The Banteay Chhmar Community-Based Tourism (CBT) group is here to help you make your travel arrangements easy and convenient. Please contact us if you have any questions about getting here. Also, please see our Tour Operators page, or contact us directly, for information about reserving taxis, mini-vans and buses for group tours from Siem Reap, Battambang and Poipet.
Banteay Chhmar is reached by first traveling to Sisophon (sometimes called Svay or Banteay Meanchey town). Sisophon is located at the junction of Highways #5 and #6. It is a major transit point between Phnom Penh, Battambang Siem Reap and Poipet (Thai border). Buses and taxis to/from Sisophon are available all day. It should not be a problem getting to Sisophon.
From Phnom Penh to Sisophon it is about an 7 hour drive. Sisophon is 1 1/2 to 2 hours from Siem Reap and about 1 hour from Poipet. See below for more details.
From Sisophon to Banteay Chhmar it is another 65 km by taxi, pickup or moto which takes around 1 hour. CBT taxis are your best choice. Normally, the taxis leave Banteay Chhmar in the morning and return to Banteay Chhmar in the early afternoon. Please call (or have your guesthouse) one of the following CBT members for help with transportation.
- Ponlok Sang: 012 591 254
- Sopheng Khlout: 097 516 5533 / 085 542 866
- Sophal Tath: 012 237 605 / 097 723 7605
Taxis to Banteay Chhmar (photo at right) can be met at the Phasa Chamkako Market (more commonly called Phasa Thmei – New Market) on National Road #56 just north of town.
The road from Sisophon to Banteay Chhmar is fully paved. However, please note the following: All travel times may increase during the rainy season!
Finally, more intrepid travelers may also come here via the Thai-Cambodian border (Chong Jom – O Smach), or from Anlong Veng. Both of these routes will take you through Samroang; about 2 hours.
Please see below for more information and travel costs.
Travel Distances:
- Phnom Penh to Banteay Chhmar: Road#6: 484 km Road #5: 421 km
- Sisophon to Banteay Chhmar: 65 km
- Battambang to Banteay Chhmar: 125 km
- Siem Reap to Banteay Chhmar: 170 km
- Battambang to Sisophon: 60 km
- Poipet to Sisophon: 40 km
Travel Costs (Approximate – per person)
- Subject to change by bus company and negotiation with taxi drivers
- Prices normally increase during holidays and poor road conditions
Sisophon to Banteay Chhmar: 1 hour
- By Bus: Not Available
- By Share Taxi: $5 (normally 2 passengers in front; 4 passengers in back)
- By Private Taxi: $25
- By Minibus: Not Available
- By Moto: $10-$12
Phnom Penh to Banteay Chhmar: 7 1/2 to 8 hours
- Direct minivan service with Sovann Chenda Transport. Minivan leaves Banteay Chhmar at 8:00 am. Minivan leaves Phnom Penh at 7:15 am. Cost $16.25 (65000 Riel). Ask a CBT member about making reservations.
Phnom Penh to Sisophon: 7 hours by National Road #5
- By Bus: $7 – $8
- By Share Taxi: $10 (normally 2 passengers in front; 4 passengers in back)
- By Private Taxi: $80-$90
- By Minibus: $60-$70
Siem Reap to Sisophon: 2 hours by National Road #6
- By Bus: $4-$5
- By Share Taxi: $5 (normally 2 passengers in front; 4 passengers in back)
- By Private Taxi: $25-$30
- By Minibus: $40-$50
Battambang to Sisophon: 1 1/2 hours
- By Bus: $4-$5
- By Share Taxi: $5 (normally 2 passengers in front; 4 passengers in back)
- By Private Taxi: $25-$30
- By Minibus: $50
Poipet to Sisophon: 1 hour
- By Bus: $4-$5
- By Share Taxi: $5 (normally 2 passengers in front; 4 passengers in back)
- By Private Taxi: $20-$25
- By Minibus: $50