Cambodia

[andy]

Just wondering if anyone has been over to Siem Reap via Chong Chom lately, and if so, how did they go (taxi, bus etc.) and was it easy?

[Gerry]

I know a few of guys in Surin who have done it. Some successful, others hit problems. The main issue seems to be the reliability of the Taxis on the Cambodian side. Long waits and even packing the taxi out with other people.

I know others, Buriram residents, who flew. Buriram to Don Muang then Don Muang to Siem Reap. I believe on advantage of this route is the ability to use e visas. Convenient and cheaper than visas at the border.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

There are many taxi companies in Siem Reap, (Try Google) who will happily accept an order to pick up at the border, O.Smach, and take tourists to their booked hotels, rather than try and  get them to stay elsewhere or drop them off at the bus station.

[Gerry]

There are many taxi companies in Siem Reap, (Try Google) who will happily accept an order to pick up at the border, O.Smach, and take tourists to their booked hotels, rather than try and  get them to stay elsewhere or drop them off at the bus station.

Interesting and good to know. Thanks.

I've been toying with the idea of a trip to Siem Reap for a while. Not sure if, when or how hust yet.

[CO-CO]

There are many taxi companies in Siem Reap, (Try Google) who will happily accept an order to pick up at the border, O.Smach, and take tourists to their booked hotels, rather than try and  get them to stay elsewhere or drop them off at the bus station.

Interesting and good to know. Thanks.

I've been toying with the idea of a trip to Siem Reap for a while. Not sure if, when or how just yet.

Find a way to do it, I doubt that you will be disappointed.

Siem Reap is within reasonable striking distance of Buriram and offers a wide range of cuisine and bars. For those wholike a break from Isaan/Thai food Siem Reap is something of an oasis.

[andy]

I know a few years back Buriram Expats advertised small package / long weekend trips to Siem Reap, would be great if they done it again.

[CO-CO]

I know a few years back Buriram Expats advertised small package / long weekend trips to Siem Reap, would be great if they done it again.

That was Isaan Angkor Tours, something that Prakhonchai Nick and I started when I had Coffee Corner in Prakhonchai.


I sold Coffee Corner and unfortunately demand dropped away as people also discovered that they could arrange a visit themselves.

In simplistic terms it is just a case of getting to the border (taxi, bus or cheap parking available), through the border pay $35 or whatever they rip you off for a visa these days. Many people are touting to take you to Siem Reap and there used to be a limited bus service. Best to book a taxi beforehand. Pick a hotel off Agoda and away you go.

[Smithy]

Pick a hotel off Agoda and away you go.

Any Hotel recommendations ? ( near the action   )

[CO-CO]

Pick a hotel off Agoda and away you go.

Any Hotel recommendations ? ( near the action   )

I thought that you were loved up Smithy..


Not sure where the action is these days

[Gerry]

I know a few years back Buriram Expats advertised small package / long weekend trips to Siem Reap, would be great if they done it again.

That was Isaan Angkor Tours, something that Prakhonchai Nick and I started when I had Coffee Corner in Prakhonchai.


I sold Coffee Corner and unfortunately demand dropped away as people also discovered that they could arrange a visit themselves.

In simplistic terms it is just a case of getting to the border (taxi, bus or cheap parking available), through the border pay $35 or whatever they rip you off for a visa these days. Many people are touting to take you to Siem Reap and there used to be a limited bus service. Best to book a taxi beforehand. Pick a hotel off Agoda and away you go.

I live north of Buriram. Alot closer to either Khon Kaen or Burram airport than to the border.

I think the flying option would work better for me. Anyone???

I've heard that a hotel near to Pub Street or Pub Road, memory slipping, is as good a recommendation than anything.

[CO-CO]

I know a few years back Buriram Expats advertised small package / long weekend trips to Siem Reap, would be great if they done it again.

That was Isaan Angkor Tours, something that Prakhonchai Nick and I started when I had Coffee Corner in Prakhonchai.


I sold Coffee Corner and unfortunately demand dropped away as people also discovered that they could arrange a visit themselves.

