Recommended Driver in Siem Reap/Angkor Cambodia
Dec 7, 2015, 1:30 am
#61
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF, CA, US
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA MM Gold, HHonors Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Plat, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,236
I hired Synon as a driver for my trip to Siem Reap Thanksgiving week, and would recommend him to anyone. I paid $30 for the day touring the Angkor Wat area temples, $75 the next day for sites further afield from Siem Reap (Banteay Srei, etc), plus $7 each way for transport to/from airport and Le Meridien hotel. I contacted Synon via his gmail address about a week before the trip. The only weird thing is he did not confirm after I sent him my arrival info, so exited REP airport unsure of what would happen next, but he was there waiting for me. Synon is trying to become a full-time driver for-hire (and also trying to buy a Lexus SUV or Toyota Highlander), so he wants to get as many Flyertalker bookings as he can accommodate.
Dec 7, 2015, 1:39 pm
#64
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF, CA, US
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA MM Gold, HHonors Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Plat, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,236
Extremely unlikely to find a private driver to bring you to the more remote locations for $40. Maybe a tuk-tuk, or rent a bicycle.
Dec 12, 2015, 2:07 am
#66
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
I hired Synon as a driver for my trip to Siem Reap Thanksgiving week, and would recommend him to anyone. I paid $30 for the day touring the Angkor Wat area temples, $75 the next day for sites further afield from Siem Reap (Banteay Srei, etc), plus $7 each way for transport to/from airport and Le Meridien hotel. I contacted Synon via his gmail address about a week before the trip. The only weird thing is he did not confirm after I sent him my arrival info, so exited REP airport unsure of what would happen next, but he was there waiting for me. Synon is trying to become a full-time driver for-hire (and also trying to buy a Lexus SUV or Toyota Highlander), so he wants to get as many Flyertalker bookings as he can accommodate.
always on time, ready with cold water bottles if you need them. He has a great personality; always smiling. Drives safe.
I have created a TripAdvisor page for him. Will post here as soon as it gets approved. It would help him if you guys can write a review when the page gets approved.
He is indeed trying to buy an SUV next month. Hopefully he will be able to get it. Currently he has a mini-bus and a tuk tuk (which his brother drives).
Yes, this is a great family that can be helped by FT-ers.
He is very appreciative of "Flyertalk" people.
Dec 12, 2015, 11:33 am
#67
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Virtuoso, Marriott Stars/Luminous, Hilton Impresario, IHG Luxury & Lifestyle, Hyatt Prive etc
Posts: 2,004
Just to add that part of his reason for wanting to do well is to give his family a good life - his daughter is ambitious and would like to be a doctor
Dec 12, 2015, 1:55 pm
#68
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
Jan 5, 2016, 5:48 pm
#69
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 75
Thanks to the info in this thread, I employed Synon's service this new year. He was quick to respond by email. Was busy on the evening of our arrival and hence did not provide the 'free pick up' from airport.
Day 1 ($40)
$30 for temple in Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom area + $10 for sunrise at Angkor Wat
Day 2 ($57)
$30 Day charge +$20 for Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre +$7 for airport drop
Apart from that, I bought him lunch for both the days ~$6.
He provides free cold water bottles for customers to refresh in his van upon return from temples and keeps engaging conversation.
Overall, I would recommend him for safe and reliable service.
For people on a budget, for temples around Angkor Wat/ Thom area, tuk tuk (~$15-20) would be fine and car is not essential unless in extremely hot weather. For the day trips, definitely employ a car.
Day 1 ($40)
$30 for temple in Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom area + $10 for sunrise at Angkor Wat
Day 2 ($57)
$30 Day charge +$20 for Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre +$7 for airport drop
Apart from that, I bought him lunch for both the days ~$6.
He provides free cold water bottles for customers to refresh in his van upon return from temples and keeps engaging conversation.
Overall, I would recommend him for safe and reliable service.
For people on a budget, for temples around Angkor Wat/ Thom area, tuk tuk (~$15-20) would be fine and car is not essential unless in extremely hot weather. For the day trips, definitely employ a car.
Jan 5, 2016, 6:09 pm
#70
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
Thanks to the info in this thread, I employed Synon's service this new year. He was quick to respond by email. Was busy on the evening of our arrival and hence did not provide the 'free pick up' from airport.
Day 1 ($40)
$30 for temple in Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom area + $10 for sunrise at Angkor Wat
Day 2 ($57)
$30 Day charge +$20 for Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre +$7 for airport drop
Apart from that, I bought him lunch for both the days ~$6.
He provides free cold water bottles for customers to refresh in his van upon return from temples and keeps engaging conversation.
Overall, I would recommend him for safe and reliable service.
For people on a budget, for temples around Angkor Wat/ Thom area, tuk tuk (~$15-20) would be fine and car is not essential unless in extremely hot weather. For the day trips, definitely employ a car.
