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PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Let's Clear Cambodia - by Special Train

Cambodia's entire railway network by private locomotive-hauled charter train

Illustration of Let's Clear Cambodia - by Special Train

PTG Tours' Let's Clear Cambodia operates a 10-day private charter train journey across the entire Royal Railway network in Cambodia, a refurbished French Colonial metre-gauge line totalling 612 kilometres. The tour departs from Phnom Penh and covers two main routes: one south-west to the port city of Sihanoukville on the coast, and one north-west to the border town of Poipet near Thailand. Passengers ride in air-conditioned carriages with opening windows, hauled by a YDM4 locomotive and other heritage engines. The itinerary balances rail travel with hotel stays in four cities, including dedicated days visiting Phnom Penh's locomotive depot and freight sidings at Sihanoukville's docks. Daily breakfast and a welcome and farewell dinner are included. This tour suits experienced rail travellers and railway enthusiasts seeking a complete network experience rather than scenic tourism.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one confirmed departure listed: November 2026. Confirm availability before planning.
  • Flights from the UK are optional extras at approximately £800 to £1,000; the from-price covers the rail package and accommodation only.
  • Cambodian online visa fee (approximately £28) is not included.
  • The train has no sleeping berths; accommodation is in hotels in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kampot, and Battambang

Day by day

  1. Day 0

    Departure from UK

    Departure from UK Airports to Phnom Penh. Various flight options available. Recommended are Singapore Airlines flights from Heathrow (10:40), Gatwick (09:20) and Manchester (10:05), connecting via Singapore to arrive Phnom Penh 08:35 the next day.

  2. Day 1railovernight: Phnom Penh

    Arrive Phnom Penh

    Arriving into Phnom Penh we make our own way to the hotel (transfers included if booking flights through PTG), a short distance from Phnom Penh railway station. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in the evening.

  3. Day 2railovernight: Sihanoukville

    Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville

    First day with our charter train, formed of three carriages and generator van hauled by a YDM4 locomotive, travelling from Phnom Penh to the coastal port city of Sihanoukville with plenty of photo stops. Departure from Phnom Penh at 1000, arrival into Sihanoukville approx. 1700.

  4. Day 3railovernight: Sihanoukville

    Sihanoukville - Kampot - Sihanoukville

    A short day from Sihanoukville to Kampot and back, with visits to Sokimex Oil Sidings, Tela Oil Sidings, the Warehouse Lines, Dry Port & Docks Area and the Port end of line, access coordinated around active train loading. Departure from Sihanoukville at 09:00, arrival back approx. 1730.

  5. Day 4overnight: Kampot

    Sihanoukville to Kampot

    A leisurely morning run to Kampot with a later start, allowing time to explore Kampot in the afternoon after arrival. Departure from Sihanoukville at 1115, arrival into Kampot at approx. 1400.

  6. Day 5railovernight: Phnom Penh

    Kampot to Phnom Penh

    Return to Phnom Penh, hopefully taking in a siding or two on the way including the Chip Mong Warehouse if a train is not loading there at the time. Departure from Kampot at 1130, arrival into Phnom Penh at approx. 1700.

  7. Day 6railovernight: Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh depot day

    The train to ourselves for the day, covering all available track in the vicinity of the station, locomotive shed and wagon repair shops using a top & tail formation with locomotives changed as often as possible, utilising YDM4, ČKD Bde410, ČKD BB1010, CRRC Qishuyan BB1060 and Royal Railway's newly acquired Krupp locomotive. Visits to the locomotive shed and the adjacent steam shed. Departure from Phnom Penh at 0900, finish approx. 1630.

  8. Day 7overnight: Battambang

    Phnom Penh to Battambang

    A longer day north-west to Battambang, Cambodia's third-largest city, with plenty of photo stops. Departure from Phnom Penh at 0800, arrival at Battambang approx. 1700.

  9. Day 8railovernight: Battambang

    Battambang to Poipet and return

    Head north from Battambang to the border town of Poipet, hopefully beyond the station towards the Thai border, completing the railway network. Return south to Battambang. Departure from Battambang at 0900, arrival back approx. 1700.

  10. Day 9railovernight: Phnom Penh

    Battambang to Phnom Penh

    Final rail journey of the trip, returning south to Phnom Penh having covered the whole of the Royal Railway network. Farewell dinner at the hotel. Departure from Battambang at 0900, arrival at Phnom Penh approx. 1730.

  11. Day 10

    Departure

    Transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for flights back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Depart Phnom Penh at 10:00 aboard a three-carriage private charter train hauled by a YDM4 locomotive, reaching the coastal port city of Sihanoukville by 17:00 with photo stops en route
  • Day 3Short round-trip from Sihanoukville to Kampot visiting Sokimex Oil Sidings, Tela Oil Sidings, Warehouse Lines, and the Port end of line
  • Day 6Full day at Phnom Penh depot using a top and tail formation, changing between YDM4, ČKD Bde410, ČKD BB1010, CRRC Qishuyan BB1060, and a newly acquired Krupp locomotive, with visits to the locomotive shed and steam shed
  • Day 8Depart Battambang at 09:00 northbound toward Poipet on the Thai border, completing coverage of the entire Royal Railway network

Included

  • Hotel accommodation with ensuite facilities
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Tour road coach (air-conditioned) for luggage and hotel transfers

Not included

  • Online visa fee (approx £28)
  • Drinks and tips not clearly mentioned

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes seven days of private charter train travel aboard a three-carriage formation hauled by YDM4 and other Royal Railway locomotives.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. PTG Tours operates this as an escorted tour with group travel and included activities such as depot visits and photo stops.
What trains are used?
The primary locomotive is an Indian-built YDM4; the itinerary also includes ČKD Bde410, ČKD BB1010, CRRC Qishuyan BB1060, and a Krupp locomotive at the Phnom Penh depot day.
What accommodation is provided?
Hotel accommodation with ensuite facilities in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kampot, and Battambang. Breakfast is included daily.
Are flights included?
Flights are optional extras at approximately £800 to £1,000. PTG recommends Singapore Airlines connections via Singapore to Phnom Penh. If you book flights through PTG, airport transfers are included.
What is not included?
Flights (unless booked as an optional extra), Cambodian visa fees (approximately £28), drinks, and tips.

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