Need Trip Advise For Angkor Wat

[berlinjeremy]

I am supposed to bring a group of maybe 6 people to Angkor wat from Bangkok and I need some advise for how to get there, costs and everything.

I usually go to Cambodia for my visa run so I know how to take the bus to the border but once I get to the boarder, I have no idea how to get the Angkor wat and how much it would cost and where to go ect. If anybody has done the trip before and has any advise to share about transportation, the actual tour of the wat, how to get around,places to stay for cheap, anything.

ANY advise is highly valued, thank you

[WhizBang]

Been to Angkor Wat many times. Easiest way to get there is to FLY. It's only about a one hour flight from Bangkok.

If it's your first time, I would highly recommend hiring an official guide, car and driver. Prearrange it with the hotel and the car and driver will pick you up at the airport.

I haven't been in a couple of years, but the costs were $20 per day for the guide and $20 per day for the car and driver.

To enter Angkor Wat you must purchase a pass. I think they were 1 day, 3 day and 5 day. But that may have changed. No pass, no can enter - and they do check everyone, everytime, at every temple.

Good and fairly cheap place to stay is the Angkor Saphir Hotel.855-63-761-765

No 82 National Road 6, Siem Reap

http://www.angkorsaphirhostel.com/

also

http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/srstarted.htm

[berlinjeremy]

Thanks for the advise mate, its a start. We dont have the budget to be able to fly there, but that would be ideal.

Has anybody gone there by land before?

[WhizBang]

Has anybody gone there by land before?

I did it by land (sort of) the first time. Flew to Phenom Phen, then took the river ferry/taxi up the Tong Lee Sap to Siem Reap.

I would NOT do that again. Which is why I said the best way is to fly into Siem Reap from Bangkok.

[cardholder]

Has anybody gone there by land before?

I did it by land (sort of) the first time. Flew to Phenom Phen, then took the river ferry/taxi up the Tong Lee Sap to Siem Reap.

I would NOT do that again. Which is why I said the best way is to fly into Siem Reap from Bangkok.

Watch his lips - " We dont have the budget to be able to fly there"

berlinjeremy, PM me an email address and I will send you some information sheets. I will also try and establish your budget and can advise on accommodation.

I am involved in taking tour groups to Siem Reap although we do not go through Poipet.

Opinions are subjective (like food/restaurant reviews) but I would NEVER visit the Angkor Wat complex by car or minibus. You lose the ambience of the countryside and the fresh air is better in a tuk-tuk. Your tuk-tuk driver can also be your informal guide. Unless you have a passion to learn in detail about Angkor Wat a guide is not necessary - again, personal tastes - if you want to get a 'flavour' of this magnificent historical site then half a day looking round Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon is sufficient. It also contains your costs to $20 per head for the day pass and tuk-tuk costs to $12/15 each ( 2 x 3 people).

This is enough for me personally but I have known people spend 3 days going round the temples and that has not been long enough !

Everyone we have taken, without exception, has enjoyed Siem Reap. It is unashamedly a tourist town and so refreshingly non-Asian in many ways. Internation cuisine available everywhere circa $5 and bottles of drinkable wine at $6. Don't forget a glass of Angkor draft eer for 16 Baht!

[Gone]

Has anybody gone there by land before?

I did it by land (sort of) the first time. Flew to Phenom Phen, then took the river ferry/taxi up the Tong Lee Sap to Siem Reap.

I would NOT do that again. Which is why I said the best way is to fly into Siem Reap from Bangkok.

Watch his lips - " We dont have the budget to be able to fly there"

berlinjeremy, PM me an email address and I will send you some information sheets. I will also try and establish your budget and can advise on accommodation.

I am involved in taking tour groups to Siem Reap although we do not go through Poipet.

Opinions are subjective (like food/restaurant reviews) but I would NEVER visit the Angkor Wat complex by car or minibus. You lose the ambience of the countryside and the fresh air is better in a tuk-tuk. Your tuk-tuk driver can also be your informal guide. Unless you have a passion to learn in detail about Angkor Wat a guide is not necessary - again, personal tastes - if you want to get a 'flavour' of this magnificent historical site then half a day looking round Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon is sufficient. It also contains your costs to $20 per head for the day pass and tuk-tuk costs to $12/15 each ( 2 x 3 people).

