If you’re the kind of traveler who craves genuine freedom, the kind that lets you stop for a roadside noodle stall, explore a random dirt track, or breathe in the rice paddies, then this trip is for you.
We’re talking about renting your own tuktuk (a three-wheeled hero!) and piloting it deep into Cambodia’s heart. This isn’t just travel; it’s an adventure where you are the driver, you set the itinerary, and you discover the secrets that most tourists never even glimpse.
Ready to trade your office desk for a steering wheel? Here is the ultimate route for exploring Cambodia’s hidden gems by self drive tuktuk.
Before You Hit the Road
🛺 Getting Started: Renting Your Ride
The first step? Getting your hands on a tuktuk. While finding a rental used to be tricky, specialist companies in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh now cater to intrepid travelers. Be ready to show your driver’s license (an International Driving Permit that covers motorcycles is highly recommended!) and sign some papers. Your rental will become your loyal companion.
Siem Reap: Temple Time and Self Drive Freedom
You must see the Angkor temples, and the biggest win? You get to drive your own tuk tuk right through the complex. You are not dependent on a driver’s schedule; you can be there for sunrise and stay for sunset, all on your own time.
Your Self Drive Temple Itinerary:
- Small Circuit: Drive your tuktuk to Angkor Wat before dawn for sunrise. Spend the day hitting the iconic trifecta: Angkor Wat, the smiling faces of Bayon (inside Angkor Thom), and the jungle-strangled ruins of Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider temple). The tuktuk allows you to cool down quickly between stops.
- Use your tuk tuk to explore the quieter areas. Drive out to temples further afield, like Banteay Srei, or explore the local countryside to perfect your driving skills before hitting the long-haul routes.
- Sacred Mountain & Grand Ruins (Phnom Kulen): Today features your second major destination, Phnom Kulen, and the Grand Circuit temple, testing your long-distance tuktuk stamina.
Battambang: Art, Architecture & Countryside Charms
Next, drive your tuktuk a few hours west to Battambang. This town is a blend of colonial charm and countryside soul, all wrapped into one, and it’s built for your three-wheeler.
Your Self Drive Stops:
- The Sunset Show: Drive to Phnom Sampeau (Killing Caves Hill) and park your tuktuk at dusk. The daily exodus of thousands of bats is simply jaw-dropping, and having your own transport makes the timing effortless.
- Village Life: Spend a day doing the Battambang countryside loop. You’ll use your tuktuk to weave through rice fields, stop at traditional rice paper workshops, and experience the real Cambodia.
- Street Art: Battambang has some of the best street art in Cambodia. Park your tuktuk in the town center and wander down hidden alleys. You’ll find huge murals painted on old colonial walls, telling stories of local life and history.
- Abandoned Airport: Just outside town, there’s the old Battambang airport. No flights land here anymore, but the wide runway is open. Locals use it for jogging, picnics, and motorbikes at sunset. Driving your tuktuk onto the empty strip feels surreal, it’s like you have an airport all to yourself.
The Rugged Northwest: The Cardamom Challenge
This is where the adventure truly kicks in. The roads get rougher, the cell service disappears, and your trusty tuktuk is your lifeline. This is the ultimate test of your self drive freedom.
🗺️ Route Note: Accommodation (Self Arranged)
This journey requires you to be self-sufficient. In major towns like Siem Reap and Battambang, you’ll find plenty of hotels and guesthouses you can book online. However, as you head into Samlout and Osaom, you must rely on small community-run homestays, simple guesthouses, or eco-lodges, which you may need to call ahead for. Always check your planned stop on a booking site or map and call if possible.
Samlout & O’Saom: Deep Into the Wild Frontier
You are heading toward the Samlout Wildlife Sanctuary, a place few tourists ever reach. This is a region of dense jungle and untouched nature.
Your Self Drive Advantage:
- Phnom 1500: At 1,500 metres, this winding “eel road” from Pursat cuts through the mountains with stunning views across forests and fields. Opened in 2020, it’s still a novelty for locals who drive it to enjoy the curves. In a regular tuktuk you’d put the rain flap up, but with our cabrio tuk, you can enjoy the fresh mountain air and the views all the way to the top.
- Go Deeper: You can reach remote villages near O’Saom that are completely inaccessible by tuktuk (three wheelers). This allows you to connect with local guides for respectful, community-based treks into the jungle.
- The Overlander Vibe: Driving through these regions makes you feel like a true explorer. The journey through the thick jungle and past the misty mountains of the Cardamom Range is an experience.
The Wild Side of Cambodia and Its Coastal Rewards
Cardamom Mountain Roads & Koh Kong
The drive through the Cardamom Mountains is the main attraction—expect stunning scenery, thick canopy, and challenging, unpaved sections.
Your TukTuk Freedom:
- Scenic Drive: The journey is part of the adventure. Stop along the way at roadside lookouts for breathtaking panoramic views.
- Coastal Access: Continue on to Koh Kong and Srae Ambel. With your tuk tuk, you can reach mangrove forests and remote fishing villages along the coast. Park your vehicle and hop on a small boat to explore the river systems or visit waterfalls like Tatai. Srae Ambel is a real paradise for travelers looking to see the authentic side of Southeast Asia.
Kampot & Kep: Seafood Heaven and Relaxation
After the jungle challenge, the beautiful, relaxed coastal towns of Kampot and Kep are your reward.
Your TukTuk Freedom:
- Pepper Power: Take a drive out to one of the famous Kampot Pepper Plantations. You can park your tuktuk right outside and join a tour.
- Kep Crab Market: Drive yourself directly to the famous Crab Market and buy a feast of fresh seafood cooked right there on the water.
- Island Escape: Drive your tuktuk to the pier and catch the ferry to Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) for a blissful, rustic day trip.
Self Drive Logistics: You Are Your Own Tour Guide
Driving your own tuktuk is manageable, but it requires preparation. This freedom comes with responsibility!
- Documentation is King: Always carry your valid Driving Permit, your home country driving license, and passport copies. Keep digital copies backed up and easily accessible as well.
- Navigation Lifelines: Outside the main cities, download offline maps for the entire route on Maps.me or Google Maps before departure. Signal will drop in the mountains. (Refer to your provided Attraction Map for key locations and route planning.)
- Accommodation & Parking: You are fully responsible for your own arrangements. Book hotels or guesthouses ahead of time, especially in the smaller towns, and always ensure they have secure, guarded parking for your beloved three-wheeler. Look for small, family-run homestays for the most authentic experience.
- Fuel and Repairs: Refill LPG regularly. In remote areas, gas is often sold in glass bottles on the roadside. Know how to check your engine oil, tyre pressure, and fuel gauge. Be ready to ask locals for help, they are almost always friendly and ready to assist a fellow driver. (Remember, we provide on-the-road support via our designated contact number.)
- Safety First & Driving: Drive defensively. Assume you are invisible. Tuktuks are slow (max 40–60 km/h), so stay alert and pull over safely to let faster traffic, such as trucks and buses, pass on the main highways.
Crucial Attraction Tips
- Phnom Kulen: A standard tuktuk often struggles with the steep roads. When driving to the top, note the one-way system: ascent is typically only permitted before 11:00 AM, and descent is only permitted after 1:00 PM. Plan your day carefully.
- Kampong Khleang: This floating village is accessible by boat. Park your tuktuk securely near the dock and be prepared to pay a separate fee for the boat ride.
Ready to Take the Wheel?
Your adventure awaits. Book your self drive tuktuk today with tuktukrental.com and start planning your epic Cambodian road trip!