Bus / minivan + ferry
Standard route via Sihanoukville, most practical and widely used
Private car + ferry
Door-to-door transfer with smooth connection to ferry
Transfers required
Always change in Sihanoukville before ferry to island
Overnight tight connections
Risk of missing ferry, better allow buffer time
Quick answer: Travelling from Battambang to Koh Rong typically involves a combination of bus, taxi or train to Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville, then a ferry to the island. There is no direct flight or single-mode option for this route — you’ll need to plan for multiple transfers. You can book tickets to Koh Rong from Battambang easily online
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. ~520 km overland + sea segments
- ⏱️ Travel time: ~8–14 hours by bus or train + land transfers | ~1.5–2 hours ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong
- 💰 Price range: Combined bus/train + ferry ~US$25–45 (depending on class and operator)
- 🚌 Best for budget & simplicity: Bus or train + ferry via Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville
- 🚢 Only maritime leg: The final stretch to Koh Rong must be done via ferry/boat from Sihanoukville
Last updated in March 2026
From Battambang to Koh Rong you can go by bus, train, taxi + ferry.
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- Travel distance from Battambang to Koh Rong is totally about 530 km by land via Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Ferries and boats depart from Sihanoukville, so first you have to travel this city. From Battambang to Koh Rong you can travel by bus + ferry via Phnom Penh. Travel by bus and ferry via Phnom Penh takes about 9-15 hours and it is a cheap option. Travel by bus + ferry from Battambang to Koh Rong via Phnom Penh costs about $35-50/pp. Another option how you can get to Koh Rong from Battambang is to travel by train + ferry, also via Phnom Penh.
- Travel by train of Royal Railway + ferry is also a slow way of transport, it takes about 15-16 hours, but is a cheapest option. Travel by train + ferry costs about $30-40/pp. The most fastest option is to book your private car from Battambang to Sihanoukville + ferry, travel time is about 9 hours, but it is the most expensive option. From Sihanoukville in Cambodia you can also travel to Phu Quoc, the most popular island in the south of Vietnam. You can search and book tickets to Koh Rong from Battambang online.
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- The luxurious island of Koh Rong, together with its smaller neighbor Koh Rong Sanloem, is located in the south of Cambodia and it is the best place for beach relaxation in Cambodia. Koh Rong is the second largest island in Cambodia. Each part of the island has its own specifics and while you will enjoy the best parties in the south, where most of the resorts are located, the north will provide you with privacy and a good dose of relaxation. The island is best accessed from the ports in Sihanoukville.
| Transfer Mode – Battambang to Koh Rong | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bus / Van + Ferry | 9–15 hours | $35–50 per person |
| Train + Ferry | 15–16 hours | $30–40 per person |
| Private Taxi / Car + Ferry | 9 hours | $195–400 per person |
How do I get from Battambang to Koh Rong?
1. BUS + FERRY from Battambang to Koh Rong
👉 Bus + ferry is the most popular and budget-friendly way from Battambang to Koh Rong.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and those comfortable with transfers
- ✔️ Duration: ~9–15 hours (including transfers in Phnom Penh & Sihanoukville)
- ✔️ Price: $25–50 per person total
- ✔️ Comfort: moderate (seat buses, sleeper buses or minivans + ferry)
- ✅ Best option: Travel by overnight sleeper bus to save time, then take a morning speed ferry to Koh Rong
- 💡 Tip: Book the whole route in advance online and allow extra time for transfers in Phnom Penh.
A popular and cheap way to get from Battambang to Koh Rong Island is by bus/minivan and ferry/boat via Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. This option has a total of 3 steps, first it is a trip by bus to Phnom Penh, from there a trip by another bus to Sihanoukville and the last step is a ferry transfer from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong. The total travel time by bus and ferry from Battambang to Koh Rong can be approximately 9-15 hours, depending on transfers in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.
The first step is to travel by bus from Battambang to Sihanoukville with a transfer in Phnom Penh. For this method, you can use different bus companies such as Virak Buntham, Thero Express, Cambotra Express, Saly Express, Capitol VIP, Cambolink 21, Airbus, Giant Ibis, Chan Moly Roth Transportation, Mekong Express, Olongpich Transport and others.
First you will go to Phnom Penh and here you will change to another bus line to Sihanoukville. The total travel time by bus from Battambang to Sihanoukville can be approx. 8-14 hours, depending on the transfer in Phnom Penh.
There are various buses with seats or sleeping beds on the route, as well as smaller comfortable minivans for a limited number of passengers. A bus transfer from Battambang to Sihanoukville will cost you around $20-35/pp and you can easily find and buy tickets online in advance.
1. BOOK TICKETS to Sihanoukville ➜
The second step is the journey by ferry or speedboat from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, which takes about 30-60 minutes. The journey time varies, because it depends on where exactly you want to go and what type of ferry you use. Most boats and ferries leave from Sihanoukville Port, which is about 1.5 km from the train station.
These ferries and boats can arrive at various popular spots on Koh Rong such as Long Set beach, Koh Rong Island Port, Coconut beach, Sok San Beach, Koh Toch Port, Pura Vita Resort, 4K Beach and others.
