Cambodia

[thegarangtourist]

TheGarangTourist: Travel Itinerary Planner

We've been reading about all your travel woes (#firstworldproblems) and would just like to say that we at TheGrangTourist provide an itinerary planning service at a minimal cost + we've done itineraries for Cambodia/Vietnam before. Just google "The garang tourist" and click on the first link!

 

[tshany]

Took the new bus company from SR-PP called Giant Ibis last august, booked through hotel at $13. Stayed in Bunwin Boutique hotel in SR, nice little place.

It would be great to stay at least 3 days in SR. In PP, 1.5 days is all you need to cover the major attractions.

 

[artery]

Hi,

I'm planning a 10 days++ trip to Cambodia around Vesak Day. My main agenda is to enjoy the sun, sands and seas at the southwestern coasts. I read that Sihanoukville is the gateway to the beaches. Would like to know experiences and precautions, if any, that you can share regarding the transport, accommodations, cost of ferry to nearby islands and any accommodation there etc. Budget-wise: clean and cheap
And how is scuba diving there?

Another thing I came across are agencies organising adventure tours (trekking, cycling) that last for a few days. They are a bit pricy to me, starting from USD385 for a 4 day tour, but really tempted to try. Wonder if anyone has try these tours before and is it worth it. Here's the website: Adventure Cambodia - Home - Adventure Travel Info Tours Kayaking Scuba Trekking cycling river boat trips

Thanks!

 

[Bak_Chor_Mee]

though i have been to sihanouk, i cant advise u much on sihanoukville as i nv taken the ferry to the outlying island..

alternatively, u may wanna post your qn on tripadvisor forum for faster response.

cheers

 

[amigoeva]

i'm planning a 5d solo trip to cambodia currently and torn between going to siem reap only, or siem reap + phnom penh

for those who has travelled there, is it safe for females to roam around alone in both cities?

 

[Bak_Chor_Mee]

Hi 5 days seem short for both, but still can be done as PP only need one day to explore. But you will be very rush. If u r not in temple hunting in SR, u can choose to go PP, else u will be burnt out from covering the temples im SR only hehe.

Do pay a visit to tripadvisor forum and pose your qns there. The advices provided by them are very good and useful. Cheers

 

[beanstalk6]

5 days are sufficient. I visited both destinations in 4 days. You need 2 nights in Siem Reap, as a minimum, so that you can at least go on the minor circuit in the day between those 2 nights to visit the Angkor Wat temples. Try to fly between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to save time.

 

[suangern]

PP to SR by bus is about 6-7 hours.

Angkor temple one day pass USD20, three days pass USD 40, don't have two days pass.

 

[BLACKSTRANGER]

Hi,

I'll be travelling to SR via PP in the coming end of June.

Would like to know how is the basic expenditure like over there? Eg. cost of transport from airport to hotel or via places of interest and food prices.

Any recommendations for their must-try local food?

Much thanks!

 

[suangern]

Hi,

I'll be travelling to SR via PP in the coming end of June.

Would like to know how is the basic expenditure like over there? Eg. cost of transport from airport to hotel or via places of interest and food prices.

Any recommendations for their must-try local food?

Much thanks!

Hotel range from USD 5 to 100.
Usually your hotel will provide tpt from SR airport to hotel, free.
Angkor wat entrance fee USD20 for 1 day pass, USD40 for 3 days pass.
Getting around the temples, usually by tuk tuk USD15-25, more people can hire tour bus.
Food prices, USD2-5 in kopitiams, more in restaurants.
Downtown SR can walk around at night, got night market, pubs.

 

[myben5]

Maybe cycle to Angkor Wat from SR
Road flat, less traffic, easy to cycle

 

[Mockingnobird]

Hi,

I would like to ask fellow travellers here who visited cambodia before, is it better to visit Phnom penh first then siam reap or vice versa? Any difference?

The reason I asked is because i'm planning to visit both places alone for about 7-8 days from 22nd July onward. Would like to know before i purchase my air tickets. Tickets to Phnom Pneh seems cheaper than siam reap.

Thanks!

 

[beanstalk6]

It may not matter. You can fly to one and return from the other, bridging the 2 overland or by boat.

 

[djchris]

Doesn't make a big difference. Either direction is okay.