Day 1 ($40)
$30 for temple in Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom area + $10 for sunrise at Angkor Wat
Day 2 ($57)
$30 Day charge +$20 for Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre +$7 for airport drop
Apart from that, I bought him lunch for both the days ~$6.
He provides free cold water bottles for customers to refresh in his van upon return from temples and keeps engaging conversation.
Overall, I would recommend him for safe and reliable service.
For people on a budget, for temples around Angkor Wat/ Thom area, tuk tuk (~$15-20) would be fine and car is not essential unless in extremely hot weather. For the day trips, definitely employ a car.
I have tried to create a Tripadvisor page for him. But, T.A had not approved it for almost 3 weeks...and now they have deleted the review I created for his business (as a "new" listing)
Is this normal for T.A? How does one ever create a new listing?\
BTW, there was no email from T.A saying "thank you for your review, it is pending,....etc".
Jan 20, 2016, 11:10 pm
#71
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Airpass, UA 1P, SPG Plat
Posts: 232
Just finished a visit for a few days with Synon - overall we were very pleased and would recommend him. Extremely friendly, very warm, and quite flexible. As others mentioned, he is not a registered guide - we forgot this, however he helped us to arrange one.
Tip - if you want a guide give Synon a bit more notice and he can arrange a better one. We did it last minute and he, rather honestly, admitted he would get the best he could, but potentially not the best if we had arranged it sooner.
Minibus was comfortable and easy for a group of 4, luggage, etc. We also used him for airport transfers to the Park Hyatt.
Tip - if you want a guide give Synon a bit more notice and he can arrange a better one. We did it last minute and he, rather honestly, admitted he would get the best he could, but potentially not the best if we had arranged it sooner.
Minibus was comfortable and easy for a group of 4, luggage, etc. We also used him for airport transfers to the Park Hyatt.
Jan 21, 2016, 5:44 am
#72
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
Just finished a visit for a few days with Synon - overall we were very pleased and would recommend him. Extremely friendly, very warm, and quite flexible. As others mentioned, he is not a registered guide - we forgot this, however he helped us to arrange one.
Tip - if you want a guide give Synon a bit more notice and he can arrange a better one. We did it last minute and he, rather honestly, admitted he would get the best he could, but potentially not the best if we had arranged it sooner.
Minibus was comfortable and easy for a group of 4, luggage, etc. We also used him for airport transfers to the Park Hyatt.
Tip - if you want a guide give Synon a bit more notice and he can arrange a better one. We did it last minute and he, rather honestly, admitted he would get the best he could, but potentially not the best if we had arranged it sooner.
Minibus was comfortable and easy for a group of 4, luggage, etc. We also used him for airport transfers to the Park Hyatt.
Thank you for using Synon! Such a nice guy!!!
Yes, we had the same issue for a guide on our first day. He said that he could have gotten a better guide if we had arranged it earlier.
Jan 21, 2016, 9:11 am
#73
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
I used Synon in the week before last. He was terrific.
He was waiting at the airport with a sign (and a big smile), even though the flight was much later than I had originally told him & we were delayed at customs. He's prompt, pleasant and a safe driver. He recommended good activities and good restaurants. The van was a bit large for 2 travelers, this was fine-- groups of up to 6 or so would be fine, too.
Let me know if you get a trip advisor page up for him, I'd write a nice review.
He was waiting at the airport with a sign (and a big smile), even though the flight was much later than I had originally told him & we were delayed at customs. He's prompt, pleasant and a safe driver. He recommended good activities and good restaurants. The van was a bit large for 2 travelers, this was fine-- groups of up to 6 or so would be fine, too.
Let me know if you get a trip advisor page up for him, I'd write a nice review.
Jan 21, 2016, 10:06 am
#74
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
I used Synon in the week before last. He was terrific.
He was waiting at the airport with a sign (and a big smile), even though the flight was much later than I had originally told him & we were delayed at customs. He's prompt, pleasant and a safe driver. He recommended good activities and good restaurants. The van was a bit large for 2 travelers, this was fine-- groups of up to 6 or so would be fine, too.
Let me know if you get a trip advisor page up for him, I'd write a nice review.
He was waiting at the airport with a sign (and a big smile), even though the flight was much later than I had originally told him & we were delayed at customs. He's prompt, pleasant and a safe driver. He recommended good activities and good restaurants. The van was a bit large for 2 travelers, this was fine-- groups of up to 6 or so would be fine, too.
Let me know if you get a trip advisor page up for him, I'd write a nice review.
I think Synon is hoping to buy an SUV in the near future. He is saving up for it. He will sell the minibus thingy at that time.
Jan 22, 2016, 9:45 am
#75
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
My only problem with it is that it was hard to find HIS white mini van in the sea of white mini vans parked in the lots. These vans appear nearly identical from any distance at all. I'm not really a car person, and can hardly find my own car. So, if you have this shortcoming as well, do note his licence number before you hike off to the temples and be clear about where exactly he will be parking.