The Phnom Penh metro is a proposed urban rail transit system in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The term metro is used loosely here, as there have been various forms of rail systems proposed over the years. Proposals have included sky trains, subways (another word for metro), light rail, and monorails.
Plans for an urban railway in Phnom Penh date back to the mid-2000s, with feasibility studies having been undertaken by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Chinese companies. The most likely routes would be a line from the central market to the airport, and a north-south line that would also cross at the central market. There have been no updates on the findings of the studies.
While these studies were going on, Phnom Penh launched an airport railway service by adding a spur line from the mainline that passes near the airport. This service has since closed.
Another factor that will need to be considered is the new Phnom Penh International Airport, which is currently under construction. It has been mentioned that a railway will serve the airport, but no plan for that has been published yet. The old airport will remain open, so future transport network planners will have to decide whether to run a railway to either one or two airports.
This post is an archive of news and links related to any future Phnom Penh urban railway developments. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to be updated when new links are added to this page.
Links And Resources
The Project For Comprehensive Urban Transport Plan In Phnom Penh Capital City (PPUTMP) [PDF] – [December 2014]
Report from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
JICA’s Support for development of the Urban Railway in Phnom Penh [PDF]
Phnom Penh Light Rail Transit System – Links and discussion at skyscrapercity.
News Archive
2025
Phnom Penh takes first step to realise metro rail dream – [14/03/25]
Phnom Penh Metro preliminary study issued – [13/03/25]
“Ambitious preliminary plans for a metro railway in Phnom Penh have been issued by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.”
Opinion: Why Phnom Penh urgently needs its own MRT system – [10/03/25]
Phnom Penh Metro Project Initial Study Underway – [07/03/25]
“The Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have begun a preliminary metro project study in Phnom Penh, aiming to assess the feasibility of a modern public transport system to alleviate traffic congestion.”
2024
TIA to Phnom Penh railway underway, as airport enters final straight – [11/06/24]
“With the construction of Phnom Penh Techno International Airport (TIA) now nearing its home straight, representatives of the project have announced that preparations are now underway for the airport’s terminal-to-central-city railway development.”
CDC hears metro proposals for capital, airport connection – [19/03/24]
“The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) is conducting feasibility studies and examining proposals from a number of international companies who are considering investing in a light rail mass transit system in Phnom Penh.
The proposals include connections to the under-construction Techo International Airport (TIA).”
Chinese firms show feasibility of Light Railway connecting airport, metro in Phnom Penh – [19/03/24]
“The feasibility of a Light Railway line connecting Phnom Penh to the new airport and planned city metro (subway) was presented by the China Metro Group and Guangzhou Metro Group to the Inter-Ministry Committee of Cambodia on Saturday, said the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).”
Sun Chanthol chairs a meeting on the light rail project connecting Phnom Penh to the new airport and subway – [16/03/24]
Technical study presents positive findings on city light rail in PP, Siem Reap – [22/02/24]
2023
China firm on track to build Phnom Penh airport metro – [23/10/23]
“If China has its way, Phnom Penh could take a headlong leap into the future with a world-class rapid transit or mass rapid transit (MRT) system. The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) in a statement revealed plans by Chinese firm Guangzhou Metro Group to connect the city with the new international airport under construction currently.”
Chinese firm encouraged to study plans for Phnom Penh metro – [22/10/23]
“Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, has been speaking with a Chinese company to discuss the possibility of building a modern metro train system in Phnom Penh.”
Skytrain Coming: PM pushes for skytrain in Phnom Penh to meet the growing populace – [26/09/23]
2022
PP mega transport system studies at final stage – [28/12/22]
“The studies on the mega transport system – sky train, monorail, and subway – in Phnom Penh are being finalised, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, saying that the investment will likely be under the public-private partnership.”
Key study on capital’s rail project completed – [25/12/22]
“Preliminary studies on three options for a mass transit railway system for Phnom Penh have been completed, and after “a few adjustments”, a report will be submitted to Prime Minister Hun Sen to decide which choice to move ahead with, according to Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol.”
What are the benefits of a Phnom Penh with a modern rail transit system? – [26/10/22]
Government gives priority for Phnom Penh subway train – [01/09/22]
Ministry of Transport reviews monorail project for Phnom Penh – [27/06/22]
2021
ADB asked to craft game plan for monorail, subway – [07/04/21]
“The Ministry of Public Works and Transport on April 6 asked the Metro Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help devise strategies for monorail and subway projects planned for Phnom Penh.”
2020
Skytrain project could cost more than $ 1.4 billion, but no date has been set – [09/12/20]
“Senior Minister Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport, recently said that the JICA study project has already been studied. And the ministry is still waiting for the study results. In particular, the Monorail and subway projects of Chinese companies are studying.”
Promised sky train delayed over expense – [23/07/20]
“The government’s sky train project from Phnom Penh city centre to the international airport has been delayed because the cost is higher than expected, according to an official from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT).”
2019
Sky Train Plans Back On The Table – [05/09/19]
“The Royal Government of Cambodia plans to spend a total of 1.843 billion US dollars to build a ‘skytrain’ style light rail and subway project from the new downtown (Central Market) to the Zongzhou (*Chom Chao?) area in Phnom Penh. The project is planned to start in 2020.”
