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Bamboo Train

Bamboo Train

About
Welcome to Bamboo train (Ou Dambong Village)! Bamboo train mean norry or nori ( French word for lorry) is an improvised rail vehicle from Cambodia. Lonely Planet describes it as “Cambodia’s bamboo train”. Originally conceived as a logistical fix during the United Nations Transitional Authority of Cambodia period, the original “bamboo train” was a lorry system that operated on Cambodia’s rarely used northern rail line.
Duration: < 1 hour
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  • Fynbos Guest Farm and Animal Sanctuary
    Wolseley, South Africa148 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Bamboo train experience
    Such a lovely experience. We all enjoyed the old bamboo train experience. I know there is a modern version. This is run by the local families and is far more authentic. You will stop outside the families stall. You can enjoy coconut drinks; etc. Then after 10 minutes of rest you get back on and return. One of our highlight experiences
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 November 2023
  • Darren
    London, United Kingdom41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So much fun!
    If you read about this online, there’s so many mixed reviews. But we had an absolute blast. This was so much fun and you really get to see the paddy fields and landscape. Obviously there’s people trying to sell goods at the end, but the economy has been so ravaged by the pandemic here, as a tourist we have the privilege to help out by buying stuff. So I wear my scarf daily and thank the wonderful women who sold it to me.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 November 2023
  • Danni C
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best thing ever!
    OMG this was the best thing ever!... We got here by walking and then tuk tuk, and they made the train up for us directly when we got there! Two wheels on poles put onto a train track, then a bamboo floor placed on the wheel poles, a dude to zoom it along, and we sat on the front . Too much fun! Just do it if you are thinking of it.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 December 2023
  • normand V
    Montreal, Canada36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice experience
    We had read pros and cons about this experience. At the end, we decided to see by ourselves. And we did not regret it. Not the biggest thrill of your live. But a lot of fun. We are a couple in their 70´s. And we had fun like kids. We were not harassed, nor in a bad situation at any time. Just be prepared to leave a tip to the driver, and buy one or two drinks at the turning point. Like everywhere else in the world, in fact. End result ? One hour of fun for less than the price of two coffees in Europe. Hard to beat for value.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 February 2024
  • DotsGirl2
    Vancouver, Canada461 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Don’t expect too much but it is a fun experience
    This is a fun experience. They put the train together in front of you. First the wheels on the rails and then a platform on top of that with the motor. They put down a bamboo mat and then some pillows for you to sit on and then you are off. You go through the countryside looking at fields, peoples houses and countryside for about 15 minutes. At the end stop there are stalls wanting to sell you stuff but they are not aggressive. They turn your platform around and you head back to your starting place. If you meet a train going the other way one of the trains must be disassembled while the other one passes. They then reassemble the train and keep going. The train goes about 25 k so not too fast but you get a breeze which is nice
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 7 February 2024
  • b2run
    Ontario, Canada283 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unique ride
    I thoroughly enjoyed this. We went early in the day so it wasn't too hot. There's no cover so I imagine it could get hot. It was cool to see them assemble the train. Cows along the track, rice fields, and lotus fields. You're dropped off at a small village. There are a few vendors that try to pull you in. Not much else to see at the village. $5.00 USD per person.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 February 2024
  • Susannah
    51 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun & different
    We used Pass app to get a Tuk Tuk to the site & the driver waited while we had our ride. We paid $5 per person for the train& the driver set off with us - we had cushions to make the platform a little more comfortable. When we got to a work party maintaining the line the driver took apart the train and rebuilt it the other side & off we went. At one point we crossed a main road which was a bit crazy and then after a while got to a stall selling drinks etc. We had a cold fresh coconut each for $1 per person and then set off back to the start. We came across a couple more trains so again we had the experience of the trains being taken apart and re-built. We really enjoyed this ride, simple pleasure and a reasonable price for a different experience. Also nice to see the countywide. We were really glad we did this visit. We visited quite early in the day before it was too hot as there is no shade.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 March 2024
  • Leslie C
    18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun on the bamboo express
    Fantastic experience. We did it early in the morning although hot once you set off you get the breeze as this little beauty can pick up some speed. Crossing the main road was an adventure. Lots of fun. We stop once so the oncoming train could be pulled apart to let use through. Fascinating watching them pull it apart then set up again. Beautiful driving past rice fields,cows on side of track an little settlements dotted along the way. Enjoyed talking to the locals at the end of line where you can support them by buying a drink for $1. Or purchasing souveniers.Well worth the $5usd and a tip for your driver at the end.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 March 2024
  • TheLush101
    Cardiff, United Kingdom2,512 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Bamboo brilliant - definitely do this!
    This was a real highlight of my time in Cambodia. We arrived as part of a pre-arranged tour by the railway line. The guys had already assembled the bamboo train - it's literally just a motorbike motor powering some old train wheels with some bamboo acting as the carriage that you sit on. We went in the morning so the temperature was starting to climb but you get a nice breeze as you sail along. Our guide explained that they have the phone number of the conductor on the main Phnom Penh to Battambang train so double check where the train is to make sure there are no issues. We went for about 20 minutes down the track and stopped just before a main road. The guys turned the bamboo trains around and we worked our way back to where we started. It was a great way to see the countryside and experience something quite unique to this part of the world.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 25 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles2,868 reviews
Excellent
1,197
Very good
965
Average
411
Poor
161
Terrible
134