In simplistic terms it is just a case of getting to the border (taxi, bus or cheap parking available), through the border pay $35 or whatever they rip you off for a visa these days. Many people are touting to take you to Siem Reap and there used to be a limited bus service. Best to book a taxi beforehand. Pick a hotel off Agoda and away you go.

I live north of Buriram. Alot closer to either Khon Kaen or Burram airport than to the border.

I think the flying option would work better for me. Anyone???

I've heard that a hotel near to Pub Street or Pub Road, memory slipping, is as good a recommendation than anything.

Don't get too close to Pub Street if you don't want noise late in the evening; the Angkor What? and Temple Club get a bit boisterous.


In August we stayed in a nice hotel (Siem Reap City Angkor Boutique) not far from Pub Street for less than $30 a night. For Isaan Angkor Tours we used the City River hotel which is now $50 a night.


We took the view that 3 nights is adequate for a first/sampler visit. It gives 2 full days to visit temple and, maybe, the Tonle Sap.


Flying from, say, Khon Kaen to Siem Reap via Don Muang would no doubt be the most comfortable mode of transport. It would also be very costly and could involve an overnight stay at Don Muang depending on flight times. This method does give you the option of getting an e-visa online and avoiding the potential border stress.


If I was based in Khon Kaen I would travel to Buriram, Surin, or most likely Prasat and stay overnight before heading off in the morning for the border. A pre-booked tax should have you at your hotel in 2/2.5 hours. i am guessing that a decent taxi will now be $80+ each way.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

I know a few years back Buriram Expats advertised small package / long weekend trips to Siem Reap, would be great if they done it again.

That was Isaan Angkor Tours, something that Prakhonchai Nick and I started when I had Coffee Corner in Prakhonchai.


I sold Coffee Corner and unfortunately demand dropped away as people also discovered that they could arrange a visit themselves.

In simplistic terms it is just a case of getting to the border (taxi, bus or cheap parking available), through the border pay $35 or whatever they rip you off for a visa these days. Many people are touting to take you to Siem Reap and there used to be a limited bus service. Best to book a taxi beforehand. Pick a hotel off Agoda and away you go.

I live north of Buriram. Alot closer to either Khon Kaen or Burram airport than to the border.

I think the flying option would work better for me. Anyone???

I've heard that a hotel near to Pub Street or Pub Road, memory slipping, is as good a recommendation than anything.

Not so sure about flying. No direct flights to Siem Reap from Buriram and likely not from KK. Have to travel via Don Muang, with likely a long wait between flights.   

[Gerry]

Looks like an hour transfer going out and about 3 hours on the return journey. That's using Buriram Airport.

[CO-CO]

I know a few years back Buriram Expats advertised small package / long weekend trips to Siem Reap, would be great if they done it again.

That was Isaan Angkor Tours, something that Prakhonchai Nick and I started when I had Coffee Corner in Prakhonchai.


I sold Coffee Corner and unfortunately demand dropped away as people also discovered that they could arrange a visit themselves.

In simplistic terms it is just a case of getting to the border (taxi, bus or cheap parking available), through the border pay $35 or whatever they rip you off for a visa these days. Many people are touting to take you to Siem Reap and there used to be a limited bus service. Best to book a taxi beforehand. Pick a hotel off Agoda and away you go.

I live north of Buriram. Alot closer to either Khon Kaen or Burram airport than to the border.

I think the flying option would work better for me. Anyone???

I've heard that a hotel near to Pub Street or Pub Road, memory slipping, is as good a recommendation than anything.

Not so sure about flying. No direct flights to Siem Reap from Buriram and likely not from KK. Have to travel via Don Muang, with likely a long wait between flights.

None of the small rural airports fly internationally so you have to hub through Don Muang.

It is certainly doable for those who don't want to trek from the middle of Isaan by road (it also avoids doing battle with immigration. at the border.

Mix and match - overnight in Bangkok, fly to Siem Reap (using e-visas) and then go back by road through Osmach. Pay your money and take your choice.