Study on mass transit system completed – [10/07/19]
“The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has concluded a feasibility study on the AGT, an electric mass transit system that could help reduce traffic congestion in Phnom Penh.”
Feasibility studies for monorail and metro system started – [11/04/19]
“In a bid to reduce the city’s traffic woes, a group of Chinese experts has begun feasibility studies on a monorail project and a metro system in Phnom Penh.”
“A feasibility study for an automated gateway transit (AGT) system, an electric-powered mass transit system, in Phnom Penh is also being conducted in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).”
Authorities weigh up options over new transit system in Phnom Penh – [10/04/19]
“…the ministry was looking into three options regarding railway projects – an automated guideway transit (AGT) system, a monorail and a metro.”
2018
Cambodia’s First skytrain ready for Sea Games 2023 – [07/06/18]
Minister talks sky train plan as Grab signs initiative with UN – [07/06/18]
“The minister of public works and transport confirmed on Tuesday that a Japanese-funded sky train project in the capital is moving forward, with the feasibility study expected to be completed this year or next.”
Sky train link from Phnom Penh to Morodok Techo stadium planned – [04/02/18]
“Five years ahead of Cambodia hosting the 2023 SEA Games at the state-of-the-art $157 million Morodok Techo National Sports Complex on the outskirts of the capital, the Public Works and Transport Ministry has included a sky train link between Phnom Penh and the Games’ main venue in its expansive plan to build an Automated Transit Gateway System (AGT) in association with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).”
Will China’s Sky Train enter Cambodia? – [23/01/18]
“China’s trains reach new heights! The Sky Train, powered by lithium batteries, can operate 5 meters above ground. A delegation from Cambodia expressed the hope last week that this new mode of transport could be brought to Phenom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.”
Cambodia seeks China-made panda-shaped ‘sky train’ – [16/01/18]
“The Chinese company behind the panda-shaped “sky train” said it hopes to introduce the project into Cambodia.”
2017
Skytrain studies completed – [20/10/17]
“The government has completed preliminary studies on a $900 million skytrain from Phnom Penh city centre to the international airport.”
Japanese expert to study possible airport skytrain routes – [15/08/17]
“Japanese officials will begin studying possible routes for a skytrain connecting Central Market to Phnom Penh International Airport, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced on Monday after securing a loan agreement with Japan last week.”
Prime Minister requests Japan’s funds for Phnom Penh skytrain – [08/08/17]
“Prime Minister Hun Sen is expected to request $800 million from Japan during a visit there this week to fund the construction of an elevated rail system running from Phnom Penh’s center to the capital’s airport, an official said on Monday.”
Cambodia to ask Japan to invest $800 million in skytrain – [07/08/17]
“Cambodia will ask Japan to invest $800 million in a skytrain system for the capital Phnom Penh, Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday during a visit to Tokyo.”
New skytrain gets investors on track – [17/05/17]
Skytrain a bold vision for city – [11/05/17]
“Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has confirmed it will kick off work on a feasibility study for a $800 million skytrain that would run through Phnom Penh following recent talks between Japanese and Cambodian ministers.”
Proposed skyline train is the future, transport officials say – [02/02/17]
“Japan’s international aid agency is proposing to bring a driverless skyline train to the city, capable of whisking commuters on a smooth ride to and from work on a track above the streets.”
2016
Inner-City “AGT” Train System in Phnom Penh announced by Minister of Transport – [11/10/16]
$800 Million for mass transit system – [06/09/16]
“Cambodia is seeking a budget of $800 million to develop an automated gateway transit (AGT) system following the completion of a year-long feasibility study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), said Minister of Transport Sun Chanthol yesterday.”
JICA moots city transit system – [04/08/16]
“The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is helping Cambodia conduct a feasibility study on an automated gateway transit system (AGT) to overcome Phnom Penh’s daily gridlock, caused by traffic congestion, during peak hours.”
2015
Cambodian government plans to build sky-train in Phnom Penh – [07/08/15]
“According to the source from National Television Kampuchea, on 6 August 2015 the government of Cambodia declared that Cambodia is planning to build sky-train in Phnom Penh city under the cooperation between Cambodia and Japan.”
2014
Long-term plan to ease congestion nearly done – [21/08/14]
“Developed in conjunction with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the plan considers the options available to reduce the number of vehicles in the city, including more busses, a tramway, a subway and even a sky train”.
Flyovers, subway on the drawing board for Phnom Penh – [01/05/14]
2013
‘Master plan’ drawn for Phnom Penh public transport system – [01/07/13]
“The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) met with Phnom Penh municipal authorities last month to present the first stage of a “master plan” for the construction of a much-needed public transport system for the capital.”
2011
Psychological factors influencing behavioral intention toward future sky train usage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia – [2011]
“A study is presented on an extension of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to investigate the commuter’s behavioral intention toward future sky train usage in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia.”
2007
Mixed reactions arise over planned sky train in Phnom Penh – [20/08/07]
“(Xinhua) — A Phnom Penh Municipal official has expressed doubt in the viability of plans announced by the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) to build electric sky train networks over the city’s increasingly car-jammed boulevards, while others have welcomed the proposal, local media reported on Monday.”
Time to plan city transit system is now: experts – [01/08/07]
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