Vietnam forum

Mekong Express Bus - Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh

CHISEL440

newbie
Posts: 2

Hi

Does anybody have a contact in Ho Chi Minh for booking the Mekong Express Bus from Ho Chi Minh going to Phnom Phen?

We are arriving into Ho Chi Minh and want to travel to Cambodia a day and a half later so would like to book the bus before we leave Australia.

I cannot find an email, phone or address to book through however. I have tried a few travel agents and our hotel in HM but had no success.

Any assistance would be appreciated

Regards

Peter

#1 Posted: 16/1/2008 - 12:37
somtam2000

admin
mahout
Posts: 5884
Located in:

Private message

Hi Peter,

The Mekong Express bus runs daily and there's a couple of other operators who also run the same route and I'd say a reservation from Oz was unnecessary but if you wanted to try to contact them directly, I've only got the email addresses for the Cambodian side of the operation:

Phnom Penh: mekongexpress@online.com.kh
Siem Reap: mekongexp@camintel.com

#2 Posted: 17/1/2008 - 05:59

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CHISEL440

newbie
Posts: 2

Thanks Somtam2000

I tried the email addresses that you gave me but both have bounced back saying they cannot get through.

I will keep searching.

As we are travelling with kids (10 and 11) , we want to make sure that we can get on the Mekong Express Limousine bus rather than one of the others as it has the toilet and video screen etc.
Travelling with kids is hard enough but going through Vietnam and Cambodia for six hours on a bus will be interesting!!!

Regards

Peter

#3 Posted: 17/1/2008 - 07:41
CatBa

adventurer
Posts: 349

This route is beginning to look a bit like the OpenTour between HCMC and Ha Ni.

Running brand new Korean buses (as opposed to second-hand buses on the HCMC-Ha Noi run) MEI LINH has buses on this run (both ways) running three times daily.

They leave HCMC AND Phnom Penh at 07.00, 08.00 and 14.30H.

In HCMC call: 08-829-7979 and in PP call 23-211-888.

SaiGon Transit also has a daily service in both directions.

#4 Posted: 17/1/2008 - 22:48
totoro

newbie
Posts: 2

Two questions:

1. How long does it to go from HCM to Phnom Penh via the bus option?
2. How much does it cost for Mekong Express and Korean Bus?

Thanks in advanced

#5 Posted: 14/6/2010 - 16:27
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 4001

Does the bus also run the other way - from Phnom Penh to Saigon?

#6 Posted: 14/6/2010 - 17:44

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eastwest

som tam seller
Posts: 699
Private message

There are plenty of bus companies that do this route in both ways.

In general they all have good to very good buses and service and most for a price of around $10 - $15 per person. It depends a bit on the luxury you want but in my experience for $15 you won't be hugely disappointed.
Booking in advance is not really necessary since there are so many companies doing it and they all run at least 2 times per day but most do 4-5 trips per day in either direction.

Also a lot of competition so standard and prices do not make much difference.

All buses do it in about 6 hours

I've had Mekong Express, Mai Linh and a purple bus. They were all fine and I would slightly favor the purple bus (sorry forgot the name) but there is really not much between them

#7 Posted: 16/6/2010 - 10:50
totoro

newbie
Posts: 2

@eastwest

Thanks so much for the info. Six hours!!! Wow.

Do you how safe is it the ride (in term of both accident rate and robbery)?

I'll have some luggage with me so I just want to be cautious.

#8 Posted: 17/6/2010 - 17:48
69bertie

beach masseuse
Posts: 90

Posted from within Vietnam.

Haven't heard of any accidents but no doubt they do occur, as they can elsewhere. Robbery, you make it sound like the wild west. Things are much better than that. You're usually given a ticket for the luggage if it is put in the hold, you can put bags overhead But saying that the biggest confusion point is when they stop at the destination. Far too many people milling around for my liking. It would be better if they didn't allow tuk tuk drivers and the like into the drop off area.

#9 Posted: 1/1/2011 - 09:09
medlinh11

newbie
Posts: 1

Question - for those of us traveling from PHN to HCM via bus, will we have the opportunity to purchase a Visa at the border? What should I expect from that process? I have not gotten one ahead of time and heard that its easy to get one on this route...is this so?

#10 Posted: 28/11/2011 - 05:55
Fattymac

motodop
Posts: 26

I always use the Mai Linh buses all over Vietnam (and to PP) and havent missed a beat. They have been great service.

#11 Posted: 28/11/2011 - 22:31
MotHaiBa

backpacker
Posts: 15

Medlinh11,
Pretty sure you can't get a viet visa at the border (Moc Bai/Bavet) on that bus from PP to HCM. You need to have the visa already ie go to the viet embassy in PP. On the other hand, if you are coming from HCM to PP, you can get a Cambo visa at that border crossing.
Good luck.

#12 Posted: 29/11/2011 - 15:13
gwapo

noodle lady
Posts: 41

Did the Mekong express from PP to HCMC last month. $12 if I remember correctly. The luggage was checked in securely and the hostess on board handed out cold water and snacks.There was a film showing on the TV screen.We had a 30 minute break for lunch,the border crossing was simple and the bus was good and had a toilet on board. No complaints

#13 Posted: 2/12/2011 - 10:35
lostsomewhe-
re

newbie
Posts: 1

I took the Mekong express buses from Siem Reap to PP and from PP to HCMC in September. Both journeys took about 5 -6 hours with one stop for meals. I book both buses through the guest houses I stayed in. This seemed to be standard practice and was very efficient. The cost was around $12.
In PP thebus station to HCMC is at the Psar Russei (which is not the Russian Market by the way). Make sure to tell your tuk tuk or taxi this as there are several bus stations in PP.

#14 Posted: 18/12/2011 - 11:27
Bophakhmer1

newbie
Posts: 1

I have experience with Mekong Express Bus from Ho Chi Minh city to Phnom Penh and i have continued to visit Angkor Wat, Siem Reap. I think that was a good time for me and not bored even long way because they provide good services. And hotel accommodation with good price and warm welcome.

#15 Posted: 18/12/2011 - 22:18
darrylyoung

newbie
Posts: 2

Posted from within Vietnam.

Does anyone have any contact details for Mai Linh buses? We're in HCMC at the moment and we want to take a bus down to Can Tho. I know they run and take about 5 hours because a lot of people mention them on forums but nobody has said how we get on one and from where. We're in district 1 at the moment. Any information would be great. Thanks in advance!

#16 Posted: 12/1/2012 - 08:51