VIETLAND HOLIDAYS

Between July and March ferries run between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and vice versa (they usually do not run during the dry season when the water levels are low).

Travel is generally best during the wet season when water levels are high. Although the boats are probably not as safe as what you’d find at home, they have started increasing the safety standards, which actually has life jackets for passengers. Most passengers opt for sitting on the top of the boat (so bring sunblock) and watch the countryside go by. The boat goes through some interesting floating villages outside of Siem Reap. Boats leave from both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh at 7:30 a.m. and the trip takes about six hours, covering for a distance of 250km.

WHY SHOULD NOT GET A FAST BOAT ? HERE ARE THE TRAVELER'S OPINION...

• Staff is not trained to handle emergency situations and apparently don’t even know how to swim.
• The windows are bolted shut and there are only two small exits, one at the front, one at the back. That’s why some people call these fast boats floating coffins if something badly goes wrong on open water.
• Sitting inside means combatting freezing cold conditions as the air conditioner is set to -10 degrees
• Sitting inside means you need good (and we mean really good) earplugs to shut out the sound of the blaring television playing karaoke dvd’s.
• Sitting on top – apart from not being safe – will give you guaranteed sunburn. Even the strongest sun blocks won’t prevent that.
• The trip takes five hours; about the same time as buses running between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
• Apart from the floating villages near Siem Reap, there is absolutely nothing to see along the way, except water, water and water.
• These boats have a history of breaking down, which means waiting for another boat coming from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh (whichever is closer) to pick you up. Needless to say, that makes this ‘fast’ trip not so fast.
• Local fisherman and their livestock are disturbed by these fast boats. There have been accidents whereby small fishing boats were run over by fast boats.

All in all, we’d say you should avoid these fast boats: it’s an uncomfortable and way overpriced tourist trap, there is no fun factor and it is definitely not the safest option. There are better and cheaper ways from/to Phnom Penh/Siem Reap.

The Price and time schedule for the fast boat as below, if you are interested...No.