Solblanc
Jun 15, 06, 3:59 am
Any experiences travelling this route? Should I go via Thailand, or should I rough it through southern Laos?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Asia - Siem Reap to Vientiane by land
View Full Version : Siem Reap to Vientiane by land
rjh
Jun 15, 06, 10:36 am
What's your proposed route? Rainy season + Lao/Cambodian roads = trouble
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is no problem now that the road is sealed all the way. US$5 on an ok bus or you can pay $9 for not that much better.
Then boat to Stung Treng via Kratie? Then boat to the Lao border at Voeung Kam, where you are essentially in Si Phan Don, the 4,000 Islands. Validate these legs at http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com I'm pretty sure the border crossing here is legal now, but Lao visa on arrival is a question.
Once there take a boat to Pakxe. From there take the VIP bus to Vientiane from the Pakxe bus station off Highway 13. I don't know about the condition of this road. It could be awful.
Do you have any proposed stops enroute or are you mostly trolling the countryside? I did a couple of installments of a trip report that included Siem Reap through Poipet then through northeast Thailand to Pakxe checking out Khymer temples in March/April, 2006 in reverse order, but I kinda stopped. I should finish it up, I guess.
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is no problem now that the road is sealed all the way. US$5 on an ok bus or you can pay $9 for not that much better.
Then boat to Stung Treng via Kratie? Then boat to the Lao border at Voeung Kam, where you are essentially in Si Phan Don, the 4,000 Islands. Validate these legs at http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com I'm pretty sure the border crossing here is legal now, but Lao visa on arrival is a question.
Once there take a boat to Pakxe. From there take the VIP bus to Vientiane from the Pakxe bus station off Highway 13. I don't know about the condition of this road. It could be awful.
Do you have any proposed stops enroute or are you mostly trolling the countryside? I did a couple of installments of a trip report that included Siem Reap through Poipet then through northeast Thailand to Pakxe checking out Khymer temples in March/April, 2006 in reverse order, but I kinda stopped. I should finish it up, I guess.
Solblanc
Jun 15, 06, 9:51 pm
What's your proposed route? Rainy season + Lao/Cambodian roads = trouble
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is no problem now that the road is sealed all the way. US$5 on an ok bus or you can pay $9 for not that much better.
Then boat to Stung Treng via Kratie? Then boat to the Lao border at Voeung Kam, where you are essentially in Si Phan Don, the 4,000 Islands. Validate these legs at http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com I'm pretty sure the border crossing here is legal now, but Lao visa on arrival is a question.
Once there take a boat to Pakxe. From there take the VIP bus to Vientiane from the Pakxe bus station off Highway 13. I don't know about the condition of this road. It could be awful.
Do you have any proposed stops enroute or are you mostly trolling the countryside? I did a couple of installments of a trip report that included Siem Reap through Poipet then through northeast Thailand to Pakxe checking out Khymer temples in March/April, 2006 in reverse order, but I kinda stopped. I should finish it up, I guess.
one of my options is to backtrack to Bangkok then take the overnight train to Vientiane. (actually, that's my only option, as I've never been to Laos or Cambodia before, so I know squat about which roads to take) Your way sounds much more exciting! I don't mind meandering, as long as I reach the final destination in one piece. I'll research it a bit. Thanks!
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is no problem now that the road is sealed all the way. US$5 on an ok bus or you can pay $9 for not that much better.
Then boat to Stung Treng via Kratie? Then boat to the Lao border at Voeung Kam, where you are essentially in Si Phan Don, the 4,000 Islands. Validate these legs at http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com I'm pretty sure the border crossing here is legal now, but Lao visa on arrival is a question.
Once there take a boat to Pakxe. From there take the VIP bus to Vientiane from the Pakxe bus station off Highway 13. I don't know about the condition of this road. It could be awful.
Do you have any proposed stops enroute or are you mostly trolling the countryside? I did a couple of installments of a trip report that included Siem Reap through Poipet then through northeast Thailand to Pakxe checking out Khymer temples in March/April, 2006 in reverse order, but I kinda stopped. I should finish it up, I guess.
one of my options is to backtrack to Bangkok then take the overnight train to Vientiane. (actually, that's my only option, as I've never been to Laos or Cambodia before, so I know squat about which roads to take) Your way sounds much more exciting! I don't mind meandering, as long as I reach the final destination in one piece. I'll research it a bit. Thanks!
rjh
Jun 16, 06, 8:47 am
Any special reason for going to Vientiane? It's ok as a waypoint, but not really a compelling tourist stop. You may want to consider Luang Prabang instead.
If you like overland and you're starting in Siem Reap, you could go by share taxi and bus back to Bangkok (see www.talesofasia.com), then train to Nong Khai, then international bus to Vientiane.
Once in Vientiane, hang around just long enough for a cup of coffee at the Scandinavian bakery to try to stay awake in this land of deep slumber, a visit to the 2 or 3 tourist sights, and a stop at the morning market.
Then escape north by road to Luang Prabang via Vang Vieng, stopping in VV for a day or so. Three hours to VV; 7 hours further to LPB. Then by air back to Vientiane on Lao Aviation, usually fairly exciting, or all the way to BKK on a real airline.
Bring lots of US cash in 20s, 5s, and 1s. Don't bother changing money.
If you like overland and you're starting in Siem Reap, you could go by share taxi and bus back to Bangkok (see www.talesofasia.com), then train to Nong Khai, then international bus to Vientiane.
Once in Vientiane, hang around just long enough for a cup of coffee at the Scandinavian bakery to try to stay awake in this land of deep slumber, a visit to the 2 or 3 tourist sights, and a stop at the morning market.
Then escape north by road to Luang Prabang via Vang Vieng, stopping in VV for a day or so. Three hours to VV; 7 hours further to LPB. Then by air back to Vientiane on Lao Aviation, usually fairly exciting, or all the way to BKK on a real airline.
Bring lots of US cash in 20s, 5s, and 1s. Don't bother changing money.