pinhead
newbie
Posts: 1

#1 Posted: 21/5/2007 - 22:16


Hi

I'm travelling to Cambodia in July (wet season!) and wanted to cross into Thailand at the above crossing. Does anyone know if the overland trip from Siam Reap is a nightmare or bearable? I've read it can be impassable!

somtam2000
admin
mahout
Posts: 2919

Located in:
Indonesia

#2 Posted: 22/5/2007 - 06:58


Hi pinhead,

This trip is covered in detail in our story Travelling from Bangkok to Siem Reap.

ernieh
noodle lady
Posts: 49

#3 Posted: 22/5/2007 - 20:04


Hi pinhead,

Last week, I took a mini van from Siem Reap to Battanbang and the road was very bumpy and muddy from the rainfall. Half of the journey is on the same road as Poipet to SR. The road from Poipet to SR is under constrution.

I would skip this option and pay the extra money to fly with Air Asia (www.airasia.com) to Phnom Penh. The flight costs around BHT 2,000 including all taxes. The flight arrives early morning so you would still have time to catch the midday bus from PP to SR.
In addtion, you don't have to deal with the hassles at the Thai/Cambodia border crossing and the possible bus/mini van changes.

Ernie

Roving_Roo
noodle lady
Posts: 45

#4 Posted: 22/5/2007 - 20:04


Hi Pinhead,

The best way to make this crossing would be to try to be at hte crossing when the Khao San Road buses are not (i.e. arrive anytime between 12-1pm and you will take an age getting through). If you have your visa in advance you will basically walk right though, showing your passport to those that need to see it and ignoring all else who shout about helping you. If you don't have your visa already then be prepared to pay 1,000B instead of the stated US$25. The officials will tell you that you will have to wait for four hours to get your visa for this price, but usually give in after about 20mins.

Once in Cambodia you have two options; goverment bus or taxi. Taxi is by far the quickest and more comfortable option. Walk by rate $60, pre arranged with your guesthouse will be $45 but they will probably need to know who is going to be in the taxi in advance. If you are plannign on trying to haggle the driver down from $60 with other travellers then group up before you cross the border and don't allow anyone to help you arrange the taxi-this will just mean you have to pay their helper fee in the price-talk to drivers and see what they will give you.

Currently its raining most days and its taking about 4 hours in the taxis rather than the optimum 2.5-3hours.

You will be fine if you have some sort of an idea what to expect. The Tales of Asia website gives good advice on this crossing too.

Good luck!