Cambodia forum

Hi Liam

I did this in reverse a couple of weeks ago (PP to Koh Chang). It cost $20 USD.
Our first bus broke down so in all it took us around 14hrs, I think it should have been around 10hrs. There plenty of agencies on Koh Chang offering through bus tickets. The border crossing is a breeze, although there are stories on here of the Cambodian border officials charging extra for 'overtime' etc.

Have a fun trip

Pete

Actually I really liked the bus journey. The scenery is amazing and no bus journey in Cambodia is particularly boring! but 14 hrs did get a little tiresome.

We stopped on Chai Chet beach. It was very quiet, but we were on our honeymoon so that didn't particularly bother us. I like Koh Chang. People say it's over developed but compared to most holiday destinations in Europe it's positively quaint!

I'm sure lonely beach can get pretty lively. I spoke to a couple who stayed out until 3am there and had to walk back to Kai Bae because the taxis had stopped running.

Have fun

Pete

Posted from within Vietnam.

Re lisalisa Firstly Otres beach isn't in Phnom Penh,it's in Sihanoukville ,there are no beaches in Phnom Penh!Although you can take a Thai registered car into Cambodia,I doubt it's worth the time and expense to do so with a taxi.If there is an organised bus through from Koh Chang to Sihanoukville I'd take it,it will be a lot less hassle than trying to organise it independently.Or,go to Koh Kong in Cambodia,via the Had Lek border crossing South of Trat,and get a bus to Sihanoukville .One bus leaves at around 13.00,it cost about 8USD,and takes about 4 hours.The Cambodian officials here at the border are notorious for overcharging,the true cost of a visa is 20USD,but they want 1200THB (40USD) and are reluctant to drop their demands.If you insist on paying less,you may have to wait a while for the visa.Don't let the "helpers" fill out the paperwork for you,it's not necessary,and they will want money for doing it.Unfortunately,this border crossing is not a very welcoming place to first experience Cambodia

hi Liam, normally it take around 9 hours ( from Phnom Penh to Koh Kong it take around 5 to 6 hours as it is the mountain zone so the bus could not go fast anyhow it is a very awesome view along the road to koh kong, i can guarantee you will feel like me ) and the rest of time you will continue your trip from Koh Kong Border to Koh Chang (actually the bus will stop at ferry pier ). For cross border from cambodia to thailand now it's been easier then before as there is no more conflict so it's good enough for traveler like us just get ready for your passport, thai visa and money into your account that's it . For the bus ticket I would recommend you to check with the travel agency that i have ever contact and u can find them at laroute-angkor.com
i got the best price and services up there..

Cheer Liam

Im surprised that you are finding Lonely Beach quiet. I have stayed there a few times and it has always been full of backpackers. Siam Huts seems to be very popular of an evening.
To get to Sihanoukville i would suggest that you go into any of the small tourist agencies in Lonely Beach and book a mini bus to Hat Lek- the Cambodian border. Cost about $15 at the most. Pick ups from the hotels vary from about 7am to 10am. There is a ferry journey en route to the mainland that takes about 45 mins so you have a break from the bus. Time from mainland to Hat Lek is about 2 hours. !00 metres to Cambodia border. Join with somebody to share a tuk tuk or taxi to Koh Chang as there is a real rip off by the drivers who seem to all have a fixed price of $10 into Koh Chang from the Immigration post. Bargaining does not seem to work. My advice is to stay in Koh Kong overnight - I stayed at the Asian Hotel - about $12 for a cheap double but plenty of small guest housed about. Go to the main street and find the Verak Buntham bus office. Book a ticket to Sihanoukville for the next morning. They will pick you up at your hotel or guest house - depature about 8.00am. Trip to Sihanoukville is roughly 4 - 5 hours with a break of about 30 mins. en route. At the new bus terminal in Sihanoukville join with a couple of others and get a tuk tuk -about $ 4-5 with a bit of bargaining- to the Golden Lion monument . Numerous guest houses around there and on road down to Serendipity beach - all very easy walking distance. Enjoy your trip.

Sorry about that - I seem to have hit the "blast off" button 3 times!!