently. Do not assume a convenient train will pass through the chosen station on the day you want to move.

Choose another form of transport when arrival time must be precise, you have an international flight or the last ferry to catch, you are highly sensitive to heat and the train type is uncertain, you need a late departure, your accommodation is far from the station, or losing most of a day in transit would be a poor use of a short holiday.

What to check the day before

Cambodia's railway timetable is simple enough to remember, but that simplicity can create false confidence. A single morning departure is easy to note down and equally easy to miss if a stop changes, sales are not yet open or a holiday service runs differently.

A short pre-travel check is enough:

• find the train for the exact date in the booking system;
• confirm the actual departure and arrival stations, not just the city names;
• save the ticket and booking reference offline;
• plan transport from the destination station to the hotel or pier;
• leave a wide margin after the published arrival time;
• confirm any bicycle, scooter, animal or oversized-luggage arrangements;
• carry water and food rather than relying on catering.

As of August 2026, Royal Railway continues to advertise daily departures from Phnom Penh at 06:40 on the northern line and 07:00 on the southern line. The final confirmation should still be your ticket or a direct response from the operator for the date concerned, not an old timetable saved from a blog.

Is it worth taking the train?

Yes, at least once, if your route matches the operating network and you do not have a tight connection. Cambodia's railway offers something that is easy to lose in a fast itinerary: several hours in which the country appears gradually rather than through an airport terminal or an expressway window.

It is not a replacement for the country's wider transport network. There is no train to Siem Reap, no regular passenger continuation to Thailand, almost no useful evening schedule, and buses are often faster. The point is not that rail is objectively better. It is that, on the right journey, its slower pace becomes the advantage.

For most visitors, Phnom Penh to Kampot is the strongest first choice. Sihanoukville works as part of an unhurried coastal route, while Battambang is more of a railway experience in its own right. Whichever route you choose, recheck the ticket, departure time and station immediately before travel.

Sources

1. Royal Railway Plc. — Passenger Train and Passenger Train Scheduled Services. Current passenger lines, stations, departures from Phnom Penh and passenger-service contacts. Checked 12 August 2026.
2. Royal Railway / Easybook — official passenger-train booking system. Routes, date availability and electronic ticketing.
3. Southeast Asia Trains — Cambodia train travel guide (2026), updated 28 May 2026. Detailed timetable, journey times and rolling-stock information.
4. Cambodia Train Guide — How to Buy Train Tickets. Fare indications and ticket-purchase methods, checked 3 August 2026.

Frequently asked

Is there a train from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap?

No. Cambodia's current passenger railway does not serve Siem Reap, so travellers use flights, buses, minivans or private cars instead.

Can you travel by train from Cambodia to Thailand?

There is no regular international passenger train at present. Northern passenger services terminate at Battambang, and the line towards Poipet is not used for a normal tourist rail journey to Thailand.

Do I need to buy a train ticket in advance?

Tickets may be available at the station on an ordinary day, but booking online or contacting Royal Railway in advance is more sensible before weekends and public holidays.

Do all trains in Cambodia have air conditioning?

No. Rolling stock varies. More modern air-conditioned trains are more common on the southern line, while older carriages with opening windows and no air conditioning may still appear on northern services.