Phnom Penh: the hub between Angkor, the coast and the east
Phnom Penh in a Cambodia trip: the Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, how long to stay, the new Techo airport, and road times to every region.
Riverside Park, Phnom Penh
Researched from published sources
In short
Phnom Penh is the hub of almost every Cambodia route: Siem Reap is about 316 km north, Kampot about 3 to 4 hours south, and Mondulkiri about 359 km east. Two nights give you a day for the Royal Palace and a day for the Tuol Sleng museum and Choeung Ek memorial. The new Techo airport is about 26 km south of the centre.
Phnom Penh sits where the Tonle Sap river meets the Mekong, and nearly every route through Cambodia passes through it. It rewards more time than most itineraries give it, but its main role in a trip is as the hinge between Angkor, the south coast and the east.
What to see
The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the working royal residence, open to visitors in morning and afternoon sessions with a strict dress code and closures for state events.
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the former S-21 prison of the Khmer Rouge, open daily from 8:00 to 17:00 according to the museum, which charges US$5 entry and US$5 for the audio guide. Most visitors also go to Choeung Ek, the memorial at the former killing fields south of the city. Both are distressing and important, and not suitable for young children.
The riverside promenade, markets and a growing restaurant scene fill the rest of the time. Our Phnom Penh day pairs the palace and the memorial sites with a licensed guide.
Where to stay
Most visitors stay near the riverside and the Royal Palace, or in the quieter, leafy streets south of the centre. Both are convenient for sightseeing and for early departures.
Getting in and onward
Techo International Airport opened in September 2025, about 26 km by road from the centre. From Phnom Penh:
- Siem Reap: about 316 km, roughly 5.5 to 6 hours by bus, or a short flight.
- Kampot and Kep: about 3 to 4 hours by bus or car, or the train to Kampot.
- Kratie and Mondulkiri: about 253 km to Kratie, 359 km to Sen Monorom.
- Chi Phat and the Cardamoms: about 195 km to Andoung Teuk on National Road 48.
See getting around Cambodia for how to choose between bus, car, train and flight.
Questions travelers ask
How many days do I need in Phnom Penh?
Two nights is right for most travelers: one day for the palace and riverside, one for the Tuol Sleng museum and the Choeung Ek memorial. Many routes pass through Phnom Penh again, so you can split the sightseeing.
Which airport does Phnom Penh use now?
Techo International Airport, which replaced the old airport in September 2025. It is about 20 km south of the city, about 26 km from the centre by road.
What should I wear to the Royal Palace?
Shoulders and knees covered; scarves over bare shoulders are not accepted. Clothing is checked after you buy your ticket, and the palace closes for state functions and some holidays.
Sources and checks
Time-sensitive details on this page (prices, schedules, travel times, access) were last checked against the sources below on 12 October 2026. They change, so any proposal reconfirms them with the provider first.
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