Do we need to book bus tickets in advance?
 

We are planning to take several bus trips while in Asia in February and I am wondering if we need to book them online in advance? For the following routes:

HCMC-Can Tho. Bus
Can Tho-Chau doc. Bus
Chau Doc to Phnom Penh. I think the Murray guesthouse is going to book both tickets for us on this.

Phnom Penh-Siem Reap bus? Probably the Cambodia Post Bus. 6 hours, but it gets great reviews and is only eight dollars per person. I know we can fly pretty reasonably, but really by the time we get to the airport and wait around and then fly and then land it's not a super big time difference, and this way we can see some of the countryside.

Super excited about this trip! 5 weeks total.

Thanks,


Gin

You don't really need to book tickets for any of those. HMC-Can Tho depart every 30 mins or so - the bus station is away from District 1 (7 I think ) so get your hotel to book a taxi.

Can Tho to Chau Doc are less frequent. We just turned up and got tickets on the day without a problem, but you could buy tickets on arrival from HCMC.

One tip. On arrival in CD bus station, when we arrived, the rickshaw and taxi guys were have a siesta and tried to charge triple the normal fare. I walked. It is about 1.5km. Maybe Murray can arrange collection for you if you know which bus.

Murray Guesthouse is great (see if they can organise San as a guide for you) she was excellent and speaks great English. They will book the boat tickets for you and provide rickshaws to get to to the boat dock. For so reason our driver decided to take us on an early morning detour through the markets which was great.

I haven't done the Post Bus but have also heard good things about it. I agree that once you factor in transit and airport waiting time the difference is minimal. May well try it next year so would be interested to hear how you get on. If you are heading to Kampot from PP you may want to take a look at te new train that has just started running. LancasterLad recent posted a link.

@Crellston<<<If you are heading to Kampot from PP you may want to take a look at te new train that has just started running. LancasterLad recent posted a link.>>>

Here's the link to the train...

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...il-service.cfm

Some first days of Feb are still on Tet holiday in Vietnam so you should check bus in advance. Other no need to book at advance, wait until arrival Saigon, you can check and book then.

Thanks for the info. We are headed to Siem Reap from PP, then flying to Chiang Mai.