This is enough for me personally but I have known people spend 3 days going round the temples and that has not been long enough !

Everyone we have taken, without exception, has enjoyed Siem Reap. It is unashamedly a tourist town and so refreshingly non-Asian in many ways. Internation cuisine available everywhere circa $5 and bottles of drinkable wine at $6. Don't forget a glass of Angkor draft eer for 16 Baht!

1) Your rude comment to WizBang about "read his lips" was just that.....rude as he was only trying to help

2) Your rude comments tell me what kind of a tour guide you would be. I would not use you now.

3) Most people WANT the "asian experience" as they are visiting an Asian country. That would be another reason I wouldn't use you. i dont want a hamburger and french fries if I'm visiting asia and sounds like that's what you encourage.

4) It is just not possible to see all of Angkor Wat in 1/2 day or 1 day or even 3 days. Shows how much you know.

[threemangoes]

I did go by land several year ago. You need to contact a local agency first. They will send a car to pick you up. It took just a few hours.

[cardholder]

Has anybody gone there by land before?

I did it by land (sort of) the first time. Flew to Phenom Phen, then took the river ferry/taxi up the Tong Lee Sap to Siem Reap.

I would NOT do that again. Which is why I said the best way is to fly into Siem Reap from Bangkok.

Watch his lips - " We dont have the budget to be able to fly there"

berlinjeremy, PM me an email address and I will send you some information sheets. I will also try and establish your budget and can advise on accommodation.

I am involved in taking tour groups to Siem Reap although we do not go through Poipet.

Opinions are subjective (like food/restaurant reviews) but I would NEVER visit the Angkor Wat complex by car or minibus. You lose the ambience of the countryside and the fresh air is better in a tuk-tuk. Your tuk-tuk driver can also be your informal guide. Unless you have a passion to learn in detail about Angkor Wat a guide is not necessary - again, personal tastes - if you want to get a 'flavour' of this magnificent historical site then half a day looking round Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon is sufficient. It also contains your costs to $20 per head for the day pass and tuk-tuk costs to $12/15 each ( 2 x 3 people).

This is enough for me personally but I have known people spend 3 days going round the temples and that has not been long enough !

Everyone we have taken, without exception, has enjoyed Siem Reap. It is unashamedly a tourist town and so refreshingly non-Asian in many ways. Internation cuisine available everywhere circa $5 and bottles of drinkable wine at $6. Don't forget a glass of Angkor draft eer for 16 Baht!

1) Your rude comment to WizBang about "read his lips" was just that.....rude as he was only trying to help

2) Your rude comments tell me what kind of a tour guide you would be. I would not use you now.

3) Most people WANT the "asian experience" as they are visiting an Asian country. That would be another reason I wouldn't use you. i dont want a hamburger and french fries if I'm visiting asia and sounds like that's what you encourage.

4) It is just not possible to see all of Angkor Wat in 1/2 day or 1 day or even 3 days. Shows how much you know.

You really are an idiot if you think you can draw so many (erroneous) conclusions from one post !

French cuisine rarely comes with burgers and the Italian restaurants only serve chips (on request) with their steaks. Delicious international cuisine in an international environment.

Siem Reap is the perfect place the get a BREAK from the Asian experience.

Read my post again - I stated that if you just want a 'flavour' of Angkor Wat this can comfortably be achieved in one day - many have. If you want to "see it all" then you don't need to be Einstein to realise that a week will probably be needed.

We shall try not to miss you on the upcoming tour next week.

[Gone]

Proved my point pretty good didn't you?

Thai Visa is for people to ask/receive help and after you attacked "WizBang" just for posting his helpful info here on TV I think most readers will see your true colors.

Any by calling me "an idiot" doesn't help.

[cardholder]

Proved my point pretty good didn't you?

Thai Visa is for people to ask/receive help and after you attacked "WizBang" just for posting his helpful info here on TV I think most readers will see your true colors.

Any by calling me "an idiot" doesn't help.

