Has anyone been on the 5 hour public hydrafoil between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap?

Would like to see life on the river and lake but not if it's uncomfortably crowded.
I hate to think what facilities on board would be like.

Has anyone done the hydrafoil?

Has no one been on the hydrafoil?

Rhonda

hold on girl it's still the weekend.. verry few people post then..

and odds are not too many will know anothng about it. you may have better luck on lonely planet or roughguides site.

President airlines is the national airline I believe they have cheepest fare.

OK - in case nobody else replies. I am drawn by your comment "I hate to think what facilities on board would be like". I asked a similar Q some weeks back on the LP about SMALL boats from Siem Reap to Battembang. I wanted to know about loos - I don't much care if it's a plank with a hole in it - as long as there is one.

Now here's what I learned - fast boats have loos, and on the run to Phnomn Phenh the fast boat is Japanese run.
They have a website:

http://www.mekongexpresstourboat.com/

Thanks Alice13, I knew someone out there would know something.

We're tossing up whether to do an Intrepid Independent trip which includes the hydrafoil (public transport unescorted) or a Travel Indochina trip which flies between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

I know I could just organise things myself, particularly with all the help on this site but I want to try out one of these 2 tour companies which have been recommended to me.

Hi Rhonda - look, haven't got there myself yet - researching and reseaching, but not much forward planning. I do my own thing 'cos that's the way I like to do it. Given the choice I would jump at a river trip - Intrepid have a great reputation and they will deliver you to the starting point, I'm sure, and pick you up at the other end. And, to be honest, that's often the most difficult part of the deal - once you are on the boat, you're on the boat, and make of it what you will.

Hope you decide to go for it - based on other travels I've made. Who knows? We might even be on the same boat.

Sticking an oar in here - don't fly - go on!!

WOW some true independent adventure travelers. I havnt seen many in here for a long time. I usualy do the same style of travel. not cuz IM adventures but rather a cheep bastard.

where else are you going.?

orgy7 we normally do our own thing too but I thought just for once I'd give a tour co. a go.

Exactly where else we go will depend on which trip we decide in Cambodia.

Option 1
Arrive Bangkok mid afternoon 28 Nov for 2 nights.
01 Dec fly to Siem Reap for Travel Indochina trip.
04 Dec fly back to Bangkok from Phnom Penh.(Flights are booked, can easily change them)
Then straight to Hua Hin for a few days.
07 - 09 Dec back in Bangkok.

Option 2
Arrive Bangkok 28 Nov
Fly straight to Phnom Penh.
Start Intrepid Independent trip 29 Nov
Finish in Siem Reap Sat 5 Dec
Then 05 Dec - 09 Dec in Bangkok.

I know there's lots to do in Bangkok. We've never been there. On the other hand a short beach break at Hua Hin may be nice with a trip into the National Park one day.

What do you think?

it's cool you want too go too Phnom penh. but why?... it's not a nock but maybe you know something some of us don't..

what does the indochina tour offer.?

The main differences are:

Group size - up to 15(not my cup of tea)with Travel Indochina, local guide and tour leader for groups with more than 7. Aircon transport.
Intrepid - only you and local guide in car
Flight between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh with Travel IndoChina (saving time)
Hydrafoil with Intrepid
Duration: 4 days/3 nights with Travel Indochina
Intrepid - 6 days/5 nights extra time in Siem Reap
Standard Travel Indochina hotels = Intrepid's "In style" accom.

So, 6 of one half dozen of the other.
Not sure which to choose.

Depending upon the time of year, the hydrofoil takes between 5 and 10 hours (it goes slower in April when it is dry and the river level is lower). The ride is interesting, but make sure to bring sun screen, a hat, and sit on top of the boat (where it is cooler and safer - if the boat sinks, you'll never get out of the sardine can of the interior).

Ben, we're going late Nov.

10 hours!!! I thought 5 was bad enough.

Is it the Mekong Express alice13 advised?

I think flying sounds the better option at this stage.

It looks like you're getting good advice here, for up to date information on Cambodia also look at http://www.talesofasia.com/.

A great big THANKYOU everyone for your leads. As a result I've decided to organise it all myself both Thailand and Cambodia. I'm not ready yet to go on a tour with up to 14 others.

Anna thankyou for the www.talesofasia.com site.

From there I discovered another great one:

www.trekthailand.net.

At this stage I'm planning to take over some resources to help with their "Learning Class for Young People" project as suggested by their return email to me. By booking tours and lodgings through them I hope to support the locals and not just the large multinational hotel chains.

Thanks again.

Here is my guide's e-mail addres in Siem Reap. He can tell you first hand. He was very helpful on many recommendations to us. Please contact Saron. Personally, I'd fly because I didn't want to spend so much time on the lake when I could be doing something else.
[email protected]
he also has a website www.sarontours.com He will be happy just to answer your question.

Thanks Wanda, I've emailed Saron and also yourself requesting accommodation suggestions also.