Cambodia ...

DUKE

here I come! Only booked flights so far to Phnom Penh, & am planning on staying mostly in Siem Reap. Discuss, all info will be gratefully received

richardw

How are you getting from the capital to Siem Reap?

FBaby

Please report back, planning on going next year.

bagby

Would also be interested in replies so have subscribed to thread. Can't fathom out wher to fly from and to, how to travel in Cambodia and Vietnam and best time to travel.

forklifttruck

Take the train if you have time to travel across the country, otherwise fly in and out. The roads are bad and coach travel is uncomfortable and takes ages.

Get hold of as many low denomination USD as possible.

MUM40

We went last year to vist a family member who works in kampot, so will give some brief information.

From phnom phen you can either get a taxi, around 60 US Dollars, or get a local bus, but these buses are limited time. Travel time is around three hours. Would suggest that you get internal flight to Siem Reap.

For local tourist attractions then use the tuck tucks, but negotiate the fair first.
Have plenty of 1 dollar notes for tips, by tipping goes a long way with the locals.
We went towards the end of September, and the weather was good, just one night of rains and thunderstorms that cleared the next day.

We only stayed in kampot and phnom phen, so can give you details of tourist attractions that we visited if you wish

blindman

DUKE wrote: »

here I come! Only booked flights so far to Phnom Penh, & am planning on staying mostly in Siem Reap. Discuss, all info will be gratefully received

Went to Cambodia in late May this year, at the end of the Vietnam trip

Flew into Siem Reap first, then got a Bus to Pnomh Penh
Think it cost $8 each one way. Loads to choose from, easy to buy tickets-but not from your hotel!

Took about 3 1/2 hrs-Not too bad-I've had worst!

Booked hotels through Booking.com, really cheap TBHO.

Siem reap
Need 3- 4 days to see ALL temples-though after day 2 it get a bit boring TBHO :cool:
Easy to hire a Tuk-tuk + driver for about 15$ per day who will take you anywhere and wait for you.
They have a 3-day Temple itinerary mapped out.
3 day pass for temples is $66 IIRC-Cash...Go late in the evening as no crowds and you can use the pass that evening-before the 3 days start.
Ankor What-Sunrise-Don't bother-Better to see at sunset.

PP
Possibly 3 nights max-Killing fields can be done in one day, then it's just a big city.

Haggle-First quoted price is usually 75% too high :cool:

As has been said-Take $$-they are accepted everywhere and easier to work the exchange rate as the £1 = 5324 Cambodia Riel!

When you arrive in PP you will need to buy a Visa on arrival-In Cash-With $$

Enjoy.

MUM40

Visa was USD 30 last year.
Also need to take two passport photos for arrival in Phnom Phen.
Can't remember if you need to fill in a visa form so have a pen handy x

blindman

MUM40 wrote: »

Visa was USD 30 last year.
Also need to take two passport photos for arrival in Phnom Phen.
Can't remember if you need to fill in a visa form so have a pen handy x

Photos not needed but they will charge you $10 if you do not have them IIRC.

There were visa forms on arrival at Siem Reap BUT I think the airline can give you them so you can beat the Queues.

Fairly quick to get the visa at Siem Reap-but a longish wait to get through immigration control.

No idea about PP arrival.

PompeyPete

MUM40 wrote: »

Visa was USD 30 last year.
Also need to take two passport photos for arrival in Phnom Phen.
Can't remember if you need to fill in a visa form so have a pen handy x

On the flight into PP you should be given three almost identical forms to complete, and you need to surrender them in this order...

- Visa on arrival application.
- Immigration form.
- Customs declaration.

The visa desk, which is the first one you come to can be a bit of a scrum, keep your ears peeled, and make sure you hand over the correct amount of US$...

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia/entry-requirements

At the Immigration desk you get finger-printed, goodness knows how often the screen is cleaned. Make sure you have a small bottle of medicated hand sanitizer handy.

Once you clear all the formalities, and collected your bags you'll come to the transport desks. An interesting introduction to PP is to get a fixed-price tuk tuk to you hotel.....costs less than US$10 and is a fun ride.

Best place to change money in town is at one of the Canadia Bank branches, ditto in Siem Reap. Make sure your £sterling notes are in good condition, no rips or pen marks on them.....and make sure that the US$ you receive are also in good condition.

If you pay for something in US$ any change will probably be in Cambodian Riel, which are plastic notes and invariably in good condition. Use them for tips and small purchases. The US$ is the defacto currency, and works out something like $ = 4,500 Riel.

Cambodia is a lovely country, the people are very welcoming, and want you to see places that perhaps you wouldn't normally want to see.....like the Killing Field, and S21 Genocide Museum in PP. KF is very tastefully presented for a place with a grim name, and S21 Genocide Musem is a raw experience.....but go.

Because what happened during the Pol Pot era in the 1970 is still living history, you'll also need to prepare yourself for sights of people minus an arm or a leg, or both.

Try not to be tempted to give to anyone begging, there are organisations in the country that look after very poor people. While giving might make you feel good, all it does is encourage them and most beggars have to hand their money over to a non too pleasant minder.

PompeyPete

richardw wrote: »

How are you getting from the capital to Siem Reap?

The best bus company between PP and SR is Giant Ibis...

http://giantibis.com/

Two comfort stops on the way, plus a lunch stop of about 45 minutes.