Bamboo Train (Norry)★★
Bamboo Train — The Craziest Train Ride in the World
The Bamboo Train (Norry) is a Cambodian invention born out of necessity: since the railway was destroyed during the Khmer Rouge era and subsequent civil wars, locals built their own "trains" — bamboo platforms on metal wheels, powered by a small gasoline engine. These vehicles race through rice fields and villages on old French colonial tracks at up to 40 km/h.
The genius: when two Norrys meet, the lighter one (fewer passengers) is quickly dismantled, the other passes through, then the first is reassembled. The whole process takes 2 minutes. Unbelievable.
The Current Bamboo Train
The "real" Bamboo Train was discontinued in 2017 when the railway line was modernized. A tourist version was reopened at a new location (7 km south of Battambang): a 4 km section with the same principle. Less authentic than the original, but still a unique experience — and the rice field landscape is beautiful.
Practical Information
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 7 km south of Battambang (Tuk-Tuk 3 USD) |
| Price | 5 USD/person |
| Duration | Approx. 20–30 minutes (round trip) |
| Opening Hours | Daily 7:00–17:00 |
💡 Tipp
Combine the Bamboo Train with a "Battambang Countryside Tour" by Tuk-Tuk (15–20 USD for the whole day): Bamboo Train, rice fields, Wat Banan (Angkor temple on a hill, 358 steps), Bat Caves (millions of bats fly out of a cave at sunset), and the Killing Caves. A perfect day.
