Battambang to Phnom Penh by train

Battambang is on the Northern Line that operates between Poipet and Phnom Penh. Here is what to expect on the train from Battambang to Phnom Penh.

Battambang – Phnom Penh train details

The Northern Line is the train line from Phnom Penh to Poipet (on the Cambodia-Thailand border). There is usually one train per day in each direction between Phnom Penh and Poipet, but at the time of my visit the Battambang-Poipet section wasn’t operating.

Depart Battambang: 3:00 pm
Arrive Phnom Penh: 9:30 pm

The official booking site is at https://royalrailway.easybook.com.

I use Baolau to buy Cambodia train tickets.

If you are overlanding from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, there is a train from Bangkok to Ban Klong Luk Border. From this station you can walk across the border to Poipet. From Poipet to Battambang you will need to get a van or taxi as there is currently no train service.

Battambang Station

Battambang Station is in the city centre, 450 metres from the riverfront.

There are no shops inside the station, which is fair enough considering there is only one train per day in each direction.

Some food vendors show up before the train, but you would be better off to have lunch first and bring your own snacks.

There wasn’t anyone at the ticket office when I arrived, and the only travel information was this timetable written on a whiteboard.

Onboard Battambang – Phnom Penh service

This service featured two carriages with padded bench seats. The train is a diesel multiple unit (DMU), which means the engine is inside the carriage and not a separate locomotive. The carriage with the engine was noisier, so I sat in the last carriage.

The carriages have fans and the windows can be opened. The combination of fan and open air made for a comfortable journey.

There were only 10 people onboard when the train departed, so there was no worry about not getting a ticket. I still prefer to book in advance, especially if this is a preplanned travel event that I don’t want to miss.

I enjoy these trains with open windows. The combination of fresh air and feeling closer to the landscape makes for an enjoyable journey. I also know that these trains will soon be a thing of the past.

It should go without saying that you shouldn’t stick your arm or head out of the window.

The train has a toilet onboard.

The line is a single track, so if there is a train coming in the other direction then one of the trains has to wait at a passing loop.

The train made some stops along the way to drop off passengers and parcels.

We also had to stop for some cows that were on the track.

The train toots its horn frequently as there are many unmanned level crossings.

It’s a slow trip but it’s more scenic than by going by road. The train goes through rice fields, and seeing the occasional temple in the distance is a special sight.

Pursat Station

The main stop in between Battambang and Phnom Penh is at Pursat.

The train stops for 30 minutes here, so it’s the only chance to buy food or drinks on the trip. There are food vendors next to the station.

This is a popular stop with more people getting on here to go to Phnom Penh.

[A Pursat cat wondering if it should go to Phnom Penh.]

Phnom Penh Railway Station

The train is scheduled to arrive in Phnom Penh at 9.30, and on my trip it arrived at 9.35pm.

[Battambang train at Phnom Penh.]

On the platform to the left is the Kiha train that operates from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, which was my next trip.

The Kiha train will eventually operate on the Phnom Penh to Poipet service, so this trip report will become a historical archive of what the the train used to look like.

There are tuktuks waiting outside the station, but I used Grab app to book a taxi from the station.

Battambang Bamboo Railway

If you’re not getting the train from Battambang, you can still get a train fix by riding on the Battambang bamboo railway. There is also a tourist train, so here is a comparison of the old and new bamboo trains.

Read more about railways in Cambodia. This train travel review is part of the Southeast Asia railways guide.