velz2

I am planning a vacation for the end of july to SE Asia. It will be 14 or 15 days. I was trying to decide whether I should spend all that time in Cambodia or about a week in Cambodia and a week in Thailand (mainly around Bangkok). I am not a big beach guy, so am not too concerned with the southern coast of Cambodia. Another consideration, I would likely be traveling solo and have only done solo travel once before for just a few days in China in the Guilin area. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

rhkkmk

it will be very hot during that period...angkor is, or seems, hotter than bangkok--fyi...
personally i would find only enough to do in SR for 4-5 days....PP is generally worthy of 2 days according to most folks---i have not been there...
travelling to remote places by onesself might be odd and boring...

bkk on the other hand is fine by yourself...and there is plenty of a/c there everywhere ---escape....

it really depends on your interests for the trip

LeighTravelClub

I really don't think you should spend the whole time in Cambodia. 5 days is enough for most people. As you're not into beaches I would then head for Bangkok and consider a few days in Chiang Mai also.
Reading this back I don't mean to put down Cambodia, I love it there, just wouldn't spend my whole vacation there.

lcuy

I'd also split the time between Cambodia and Thailand. As it will be hot, make sure to stay in hotels with a pool and relax during the middle of each day.

Both countries are quite safe and the people friendly, so I wouldn't expect you to have any problems being solo.

fuzzylogic

I think 2 weeks in Cambodia would be a lot - unless you are a real adventurer.

On the other hand this comment by rh.. is just priceless.

"travelling to remote places by onesself might be odd and boring..." And according to the same poster you must have a/c wherever you go.

His comments are not a surprise to me - had worked out long ago that was his preferred way to travel. But it's not mine, and it might not be yours either.

I LIKE travelling to out of the way places (within limits) and I don't give a toss about a/c - in fact I hate it - give me a fan, an open window, and a mozzie net (if necessary) any day.

So what kind of traveller are you?

There are other places in Cambodia that are relatively easy to get to - and from whence you can travel to Thailand.

You can find them for yourself if you get a good guidebook. I'm not minded to broadcast them here else tereraodduidy

zengeos

I'm visiting Cambodia for the first time in April for about a week. We plan to spend 1/2 the time in Siem Reap, with a 1/2 day visit to Tonle Sap. The remainder of the time we'll be visiting the Sarus Crane sanctuary, Banteay Chhmar, and Koh Ker. These areas are not nearly as inundated by tourists. I'll let you know how this itinerary for Cambodia works.

Mark-

velz2

Thanks for the tips everyone. It sounds like I should spend 2-3 days in Phnom Phen and surrounds then 4-5 around Siem Reap. Any thoughts on whether I should bus it or fly to Bangkok after that?

rhkkmk

fuzzy---now i understand....you have spent way too much time in the intense heat....it has affected your brain...

WeiLong

I would spend more time in Cambodia than Bangkok. To me Bangkok is just a big dirty overcrowded city. It might be a good place to arrive and leave from if you wanted to do it that way. Phnom Penh is worth two or three days and you can check out the Killing fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng concentration camp in a day. I spent a whole week at Siem Reap, that's a bit much for some people but these kinds of things tend to rock my boat a bit.

have a good trip.

http://www.travelsinasia.com/Cambodia/Cambodia.htm

jodo

Just to weigh in here...We have loved visiting many areas in SE Asia...all different in their own way. BKK is our favorite city...we actually flew back from the Phuket area 3 days early a few years ago to be back there. Guess we like dirty and overcrowded. It seems to us that no matter what appeals to you; culture, food, humanity, intensity, exotic sites...Bangkok's got it. But everyone has their own opinions on this. That's what I love about this site....you get to hear why other folks have their opinions, and touch base with what resonates with you.
Happy Travels.

rhkkmk

i find bkk ralatively clean....ever walk around NYC very much??

try india if you want dirty....

Junejuly

Hey Bob, watch the remarks about the greatest city in the world (NYC for you poor unilluminated souls)... ;P
That said, I do have to agree that Bangkok rates as one of my favorite cities ever, and I've been around. It is exceptionally clean; wonder if those who say it isn't have been to Mexico/China/and India especially. We had 17 days between Cambodia and Thailand, which was more than enough time. We had 1.5 days in Phenom Pehn, and 3 days in Siem Reap... it was certainly enough for both, especially if you are somewhat active (must admit we like to go from sun-up to sun-down).
As for going by yourself, you should have no problems regardless of where you go. My bf and I met so many great people... most of them had joined our group tours by themselves, and we ended up eating dinners with them, joining them for other excursions, etc. We also had a lot of fun exploring the north of Thailand... this would fit into your schedule. Maybe something like this...
days1-3: Phenom Penh
3 - travel to Siem Reap (I suggest the bus)
3-7 - SR
7- travel to the north of thailand
10- Bangkok
15 (if poss) - fly home

That's actually quite similar to our trip; we really had the trip of a lifetime. 5 days in Bangkok was great, but you could probably see the highlights in 3 full days, if you aren't taking time out to have suits made, etc.

Regardless of what you choose, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. It's hard to go wrong in that area of the world.
Happy travels!!!!

vickit

I have been to both. Would definitely split your time 50/50 in each place. Bangkok and Thailand is heaps of fun.

velz2

Once again, thanks for the advice everyone. It sound like I should spend 2-3 days in PP, then 4-5 in Siem Reap. In Thailand, I am thinking of being based in Bangkok and doing some day trips and probably an overnighter further a field. I wonder if trying to get to northern Thailand in that week would be biting off a little too much. Thoughts?

jenskar

Velz
Northern Thailand from Bangkok is 1/2 day hotel to hotel by air -- so if you think you would enjoy that I don't think it's too much. It really does depend on what you like to do. With what you've planned you'll have seen some of the best ruins in Asia, a struggling to come back French colonial city, a half 21st century malls to high rises to shacks mega city -- so CM would add some country, mountains, elephants and a still large but more intimately scaled city. Lots of places to hang out, eat, drink, etc, and a day or two trekking if you want it.
Also, not sure where you're flying from to Asia but you might want an open jaw intl ticket into Siem Reap, out of BKK or the reverse, which would cut down on flights/travel time.

I used to travel alone alot before I was married and had an amazing time doing it -- you meet so many people you might not meet if you were not alone -- some places are more solo traveler friendly than others of course. There was a large NGO, volunteer, expat, journalist community in PP years ago -- check out Happy Herbs Pizza and some of the clubs, it sounds like Siem Reap has developed some of the same.
Hope that helps.