Bus from Phnom Penh to Svay (Banteay Meanchey)

Phnom Penh to Svay (Banteay Meanchey) Bus Information

Avg. Bus Duration	about 7 hours
Bus arrives in	Svay (Banteay Meanchey)
Bus departs from	Phnom Penh
Avg. Ticket Price	USD 13
Approx. Distance	388 km
Bus Companies	Saly VIP, Virak Buntham Express, and Cambolink21 Express

Banteay Meanchey – Travel Information

Banteay Meanchey is a province located in the northwest corner of Cambodia, situated along the Thai border. Although it is not frequented by the common traveler in Cambodia, the province has a rustic charm and is a great place to visit to see the realistic day to day lifestyle for Khmer people. The provincial capital, Serei Saophoen, otherwise known to Cambodians as “Svay” or “Sisophon,” is easily reached by bus, located at the tip of the fork in the road which connects Siem Reap and Battambang. One of the few border entrances for tourists into Thailand is located in Banteay Meanchey’s city of Poipet, where you can either pass straight through or the stay the night and test your luck at the various casinos lining the Poipet border.

Things to do in Banteay Meanchey

The provincial city of Banteay Meanchey itself is home to mostly only Cambodian amenities, meaning you will not find a Western style restaurant in the area. There are countless “ko lang phnom” or “cow climbs the mountain” style cooking restaurants in the area, similar to Korean barbecue, and little coffee cafes speckling the city. Pyramid Hotel and Nasa Hotel are two popular places to stay in the city. If you’re in the mood for a little adventure, a trendy spot amongst locals in the city to relax and have a picnic is at the “Sewun Sni Chunebot” or “Village Love Garden,” located just a few kilometers out of the city and accessible by tuk-tuk. Fried chicken, ice cream, and pints of beer are available as well as beautiful bungalow views at a location guaranteed to create a lovely atmosphere.

Banteay Chmar

If you loved the Angkor Wat temple complex, you’ll surely enjoy the less touristy, nonetheless spectacular temples of Banteay Chmar. Bantey Chmar is located 60km north of Serei Saophoen, most easily reached by taxi which leave from the Psar Thmey market. The temples, satellite temples, and reservoir comprise some of the most significant archeological complexes of the Angkorian era. The temples were created during the reign of Jayavaraman VII, much like Angkor Wat, in the late 12th century. It is the third largest temple complex in the Khmer empire, and certainly gives you the feeling of the lost kingdom in the jungle as you explore it, which has never been excavated and is rarely occupied by other tourists.