A few tips here:

Angkor Wat at Siem Reap
1) Visit the Angkor Museum first before going to Angkor Wat. The audio guide and the self-guided tour in the museum helps you understand what you will see at Angkor Wat.
2) Share rides to Angkor Wat. Tuk tuk drivers charge around USD 20 for the trip and you can carpool up to 4 people.
3) Central Market must really haggle. If you can't get the price you want, walk off because you'll probably find the same item in another stall.

Battambang (must-go!)
1) The bamboo train ride and bat caves are a must-see in Battambang
2) I stayed in Where Be Dragon hostels where shared dorms are only USD2 per night.

Phnom Penh
1) Try to cover the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields in one day. Visit the Museum at 9.30am, walk around until 10am and go for the free documentary screening. After that can spend the second half of the day at the Killing Fields.

I blogged about my experiences in Cambodia here.
Cambodia | My Solo Travels

Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[Mockingnobird]

Doesn't make a big difference. Either direction is okay.

A few tips here:

Angkor Wat at Siem Reap
1) Visit the Angkor Museum first before going to Angkor Wat. The audio guide and the self-guided tour in the museum helps you understand what you will see at Angkor Wat.
2) Share rides to Angkor Wat. Tuk tuk drivers charge around USD 20 for the trip and you can carpool up to 4 people.
3) Central Market must really haggle. If you can't get the price you want, walk off because you'll probably find the same item in another stall.

Battambang (must-go!)
1) The bamboo train ride and bat caves are a must-see in Battambang
2) I stayed in Where Be Dragon hostels where shared dorms are only USD2 per night.

Phnom Penh
1) Try to cover the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields in one day. Visit the Museum at 9.30am, walk around until 10am and go for the free documentary screening. After that can spend the second half of the day at the Killing Fields.

I blogged about my experiences in Cambodia here.
Cambodia | My Solo Travels

Feel free to ask any questions.

Thanks Chris, those are helpful tips. Will have a look at your blog later on tonight
Feeling kinda hesitant to go cambodia alone because it sound dangerous..but well, screw that I guess

 

[Bak_Chor_Mee]

Thanks Chris, those are helpful tips. Will have a look at your blog later on tonight
Feeling kinda hesitant to go cambodia alone because it sound dangerous..but well, screw that I guess

I did my virgin solo trip to Cambodia also

 

[Mockingnobird]

I did my virgin solo trip to Cambodia also

Oh, how many days did u spend in cambodia? Any interesting there to take note other than museum/temple in siam reap?

This is my 2nd solo trip. 1st was in thailand ( backpack for about 20 days). Somehow i get the feeling cambodia may be more hostile, haha.

by the way, my budget is kinda tight, can spend only around $500. I try not to go beyond that. my estimation:

Air tix is about $160 for multi city booking (sin-sr-, pp-ss) via jetstar.
hotel probably $25 SGD /night max so 8 nights = $200

So I have about $140 left to spend for 8 days = less than $20/day. Is that enough to survive?lol am more of a sightseeing/backpacking person so usually don't spend much $$$ when travelling.

i read previous posts and it seems that 8 days may not be enough to explore SR/PP/ Battambang eh

 

[beanstalk6]

The 1 day pass to Angkor Wat will cost you USD20. Don't forget the transport between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Throw in the tickets to the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng museum.

 

[Mockingnobird]

Ok guys, I have just confirmed my booking at Jetstar from 23rd July 2013 - 29th July 2013. Decided to reduce the amount of days in view of budget constraint. Air tix is only $157.

So effectively, i will only be staying in hotel for 6 nights. Will probably spend 3 nights in SR first and then the other 3 nights in PP.

I will be making the booking for SR hotel via agoda shortly, still going through their reviews. The idea of travelling solo feels really good since u get to make all the decision yourself

anyway, do u guys think i should make the hotel booking for PP together as well now, or just do a walk-in booking when I'm in PP? which one is better?

Your kind advice is appreciated! thanks

 

[Mockingnobird]

The 1 day pass to Angkor Wat will cost you USD20. Don't forget the transport between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Throw in the tickets to the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng museum.

think i should have enough anyway food in cambodia should be cheap, i doubt i will spend more than $10 daily on that.