The Bamboo Train, known locally as the Norry (or nori), is the centerpiece of our Battambang travel guide and Battambang’s single most famous attraction and one of the more unusual rides you will find anywhere in Southeast Asia — a flat bamboo platform mounted on a small motorized frame, riding a warped, single-track colonial-era rail line at a speed that feels far faster than it has any right to be given the makeshift construction. It began decades ago as an improvised local transport solution and has since become a genuine tourist draw while still reflecting its practical, homemade origins.
What the Ride Is Actually Like
Each Norry consists of a bamboo platform roughly two meters long, resting on two axles with small wheels, powered by a small gasoline engine connected to the rear axle by a drive belt. There is no railing, no seatbelt, and no real suspension — passengers simply sit cross-legged or on small plastic stools provided by the operator, and the platform skims along the rail at speeds that can reach 40 kilometers per hour on the straighter stretches, rattling over the joints in a way that is part of the fun rather than a flaw.
Because the line is single-track, two Norries meeting from opposite directions require one to be disassembled and lifted off the rails to let the other pass — a genuinely charming bit of local ingenuity that usually takes less than a minute and has become something of a photo opportunity in itself.
Route, Distance and Duration
The standard tourist ride runs about 7 kilometers one-way from the main departure point outside Battambang to a small village, where most riders stop for 15-20 minutes before turning around. The out-and-back trip usually takes 45 minutes to an hour including the stop, passing rice paddies, small farms, and the occasional water buffalo grazing beside the track.
Tickets and Prices
Tickets cost around $5 per person for foreign tourists, paid directly at the departure point rather than needing advance booking — availability is rarely an issue outside of the very busiest holiday periods. Most tuk-tuk drivers include a stop here as part of a half-day countryside tour package, which typically runs $15-20 for the tuk-tuk plus the separate Norry ticket.
Best Time to Ride
Late afternoon, roughly 3:30 to 5:30 PM, offers the most comfortable temperatures and the best light for photos, with the sun lower in the sky and less harsh than the midday heat. Morning departures avoid the crowds that build up by midday during peak season (November through February) but trade off softer light. Whichever time you choose, bring sun protection, since there is no shade on the open platform.
Combining It With Other Countryside Stops
The Bamboo Train sits conveniently close to other countryside attractions, and most visitors combine it into a single half-day loop with a broader countryside tour covering Wat Banan and the Killing Caves at Phnom Sampov. Arranging this through your guesthouse or a tuk-tuk driver directly in Battambang is straightforward and usually cheaper than a pre-booked package tour from elsewhere.
Where to Stay Nearby
Since the Bamboo Train departure point sits a few kilometers outside the town center, staying anywhere in central Battambang works fine — a tuk-tuk to the departure point takes about 15-20 minutes from most riverside or old-town guesthouses. See our guide to the best hotels in Battambang for specific recommendations at every budget level, from simple guesthouses to boutique colonial-era properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bamboo Train safe?
Yes, despite its improvised appearance, the Norry has operated safely for decades and is a well-established tourist activity, though as with any open-air ride, hold on and keep hands and feet clear of the wheels.
How much does the Bamboo Train cost?
The History Behind the Norry
The Bamboo Train’s origins trace back to the aftermath of Cambodia’s civil conflicts, when the country’s rail infrastructure was badly damaged and the formal rail network barely functioned. Local villagers built these improvised bamboo platforms to move goods and people along the existing but underused track, using cheap, salvaged parts — small engines from farm equipment, simple axle assemblies, and readily available bamboo for the platform itself. What started as a practical workaround became, over time, a genuine cultural curiosity that tourists specifically sought out, and today it survives largely because of that tourist interest even as Cambodia’s formal rail network has been rebuilt elsewhere.
What to Bring
A hat or sunglasses help against the open-air sun exposure, and a light scarf or bandana is useful for dust on drier days, particularly toward the end of the dry season (February through April) when the surrounding fields can be quite dusty. Cameras and phones are fine to bring, but hold on securely given the bumpy ride — this is not the place for anything you cannot afford to drop. Bring small bills for the ticket and for the modest tip that is customary, though not mandatory, for the operator.
What You See Along the Way
The short ride passes a cross-section of rural Cambodian life: rice paddies in varying stages of growth depending on the season, small wooden houses on stilts, grazing cattle and water buffalo, and villagers going about daily routines who are well used to the passing tourist traffic and often wave as the Norry goes by. At the turnaround point, a small cluster of stalls sells cold drinks and snacks, and a few local vendors sell simple handicrafts, making it a natural spot to stretch your legs before the return trip.
Is the Bamboo Train Worth It
For most visitors passing through Battambang, yes — it is a short, inexpensive, genuinely fun activity that also gives a glimpse of the countryside you would not otherwise see, and at $5 for roughly an hour it represents good value even for budget-conscious travelers. It works well as a standalone activity in the late afternoon or as the first stop on a longer countryside loop earlier in the day, and it rarely disappoints even travelers who arrive skeptical about a tourist-oriented version of what was originally a practical local transport solution.
Expect to pay around $5 per person for the standard round-trip ride, paid in cash directly at the departure point.
How long is the Bamboo Train ride?
The full out-and-back trip, including a stop at the turnaround village, takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Do I need to book the Bamboo Train in advance?
No, tickets are sold on-site and availability is rarely an issue except during the busiest holiday weeks, when arriving slightly earlier in the day helps avoid queues.