Correection time again. I didn't call you an idiot, I suggested that you really were an idiot if you attempted to make such biting conclusions from one post - and you were wrong on all account.

You have also highlighted the main weakness of TV (and other forums) where posters jump in to give advice without reading the question.

In this case the OP clearly stated that he knew how to get by bus to the border and was seeing 'cheap' accommodation. That, even to the dullest of dullards, suggests that the OP is trying to work to a (limited) budget. Anyone who then trys to give advice about flying to PP is way off the mark and has not rea/dgested/understood the original post.

Back to the point of the topic - I cannot help the OP with connections at Poipet, it is a border crossing that I will not use. However, it is not difficult to direct the OP to a local bus service or pethora of taxi touts. If one prefers the comfort of pre-arranged taxis it is easy to book through established sources. However, I am conscious of any budgetary constraints and the OP may prefer public transport to SR.

We use accomodation in Siem Reap in the $100 down to $20 range - however, we also have contacts for rooms as low as $7 per night.

[chris1970]

getting a bus back from siam reap to bkk i found very easy, the hotel i was staying gave me directions to a bus park and i brought a ticket from them direct for the same day, i think it was a private vip coach not public bus.

i don't know about getting there because i flew to phnom penn and took a bus to siam reap.

i hired a tuk tuk to take me around the site but some of the temples are very close together so i felt stupid getting into a tuk tuk for a 1 minute trip,

next time i would hire a bicycle.

when you look at maps for ankor wat and the other temples that travel agencies have they aren't drawn to scale and give the impression they are a long way apart and you need a car to get between them , but there's only one area that will take you 20 mins on a bike or a 5 min tuk tuk ride.

[flash77]

I've been to Angkor Wat twice. The first 6 or 7 years ago with a mate. We arrived via bus from Phnom Penh and flew out to Bangkok. We had 3 full days, spending two of those visiting the many wats and the middle day a rest day around Siem Reap. We hired a tuk-tuk for the 2 days and the driver acted as our guide (but note that the driver cannot enter the Wats with you - only talk to you as you drive between Wats). Enjoyed it.

Went back 2 years ago with a group of 4, including my parents. Again 3 full days (in the rest day we went to the silk farm which was ok too). I drove my car to the Poipet border, crossed over and then we got a taxi for $US40 to Siem Reap. Look at the http://www.talesofasia.com site for excellent info on how to cross the border, avoid the scams and get to Siem Reap.

On the 2nd trip we hired a van with driver from our hotel, plus a guide. $US40 per day. The guide was excellent, and after experiencing both with and without a guide, I highly recommend getting a guide. He explained many details that we didn't get from reading Lonely Planet the first trip. If you want to know the history, understand the meaning and significance of markings on the walls, the get a guide. If you just want to enjoy the marvellous buildings for a day, then maybe you don't need one. Also, although the tuk-tuk was fun, having a van with my folks was a definite plus. The airconditioning gave us some relief.

A three day pass for entrance was I think $US40 per person.

I enjoyed Siem Reap (the town) perhaps because living in Thailand for 5 years it was nice to get some cheap Western food and drink. You should be able to find accommodation within a 20 minute walk to the old town (with restaurants, pubs, market). Otherwise pay the $US1-2 tuk tuk trip.

A room at Prince D'Angkor hotel was $AU75 per night. From memory on my first trip we stayed in a hotel out of town bit more for $US20 per night. It shouldn't be too hard to find something that suits your budget.

[SantiSuk]

Skipping past the fyling grenades on this thread:

http://www.seat61.com/Cambodia.htm#Bangkok%20-%20Phnom%20Penh

There was also a good thread a year or two back by someone who set out the options from arriving by bus at Arranyapratet to getting over the border at Poipet to catching buses to Siem Reap on the other side. Unfortunately I couldn't find it again in a quick search on TV - try Google search for TV references, since TV's search function is notably unreliable.

Also www.canbypublications is perhaps the best single country traveller's website I have ever come across. Really good on travel plans and schedules and good hotel, restaurant, bar listings. Gets 10 out of 10 from me.

