Siem Reap

[QUOTE=Bubba999]Soria Maria is very comfortable and has room safes - I would not worry about my stuff there at all. They were happy when I checked in with my Khmer girl but not sure how they would like a different girl every night[/QUOTE]

Looks like a nice place with everything I'm looking for. I will check it out. Many thanks!

I will be in BKK and will be short on time. I want to take taxi to Aranyaprathet/ Poipet and then off to Siem Reap.

Can anyone suggest a taxi company for going from BKK to the border?

Thanks and happy hunting

[QUOTE=Fred Gold]I will be in BKK and will be short on time. I want to take taxi to Aranyaprathet/ Poipet and then off to Siem Reap.

Can anyone suggest a taxi company for going from BKK to the border?

Thanks and happy hunting[/QUOTE]

Unless you enjoy 6 hrs drive, I suggest using [url]www.bangkokair.com/[/url] , who have 4 daily flights BKK-REP at currently THB 7170.

And if you insist on going by road, take a bus. ca. THB 250 BKK Poipet.

GOOGLE for the taxi option.

[QUOTE=Fred Gold]I will be in BKK and will be short on time. I want to take taxi to Aranyaprathet/ Poipet and then off to Siem Reap. Can anyone suggest a taxi company for going from BKK to the border?
Thanks and happy hunting[/QUOTE]

You can go to just about any travel agency in BKK and inquire of the bus to Siam Reap. I strongly suggest that you fly as the road to Siam Reap is EXTREAMELY terrible. If you do take the bus don't change money along the way, wait until you get to Siam Reap. [url]www.Airasia.com[/url] Please fly!

Cheers,

Kid

[QUOTE=Kidgib9]You can go to just about any travel agency in BKK and inquire of the bus to Siam Reap. I strongly suggest that you fly as the road to Siam Reap is EXTREAMELY terrible. If you do take the bus don't change money along the way, wait until you get to Siam Reap. [url]www.Airasia.com[/url] Please fly!

Cheers,

Kid[/QUOTE]

While in total agreement w.r.t. the bus, roads and flying, be aware that AirAsia does NOT fly BKK to Siem Reap, only to PNH. And then you can choose between bus and ancient Russian-made hydrofoil to get to REP, both 4-6 hours with the latter horribly uncomfortable.

[QUOTE=Kidgib9]I strongly suggest that you fly as the road to Siam Reap is EXTREAMELY terrible.[/QUOTE]When did you do it? The condition of this road varies a lot, depending on season (worse of course during the rainy season) and maintenance (which may or may not be related to financial incentives from a certain airline that flies from SR to Bangkok). All I know is the last time I did it, around last new year's, it was a pretty good road. In fact it hasn't been totally terrible for a good two or three years now, AFAIK.

The main thing is not to get on one of the buses from hell -- the Khaosan Rd. specials for Lonely Planet people. You want the ordinary SR-Poipet aircon bus that all the Khmers take.

[QUOTE=Betong]Originally Posted by Kidgib9
I strongly suggest that you fly as the road to Siam Reap is EXTREAMELY terrible..[/QUOTE]

I drove from Siem Reap to PP this morning. The road was in very good condition, and it was an easy 4 hour drive.

Bule2004

Phnom Penh and Poipet -> SR aren't the same road. After Sway, it gets dusty with the red clay until the pavement picks up again outside SR (same in opposite direction, obviously)

PNH-SR by road is about 5 hours and the road is good (paved)

[QUOTE=Bule2004]I drove from Siem Reap to PP this morning. The road was in very good condition, and it was an easy 4 hour drive.

Bule2004[/QUOTE]

I assume that you drove your own car.Right? Any idea what the cost is by taxi?
Or more info on buses. Which company, cost, schedules etc. Any relevant site?

I've made my plans for a nine days second visit to PP and I consider a side trip to SP and/or Sihanoukville.

Thanks

[QUOTE=El Greco]Or more info on buses. Which company, cost, schedules etc. Any relevant site?

Thanks[/QUOTE]Greco,

The 2 main bus lines leaving PP for SR (or vis versa) is Sorya Transport-leaves from the main market in PP, about every hour or so until 2pm. Cost (at least the last time I used it) was about $6 one way.

The other is Mekong Express (a little more upscale and faster as it have less stops) departs from the river area, Sisowath Quay, every 2hrs or so until 2pm. Cost is about $10 one way.

Hope this helps.

[QUOTE=El Greco]I assume that you drove your own car.Right? Any idea what the cost is by taxi?
Or more info on buses. Which company, cost, schedules etc. Any relevant site?

I've made my plans for a nine days second visit to PP and I consider a side trip to SP and/or Sihanoukville.

Thanks[/QUOTE]


Sorya bus company was the one I usually use as it was the cheapest $5-6, but could take the longest as it sometimes make a few stops along the way.
Mekong bus would be a good alternate as it is more direct, makes almost no stops but cost a bit more (a whopping $10 or so). Not sure of any bus websites as it would be useless anyway as they mainly take cash to purchase. No problems booking a seat on the same day you plan to travel or play it safe and buy it the evening before--I've done both.

BTW: side trip to SP? where's that.= I'm assuming you meant SR.

Haven't been to Snooky for awhile now so interested in knowing what the current news is like, such as prices and quality. Please post or PM me with happenings in Sihanoukville.

Shark

[QUOTE=El Greco] Any idea what the cost is by taxi?


[/QUOTE]


Sorry, forgot to answer this part.

Cost of taxi is about $40-50 if you are the only rider. So, only worth it if you are with a few others traveling with you. Otherwise take the bus. Cheap and safe. Both takes about the same time anyway. Taxi maybe 30-40min faster.
When your bus arrives in SR, the bus station is way outside of town and this is where they drop your ass off but don't panic, your bus fare includes a free minivan transfer to your hotel in SR.

Enjoy

Shark

[QUOTE=Sharka]Sorry, forgot to answer this part.

Cost of taxi is about $40-50 if you are the only rider. So, only worth it if you are with a few others traveling with you. Otherwise take the bus. Cheap and safe. Both takes about the same time anyway. Taxi maybe 30-40min faster.
When your bus arrives in SR, the bus station is way outside of town and this is where they drop your ass off but don't panic, your bus fare includes a free minivan transfer to your hotel in SR.

Enjoy

Shark[/QUOTE]

Thank you very much for all the info Shark.

Yes I meant Siem Reap and no Sao Paolo (SP). lol

I just read the last 10 pages of reports on siem reap and there is no mention of GF friendly hotels. Any previous questions went unanswered, is this because of crackdowns by the authorities?

If anyone can help out, it would be appreciated and even better if the place had a pool to cool down during the hot afternoons?

I'm planning on being there sept 7-9th.

Thanks

[QUOTE=Madraz]I just read the last 10 pages of reports on siem reap and there is no mention of GF friendly hotels. Any previous questions went unanswered, is this because of crackdowns by the authorities?

If anyone can help out, it would be appreciated and even better if the place had a pool to cool down during the hot afternoons?

I'm planning on being there sept 7-9th.

Thanks[/QUOTE]Madraz,

I am sure most hotel in SR is GF maybe some of the 5 star place cater to family is not, the place I stay at golden orange staff there offer me girl for 40 USD for LT.

Fast Eddie 48