Details on Siem Reap/ Angkor Wat

[katoeylover]

Can anyone tell me what is the best way to get there from Bangkok.

I know Thai flies there - is this the best way. Can you take a bus/train and how long does it take.

I guess in Cambodia you can get Visa on arrival?

Thanks

[rxpharm]

KL, Thai Airways does not fly to Siem Reap, but they do fly to the capital, Phnom Penh. Bangkok Airways does fly direct into Siem Reap.

There are many companies that offer packages to Angkor Wat either alone, or also including Phnom Penh, prices vary, so best to check with a few travel agents to get the best deal. If you want to book your own, you can as well.

I visited Angkor Wat 2 years ago and highly recommend it. I booked a 2 night 3 day trip, but I did it overland from Bkk. Not recommended if they have not fixed the highway from the Thai border to Siem Reap. About 1/2 of the trip was a teeth rattling trip in a Toyota Camry (these cannot last long with the kind of punishment it went through!).

2 nights was really not enough time, I would say 3-4 nights probably would have been better, especially if you are into history, etc.

I am not sure about visa on arrival as we had to get the visa at the border with the overland tour. I think it cost 25 USD.

I recently had a quote for Bangkok Airways to Siem Reap and it was 11610 Baht. For a 3 N/4 D package tour I had a range of 259 to 435 USD per person twin sharing. This was ranging from a 3 star hotel (Angkor Monarch) to a 5 star Sofitel Royal Angkor.

The tour itinerary as follows:

Itinerary Valid 01 Nov'06 €“ 31 Mar'07 (Code : FULREP 03)

Day 01 : Bangkok €“ Siem Reap €“ Killing Field Tour (L,D)

Arrive in Siem Reap. Transfer to & Check in at your Hotel.

Lunch at Local Restaurant. Visit Wat Thmie. The Killing field of Siem Reap.

Visit Les Artisans D'Angkor for see stone & wood carving, Lacquer ware & Furniture Making souvenir shopping as local handicraft or stone carving. Visit Local Market for Souvenir shopping as a local handicraft or stone carving.Then transfer you back to Hotel.

Dinner at local Restaurant. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 02 : Siem Reap €“ Banteay Srei - Fullday Angkor Wat Tour. (B,L,D)

Breakfast at Hotel.

This morning make an excursion to Banteay Srei. In contrast to Angkor, this site was build not

by royalty but by a notable family, on a modest scale. A confection in pink sandstone, the site

is renowned for its exquisite carving-almost all surfaces are decorated.

Visit Srah Srang,Banteay Kdei, Chua Say,Tevoda, Thommanon, and Pre Rup, East

Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean and Preah Khan. Lunch at Local Restaurant. Visit South Gate

of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace Of Elephants and Terrace of

the Leper King. Visit the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig

trees and gigantic creepers. In late afternoon visit the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat.

Return to hotel after watching the sun set at Phnom Bakheng. Dinner with Apsara Dance

Show at Restaurant.

Day 03 : Siem Reap €“ Tonle Sap €“ Lolei Group (B,L,D)

Breakfast at Hotel. Transfer to Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) Visit Floating Village, see the

people who live in the lake. Lunch at local Restaurant After that Drive to Lolei visit Bakong

Temple and Peah Ko, temple dedicated to Shiva, build by Indravarman I in the late 9th

century to honor his parents maternal grandparents and the previous king and his wife)

Visit Local Market for Souvenir shopping as a local handicraft or stone carving.

Dinner at local Restaurant.

Day 04 Siem Reap €“ Bangkok (B)

Breakfast at Hotel. Free at Leisure. Transfer to Airport for your departure flight to Bangkok


Hope this helps and better to go with someone - I had planned on two, but my companion bailed out on me. Still was worth while though! Angkor Wat is an amazing place!

[Road Runner]

Hello KL,

I've not done the trip yet but did do some research.

As Rxpharm said the road was not surfaced up to the middle of last year and I believe it is still not.  In the rainy season it's a quagmire.

There is no railway line.

The alternative to a tour is to fly there and then hire a car.
Car hire is about half the UK price and the traffic is very light and no-where near as crazy as the Thais.
Only thing is they drive on the wrong side of the road.  

RR.

[katoeylover]

Thanks for this.

When is the rainy season? probably thinking of going in october, as i dont think i'll have time this trip.

[Road Runner]

Hello KL,

I tried to come up with some decent easy to read climate information but did not have much luck.  Here's what I found  Cambodia

You should have little problem with rain from November through to August.  I would avoid September or October  
Temperature wise October to February are about the best and the sun will not be so hot climbing around the ruins.
The airfares are lowest in November or March  

I'd say forget October but late November would probably be a good time.