aplusl
Devon, UK63 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is $5 per person. The train rattles down along the metal track at 50km per hour which feels a bit daunting when you’re literally just sat on some wood perched on 2 axels, but it is a really good experience and great fun. Trains go in both directions so occasionally you’re hurtling towards one another and then have to stop and get off the track for the other to pass. You stop at some little stalls, nobody really harasses you. We went into one and sat down and spoke to a little local girl who spoke very good English. It was a really nice chat and then we bought a little bracelet for $1 off the stall holder. At no point did we feel pressured into buying anything but we bought the bracelet to help them out at least a little bit. Once we’d bought something, our driver set the train off for us to head straight back. We were there no longer than 5 minutes so that was good. People do ask you to tip the driver but I thought they did it in a really nice and polite way and it didn’t bother me. We tipped the driver and left. 3 hours later we realised we’d accidentally given him a 100 dollar bill (nightmare for 2 broke backpackers), and headed back expecting to never see it again. The driver gave it straight back to us and we were so surprised and overwhelmed we gave him $20 to say thank you. These are just honest hard working people trying to make a living so buying a little souvenir or a tip doesn’t hurt at all!
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jennifer L
114 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
A fun, unique ride (though maybe not for everyone). Make sure you go to the old one that is close to town, not the new one. Great for kids especially but also for adventurous adults that don't have back problems. The bamboo trains are not covered and have no sides, which can get hot. You're on a wooden platform on a single track (the trains have to be manually taken off the tracks if they meet). You stop at the end for 15-20 minutes and are plied with drinks and souvenirs and maybe a sob story or two. The lady at the end of the stalls, to your left, sells the best coconuts (the sweetest we have had) and was very nice. She laid it on pretty thick (essentially begging us to buy something really) and my 12-year old bought a shirt from her because he felt bad. You are also admonished to tip the driver. Our driver was very nice and wasn't the one asking for a tip, so we gave him one but almost didn't because who wants to be told to tip and also the lady taking your ticket money is dressed to the nines and can well afford to pay the drivers a decent salary.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RC_luv2trvl
Waxhaw, NC31 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2020
I consider myself well traveled and will try to be unbiased here. This is one of those must things to do if your visiting BTB for the first (and probably only) time. It's an interesting experience and probably very enjoyable for a family with kids. You get to see the countryside in an open air bamboo cart traveling on real train tracks. If I had one suggestion, if possible try to time it for when the countryside is green (rainy season), it's much nicer scenery. The entire event takes about an hour and it's about $10 per cart. I enjoyed the experience and would recommend it . . . but once is probably enough if you know what I mean.
Written 22 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mike D
London, UK66 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Didn't know what expect but great fun. Zooming along at 30 miles an hour with your backside 12 inches off the ground whilst sitting on a bamboo platform was a surreal experience.

Even more surreal was when an oncoming 'train' brought a halt to proceedings which resulted in the other trains two passengers disembarking whilst both its and our driver lifted the bamboo platform followed by the wheels off the tracks before reassembling it behind us, allowing both journeys to continue.

