Cambodia’s railway sector remains underutilised despite government efforts to revive it, with passenger numbers significantly lower than road and air transport. In 2025, the country’s railways carried around 400,000 passengers, compared to over 20 million bus and taxi users and about seven million air travellers, highlighting the limited role of rail in the national transport system.
The country’s 612 km railway network, operated by Royal Railway, consists of two main lines. The Southern Line connects Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville via key tourist destinations such as Kampot and Kep, while the Northern Line links Phnom Penh to Battambang. However, services are constrained by low speeds of 40–50 km/hr, outdated infrastructure, and limited frequency, with only one train per day on each line. Travel times are significantly longer than road alternatives, reducing rail’s attractiveness for daily commuting despite lower fares and relatively comfortable onboard conditions.
To address these challenges, Cambodia is pursuing long-term rail modernisation under its Comprehensive Master Plan on Intermodal Transport and Logistics (2023–2033). Plans include developing high-speed rail lines with speeds of up to 160 km/hr and increasing annual ridership to 1.5 million passengers by the end of the decade. A proposed high-speed Phnom Penh–Poipet line alone is estimated to cost around USD4 billion.
In addition to passenger services, rail development is expected to support freight growth and regional connectivity. Rail freight reached 1.16 million tonnes in 2024, but still accounts for only about 7 per cent of total goods transport. Ongoing and planned projects aim to connect Cambodia’s rail network with Thailand and Vietnam, improve airport links, and strengthen integration with regional trade corridors. These developments are expected to play a key role in enhancing Cambodia’s logistics efficiency and economic competitiveness.
