Battambang’s Bamboo Train – A Must Do When Visiting Cambodia

Last Updated: December 10 2020

When looking to add activities to our Cambodia itinerary, Battambang’s Bamboo Train was definitely on our list! It is a railway track, which bamboo rail carts run along. They are known locally as Norry, and are motor powered railway carts with a bamboo platform placed on top. It looks super cool and was definitely a new and exciting experience for us!

What is the history of the Bamboo train (Norry)?

After the Khmer Rouge had devastated Cambodia and it’s railways, Norry’s were built as a new form of transport. The villagers of Cambodia used truck parts left over from the war and fitted them to the railroad. They were used for easily transporting goods and people.

Where is it?

The Bamboo train is located 6km away from the centre of Battambang and is easily accessible. You can get a tuk tuk there individually or as part of a tour. We were given the option of a small or big tour by a tuk tuk driver, the big tour was a full day tour. However we knew the main sights we wanted to see so the small tour was our best option. The small tour included the bamboo train, the killing cave, Phnom Sampov and the bat cave viewpoint where we got to watch the sunset and see millions of bats flying in unison. This tour only cost us $15.

What is the Price?

The price for Battambang’s Bamboo Train is $5 each for foreigners.

Is it worth doing?

Yes definitely! You spend around 40 minutes on the bamboo rail cart, which gives you lots of time to enjoy the beautiful countryside Cambodia has to offer. You get to see local villagers working on the fields, the many dogs that roam around alongside the railway and lots and lots of cows.

The journeys there and back take around 20 minutes each way with a 20 minute stop in the middle. The stop is in a little village which has places to buy clothes and drinks. We met a lovely family who invited us to sit in their shop, and it was a wonderful experience. They had the cutest little kittens too who were only 3 months old! We bought a pair of pants from their shop, as this village is literally in the middle of nowhere. The only way tourists will reach it is if they decide to go on the bamboo train.

The funny part of this experience is if two bamboo rail carts are both on the railway track at the same time, one of the carts has to be dismantled there and then. This is to give the other cart a chance to pass. When one of the carts has passed, the other cart can then be reassembled on the track. It definitely makes for a very fun experience!

Thank you so much for reading this post. We hope this has given you a lot of information on the famous bamboo railway of Cambodia and why Battambang’s Bamboo train should most definitely be on your list!

Thanks,

Jack & Abbie.

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