The journey is ten minutes up and ten minutes back with a five minute turnaround that allow the locals to flog you some tourist tat. That and the 'you must tip the driver' routine was a little tiresome but goes with the territory I suppose. All in all a great way to spend half an hour for $5 PP.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sophie C
17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Come here with the right expectations and you’ll have a great time!

We got a tuk tuk from town for $5 return. When you arrive a lady will come to you for payment. You then hop on the bamboo train, we felt safe the entire trip and definitely weren’t going to fall off. At the end you do end up in a little village. We got a couple of bottles of water and a couple of bracelets and chatted with the women who ran the shop. They did try to sell me a skirt, but I just laughed it off. 15 minutes later we were back on the bamboo train. The shop keeper did ask us to tip the driver.

We had read previous reviews and were prepared to pay for drinks and tip the driver. We tipped the driver $1, no one hassled us and we found our tuk tuk driver to return back to town.

All in all it was pretty fun, definitely touristy, but I would recommend it. If you go with the expectation you’ll spend a couple of extra dollars there it’s absolutely fine, we didn’t feel hassled at any point.
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leslie C
18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
Fantastic experience. We did it early in the morning although hot once you set off you get the breeze as this little beauty can pick up some speed. Crossing the main road was an adventure. Lots of fun. We stop once so the oncoming train could be pulled apart to let use through. Fascinating watching them pull it apart then set up again. Beautiful driving past rice fields,cows on side of track an little settlements dotted along the way. Enjoyed talking to the locals at the end of line where you can support them by buying a drink for $1. Or purchasing souveniers.Well worth the $5usd and a tip for your driver at the end.
Written 30 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SAS
182 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Took a Tuk-Turk to the start of the Bamboo train. We went at about 16:30 so that we could catch the sunset over the rice fields on our way back. You do need to tell the driver of the train if that’s what you want. We got to the stop and had a beer in the second shop on your left. The owners son is absolutely adorable and speaks good English. Stopped at a bridge on way back to watch the sunset. Absolutely amazing. This experience is up there as one of the best I have ever done.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tia
25 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Couples
A nice experience but the $ adds up more than expected. We were pleasantly surprised by how fun it was to sit on and it went quite fast. We paid $5.00 each to ride the bamboo train and you are also asked to tip your driver at the end. Half way, you are dropped by some shops. We bought drinks at $1 each, which is fine but we didn't want to buy t-shirts etc. There were also children selling 2 bracelets for $1. It is a bit of a guilt trip as you are waiting around to go back on the train the seller's explain that they had no custom during covid. All in, the experience was OK as a time filler, we paid $30 for 2 of us including a $10 tuk tuk both ways.
Written 30 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jetadventureguru
Ballarat, Australia434 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
The Bamboo Train costs $5USDpp. It takes between 1 and 1.5 hrs. The ride is rather bumpy and if you are disabled, have mobility issues, or in a wheel chair, this activity is not for you. The balast on the side of the tracks is very steep and having to get on and off the train repeatedly to let other carriages get through is sheer hell for anyone with any type of mobility issues. I hadn't anticipated the grief of having to get on and off all the time and was well and truly over it quickly. The ride isn't comfortable and it is long.
When you arrive at the end of the half way section, the driver will deposit you at a local stall, have a rest and turn the train around for you to return. The local stall holders take it in turns to 'host' you and hopefully get your sales.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Susannah
51 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
We used Pass app to get a Tuk Tuk to the site & the driver waited while we had our ride.
We paid $5 per person for the train& the driver set off with us - we had cushions to make the platform a little more comfortable. When we got to a work party maintaining the line the driver took apart the train and rebuilt it the other side & off we went. At one point we crossed a main road which was a bit crazy and then after a while got to a stall selling drinks etc. We had a cold fresh coconut each for $1 per person and then set off back to the start. We came across a couple more trains so again we had the experience of the trains being taken apart and re-built.
We really enjoyed this ride, simple pleasure and a reasonable price for a different experience. Also nice to see the countywide. We were really glad we did this visit. We visited quite early in the day before it was too hot as there is no shade.
Written 4 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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