Korean Job Discussion Forums

[m8888888]

I have three weeks vacation in January, and I want to go to Laos and Cambodia. I've heard the flights can be dodgy, but I've also heard the buses can be hellish and/or dangerous (although I've also heard overland trips are fantastic and beautiful...). I tend to get carsick on buses, so riding crowded, hot buses would definitely be out. It is so bad for the environment to fly, though! Where are all the trains, Indochina?!
What's the best way to get around this area? I want to see the major sites in both countries, but don't have time for too many smaller side trips, unfortunately. Any tips about traveling between/around these two countries? & is there any reason why I should go to one country before the other? Like some secret reason why I need to go to Laos before Cambodia or vice versa?
Thanks for any help! Any recommendations about where to stay or what to do are always welcome, too!

ETA: I know about the Discovery Airpass: Is it easy to get seats on flights?? Even during January, which I guess is the busiest month?

[Colorado]

There is no great way to travel in Cambodia. You're right about the flights being dodgy and the buses can be hellish, bumpy and slow. And you can walk faster than the trains which are hot and crowded
But you might consider traveling by boat. You can take one up the Tonile Sap from Phenom Penh to Ankor Wat, and you should also be able to take one up the MaiKong into Laos. Do the research.

[pesawattahi]

I would fly I spent a bit of time in Cambodia and the roads are terrible, some of the worst I have seen anywhere. I can't imagine Laos is much better. You can probably get onto one of the Thai carriers which are just fine. As far as boat I took a ferry from Phnom Phaen to Siem Reip, it was 6 hours and hot byob and food. The fare was $25 one way (in 2002)and the flight would have been $50 if I had it to do over again I would just fly Angkor Wat is a bit more interesting than the stinky banks of the Tonle Sap. If you wanted to go see Preah Vihear I hear it is easier to get to from the Thai side of the border.

[Faunaki]

Flights are cheap and will take around an hour. Bus rides will take forever and are dangerous. On the plane you can get fresh beer. On the bus, who knows. I had a buddy who bragged that he had never taken a flight travelling from one SE country to another but it took him like 15-20 hours. It took me two at the most when flying.

It depends what you are looking for. If you fly you will probably not make any friends. If you take the bus I am sure you are in for an adventure.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Fly if you can. It will save you so many nussainces.

[huffdaddy]

[sojourner1]

Yes, I would say that flying is the easiest, but not the adventures you might experience with ground based travel any where you go. I understand that it is dangerous to travel on the roads outside of towns in Cambodia as there are bandits who can hijack your vehicle and rob you at gun point. I do not think it's a good idea to take a bus, truck, or bicycle cross country through the rural areas of Cambodia as it is a corrupt 3rd world country though I can't resist not going to such a beautiful and interesting place. I have not been yet, but read up many travel blogs and websites. If you can pull it off to ride a bicycle around the country, then more adventure power to you, but I would not do it alone nor without an armed local guide. I find this one fascinating idea to get a real experience of what it's really like down there.


I too am going to SE Asia next week for 1 month during January. I think I will tour Bangkok for about 4 days and then ride a train south to go to Koh Tao and Kah Pangnan and then when I return to Bangkok in about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks, I will fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia (huge time saver) as it is probably much easier to fly in and out of Cambodia and saves the headaches of ground border entry as well as the risk of armed bandits on the ground in rural areas. I thought about taking the boat to Pnom Penn, but am hesitating if this is safe or not though I know it must be an adventure if I can see the floating villages on Tonle Sap and how locals live.

I will have to hear what locals and other travelers have to say about it all during my travels. I am approaching this with an open flexible mind though I will remain vigilant as possible in looking out for my personal safety, money, documents, and pack.

I understand we will find a wealth of helpful information on Khao San Road in Bangkok such as guide books, maps, people to talk to, and travel agencies to book side trips transportation and rooms. It is said to be the starting point for most travelers.

Anyone want to put out some helpful info as this will be me and the OP's first time traveling in SE Asia? You ready to be the real Globetrekker? I have been ready for many years and this is it!!!

[Faunaki]

[huffdaddy]

[Faunaki]

[huffdaddy]

[thatwhitegirl]

We were in Cambodia for a month last February. We flew in from Thailand on Air Asia...which is a great discount airline. Once in Cambodia we took the very nice and comfortable Mekong Express buses to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. No problems with the roads at all, and very comfortable buses.
We rented a motorbike in Sihnaoukville, but they changed the laws while we were there, and the day we left no foreigners were allowed to rent motorbikes anymore. Too many accidents caused by drunk/high foreigners.
We rented bicycles in Siem Reap and biked around the temples.
It felt very safe there, although they are a little maniacal when driving their motorcycles around.
We LOVED the country, and are going back. The French-Asian fusion is really cool, and the atmosphere there is great.
I booked/reserved most of our lodgings on this site: http://www.travelfish.org/
Really handy, and helpful.

There are a million other sites on Cambodia...there is a lot of info available.

[mrsquirrel]

Buy a CR500 and scare yourself all the way across the country