Asia - One day in Phnom Penh during Bon Um Tuck - need advice

I'm looking for some advice. I have a flight into PP on Nov 23 at 8am, and intended to stay in PP for the night and take the boat up to SR the next morning. I have just discovered that Nov 23 is the first day of Bon Um Tuck and am now concerned about my ability to easily tavel through there for my one day visit.

I need some advice on how feasible my plan is now with the holiday...will the boats still run? Do I need to take the bus, will that still run? Should I avoid PP all together and just get a flight up to SR that morning? Will I be able to get into PP from the airport easily?

I tried a few guest houses on the river side and they all told me they close down for the holiday, but I could stay more in the city probably.

Thanks in advance!

I'm looking for some advice. I have a flight into PP on Nov 23 at 8am, and intended to stay in PP for the night and take the boat up to SR the next morning. I have just discovered that Nov 23 is the first day of Bon Um Tuck and am now concerned about my ability to easily tavel through there for my one day visit.

I need some advice on how feasible my plan is now with the holiday...will the boats still run? Do I need to take the bus, will that still run?

I would take the bus. To begin with, I don't even know if the boats are still running these days; IIRC the better / more expensive / safer boats have all stopped operations, since the bus is faster and cheaper. And in any case, the riverfront is a zoo at Water Festival, and so -- even if the boats are running -- I wouldn't want to bet on a) being able to get to the dock the boat leaves from; and b) the boat being able to pull away from the dock and avoid all the dragon boat racers et al.

The bus takes around 5-6 hours and costs from $6-12.

Should I avoid PP all together and just get a flight up to SR that morning? Will I be able to get into PP from the airport easily?

You will be able to get into town from the airport, though the road is likely to be crowded (lots of people come from the countryside to Phnom Penh for Water Festival).

Whether or not you want to avoid Phnom Penh during Water Festival is your call - it depends on how much time you want to spend at the riverfront and your like/dislike of crowds.

I tried a few guest houses on the river side and they all told me they close down for the holiday, but I could stay more in the city probably.

That makes sense. It's hard to stay open for business when the crowds are so think that your guests can't get in the front door.

I would suggest staying in town. There are many options at all price levels / budgets.

- Michael

Good Stuff, thanks Michael. Since I have a non-refundable flight I think I will spend the day there and get the bus out in the morning. Is the bus something I just show up at or can I prebook that, also are there any specific ones you reccomend?

If I get adventerous I'll head down to the river, otherwise I'll find some other things to do and occupy my day. Possibly go straight to the killing fields from the airport and come into PP a little later in the day.

Thanks again!