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Phnom Penh at Night: My Riverside Boat Ride Experience

If you’re looking for a different way to explore Phnom Penh, taking a boat ride along the riverside is something worth trying. Instead of seeing the city from the streets, you get to experience Phnom Penh from the water, with the city lights, riverside buildings, and the Royal Palace creating a completely different atmosphere.

I decided to try the boat ride during the weekend, and it turned out to be more than just a boat trip.

A Weekend Evening at Phnom Penh Riverside

Before getting on the boat, I spent some time exploring the riverside.

On weekends, the riverside becomes a car-free area in the evening, which makes the whole atmosphere much more lively. There were many food stalls, drinks, and small shops where you could walk around and enjoy the evening.

So, if you arrive early, you don’t have to get straight onto the boat. You can walk around, grab something to eat, or get a drink before your ride.

For me, I decided to buy an orange juice before getting on the boat. 🍊

There are also food and drinks available on the boat, so you don’t necessarily need to eat beforehand. However, I enjoyed having some time at the riverside before boarding.

The Boat Ride

The boat departs approximately every 45 minutes, and the ride takes about one hour.

The price I paid was $5 USD per person for a one-hour ride, which I thought was quite reasonable for the experience.

I chose a 6:30 PM departure, but there was one thing I didn’t realize beforehand: I wouldn’t actually get to see the sunset.

Because my boat departed later in the evening, it was already getting dark. So, if watching the sunset is one of the reasons you want to take the boat, I would recommend choosing an earlier departure time.

I was a little disappointed that I missed the sunset, but honestly, the nighttime view made up for it.

Phnom Penh Looks Different From the River

Once the boat moved away from the riverside, the view became even more beautiful.

The city lights reflecting on the water created a completely different feeling from walking around Phnom Penh.

One of my favorite views was the Royal Palace. Seeing the palace from the river, surrounded by the evening lights, was incredibly beautiful.

Sometimes we get so used to seeing a city from the streets that we forget how different it can look from another perspective. This boat ride gave me exactly that—a different view of Phnom Penh.

Don’t Forget a Light Covering

One thing I didn’t expect was how strong the wind could be once the boat was moving.

The breeze was actually refreshing, especially in the evening, but it can get quite windy on the water.

So, if you’re planning to take the boat, I recommend bringing a light jacket, cardigan, or something to cover yourself. Even if the weather feels warm when you’re standing at the riverside, it can feel much cooler once the boat starts moving.

Can You Get Food and Drinks on the Boat?

Yes!

Besides the food stalls and shops along the riverside, you can also order food and drinks while you’re on the boat.

I think this makes the experience more enjoyable because you can simply sit back, have something to drink, and watch Phnom Penh from the water.

If you’re going on a weekend, I would recommend arriving at the riverside a little earlier. You can explore the car-free area, grab some food or drinks, and then board your boat.

Is the Phnom Penh Boat Ride Worth It?

For me, yes, it was worth trying.

I didn’t get to see the sunset because I chose a later departure, so if I did it again, I would definitely hop on an earlier boat.

But even without the sunset, I really enjoyed seeing Phnom Penh at night from the river. The city lights, the Royal Palace, the breeze, and the peaceful feeling of being on the water made it a fun experience.

And at $5 USD for approximately one hour, I think it’s a nice activity to add to your Phnom Penh itinerary.

My Tips Before You Go

If you’re planning to try the Phnom Penh Riverside boat ride, here are a few things I would recommend:

• Go earlier if you want to catch the sunset.
• Arrive early on weekends so you have time to explore the car-free riverside.
• Grab some food or drinks from the riverside stalls before boarding if you’d like more choices.
• You can also order food and drinks on the boat.
• Bring a light jacket or covering because the wind can be quite strong.
• Bring your camera or phone—the views of the city and Royal Palace are beautiful at night.
• Allow yourself some extra time to enjoy the riverside before or after your boat ride.

Final Thoughts

Although I didn’t manage to catch the sunset, I’m still glad I decided to try the boat ride.

Phnom Penh has a completely different charm when you’re looking at it from the river. The lively weekend riverside, the food stalls, the cool breeze, the city lights, and especially the view of the Royal Palace made the experience memorable.

If you’re already exploring Phnom Penh Riverside, why not see the city from the water too?

Sometimes, the best way to discover a city is to look at it from a different perspective.