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Asia travel forum / Cambodia / Travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Author	Message
Bobobrighton newbie Posts: 2	#1 Posted: 4/4/2009 - 22:56 Hi, Can anyone recommend me the best way to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. I have heard that the boat can be dangerous and not much fun, although this was original my preferred choice. Would anyone think bus or taxi would be a better option. Thanks

Lother tuk tuk driver Posts: 180 Located in: Earth	#2 Posted: 5/4/2009 - 02:35 Well, there's plenty of buses, $6-12. Mekong Express is the more expensive but very comfortable choice, Sorya is among the cheapest. There's no particular reason to go by taxi. Some people really like the boat trip, others have felt there are better places for boating, in any case the bus is totally fine too. Helpful? +1
TonyL flashpacker Posts: 35	#3 Posted: 5/4/2009 - 09:38 Lother is spot-on. Mekong Express bus is up to good European standard,toilet on board, you get snacks and water in the price, there is a short rest stop about half way to Siem Reap, their office is at the up river end of Sissowath Quay which is very handy for most hotels and guest houses, and the whole trip takes about 5 hours. If I recall correctly they have 2 buses per day. I would give the cheaper buses a miss unless you are really on a very tight budget- they can be cramped, much slower and without the extras. Helpful? +3
dageshi tourist Posts: 55	#4 Posted: 5/4/2009 - 13:27 A word of caution on the boat, while I hadn't personally been on it, I think the water level can have a bearing on the length of the journey I presume we're in the dry season or very near it at the moment? I would ask around to see how long it will take. Personally for a distance that long I would take the Bus, I am considering the Boat to Battambang though. Helpful? 0
Bobobrighton newbie Posts: 2	#5 Posted: 5/4/2009 - 20:17 Thanks guys you've been really helpful Helpful? 0
Stigron motodop Posts: 28 Located in: Australia	#6 Posted: 2/5/2009 - 14:55 The boats are not running at the moment (as of last week) water level is too low so you are limited to bus or Taxi. Look for an alternative to Mekong Express. Toilet didn't work and there was no "snacks or hostess" onn the buss. A kid spewed in the isle and they weren't keen to clean it up. Shop around. But the trip is good. I'm glad I didn't fly. Helpful? +1
brucemoon mahout Posts: 1941 Located in: Australia	#7 Posted: 2/5/2009 - 18:16 Bobobrighton Regarding buses, last year when there I looked around at the variety of possibilities as I had doubts about Cambodian bus maintenance. I selected Mekong Express as the pick of an ordinary to worse bunch. I'd like to know if there are better options. cheers Helpful? +1 ------------------------------ An Australian Veteran globetrotting...
smkuchta flashpacker Posts: 31	#8 Posted: 5/5/2009 - 18:01 We took Capitol Tours buses from PP to Battambang and BB to Siem Reap and had no problems. Buses weren't fancy but clean (relatively) and seemed to be in decent mechanical shape. We looked at taking the boat to SR from BB but had heard horror stories about it taking up to 10 hours (and at 3x the cost of the bus). The bus got us to SR in just under 3 hours, road is paved the whole way from Sisophon to Siem Reap and our driver had a lead foot. It was interesting to be the only non-locals on both buses. Helpful? 0 ------------------------------ Travels Down the Mekong
kellyj525 longtail driver Posts: 6	#9 Posted: 11/5/2009 - 01:01 I took a smaller boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap during the dry season in Feb 2005 and loved it. The boat leaves at 7:00ish and you can get some really amazing photos, especially early on as the sun is still rising. I sat on the top, listened to music and watched the countryside by. It was awesome. Once you get to the lake there isn't anything but water to see but still worth it. Not entirely comfortable but if you are looking for a little adventure in Cambodia I say do it! The only part of the trip that is a bit difficult is the end at the port in Siem Reap. Very sad and lots of craziness going on.... but, if you are anything like myself you'll take something away from having the experience. I'm going back in October and can't wait to see what it will be like during the rainy season. I hear it is even more beautiful. Helpful? +1
kellyj525 longtail driver Posts: 6	#10 Posted: 11/5/2009 - 01:03 I took a smaller boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap during the dry season in Feb 2005 and loved it. The boat leaves at 7:00ish and you can get some really amazing photos, especially early on as the sun is still rising. I sat on the top, listened to music and watched the countryside by. It was awesome. Once you get to the lake there isn't anything but water to see but still worth it. Not entirely comfortable but if you are looking for a little adventure in Cambodia I say do it! The only part of the trip that is a bit difficult is the end at the port in Siem Reap. Very sad and lots of craziness going on.... but, if you are anything like myself you'll take something away from having the experience. I'm going back in October and can't wait to see what it will be like during the rainy season. I hear it is even more beautiful. Helpful? +2
borisborough backpacker Posts: 20	#11 Posted: 24/1/2010 - 12:34 We booked a coach for USD7 each at the travel shop right next to the King's Court Restaurant on Sisowath Quay (opposite the United Nations flag). We had a pick-up by tuk-tuk to the bus office and an air-con bus with toilet to Siem Reap. It left PP at 8:30am and arrived at SR at 2:30pm. The same travel shop also booked us into the Mekong Angkor Palace hotel in SR for USD20 per night. A great place to stay and it has a swimming pool too (perfect after temple-trekking!). The advantage was that we had a pick-up included from the bus station in SR to the hotel - it avoids the ruck! Helpful? 0
KazAussie tuk tuk driver Posts: 151	#12 Posted: 24/1/2010 - 15:50 There is also a night bus now.. not sure of the details, it started up just before Christmas 2009. Helpful? 0