[WhizBang]

Well, whatever you decide to do, I do hope you have an enjoyable trip. Angkor Wat is an amazing place, and, contrary to another poster, it cannot be done in one day.

I have always taken the 3 day pass and found it about right. I hope you have some good wide angle lenses for your cameras, you will need them.

Enjoy your trip.

[cardholder]

Well, whatever you decide to do, I do hope you have an enjoyable trip. Angkor Wat is an amazing place, and, contrary to another poster, it cannot be done in one day.

I have always taken the 3 day pass and found it about right. I hope you have some good wide angle lenses for your cameras, you will need them.

Enjoy your trip.

Your opinion Whizzer.

I can find 60+ visitors who have visited in one day and had a FANTASTIC time.

I can also find another 5 who needed more than 3 days.

If you are ging to Siem Reap JUST for temples then I would recommend a minimum 3 days. Siem Reap is more than just temples, it stands up in it's own right as a tourist venue with peripheral attractions i.e. Tonle Sap, Smile of Angkor Show etc.

For those of us that reside in Thailand, Siem Reap represents a welcome break.

As I said before - personal choice. We operate Angkor Wat/Sem Reap 'discovery tours' and no one has used more than one of their 4 days to visit the temples. Some have attended subsequent tours and taken one of the other circuits.

On a recent trip I took in Banteay Saray and Kabal Spean (+ a rather pleasat restaurant overlooking hills on the Siem Reap/Anglong Veng road)

[WhizBang]

Based upon your responses in this thread, I too would never use your services for ANYTHING.

Might want to consider taking a course in PR.

[cardholder]

Based upon your responses in this thread, I too would never use your services for ANYTHING.

Might want to consider taking a course in PR.

Then we have two happy parties.

[steve down under]

dam_n!! the handbags are certainly getting a workout in this thread

[WhizBang]

Then we have two happy parties.

EXCUSE ME. What, exactly, do you mean?

[cardholder]

Then we have two happy parties.

EXCUSE ME. What, exactly, do you mean?

Not very sharp on the uptake are you ?

First you can't even digest the OP's comments that he wants to travel by bus - now you can't fathom that both you and I are happy that you will never be using my services.

[TerraPosse]

Skipping past the fyling grenades on this thread:

http://www.seat61.co...%20Phnom%20Penh

There was also a good thread a year or two back by someone who set out the options from arriving by bus at Arranyapratet to getting over the border at Poipet to catching buses to Siem Reap on the other side. Unfortunately I couldn't find it again in a quick search on TV - try Google search for TV references, since TV's search function is notably unreliable.

Also www.canbypublications is perhaps the best single country traveller's website I have ever come across. Really good on travel plans and schedules and good hotel, restaurant, bar listings. Gets 10 out of 10 from me.

Yes indeed, dodging the handbags, this appears to be a recurring theme and there have been various threads detailing the road transport side of such a trip here on TV. Following are two examples:

http://www.thaivisa....reapphnom-penh/

http://www.thaivisa....st-fastest-bus/

These should provide all the info the OP needs to get with his posse safely to SR and back. Good hotels are advisable to pre-book. Advice I never follow myself which is why I always ended up in some ropey dungeon of a guest house in SR. As mentioned here as well, book one or two tuk-tuks for the day to take you around Angkor Wat's sights. Friends in Cambodia have mentioned that there will be a 2-day pass introduced for Angkor Wat in addition to the others. Not sure if that is the case. Whilst it is true that many people grown up on an MTV attention span will have enough after one day of traipsing around the temple sites, they will at most have had a faint whiff of what is on offer. IMHO.

[UbonOz]

Three of us went in December 2010. We came from Ubon Ratchathani to the border. Train or bus from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet(Thai border)/Poiphet(Cambodia). Can get a man with a van or two cars at the border, Cambodian side. We paid 1500 baht in a car for the 1.5 hour trip to Siem Reap booked hotel with Agoda, about 900 baht/night. Plenty of hotels if you just want to roll up and check it out, there a plenty of cheap hotels on offer. Have to get a pass when you visit the temples. Fantastic place to visit. Just enjoy it is not expensive in Cambodia. You can do the visa online prior to travel.