Phnom Penh to Siam Reap

Hey guys,

We are traveling to Ho Chi Minh City in November this year and from there planning to take the bus to Phnom Penh and then bus again to Siam Reap.

Just a few questions:

1. We are planning to stay in Phnom Penh for 2 1/2 days and Siam Reap for 3 1/2 days. Will that be enough to see all the sights in both cities?

2. Not sure what hotel we will be staying at yet. Researching around for accommodation. Very impressed with The Villa Siam Reap. Especially with their set tours as well. Can anyone else recommend this place?

3. We are going to take the Sapaco Bus from PP to SR. Will our 15kg - 20kg luggage be able to fit on the bus with no problems? Is there a storage compartment below the bus or do we have to try to fit it with us in the bus itself? Or is it much better to take the Apsara Khmer Travel van instead from PP to SR?

Thanks heaps.

Phnom Penh to Siam Reap

Your timeframe for PP and SR seem about right for a quick overview visit which will take in most of the popular sights.

In PP we stayed at Billabong Hotel and in SR we stayed at Day Inn. Both have swimming pools and for the price were good value. I would not hesitate to stay at either next visit.

Mekong Express bus has very good reviews for travel in Cambodia and we were very happy with their service. You luggage on their service would not be a problem.

We have some pics and stories of our trip here... www.bobandjanette.com which may prove useful

Happy %26amp; safe travels

Phnom Penh to Siam Reap

Your luggage will fit with no problem in the Sapaco bus or even in the Apsara van. Take the Apsara van. It seats only 15 passengers and travels faster than the big bus of Sapaco, Both cost $12.00 for the trip. The Apsara van has two trips : at 7am and at 4pm. Yake the 7am trip as this allows you to arrive at 1pm with enough time to check into your hotel and buy the ticket to the temples at 5pm. Yhe entrance to the nearby temple is free after 5pm so you see the sunset in the nearby temple for free.

Go not forget to see the insects on sale at the midway point where the bus or van stops. I tried the mole cricket and once you get it in your mouth and out of sight, it was actually yummy!

Your 6 days itinerary should spend more time in SP (4 days) and 3 in PP.

From HCMC consider taking the Mekong River tours which exits in PP and is offered by many tour operators.

I took the the Sinh Cafe tour 2 weeks ago (www.sinhcafevn.com) and had no regrets. They even threw in a promo for a free night in their hotel at PP which I took advantage of.

While still in HCMC, I was able to email my hotel in PP to cancel one night whch they accepted. My hotels in PP and SP were booked using emails two months prior to my arrival and I did not have to provide my credit card details. I just confirmed my arrival a week before to give them confidence that I an arriving. In fact, I also emailed them 2 days prior to arriving so they kept my room without any problem.

Correction : spend 4 days in SR and 2 in PP.

Thankyou for the tips and advice BobandJeanette and MountOlympus.

Looks like now I will take the Sapaco or Mekong Express bus from HCMC to PP and the Apsara bus from PP to SR.

Is it best to book the bus in advance back home before I go or can I book once I arrive there?

Book when you arrive. At the moment there is no method of booking prior to your arrival.

Most hotels/guesthouses can get your bus tickets the day before. Or you can go directly to their office.

Hi MountOlympus,

Can you please give me more info about Apsara minivan ?

I have tried to find anything about this kind of transport, but I could not find anywhere.

Where is their office ?

How you can book a ticket ?

etc.

I do appreciate for any info.

zskin

Hi zskin,

It my Guesthouse who recomemded the Apsara Khmer Travel van. I did not keep my tickets so I am unable to tell you how to get in touch with them.

You can easily book with them using your hotel or guesthouse. My guesthouse had blank tickets for the Apsara Khmer Travel ( as well as the Sapaco bus Co) My ticket was booked the afternoon prior to my trip the next day. The guesthouse simply called their office to determine what seats were available and the guesthouse simply filled up the date, seat number, etc. In fact I paid the guesthouse for the cost of the tickets both for Apsara which I took to and from Siem Trap and for Sapaco which I took from PP to HCMC. Both Apsara and Sapaco picked me up from my guesthose 30 minutes prior to my departure. Very efficient booking system.

Thanks MountOlympus,

I will contact with my hotel and I will ask them about this van.

But I`m thinking to fly instead of being on a road for 5 hours.

Our time is very limited.

Is it a good experience to go by bus, or just a usual boring bus ride ?

I can`t decide :-))

Thanks,

zskin

Hi, for you to experience the country - I would recommend to go by bus instead of flight though it much conveniences.

For Apsara Khmer Travel Van... I really have no idea. Better stick with Mekong Express for all your trip. My recommendation!

My wife and i flew from PP to SR last nov, it was easy and fast 35min. If u r guna catch a bus make sure its a good one, we bused from kampot to PP for 3.5 hrs and it was bumppy. 3days is plenty in SR, ther is only so much walking u can do. Safe travels.

oily skin