Phnom Penh Travel Forum

Hi,

I am hoping to fly into PP 3rd week of January with a view to heading for Siem Reap & Ankor Wat for a few days. I have a few questions re transport.

I was hoping to catch a reasonably quick bus there, perhaps directly from the airport. What are my best options in this regard. How much should I expect to pay and how long does the journey take. I'm looking at a reasonably early morning arrival into PP via Air Asia.

Is private mini-van or taxi hire viable economically/safety/speed wise, (there will be three of us so cost, while still an issue, is not necessarily the biggest concern).

Failing bus, the boat option looks interesting. Is it the case that you just go to the port and grab one or must the tickets be purchased from an agency in advance? How far from the airport to the dock and how often do these boats normally go on a daily basis?

I appreciate any help I can get on this.

regards,

Xb

I took the boat in 2002. It was $25 then, discounted to about $22. I bought one day in advance. It was a very interesting and worthwhile ride, and I'd do it again. Took about 4 hours. The boats ran daily, but there were not many.

From what I recall, the airport is not far from town, so it's not a long ride, although traffic can be kind of messy.

Sorry that I can't be more helpful, but I'm certain others will give a lot of help on these questions.

I will be doing this trip in Feb 09 via Mekong Express bus service from Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh. Should be around 5 hr trip for around $10 US to Siem Reap.

You might find this useful:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/918429/journey_to_cambodia.html

In general, the speed boat is expensive, but worth it. You don't need to worry about chartering a mini-bus, as the normal buses are cheap and modern.

I don't know if there are direct buses from Phnom Penh's International but you shouldn't have a problem catching the same day bus from PP to Siem Reap/Angkor. I also took several VIP buses, Mekong Express and Rong Hung Khiang, and they were both fine. Takes about 5 hours with departures at 8AM and 12/noon. Back then M Express charged U$13 whereas Rong Hung charged U$10 and I've read subsequently that Mekong reduced their prices, eventhough they do offer better buses and service. I also took the boat 10 years ago and while it was interesting at first after a while you're on this huge lake with the roaring drone of the boat's engine so I perfer the faster and more comfy VIP bus.

From memory, the speed boat leaves fairly early (7am?) and I believe there's only 1 trip per day.

You might need to get the lunchtime bus from PP. The journey dosn't go via the airport, so you will have to go into PP to Sisowath Quay.

The boats leave Sisowath Quay at 7:30 AM so an overnight stay in PP would be required. I've taken the boat and while the first hour was exciting the next five were painful, I wouldn't do it again. If you want a river experience wait till you are in Siem Reap and take a trip out to Kom Plong Phluk (sp)

You'll have to hire a taxi or van (for 3 with baggage probably 9-12 dollars) to take you to the bus you decide on, Mekong Express, Angkor Express or one of the others..all charge about 10.00 per person, not a bad ride at all and you get to see the wonderful countryside, I wouldn't miss it but it depends..you could have a smooth semi quiet 5 hour ride or Mr. Toad's Wild Ride from hell depending on the driver you get.

I live in Siem Reap, I take the bus all the time it works for me..but if I was on a few day trip and want to reserve my body resources for seeing one of the most amazing architectural sites of all time..I would arrange for a nice van to be waiting for me outside baggage for a comfy smooth trips to Siem Reap..if I set it up myself it would be about 60.00 for a van one way..I don't know what a travel service would charge..you can check the yellow pages... http://www.yellowpages-cambodia.com/ I'm not selling them but I know that Diethelm Travel is a reliable travel company in Phnom Penh. Wishing you a wonderful trip! Debra

Regarding Debra's, dmerchant's post--When I booked the bus ticket from Indochine 2 Hotel, I was provided a free van transfer from the hotel to Mekong Express along the riverfront. It really wouldn't have been that far to walk to from our hotel.
Debra--are you saying that one needs to make their own arrangement to get to the bus station and that they charge for the van transfer?

Hi seagypsy, hope you are well.

Maybe Debra means, that you would need to pay for the transfer to Sisowarth from the airport?

I think it cost us US$5 in March '08 in a tuck-tuck.

Hi Seagypsy,
Like Betska said, I was talking about needing to get transportation from Phnom Penh International into town.
Betska is right about the rate of 5.00 for a tuk-tuk, I was basing my rate on a taxi for 1-2 which is normally 7.00 but with three people and luggage they may need to find a larger vehicle for hire which would bump the rates up a bit.

Further to this question,does anybody know if Siem Riep Airways are still flying between PnoM Penn and Siem Reap -and if they are, where do you buy a ticket,the website doesnt seem to be working

Nope :(

Still grounded due to issues found after a safety audit.

Regards

Eggboy

Siem Reap Airways has flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. I see that the web site booking is not working. But all bookings are made through Bangkok Airways anyway, so you can go to http://www.bangkokair.com/index.php and make you flight arrangements from there.

Ooops Sorry, Eggboy is right, Siem Reap Airways is not running the flights due to the safety issues.... but you can still get your flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap through Bangkok Airways.

Thanks dude. yeah try through Bangkok Airways :)