travel time for bus connections Bangkok-Sihanoukville

[BigSkookum]

Been doing some research, seems like a nightmare, though the last post I've seen about this was from 2009....take the bus lines from the Eastern Bus Terminal to Trat, arriving at 4:30 am, take a minibus to the border, wait until the border opens at 7 a.m., and on the other side take a whatever into Koh Kong proper and get a bus to Snooky from there. Otherwise, leaving early in the morning from Bangkok by the Khao San-type bus services, you'd get to the border before closing...but into Sihanoukville late at night.

I've heard that there are through-bus connections from Bangkok to Siem Reap and Phonm Penh now, is there anything similar to that for Sihanoukville, to avoid all the scammers and such and to have one ticket all the way through?

I'm on Samui, the travel agents here have no information on tickets to Cambodia...maybe to Pattaya but I haven't asked yet. Leaving in the next couple of days so needing some info/advice. Thanks

And don't tell me to take the plane, I have too much baggage, and you have to fly through Siem Reap and it only flies a couple of times a week.

[dddave]

Unless things have changed a lot, Bangkok to PP was a convoluted trial as well. If there is now a decent bus, BKK to PP then I would just go on so Sihanoukville via PP. I understand the new roads they opened up about 6 years ago from PP to Koh Kong and PP to S-ville have deteriorated significantly but are still passable. You can also hire a car & driver, PP to S-ville.

Returning to Thailand via what they called a direct bus was even worse...my trip from PP to Pattaya involved no less that 6 van exchanges over almost 15 hours

There is some fairly up to date info if you Google the route. Also the Lonely Planet "Thorntree" forum sometimes has up to date experiences.

Edited September 19, 2014 by dddave

[asanee]

when that through bus-which actually is not no-change (but its in a protected sealed off-area, due to L/R-handrunning) BKK-SR/PP started, they announced that IF it would be succes, there would be more routes, incl Chantaburi/trat-to Sihanouk. Nothing has come of it up till yet, which is also due to the endless delays and much lower as thought of demand for them.

As you seem to be the young BP-type, which is mostly despised at by TV-expats, enjoy in this single chance to still enjoy all the joys of travel that is disappearing too fast from this world- and develop some enterprise in it. And yes- TT on LP is much more fit for you.

There are also flites-in season, or were, on BKK-air, SAM-Trat or Pattaya, as most of youu seem to hate any chance to pass by BKK.

[DEQ]

Do not go via Phnom Penh (unless flying) as this will add a lot of hours to your journey. Cross the border at Hat Lek/Koh Kong. You can catch an early day bus from Bangkok Ekamei to Trat. Then minibus to Hat Lek (120THB). Walk across the border (best to have an evisa to avoid the FX ripoff) then moto (2USD) or tuk-tuk (7USD) to Koh Kong. Stay one night in Koh Kong then take the early bus to Sihanoukville (not sure of the time, maybe 8am or 9am). Do not buy any through tickets. Buy each of the 3 stages separately. Virak Buntham is a good service from KK-SHV. The journey takes 5-6 hours. Enjoy SHV, it is the height of rainy season right now.

Edited September 20, 2014 by DEQ

[thailandforumaddict]

Hello,

What is the cheapest airline to fly to SIANOOKVILLE and then how far from the airport is the most quiet beach there ? Anything to compare with Thailand ? Is it good ?

Thanks a lot.

[siam2007]

Hello,

What is the cheapest airline to fly to SIANOOKVILLE and then how far from the airport is the most quiet beach there ? Anything to compare with Thailand ? Is it good ?

Thanks a lot.

there are no flights from Thailand to Si"H"anoukville. simply as that.

as far as I know, not even flights between PP and Sihanoukville at this moment.

CambodianAngkorAir is starting flying between PP and Sihanoukville again in July

[DEQ]

Cambodia Bayon airline flies from PP to Sihanoukville.

Sihanoukville has some of the best beaches in Asia but as a town it is not so good. Be wary of the expats there.

The airport is about 20 mins drive from the main beaches. Last time I was there a bus ran from the airport after each flight arrival and tuktuks were banned (all as a result of the latter charging up to $70). For quiet beaches, look at Indepenence, Hawaii or Otres.

[siam2007]

Cambodia Bayon airline flies from PP to Sihanoukville.

Sihanoukville has some of the best beaches in Asia but as a town it is not so good. Be wary of the expats there.

The airport is about 20 mins drive from the main beaches. Last time I was there a bus ran from the airport after each flight arrival and tuktuks were banned (all as a result of the latter charging up to $70). For quiet beaches, look at Indepenence, Hawaii or Otres.

there is no direct flight from PP to Sihanoukville by Bayon Airlines.

If leaving from PP, you have to backtrack to Siem Reap first and then return to Sihanoukville. same other way round. that is laughable. will take longer than a Bus ride in the end, considering check-in times and tramsport to and from the Airports