Small but significant steps are being taken in Cambodia to expand and improve the country’s railway infrastructure, with a focus on reliability, updated carriages, and a more comprehensive timetable. One of the routes most used by tourists is the trip from the capital city, Phnom Penh, to Battambang.
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Route map and details
Heading west out of the Phnom Penh, the route turns to the northwest and continues 270km to Battambang. Large sections of the journey are through rice fields and flat, open countryside, making for a relaxing journey. The trains runs parallel to Tonlé Sap (the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia) for the majority of the route but unfortunately it’s slightly too far away to be visible.
The only major stop on route is at Pursat, where the train pauses for ten or fifteen minutes, enough time to buy some supplies.
In days gone by, the train used to continue onto the Thai border at Poipet but, due to political and logistical obstacles, it now terminates in Battambang.
Timetables
Only one train per day runs on the line from Phnom Penh to Battambang, departing early in the morning.
| Train No. | Phnom Penh | Battambang |
|---|---|---|
| PP – POI | 06:40 | 13:30 |
How to buy tickets
The easiest way to buy train tickets in Cambodia is online rather than going to the station. You do pay a very small commission but the ease and convenience makes it worthwhile in our opinion.
Baolau is the best site to use for buying train tickets, they have access to the official Royal Railways booking engine, so you can easily see availability, timetables and prices.
Payment can be made using international credit card and PDF confirmation tickets are sent to your email address within a few minutes. This is the actual ticket you need to board the train, so there’s no need to exchange it at the station before travel. You may prefer to print the pdf out, but it’s also fine to show it on your mobile phone to the conductors and station staff.
Phnom Penh to Battambang train tickets
How much does it cost?
There is only one type of ticket on the train from Phnom Penh to Battambang, which is for a soft seat (unreserved seating). Most trains on the route aren’t air-conditioned but, with the windows open, it’s a very pleasant ride.
Modern air-conditioned carriages are slowly being introduced to the Cambodian Railway network, including on this route.
| Class | Cost (US$) |
|---|---|
| Soft seat | 8 |
Useful reads before you go:
Top 10 tips for Southeast Asia train travel
7 reasons why you should travel by train around Southeast Asia
5 AMAZING train journeys in Southeast Asia
10 essentials experienced travellers always take on trains in Southeast Asia
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