Traveling from Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat
This is my first trip to Cambodia and we will be flying into Phnom Penh (PNH)and spending 1/2 a day there before going on to Siem Reap/Angkor before we fly out (REP) to Vietnam. I have noticed that there seems to be four ways to do this.
1. Bus - inexpensive but have not read anything positive other than price on this. 2. Taxi - Would this take the same amount of time as flying - based on getting to and from airports? 3. Boat - less than flying but sounds like it takes 6 hours. 4. Fly - more expensive but takes less than an hour. Does anyone have any thoughts on how to get between these two locations? Has anyone done the bus, taxi or the boat - is there much to see using these modes of transportation? Thank you in advance! |
I bypassed PNH and flew from Bangkok. Easy and fairly safe.
|
Travel from Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
I have done the Phnom Penh-Siem Reap road trip & back by 12-seater minivan some three years ago. It was like 6 hours one way. A bit crammed but bearable (I am of small stature.) Stopped twice for refreshments/stretch.
Will be doing similar trip Siem-Reap one way next March but it will be with Giant Ibis bus company. http://www.giantibis.com/schedule.php Will choose to ride on the big bus (50-passenger ?). Got to say Giant Ibis would be the best company to travel with. Book direct or through the Hotel's Front Desk (same price.) They will even pick you from your hotel. Have a nice trip. |
Originally Posted by MXS
(Post 24232829)
1. Bus - inexpensive but have not read anything positive other than price on this.
Originally Posted by MXS
(Post 24232829)
2. Taxi - Would this take the same amount of time as flying - based on getting to and from airports?
Originally Posted by MXS
(Post 24232829)
3. Boat - less than flying but sounds like it takes 6 hours.
Originally Posted by MXS
(Post 24232829)
4. Fly - more expensive but takes less than an hour.
Ranking from best to worst (in terms of pain, or at least the attempt to limit it): plane > share taxi >> bus >>>> boat. |
We did a private taxi when we were there in November and would do the same again in the future.
Speaking with other travellers and some had had extensive delays on buses. From what we head boat was slower than the road and comfort levels depend on river levels. We organised the private taxis we used through the hotel we were staying at. Remember to request a car with seat belts, however that said that is no guarantee they will work. |
Originally Posted by Toula
(Post 24233889)
From what we head boat was slower than the road and comfort levels depend on river levels.
The time spent being uncomfortable is dependent upon river levels (and flow direction). :D;) And it's absurdly expensive! |
If you can afford the price of the ticket and if your time in Cambodia is limited, for me it's no brainer : fly !
K6 (Cambodia Angkor Air) has affordable one-way fares and has 4-5 daily flights on PNH-REP. |
Originally Posted by Goldorak
(Post 24234357)
If you can afford the price of the ticket and if your time in Cambodia is limited, for me it's no brainer : fly !
K6 (Cambodia Angkor Air) has affordable one-way fares and has 4-5 daily flights on PNH-REP. For 3 or 4 people a Camry at $80 (+/-) might be a better option. Taking the plane would likely consume about 3 hours hotel to hotel while for a car expectations should be around 5.5 hours. The additioanl savings could justify the additional time (and pay for a night or two of hotels). That's a calculation everyone needs to make on their own depending upon time/cost. |
Originally Posted by MXS
(Post 24232829)
I have noticed that there seems to be four ways to do this.
1. Bus - inexpensive but have not read anything positive other than price on this. 2. Taxi - Would this take the same amount of time as flying - based on getting to and from airports? 3. Boat - less than flying but sounds like it takes 6 hours. 4. Fly - more expensive but takes less than an hour. Does anyone have any thoughts on how to get between these two locations? Has anyone done the bus, taxi or the boat - is there much to see using these modes of transportation? http://www.canbypublications.com/sie....htm#phnompenh First, forget the boat. It's a long, uncomfortable and expensive trip. A lot can go wrong. If you are one or two passengers, the bus is an efficient solution. It's cheap, and there's break in the six-hour journey at Kampong Thom (make it an event rather than a chore!). Most SR hotels will arrange for someone to meet you at the SR "bus station". More of you and the taxi becomes attractive. Just make sure you get the car and driver you want, and stay in control in terms of driving speeds! The driver might turn out to have no idea at all where your hotel is, so make sure you have the telephone number handy so he can get directions. Flying clearly has time advantages, but there's a measure of faff involved in the transfers to and from airport. It also insulates you from what just might be a fun, and easy, overland journey. And, of course, it's a pricey option for two or more in a group. |
Originally Posted by MXS
(Post 24232829)
This is my first trip to Cambodia and we will be flying into Phnom Penh (PNH)and spending 1/2 a day there before going on to Siem Reap/Angkor before we fly out (REP) to Vietnam. I have noticed that there seems to be four ways to do this.
1. Bus - inexpensive but have not read anything positive other than price on this. 2. Taxi - Would this take the same amount of time as flying - based on getting to and from airports? 3. Boat - less than flying but sounds like it takes 6 hours. 4. Fly - more expensive but takes less than an hour. Does anyone have any thoughts on how to get between these two locations? Has anyone done the bus, taxi or the boat - is there much to see using these modes of transportation? Thank you in advance! |
Thank you all for your responses. The boat is out! The driver I had lined up bailed on the long drive so I may find another driver or we may opt to fly.
To answer the question about the partial day in Phnom Penh - Ended up there because the airfare was a lot less expensive than flying to REP. Then I found a few things I wanted to see downtown in Phnom Penh that I could do in a few hours (I understand that some people could spend days there). Thanks again! |
I used the Giant Ibis busservice from Siem Rep to PP two years ago. Made the reservation and bought the ticket from the hotel I was staying at. Was picked up by minibus from the hotel and taken to the main pick up point and the bus to Phnom Penh. And yes , we did make a half hour rest stop along the way. Fine with me ,to get a chance to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.
All in all , I had only a good experience with the Giant Ibis: Modern busses and everything just worked from pick up at the hotel to arrival at PP. |
After arriving in Phnom Pehn we thought we would fly but then the ticket price for the flight we wanted went way up. The hotel arranged for a taxi to take us to Siem Reap for $75. We had a good driver and I am not sure how he could have made it any faster. It took us 6 hours with a small stop in between. There were maybe 2 cars that passed us the whole time.
For those who might read this thread in the future. Part of the road is paved and part of it is dirt. It looks like this road will be under construction for a very long time. There were parts of the road that they were working on but it did not look like they were in a hurry to finish any of it. You do drive by a lot of farms, fields, and small towns. You see a different way of life. There were a lot of cattle (sometimes in the middle of the road), buffalo, hogs, chickens and other farm animals. I would not want to be on this road at night. Trucks, cars, busses, motor cycles, bikes, pedestrians, hand carts, and sometimes animals all share the road. |
I went by car from PNH to Battambang , took 5 hours and was very interesting.
I then did a boat trip $25USD started at 7am and got to Siem Reap at 330pm, apart from very primitive toilet action, it was comfortable. The trip up the river was facinating, lots of floating villages, lots of people fishing and living on the river. A real tourist experience. Much more exciting than flying |
Originally Posted by adampenrith
(Post 24499666)
I went by car from PNH to Battambang , took 5 hours and was very interesting.
I then did a boat trip $25USD started at 7am and got to Siem Reap at 330pm, apart from very primitive toilet action, it was comfortable. The trip up the river was facinating, lots of floating villages, lots of people fishing and living on the river. A real tourist experience. Much more exciting than flying |
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 1:06 pm. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.