For ferry transfer to Koh Rong, you can use different companies with different types of boats and ferries, some of them are Buva Sea Cambodia, GTVC Speed Boat, Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Ferry and Rommy Tour. Ferry tickets to Koh Rong are again easy to find and buy online, always also read all conditions and instructions for the transfer.
| Bus Company | Departs in Battambang | Arrival in Sihanouk |
|---|---|---|
| Virak Buntham | 22:00 | 07:30 |
| Saly VIP | 22:45 | 13:00 |
| Saly VIP | 23:30 | 12:30 |
| Saly VIP | 08:45 | 18:30 |
| Saly VIP | 07:30 | 18:30 |
| Airbus | 10:30 | 20:00 |
2. TRAIN + FERRY from Battambang to Koh Rong
👉 Train + ferry is the cheapest but slowest way from Battambang to Koh Rong.
- ✔️ Good for: low-budget travelers and those who prefer scenic rail journeys
- ✔️ Duration: ~15–16 hours (with transfer in Phnom Penh)
- ✔️ Price: $30–40 per person total
- ✔️ Comfort: basic (seats only on trains + ferry)
- ✅ Best option: Take early train connections with a short transfer in Phnom Penh to minimize waiting time
- 💡 Tip: Book both train tickets separately in advance and check schedules carefully, as trains run only once per day.
The second cheap transfer option from Battambang to Koh Rong is a train and ferry trip via Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville again. This option has a total of 3 steps, first it is a train trip to Phnom Penh, then another train trip from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville and the last step is a ferry trip to Koh Rong.
The total travel time by train and ferry from Battambang to Koh Rong is approx. 15-16 hours, this time can of course vary, depending on transfers to other connections. The first and second steps are to travel by Royal Railway train from Battambang to Sihanoukville with a transfer in Phnom Penh.
You have to use 2 train connections and change to another Royal Railway train will be in Phnom Penh. So these trains depart from Battambang Royal Railway Station and arrive at Phnom Penh Railway Station and then in Sihanoukville Railway Station, see Cambodia Railway Map.
1. BOOK TICKETS to Phnom Penh ➜
The train journey from Battambang to Sihanoukville will take about 14-15 hours, including a transfer in Phnom Penh, depending on how long you stay in Phnom Penh. Trains are usually a very cheap option and going from Battambang to Sihanoukville via Phnom Penh will cost you between $17-20/pp, all trains are seats only.
You have to look for train tickets from Battambang to Phnom Penh and from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville separately, i.e. buy 2 tickets. You can easily search and buy these train tickets to Sihanoukville online in advance, you will also see the current timetables and prices on the platform.
Unfortunately, the timetable of Royal Railway trains in Cambodia is very limited and there is usually only 1 train per day on each route. Sihanoukville Railway Station is only 1.5 km from Sihanoukville Port from which ferries and boats to Koh Rong leave.
The third step is again the ferry transfer from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, as always, it is the last step on the way to this island, which takes up to 1 hour, depending on where you go. In total, a transfer by train and ferry can cost you around $30-40/pp, it is usually the cheapest transport option.
2. BOOK TICKETS to Sihanoukville ➜
3. PRIVATE CAR + FERRY from Battambang to Koh Rong
👉 Private car + ferry is the most comfortable and fastest way from Battambang to Koh Rong.
- ✔️ Good for: groups, families, and travelers seeking door-to-door comfort
- ✔️ Duration: ~9–10 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $190–400 per car + $12–17 ferry per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (modern cars, SUVs or minivans with driver + ferry)
- ✅ Best option: Book a private car with direct transfer to Sihanoukville port and connect to a speed ferry
- 💡 Tip: Split the cost in a group and schedule arrival at least 1 hour before ferry departure.
The most convenient, but at the same time, the most expensive option for transportation from Battambang to Koh Rong is a private car with a driver and a ferry via the city of Sihanoukville. This option has a total of 2 steps, first it is a car/taxi transfer from Battambang to Sihanoukville and then again a ferry transfer to Koh Rong.
Transfer by private car and ferry from Battambang to Koh Rong can take about 9-10 hours in total. For the first step from Battambang to Sihanoukville, you can use a private car/taxi with a driver by SIMA Car or Angkor Guide Adventure. These companies will offer you modern smaller classic cars, SUVs and even minivans for those traveling in a group of several people at the same time.
1. BOOK TAXI to Sihanoukville ➜
Transport by private car from Battambang to Sihanoukville takes about 8 hours and the fare ranges from $180-385/pp, the price depends on the type of car you choose. However, it is also good to take into account that the exact time may not be observed, it depends on the current traffic situation. Larger multi-passenger minivans are usually the most expensive option of transfer to Sihanoukville from Battambang.
Some private transfer cars with driver also operate through Phnom Penh city. You can search and book a private car with driver from Battambang to Sihanoukville online in advance.
The second step is again a transfer by speed boat or ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, which takes about 30-60 minutes. Ferry and boat tickets from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong cost between $12-17/pp and you can easily search and buy them online ahead of time. At the place of departure – usually Sihanoukville Port, arrive well in advance, about 60 minutes before the departure of the boat to Koh Rong.