RR.

[Torurot]

TalesOfAsia.com Follow the abc guide for going to Siem Reap via overland from Thailand. It's definitely worth a visit. Get a three day pass, passport photo required. Marginally cheaper to get your visa in Bangkok than at the border, no waiting, which means you get first pick on the taxis as lots of others will also be trying to get em. The 2nd class evry person bus arrives b4 the first class tourist bus and stops at some much better for Thai people food places.

You can spend Bhat all over that part of Cambodia and SMALL denomination USD bills.

[Snick]

Fly Bangkok Air to Siam Reap -- traveling from Phnom Penn is annoying.
( I know you -- you are not a 6+ hour bus trip from bangkok w a bunch of Khao San hippies kind of guy )

You can get a Visa on arrival, but bring some passport size photos.

Best bet is to get a PRIVATE guide with a car to show you around, make sure it is private you do not want to be part of a tour group.

Hotels around Siam Reap fall into two categories cheap and expensive, and you don't want cheap. Use http://www.tripadvisor.com/ to find a good hotel.

Using a tour company to sell you a package can work out to be cheaper than doing it your self, try http://www.pinkroseholidays.com/newpinkrose/ . I suggest calling / emailing and telling them exactly what you want (private licensed guide w/ car) and a list of hotels you like.

3 Full days was fine for me, even 2 1/2 (fly in early, half day, then 2 full days).

DO Ride the elephant into the main gate -- its hokey but worth it.

Get a book on Angkor or research online, there are some out of the way sites that you might want to see, but you have to tell the guide.

I once went in June, rain was not a big problem. Only one big burst that lasted an hour, but cooled everything off, and the place looked great after the rain. But October is probably rainier.

[divertwo]

I did Siem Reap as well as Phnom Pem in October 18--25, 2006...no rain and nice weather. I like PP as it is a bit "Wild West" and of course good history......flew from PP to Siem Reap on Asia Air I believe.....got a motorcycle taxi from Siem Reap airport to my hotel and kept him for 2 days....$10/day for anywhere I wanted to go.......also met a nice LB in Siem Reap and spent 2 nights with her.........no luck in the LB activity in PP...so you may have to settle for real girls

[moe666]

Did Siem Reap with daughter several years ago and had a great time. The rainey season jives with Thailands. Stayed in a small hotel across from the market owned by a Belgium fellow married to a Cambodian. Hotel furnished a car and driver with a tour guide who spoke pretty good English. we stayed for 5 days and 4 nights and I think the cost for hotel, car, driver, and guide came to about 3 or 4 hundred dollars for 2 of us daughter had her own room.
The tour guide kept saying that Siem Reap means defeat of the Thais and also they really don't like the Vietnmease who stayed on after the Vietnamease went home.

[Guest]

I live in Phnom Penh and firstly I've got to say that there has been a big improvement in the LB scene and I will hopefully post some pictures for you all soon.

As regards Siem Reap, we are currently in the start of the rainy season here just now and as regards to travel I would suggest you get a return Air Asia return flight from BK to PP (for less than $100) and get a bus from here to Siem Reap, the road is good, it's an easy 6 hours in an aircon bus and includes a quick break for food. Cost is as little as $6 for the bus

[dummy_plug]

$6 for the bus ride to Siem Reap? Wow, that's very cheap! Is there a certain bus service you would recommend? I'm def. considering hitting up Siem Reap and PP within the next year or two.

[Snick]

I want to hear about the PP, Siam Reap LB scene !!!

[divertwo]

I'd like to hear that too.....my Oct 06 experience in PP when I asked about LBs was..." we don't want any fags like that around here"....so I'm glad that things may be changing

[azza33]

I travelled to Cambodia last april....

I flew Air Asia to pnom pehn (very cheap flights) from bangkok

Then took privtae taxi from phnom penh to siam reap costs US 40-50 for decent private car for 300 km trip.... absolutely crazy drive.... u'll shit urself.....

I stayed in golden orange hotel in Siam Reap.... nice little place... basic, new very clean for US$20 per night (they have website)

flew back to bangkok on Bangkok airways from Bangkok


All up-- it was in aussie dollar....

bkk-phnom penh $70AUD
siem reap -bkk $170AUD

http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/index.php

you can apply for electronic visa via this website
- it very easy & professional

E-visa access to Cambodia took less than 5 mintues after landing and avoid all cues for on arrival for visas

[azza33]

(azza33 @ Jun. 13 2007,19:57) flew back to bangkok on Bangkok airways from Bangkok

oops....

flew back to bangkok from siem reap on bangkok airways