Laos forum

Vientiane to Siem Reap

rsawyer5

longtail driver
Posts: 7

Has anyone recently traveled from Vientiane to Siem Reap over land? I have a limited amount of time which is one of the reasons that I am not flying. That and the less than stellar flight record of Lao airlines. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to make this trip as efficient as possible? Thanks

#1 Posted: 15/6/2008 - 17:23
rsawyer5

longtail driver
Posts: 7

Yes I did contradict myself in the earlier message. To clarify I am trying to save time, BUT I am considering not flying Lao air. Thanks for the help

#2 Posted: 15/6/2008 - 18:08
Rufus

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"That and the less than stellar flight record of Lao airlines." Perhaps you can explain this comment. I have flown Lao Air more than 30 times and never had a problem.

#3 Posted: 15/6/2008 - 19:48
rsawyer5

longtail driver
Posts: 7

http://www.travelfish.org/feature/50

#4 Posted: 15/6/2008 - 19:52
somtam2000

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Hi,

Ahh, I need to update that story as there's a few bits of it that are out of date now, but the original intention of the story was to encourage people to fly Lao Airlines... like rufus - I wouldn't hesitate to fly them.

In answer to your question, quickest overland route is overland through Thailand, but you're looking at at least a day and a half travel as I'm not sure you could do it in a day.

Personally, if there was nowhere I planned ot break the journey up at, I'd fly.

#5 Posted: 16/6/2008 - 16:55

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rsawyer5

longtail driver
Posts: 7

Thank you very much for the clarification. I would much rather fly to save some time. Thanks.

#6 Posted: 16/6/2008 - 20:32
rmb

longtail driver
Posts: 9

How long would it take to get from Vietiane to Cambodia if you went down to Paske/Champasak went through the islands and into Cambodia that way?

#7 Posted: 3/7/2008 - 13:44
somtam2000

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Without stopping, you can get an overnight bus from Vientiane to Pakse and then leave next morning for Phnom Penh arriving there late afternoon/early evening depending on connections.

#8 Posted: 3/7/2008 - 21:36

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boltocj

newbie
Posts: 2

Hi,

I too was wondering about getting to Phnom Penh from Vientiane/Paske as I don't really want to fy as I'm scared of flying! The flight over to Asia in the first place will be hard enough!I've seen you can get a bus down through Laos to the border but how easy is it after that? Any info owuld be appreciated!

#9 Posted: 24/8/2008 - 06:56
somtam2000

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Crossing the Lao/Cambodia border is straightforward. See this story for more information.

#10 Posted: 24/8/2008 - 18:37

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rhymeandrea-
son

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I'm weighing up the merits of overland v. flight in the opposite direction - Siem Reap to Vientiane. Do all flights go via Paske and does anyone know how much the flight costs and whether it's best to book in advance or in Siem Reap ?

#11 Posted: 1/9/2008 - 00:24
somtam2000

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I'd say it's only worth doing overland if you're planning on breaking the trip up and seeing places along the way.

For flight info, best to check the Lao Airlines website.

#12 Posted: 1/9/2008 - 07:23

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jsibbald

newbie
Posts: 1

Hi

Is it cheaper/easier to book a flight from Vientiane to Siem Reap in Laos or over the internet before leaving? I am having trouble finding prices for these flights too any ideas? Thanks

#13 Posted: 17/9/2008 - 12:31
rsawyer5

longtail driver
Posts: 7

Hey Ive just returned from my trip and Laos is spectacular. I booked a flight from Vientiann to Siem Reap through a travel agent. I bought the Bangkok airways discovery pass which gives you three flights for about 500. I was concerned flying Laos airlines but the flight was great. Also to answer an earlier question all flights go through Pakse so if you are flying from Vientianne you wind up making a few flighst in a row: Vientianne-Luang P- Pakse - Siem Reap .

#14 Posted: 17/9/2008 - 19:21
ktb690

newbie
Posts: 4

Everything you guys put up is extremely helpful. This site is amazing. I was wondering if anyone had a price quote on the land route. Right now it looks like the only thing is a $150 flight from Siem Reap to Vientianne, but if the land route of overnight bus and such is significantly cheaper, I would prefer to just take that and save some money.

Thanks for your help.

#15 Posted: 11/5/2009 - 23:04
ktb690

newbie
Posts: 4

Everything you guys put up is extremely helpful. This site is amazing. I was wondering if anyone had a price quote on the land route. Right now it looks like the only thing is a $150 flight from Siem Reap to Vientianne, but if the land route of overnight bus and such is significantly cheaper, I would prefer to just take that and save some money.

Thanks for your help.

#16 Posted: 11/5/2009 - 23:04
ktb690

newbie
Posts: 4

Everything you guys put up is extremely helpful. This site is amazing. I was wondering if anyone had a price quote on the land route. Right now it looks like the only thing is a $150 flight from Siem Reap to Vientianne, but if the land route of overnight bus and such is significantly cheaper, I would prefer to just take that and save some money.

Thanks for your help.

#17 Posted: 11/5/2009 - 23:04
smkuchta

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Posts: 72

Not the shortest route but we are part way through that route as we speak. We were in Siem Reap last week and are currently in Pakse and will be heading to Vientianne this weekend.

All prices are approximate in USD.

1. Angkor Express Bus from Siem Reap - Phnom Penh - 5hrs, ~$9
2. Phnom Penh Sorya Transport morning Bus from PP to Stung Treng - 10 hours ~$10
3. Minibus from Stung Treng to Cambodia Border, another minibus from Lao side of Border to Don Khone and boat to Don Khone was 3hr trip and all booked on one ticket $15 (u should be able to get this for about $10 we found out later). There were a couple of people going to Pakse and not the 4000 islands. Not sure what they paid but would have been another 2.5hours probably.
4. Don Khone boat then transfer to minibus and on to Pakse 3 hours - $7

We are still in Pakse but I checked today and the overnight sleeping bus is ~$18 to Vientianne

Add it all up and it was about $40 each. You could probably do it cheaper if you did it all on "local" transport but we like a bit of comfort and the local transport would be even longer. All our buses were nice/clean/reliable and the minibuses were only about half full.

This is a long haul and if you aren't planning on stopping anywhere for more than a night then it is probably quicker to go via Thailand to Vientianne.

You also need a Lao Visa ahead of time if crossing via Cambodia but those can be obtained same day (for a $10 "express" fee in PP)

#18 Posted: 12/5/2009 - 19:39

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cheeco

motodop
Posts: 29

Posted from within Vietnam.

Just wondering- did you book all these tickets through a travel agent or hotel/guest house? Any recommendations on good travel agents in Cambodia? Thanks!

#19 Posted: 4/12/2009 - 20:46
cheeco

motodop
Posts: 29

Posted from within Vietnam.

Just wondering- did you book all these tickets through a travel agent or hotel/guest house? Any recommendations on good travel agents in Cambodia? Thanks!

#20 Posted: 4/12/2009 - 20:46