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel from Battambang to Koh Rong:
1. How to book and buy tickets/flights from Battambang to Koh Rong?
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- You can book tickets/flights from Battambang to Koh Rong on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- You can also search + book another routes, e.g. Battambang to Siem Reap, Siem Reap to Sihanoukville…
2. What is the travel time from Battambang to Koh Rong?
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- Travel by bus/minivan + ferry from Battambang to Koh Rong (via Phnom Penh) takes about 9-15 hours.
- Travel by train + ferry from Battambang to Koh Rong (via Phnom Penh) takes about 15-16 hours.
- Travel by private taxi/car + ferry from Battambang to Koh Rong takes about 9 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Battambang to Koh Rong?
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- Travel distance from Krong Battambang to Koh Rong is about 500 km by land via Phnom Penh.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Battambang to Koh Rong?
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- Travel by bus/minivan + ferry from Battambang to Koh Rong (via Phnom Penh) costs about $35-50/pp.
- Travel by train + ferry from Battambang to Koh Rong (via Phnom Penh) costs about $30-40/pp.
- Travel by private taxi/car from Battambang to Koh Rong costs about $195-400/pp.
5. What is the cheapest way of transfer from Battambang to Koh Rong?
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- The cheapest way of transport from Battambang to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem is to travel by train of Royal Railway + ferry via Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Train tickets are cheap, but this option of transport to Sihanoukville via Phnom Penh takes a lot of time – about 14-15 hours by train.
6. What is the best way of getting from Battambang to Koh Rong?
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- The best and fastest option how to get to Koh Rong from Battambang is to take a private car. But this option is the most expensive way.
7. Is there a direct train from Battambang to Sihanoukville?
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- No, there is no direct train to Sihanoukville from Krong Battambang, but you can travel by train of Royal Railway from Battambang to Sihanoukville via Phnom Penh – the capital of Cambodia. A good option if you want to visit this city.
8. Where you can also travel from Sihanoukville? What to visit?
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- From Sihanoukville you can take a ferry or speedboat to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Sanloem. Koh Rong is the most popular place in this area. Another option is to travel to the north of Cambodia – travel by bus to Koh Kong. From Sihanoukville or Koh Rong you can also travel to Siem Reap via Phnom Penh.
9. Where you can travel by boat or ferry from Sihanoukville?
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- From Sihanoukville Port you can travel by boat or ferry to various places in Koh Rong and nearby area. Boats and ferries arrive to Koh Toch port, Long Set beach, Sok San beach, Coconut beach, Hill beach, Heaven beach, Koh Tan Sour… Before you depart – read carefully these informations online after you book your ferry tickets online.
10. Where to stay in Koh Rong or Sihanoukville?
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- Sihanoukville and Koh Rong offers various types of accommodations. Sihanoukville city has various cheap and luxury hotels or resorts and in Koh Rong you can stay in guesthouse, bungalow at the beach.
- Search your accommodation online > Book your accommodation in Koh Rong.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Battambang to Koh Rong
These practical tips are based on common transport options and traveler experience for the long but rewarding journey from Battambang in northwest Cambodia down to the tropical island of Koh Rong, combining land travel with a sea crossing.
1. Understand the Multi‑Step Nature of the Trip
There’s no direct one‑vehicle connection from Battambang to Koh Rong — you’ll almost always combine at least two land legs with a ferry. That means planning for transfers in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, which take time and sometimes require coordination between different operators.
2. Pick Smart Departure Times
Morning starts (around 7:00–9:00 AM) give you the best chance of completing the land portion before midday traffic builds near Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, and still make an afternoon ferry to the island. Late departures can push the ferry into the evening or force you to stay overnight in Sihanoukville.
3. Bus or Minivan is the Most Straightforward
Taking a bus or shared minivan south to Phnom Penh and then onward to Sihanoukville is the most common and straightforward budget option. It’s usually faster than the train and easier to book, and you can often choose between basic coaches, VIP seats or reclining options for more comfort during long stretches.
4. Train + Ferry Can Be a Budget Choice
If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind a slower pace, combining the Royal Railway train with the final ferry can be very cheap. Trains are slower and less frequent than buses, but the scenery can be pleasant and seats tend to be more relaxed on long land legs.
5. Pack for Comfort on Long Land Legs
The land portion alone can take most of a day — often between about 9 and 15 hours depending on transfers — so bring water, snacks, chargers, entertainment and a light layer for air‑conditioning. Ferry crossings are short but can feel cool or breezy, so a light jacket helps.
6. Know Ferry Timing & Arrival Points
Ferries and speedboats from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong typically take about 30–60 minutes. Ferry terminals can vary (e.g., long‑pier stops or smaller beach landings), so confirm your exact arrival point so you know whether you’ll need extra transport once you land on the island. Booking the ferry on the day of arrival is usually fine, but peak days can fill up.
Tip: Bus, minivan, train and ferry tickets from Battambang to Koh Rong can be searched and booked online in advance, helping you secure your preferred departure times and travel class — especially useful on weekends, holidays and during high season.