Bankok to Phnom Penh
 

Hi,

We plan to tour around (rent a bike) Cambodia in a few months. When looking at flights, it is much cheaper to fly to Bangkok then it is to Phnom Penh.

How is easy is it to get from Bangkok to Phnom Penh? Overland, with public transport.

Normally I wouldn't doubt and go to Bangkok, save myself a few hundred $ and enjoy the ride. But this time time is limited (only have 3 weeks) and I don't fancy losing precious days sitting on buses. So I am actually considering forking out the extra $ ...

Any feedback appreciated!

BKK to PP
 

Hi, to get from BKK to PP using public transport, first get to the bus station Mo Chit Mai (sp) get the bus to Trat then the mini bus to the border. Then either a moto taxi or car to Kho Khong there is now a bus running from Kho Khong to PP or if there are 4 of you hire a taxi from Kho Khong to PP. I have done the journey a few times its painless. Cost .... from memory bus to Trat 300 baht mini bus to border 120 baht taxi to PP $80 whole car.

Hope this helps

Excellent info, thanks! How long should I account for the trip?

I think you might be able to do it in one day if everything works out, but two days would be the best bet.

If you want faster, Air Asia flyes BKK to Phnom Penh and it's not expensive...

Having done this myself a couple of times, I would suggest you fly...

Once again excellent info! Considering the time won flying seems to be the best option. 89USD one way pp according to the air asia website.

From your experience, do you think we can just hop on a flight upon arriving or would booking be a safer bet?

thanks again, great feedback!

I think getting a ticket a the airport shouldn't be much of a problem, of course it depends a bit on the season an the tourist crowds. When I was traveling around there I never had an Air Asia Flight which was more then 2/3 full...

On the other hand I think booking at the airport might end up being more expensive. As far as I remember Air Asia prices seemed to rise as closer as you got the the actual departure. Booking a couple of months in advance was dead cheap (you could get BKK - PHN for 20 to 30$) and booking the week of the departure was considerably more expensive.

I'd guess the best would be to book in advance as soon as you can. Then again my intell is more than two years old, so this might have changed...

Greets
buebo

BKK to PP
 

When costing the air route check the departure tax from Thailand use to be 500 baht but is more now I believe, if you return by air to Thailand check Cambodian departure tax, none of these taxes apply if travelling overland. Overland route would be a full long day..though you would of course see more, road from Kho Khong to PP passes through wilderness jungle and 4 river crossings ( sadly now bridges)

Regards jimmy

Yeah I biked the Koh kong road a year ago expecting a 8 hour mud bath, but it was a very pleasant road, quite picturesque and quiet, only taking about 90 minutes from Koh Kong town to the main highway from Sihanoukeville to PP.

On the same trip I did Koh Chang to PP in one day (10 hours) including ferries, stops, border crossing and torrential rain showers for the last 80km. Its about 500km

Recommend you get a flight on air Asia early as the prices go up nearer the time. If you check the prices for todays flights it will give an idea of what the cost of last minute bookings are. Don't forget taxes about $55 each way.

Cambodian entry visa is $25 you can get this in advance on line or at the airport for $30

Departure tax at Thailand is included in the ticket price these days, Cambodia is $25 if you are considering flying out.

When are you coming? I have a Suzuki DR250 for sale in PP. regularly serviced by Tony at two wheels only, fabulous condition.

A thread regarding buying bikes in the region

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...otorbike-37410


Renting in PP will cost either $15 per day with the rental companies like lucky lucky or $25 with Tony he also has a DRZ400 for $35 per day. You need to leave your passport with them. Perhaps Tony would allow a renter to leave a deposit rather that a passport (You will need $2,000 deposit mind you).

Tony looks after his bikes and it is well worth the extra, the other shops do not. He will assist if you get into trouble or break down.

Just to let you know, you cannot hire anything above 110cc in Siem Reap or Sihanoukville as rentals are forbidden, although a few guesthouses still rent mopeds though.

Recommend you buy a local sim card for a couple of bucks so you can communicate with somebody who can help you if you go up country.

I booked a flight with air-asia. Worked out to be 68US$ for a return flight including taxes, supersize luggage and whatnot.

Can't beat that I guess.

My booking via airasia.com was first blocked by my credit card company. I even had a call from the anti-fraud unit as apparantly it was a "suspicious transaction". Seems like airasia has a bad rep if it comes to (online) payments.

For the bike, I'll probably go for this Tony as he seems to have a solid reputation when it comes to renting bikes.