powellnut

Hello All;
Trying to find a reasonable flight from BKK to Siem Reap. Only rates I can find are in the $350.00 range one way. Anyone know of a lower cost airline? May have to fly to Phnom Penh, Then to Siem Reap and back again..Air asia to Phnom Penh is in the $70-$100 range. Cambodian air between the two cities is $65..

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated..

Kathie

As there is currently only one airline that flies between Bangkok and Siem Reap, it is expensive. Flying to PP then either a short hop or a bus/taxi (several hours) to Siem Reap is an efficient way to get there.

lcuy

Air Asia goes BKK - Kuala Lumpur- Siem Reap. A bit less, but you have to deplane in KL and check in again. BKK- PP + bus is the cheapest, unless you do the land route.

silverwool

Don't try bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap. I've heard some horrendous stories of scams. My daughter does it sometimes but she speaks Cambodian. She is always amused to see how the scammers try and keep her away from the tourists.

I'd recommend flying to PP and then bus (Mekong Express) to Siem Reap. Phnom Penh is worth a day or two to look around if you've got time.

thursdaysd

There is a lot of info on how to avoid the scams going overland from BKK to SR on talesofasia.com. I did it successfully in the other direction, and I hear the road in Cambodia is in much better shape these days. However, flying to PP and taking the bus is likely the best way, especially if you stop off in PP for a couple of days.

crellston

5 years ago we did the train to Aranyabprahtet, crossed the border to Poipet and got a taxi to Siem Reap. Train was about $5 us and the taxi around $50. The train ride was fun and took around 4 hours, the taxi ride took about the same and was pretty boring as I recall. Crossing the border was a bit of a pain but keep your wits about you and it is not too bad and a pre arranged visa would probably help a lot.

The above is probably the cheapest way but it does take time. Phnom Penh is one of my favourite cities in Asia and I would recommend you give serious consideration to spending a night or two there. Siem Reap is ok for Angkor, but otherwise does not IMO otherwise have a great deal going for it.

powellnut

thanks for tips. Would like some tips on the following..BKK to Phnom Penh, two full days there, then Kampot for a couple of days, back to Phnom Penh, then fly to Siem Riep. a couple of days there, then back to Bangkok.
Here is the interesting question..Flying to BKK from Siem Riep is app $350 US. Bus to BKK from SR is $10 US. Difference would fund 6 additional nights in BKK. Is this a fair tradeoff? OR is the bus that bad of an experience?? I have more time than money, so seriously considering this..
thoughts?? concerns??

Kathie

The bus trip from BKK to Siem Reap is a scammer's delight. Read www.talesofasia.com before doing the bus trip. If I wasn't going to spend the money on the Bangkok Air flight, I'd do the BKK-PP flight then bus to SR. Crellston's train/taxi trip is also an option. But do read all of the details at Tales of Asia before making a decision.

Also, prepare for Siem Reap by getting a copy of Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples. It takes three full days just to see the major temples. For some people two days is enough, for others a week isn't enough. If you are going all the way to Cambodia, make sure you are spending the time you want at Angkor.

powellnut

Thanks Kathie, I have heard about the issues traveling to Siem Reap. But I am entertaining traveling From Siem Reip to BKK. Isn't that an easier non event route??

Kathie

Ah, missed that. Yes, fewer scams that direction.

thursdaysd

powelnut - I did that route a while back, no problems. Car and driver to the border, government bus on to BKK. Alas, more expensive these days due to the cost of gas.

lcuy

According to many people, the land crossing from Cambodia TO Thailand Is nothing like the reverse.

powellnut

Thanks all!! appreciate the info. We are going to do PP for several days, then fly to SR for the same. My friends are flying out of SR, then on to Samui. I am going to try and share a taxi to the border, spend the night in Arunyaprahet, then government bus back to BKK. should be an interesting little adventure..

thursdaysd

Why would you spend the night? I did that trip easily in a day, and the road is much better now. Staying in Arun might produce adventure, but likely of the wrong kind.