Is anyone able to recommend to me a driver whom I could hire to take me from PP to SR or would I be better flying. If I took the driver option is it really any quicker than going by bus? My main aim is to minimise travelling time and max out on my "doing time"

Thanks

Clare

FYI, the road condition between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is out of your imagination. Either private car or coaches will drive you crazy.

Just curious when did you go, coz when I was there in the summer of 2005, the road bewteen the two places weren't that bad, as most part was paved. But the road beyond SR and the Thai border was very bad...a red dirt road.

I was there around 7 months ago and the road was great. A bus will take around 6 hours, but make sure you see the bus before you buy the tickets. Pay a few more bucks to go on the "delux" bus (I can't recall the name, but it is a fairly new company). A private driver will between $40-$50 US dollars and will take about 3 and 1/2, maybe 4 hours. If the water is high enough in the rivers, the boat ride can be a better option, but only if the water levels are high. If not, you will go from boat to truck to boat and back again. Count on a whole day of frustration.

You can also take a boat up to Siem Reap. The boat will take around 4 or 5 hours. There are toilets on board and you should bring your own water and snacks. I thought the ride was interesting, you pass through a large lake with catfish the size of sharks! Frequent stops at villages along the river was interesting too! You can arrange for a driver to pick you up at the boat dock and bring you direct to your hotel.

So you have three ways to get there riding a bus, taking a boat or flying. Flying is the fastest and the most expensive. You do waste some time waiting at the airport and sometimes the plane does not leave on time. When I was there last I used the boat to get to Siem Reap and flew back to Phnom Penh 5 days later.

Hal

You can also take a boat up to Siem Reap. The boat will take around 4 or 5 hours. There are toilets on board and you should bring your own water and snacks. I thought the ride was interesting, you pass through a large lake with catfish the size of sharks! Frequent stops at villages along the river was interesting too! You can arrange for a driver to pick you up at the boat dock and bring you direct to your hotel.

So you have three ways to get there riding a bus, taking a boat or flying. Flying is the fastest and the most expensive. You do waste some time waiting at the airport and sometimes the plane does not leave on time. When I was there last I used the boat to get to Siem Reap and flew back to Phnom Penh 5 days later.

Hal

Is helicopter also an option? Probably very expensive, but I bet some spectacular views. Someone has to have a helicopter for hire there, anyone have any info?

I'm hoping to take the boat option. PP to SR in March. Should I book a flight as a backup? If its not looking good for a boat based on water levels how hard is it to walk up to the airport and get a flight? I guess bus is the other backup option.

chopper? not heard of when I went there in summer 2005. But there was a hot air balloon ride that went up and down quickly.

You will spend more time and money trying to take a flight from PP to SR. It would be cheaper to book a flight directly into SR. You seem to be hesitent in regards to the bus, but there are some nice busses, and the ride is not that bad at all. Maybe 5 to 6 hours. You can find a private car (the Riverstar Hotel ?) where we stayed has hotels in both cities, and they also have a shuttle system between the two. You have to negotiate a price, but if you stay in the hotel they will cut you a deal. We paid (one-way) $40 (I think) for two adults and a child. We got there in 3 and a half hours. I never saw a helicoptor in Cambodia. I did see a hot air baloon in SR. That looked like a col way to see the ruins.

Thanks, didn't think of a private car. Thats probably the best option if the boat fails us.

Just got back. Boat was an awesome option. not nearly as shady as the guide books and online reviews make it seem. It was $25 one way per person. It laft at 7:00am and were were there with plenty of time to see temples in the afternoon and enjoy the sunset. (broably took 7 hours all in)

The "transfer" required during the dry season also wan't a big deal. When you get to seam reap you just hop on a smaller long boat that take you to the pier. They move your luggage for you. It was really simple.

The views from the boat are awesome and I would say if I didn't take the boat I would feel like I didn't really see cambodia, because seam reap is like disneyworld and phnom pehn is just a big dirty city.

Seam reap is aweful, huge mega resorts, no soul. Angor Wat is overcrowded and overrated. Hire a driver and explore the other temples (the grand circuit or small circuit) early in the morning before the tourists come. Hang out at the pool all day then go back for late afternoon and sunset.