I'm weighing the options of flying to Siem Reap or going overland/water. Our plan has been to spend two nights in the Mekong (Ben Tre) and then travel back to Saigon for a flight to Siem Reap. Any advice on the best way (quickest and most interesting) to get there without flying? We already have at least 2 other flights planned in our 3 week vacation and I'm trying to minimize flying time. Thanks!

Have a look a www.pandaw.com We cruised with them from Saigon to Siem Reap, a great trip.

Boat to Phnom Penh - the contrast between Vietnam and Cambodia is quite remarkable - bus/car from PP to SR. No scenery on the lake, and possibly dodgy boats. See http://talesofasia.com/ for lots of info on traveling in Cambodia.

The boat leaves from Chau Doc at 7:30 am for P.P.. If you have the time it is a more interesting way to travel to Cambodia as opposed to going back to Saigon and hasseling with the airport.

It really depends on how much time you have and if you are plannig to visit P.P..
Enyoy
Sally

I can only agree with Tangata. The Pandaw is an exceptional voyage and one that will utterly captivate you. You can find my trip report here: http://www.independenttraveler.com/t...rts.cfm?ID=258

I appreciate the recommendations for the Pandaw - it does look like a fabulous trip, but it is outside of our budget.
Thank you for all your responses so far. How long is the car trip from PP to SR? And how long would it take us to get to Chau Doc from My Tho?

Thanks!

I would think from My Tho to Chau Doc it would take about 5hrs by road and you would have to spend the night there as you will have missed the boats to Phnom Penh.

You have a choice of 3 different boats from Chau Doc.

The expensive one operated by Victoria Hotels http://www.victoriahotels-asia.com/t...udoc/toget.php

The fairly new service that takes around 4 hrs and cost $35. These are new boats, quite comfortable and are equipped with a toilet. They are much better than the regular fast ferries and just about as good as the Victory Hotel ferry. Email: [email protected]. for reservations.

The regular fast boat for $15. Not recommended.

The boats makes a stop at Vinh Xuong Gate in Vietnam to do the exit visa. Then stop again at Khau Kaam Samnor Gate in Cambodia for immigration procedure then continue to Sisovat Pier in Phnom Penh. Visa into Cambodia is available here - $20 plus 2 phots.

If you don't want to stay in PP (it is well worth a day or two) you could get a taxi to Siem Reap for around $40-60, getting you in there in the evening. However if you stay, then a great and inexpensive way is by bus - nobody takes the overpriced boat anymore. The road from PP to SR is in good shape and affords a great way to see the countryside. The best bus is the Mekong Express that leaves at 7.30am and 12.30pm, takes around 5+ hrs and cost $9. It is a/c, the seats are quite comfortable and there is a bathroom. Their office is opposite where the boat to Siem Reap used to depart on Sisowath Quay - Tel: 023-427-518. If you phone them they will pick you up your hotel.

Note that the SR bus station is a disgrace and for many can be an overwhelming; unpleasant and chaotic first impression of Siem Reap.

Hi,
Just wanted to weigh in as we did this reverse route last week.

The Mekong Express bus from PP to SR is fantastic. Very comfortable, and landscapes are beautiful. The 5 hours passed fast (though not thanks to the endless music videos playing on the television!) You even get a little narration along the way for some of the sites. When the bus stops for lunch (I don't know what town it was) walk up the street a bit to find the local market. Pretty interesting.

Scotters gives good advice about the boat from Chau Doc. We almost took the 35$ boat, but I didn't book it in advance and didn't see it advertised in town (in PP) so we took the 15$ boat. It was fine - fun actually. But not incredibly comfortable, kind of cramped. There is no toilet on board but there is one at the border crossing. We found that the boat company was surprisingly efficient with our passports and forms.
Have fun!