Local transport in Cambodia

Hi,
how is the local transport situation in Cambodia: Boarder, Sihanoukville, Angkor.
From what I read is that motorbike taxis exist all everywhere. What about normal taxis, do they exist everywhere or only in major cities? Are there any alternatives?
We are a family and I'd avoid having my kids on motorbikes.
Thanks for advice
Thopo

thopo - I was in Cambodia back in Nov-Dec 2006 and yes there are normal car taxis - not sure of the daily or trip rates. The tuk-tuks are trailers attached to motorbikes and they can carry 4 adults without a problem. Unless your children are either very young or very big they will enjoy the experience of Phnom Pehn or Siem Reap. The usual price is 1 or 2 US dollars for a trip - up to 2-5 km. The daily rate (8.30 am to 5.00 pm) is around $20-25 US- your driver will take you to whatever place you want to go and then wait around and take you back to your hotel then take you to a lunch place, shoping, whatever. The only piece of advice is keep your hands inside and also keep a good hold on your camera, handbag, day pack - it is not unknown for two boys on a motor bike to come up beside you and grab your gear and go. The police will do nothing unless you pay them $25 US. But all in all Cambodia is a great country and very friendly people, you will enjoy it. Regards Orion_Mike

Tuk Tuk's also available in Sihanukville nowadays & prove a cost effective alternative to moto's if there is 2 or 3 of you.

Taxis exist. Sometimes called Camries (because that's what most are - used Camries imported from Japan). Rates roughly double the rate for a Tuktuk. But - they're usually air-conditioned. For a day - Moto about $8 to $10. Tuktuk - $12 to $15. Taxi $20 to $25.

Just to correct OBIONE980 the Toyota Camry’s in Cambodia are mostly imported from the USA. The Japanese drive on the left therefore all their vehicles are right hand drive. Cambodia drives on the right and has banned the importation of left hand drive vehicles

I would use a tuk tuk in Siem Reap for the temples and getting around but in other towns I would use a camry taxi if you have kids with you.

Getting Around Siem Reap

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<hr>how is the local transport situation in Cambodia: Boarder, Sihanoukville, Angkor.<hr></blockquote>
Border? Check www.talesofasia.com<BR><blockquote>Quote<br><hr>From what I read is that motorbike taxis exist all everywhere.<hr></blockquote>
Correct.
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<hr>What about normal taxis, do they exist everywhere or only in major cities?<hr></blockquote>
No meter taxis if that's what you mean. Taxis are usually used for overland inter- city trips. The Camrys mentioned above will usually not take you point to point within a town, they'd need to be rented on a daily basis.
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<hr>Are there any alternatives?<hr></blockquote>
As said above, just either the motodops or the tuktuks.

No problem finding unmarked taxi's in every town. Usually they want about $25 a day for around town. Landcruisers are about $50. Prices go up if you want to go a long distance. Ask at the hotel, if you want a nice Mercedes 140d van there's lots of them that hang out around the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh waiting for customers. Gas is $1 a liter here so don't expect to go 300 kilometers for less than $100.

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<hr>Gas is $1 a liter here so don't expect to go 300 kilometers for less than $100.<hr></blockquote>
The Camrys use liquid gas ;)
Ask one of the taxi drivers how much he pays for that. You'll be surprised.

Local transport within towns in terms of public transport does not exist. If you don’t want to use motorbike taxis then you can use tuk-tuks or yes in the major tourist places there are car taxis who you can negotiate with. Between major tourist towns there are various bus companies, the more you pay generally the better (more safe) the service.