Comment On Trip To Angkor Wat

[timber]

Made a trip to Angkor Wat the middle of December 2012. Some comments to those that are

interested. Took the train to Arunyaprathet for 50 baht then a tuk tuk to the border for

60 baht. The border crossing was smooth and relatively quick. Just had to walk a ways.

We had e-mail visa's so no problem. We had pre-arranged a taxi for the two of us. It cost

70 dollars U.S. It took us to the hotel in Siem Reap. We also had pre-arranged a guide.

Kim was fluent in English, had an incredible knowledge of the history of each site.

Knew the best location for memorable pictures, and was able to be flexible to arrange a

custom tour of the area. Had expertise in photography so all in all was a wonderful

experience. We stayed four nights and were there to take photos during the three days,

so was a busy time. The hotel we stayed at was in an excellent location, near pub street

and the old market, and had a good free breakfast. We got the taxi back to the border and

it took a while to go through the Thai side. We went through on our own and stood in line

over an hour. All of the tour bus people had priority over those going through the border

independently. Someone mentioned arriving early at the border, will save you some time

if your do. "I" thought we should take a van back to Bangkok. We stopped just at the other

side of the border and caught a van with "TK." We had a choice of going to Khao Suan Road

or to our desination. 300 baht to Khao Saun and 350 to destination. I thought destination

meant a Mall nearby or main center. It was to your home. I was third getting out. My friend

got out and took a taxi home otherwise he probably would be all night in the van. All the

luggage and freight was just piled in the van with thirteen passengers. The van left an

hour late. Unless you are going to Khoa Saun Road would recommend other another way to

get to Bangkok.If you are interested in contacting Kim or the name of the hotel PM me.

We spent about $50 extra for the trip, but didn't have to do anymore negotiations,

everything was set up online and we can't really say we had any problems. The hotel

was clean and the staff very polite. A problem staying with the exclusive hotels is

their location. They are aways from Pub Street and the old market and we enjoyed

walking around in the heart of Siem Reap.

[jombom]

Nice report, thanks.

However, you were seriously overcharged on the Poipet Siam Reap journey ---- should be about 30 USD, not 70. A friend of mine was there last week and that's what he paid.

[phuketrichard]

my friend paid $40 for two from the border to SRand had the taxi to themselves

great place wasn't i?. I love Angkor Wat

[timber]

The were two of us and we didn't want to fool around looking for a taxi.

We knew we were being scammed a bit. We are very old and foolish so

saved on the drink and ladies.

[taninthai]

I would never advise anyone to book everything online it's a sure fire way to get overcharged for everything.

In may 2011 we payed 25 dollar border to Siam reap and then 15 dollar for tuk tuk for 1 day around ankor wat.

[yugobrian]

Looking for information on driving to Siam Reap. Last posts on this topic were 2008. Based on those, I wouldn't but a lot can change in 5 years. If anyone has information, I'd very much like hearing from you.

Cheers, Brian

[wellred]

Bangkok airways seems to charge a bomb to fly from Swampy. 7k bhat each way almost in Dec/Jan period. How long is the bus/taxi ride from Phnom Penh? Or is it not worth the hassle and better off to go direct to Siem Reap? I'm only going to have 4 days there.

[fotog]

Two years ago my son and I went to Siem Reap and my son insisted on flying from BKK as he had a limited amount of time and did not want to use it riding in a bus. He is an experienced traveler and arranged everything except the guide who was recommended to me. Yes it is more expensive to fly, however my friend went later in the year by himself, by getting information and bookings online. He took the bus from BKK and according to him everything went smoothly. He is a 'value oriented' traveler so saving money was a top priority for him. His guide did not sound as good as the one we had and of course his was less expensive too.

[phuketrichard]

Looking for information on driving to Siam Reap. Last posts on this topic were 2008. Based on those, I wouldn't but a lot can change in 5 years. If anyone has information, I'd very much like hearing from you.

Cheers, Brian

they will not let u in at Poi Pet or Pailin with a Thai car but last year, ( July) i got in easy at Osmach ( south of Surin)

another friend of mine got in last month and he paid a "fixer" 4,000 baht to allow him in.

You can also enter at Koh Kong ( west of Trat) but they tell u , you can only drive in Koh Kong Provence.

I will be heading back in that way in July

Note u can not buy insurance for ur thai car in Cambodia but i have been in and out 5 times in the last 5 years with having my thai car in Cambodia for over 10 months at one time.

There are many of my posts concerning Cambodia in the last year or look at <URL Automatically Removed> for a summary of my last trip

Bus from PP to SR is about 6 hours taxi 4 1/2-5

This is the trip my daughter and i made last year, Thailand to Laos to Cambodia http://phuket.zenfolio.com/p408083573

[fotog]

Phuketrichard: Good report and nice pictures!

[impulse]

Great info. Thanks!

If you were only "seriously overcharged" by $40, you did much better than I would have. Like you, I'd prefer to pay more (online and in advance) than to diminish the enjoyment of the trip by showing up with my fingers crossed that I can find any transport and accommodations, much less cheaper arrangements.

More expensive online? Maybe, maybe not, but no unpleasant surprises when you find out all the non-mafia transport is already busy and the only rooms the Chinese and Russians haven't booked are in $5 or $500 hotels- nothing in between....

Unless, of course, you have a Thai wife/GF to make all the arrangements through friends and family over the coconut telegraph. That changes everything, I'm told.

[cardholder]

timber - feel free to mention the hotel here. It seem slike it was a good experience so it is good to share it.

Sounds like the Ta Prohm or Steung by the location description ?

[bangkokburning]

Ouch! Ripped on all accounts, but great write up.

Anyone have a number of a taxi for the Poipet-Siem Reap run? Wife and I thinking about a long weekend in July if monsoon not to monsoony.

Thx

[phuketrichard]

plenty of taxis when u cross the border, Try and find one that wants to go home ( sr) arrive mid afternoon as many will have made the trip form sr to Poi Pet and are looking for passengers to go back

In SR get a tuk tuk for $15/day to take u around the temples

[Thai-Aust]

Do Thais need passports and visa to cross the border?

I plan to go there next week. Could anyone kindly recommend how to get there via Poi Pet? Is it possible to drive Thai registered car to Angkor Wat and stay overnight or is it more convenient to catch a cab from the border and get around?

any recommendation/advice would be appreciated.

[bangkokburning]

Thais should have a pp, they are given two weeks I believe.

Get where via Poipet?

Dont hassle with your car, especially hiven the basic questions you ate asking.

PhuketRichard - reason I ask.is I hear that the mafia has shunted all.the taxi touts away from tje roundabout and it is not ez to get a taxi from there. Further, not ez from bus station down the road unlesd you pay some stupid rate.

Ive never paid more than 22 solo or 10 / 12 for a seat myself.

[muratremix]

Do Thais need passports and visa to cross the border?

I plan to go there next week. Could anyone kindly recommend how to get there via Poi Pet? Is it possible to drive Thai registered car to Angkor Wat and stay overnight or is it more convenient to catch a cab from the border and get around?

any recommendation/advice would be appreciated.

They need passport to go Siem Reap. Without passport, you buy border pass to visit areas close to border or you can visit casino.

[Thai-Aust]

thanks bangkokburning and muratremix. appreciate it.

[phuketrichard]

they will not let a Thai car into Cambodia at Poi Pet, best bet is up south of Surin at Osmach

as to taxi's, not sure now as things change all the time, when i was there last Sept there were plenty an when my friend went thru in dec as well.

Only thing 100% about Cambodia is if it can change it will :-)

[fotog]