Explore around Phnom Penh by taxi boat

An excellent and newish initiative by Phnom Penh transportation authorities, the taxi boat service is really a river bus scheme with scheduled, public boats connecting the city’s southern and northern suburbs to the city centre and it makes for a great way to explore around Phnom Penh by boat.

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As with the city bus system, this is another weapon in the struggle against traffic congestion and is primarily aimed at local commuters, students, shoppers and so-on. The route links the northern district of Russei Keo, aside the Tonle Sap River and adjacent to Highway 5 with Takhmao—provincial capital of Kandal Province—to the south of the city on the Bassac. Boats follow the west bank of the Tonle Sap stopping by Phsar Chas (the Old Market) and Chaktomuk (behind the Cambodiana Hotel) after which they turns down the Bassac River with a further stop at Chbar Ampov on the left bank just beyond the Monivong Bridge.

Fast changing skyline—and not for the better generally. Photo taken in or around Explore around Phnom Penh by taxi boat, Phnom Penh, Cambodia by Mark Ord.

Fast changing skyline—and not for the better generally. Photo: Mark Ord

Plans are in place to extend the route further north to Prek Pnoeu (12 kilometres north on Highway 5) and if the scheme proves successful additional routes will be added. One from Chaktomuk up the Mekong to Koh Dach would be perfect!

Since the current Phnom Penh suburban terminals are of very limited interest or use to the casual visitor we’re not proposing the boat service as a practical means of transport in the same way as for instance Bangkok’s Chao Phraya Express is, but what it does make for is an interesting and fun activity. Which explains why we’ve seen fit to place it in our see and do, rather than ... please log in to read the rest of this story.