Battambang, Cambodia--include or exclude?
 

I am vacillating on this location. We could fit it in, but I really don't know if there is all that much that would appeal to us to make the detour. If I fit this in, it would mean fewer days to visit Laos. Plus, it is my understanding that some people give Battambang a kind of a "meh" rating while others really like it.

While I have found some activities and tours (a day long bike trip in the countryside and a boat trip down the river) that might appeal to us, it seems like they are all primarily focused on the countryside rather than the city itself. Am I correct in thinking that this is just another large city, or is there actual appeal to the city itself? We enjoy seeing a country's rural areas, but I am starting to wonder if for people who have seen rural places in Cambodia already, this is strong enough reason to visit. The bamboo train isn't really calling to me, but maybe it is good.

As far as other places in Cambodia, we have a lot of time in Siem Reap and some time allotted to Kampot, and probably two nights for Phnom Penh.

If you've visited, what are your thoughts? Thanks.

The city itself doesn't have a lot of tourist type sights itself. Kampot is, to an extent, similar in that respect. It is really more about getting out into the surrounding countryside where there are numerous villages, ruins and temples. The bat caves are also worth a look and can be incorporated into an afternoon visit to Banan Temple which is definitely worth a look. We hired a tuk tuk over a couple of days and were able to see most of what we wanted in that time. More detail on our blog http://accidentalnomads.com/2015/06/12/battambang/ .

Battambang makes a good point to break a trip between SR and PP if travelling overland and part of that trip can be done by boat if the water levels are high enough.

Personally, I would much rather spend time in PP than SR and I don't feel that two nights is enough for Phnom Penh but that's my purely subjective view. If Battambang doesn't call to you then I would add the time to PP.

I agree with crellston. Of course, it has been a long time since I was there (2002) but the motor bike trip into the countryside and the bamboo express were the highlights for me. I also feel that PP rates at least three nights, but that assumes that you will visit the Khmer Rouge sites.

Gorgeous countryside, and the Bamboo Train were good enough reasons to attract us.

Battambang is only an hour or so by road from the overland border crossing into Thailand too.

There isn't a big city feel, infact the place is quite sleepy and winds down early after dark.

You have all convinced me to spend several days in Battambang, and I am now planning 3 nights in Phnom Penh.

We have decided that ultimately we will take our time in Cambodia to make sure we fit in everything that might interest us rather than trying to ration time so we won't short Laos. In retirement we have the luxury of saying that if we don't get to do everything we want to do in Laos we will make a return trip to cover those things and the parts of Vietnam we did not have enough time to see on our trip there seven or eight years ago.

Thanks.

Good decision. I didn't weigh in because everyone's different and we enjoyed Battambang. If you want a great tuk tuk guy call Mo 016537999.

Not a bad idea to save something for next time !