Top 5 best scooter rentals in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh moves at scooter speed. Once you're weaving past the gilded spires of the Royal Palace or gliding along Sisowath Quay as the sun drops behind the Tonle Sap, you'll understand why so few visitors bother with tuk-tuks here. A scooter lets you stop wherever a smell from a street stall or a flash of temple gold catches your eye, then peel off toward Wat Phnom or Koh Pich without ever waiting on a driver. This is a city built for two wheels, and renting one is the fastest way to feel like you actually live here rather than pass through it.

The traffic in Phnom Penh looks chaotic from the sidewalk but makes perfect sense once you're in it: dense, slow-moving, and overwhelmingly made up of other scooters flowing around each other rather than through fixed lanes. A small automatic is the natural tool for this rhythm — you can park it almost anywhere a car never could, thread narrow streets around the Central Market, and still cover the longer hops out to sights like Choeung Ek or Koh Dach that would cost a fortune and half a day by tuk-tuk. If you're planning to rent a scooter in Phnom Penh, this is a city that rewards it every single day of your trip.

Top 10 things to see in Phnom Penh by scooter

1. Royal Palace — the classic first stop on Sothearos Blvd, with easy parking right nearby.
2. Wat Phnom — the hilltop temple that gives the city its name, a short ride from the riverside.
3. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) — a sobering former prison-turned-museum just minutes from the center.
4. Choeung Ek Killing Fields — about 40 minutes south, a longer ride out to this memorial site.
5. Independence Monument — the landmark roundabout on Norodom Blvd, a natural waypoint on any loop of the city.
6. Wat Ounalom — a riverside pagoda near the palace, easy to pair with a run along the quay.
7. Sisowath Quay — the Mekong-side promenade, best enjoyed on an evening cruise by scooter.
8. Koh Pich (Diamond Island) — a river island of open boulevards and skyline views, reached over the bridge.
9. Phsar Thmey (Central Market) — the Art Deco market hall, a central stop for food and shopping.
10. Koh Dach (Silk Island) — a short ferry crossing north of the city into weaving villages, perfect for a half-day loop.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Phnom Penh?

Cambodia technically requires a Cambodian driving licence for motorised two-wheelers, and a foreign licence isn't formally recognised on its own — an International Driving Permit doesn't fill that gap either. In practice, many shops will hand over a small automatic without checking any paperwork, but that leaves you uninsured if you're stopped or involved in an accident, so it's worth asking your rental shop directly what they require before you sign anything. Most operators deal with riders aged 18 and up. A deposit is standard, and many places default to holding your passport — we'd suggest asking to leave cash or a photocopy instead, and getting the terms in writing.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Phnom Penh?

Expect to pay 20,000-25,000 KHR per day for a basic automatic scooter (110-125cc) in low season, rising to 30,000-45,000 KHR in high season. Larger or newer models, such as 150cc-plus or PCX-class scooters, run 50,000-80,000 KHR per day.

• Prices peak from December to February, the busiest dry-season months.
• Rates are softest from June to September, during the rainy low season.

When to book a rental scooter in Phnom Penh?

High season runs November through February, when dry roads and cooler temperatures bring in the most riders — and the highest prices, especially around the New Year. Low season falls from June to September, in the heart of the monsoon, when rates drop and shops are far more flexible. March to May stays dry but turns brutally hot for midday riding, so if you're travelling then, aim for early mornings or late afternoons and book a few days ahead regardless of season, since availability on well-kept scooters can tighten quickly.

Local traffic rules in Phnom Penh

Cambodia drives on the right, with overtaking on the left. Helmets are legally required for riders and passengers alike, though you'll notice plenty of passengers skip theirs — don't follow their example, since head injuries are the leading cause of death in local motorbike crashes. Speed limits sit around 40 km/h in town and up to 90 km/h on open roads, though signage is patchy, so let traffic conditions set your pace rather than the signs. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, and police do run roadside breath tests in the evenings, particularly around the city center. Keep your rental paperwork and ID on you, since roadside checks on scooters are routine.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!