Siem Reap

[QUOTE=Sharka]
.
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.

Shark[/QUOTE]Greco,

Sharka is correct as this was also the offer when I went by bus from PP, but always ask if transfer to your hotel is included as this may now need another coupon to hand to minivan/minibus driver upon arrival. Just to be on the safe side and ask as I heard sometimes this is forgotten and some have complain they were left stranded at the bus depot outside of town and had to rely on motobikes to take them to hotel (with luggage in tow).

FZ

I will probably stay at the Golden Orange, but - what to check out Golden Banana,The Kool Hotel, Soria Moria Boutique Hotel or Tara Angkor.

Any info on the places and whether gf would be appreciated!!!

Any suggestions as to where to stay for being within easy walking distance from bars, etc

THX

[QUOTE=Fred Gold]I will probably stay at the Golden Orange, but - what to check out Golden Banana,The Kool Hotel, Soria Moria Boutique Hotel or Tara Angkor.

Any info on the places and whether gf would be appreciated!!!

Any suggestions as to where to stay for being within easy walking distance from bars, etc

THX[/QUOTE]
[url=http://www.goldenorangehotel.com/]Golden Orange[/url] is in a nice area, well-appointed, and the owner is a decent bloke, well tuned to mongering requirements. But it is not easy walking to the main nightlife and bars.

Does anyone have experience with Bangkok Air between BKK and REP in terms of their excess baggage costs. They seem to allow only 1 piece of carry on luggage not to excess 5kg. I have more and they say they charge about 100THB per kg.

Anyone have experience with them in terms of baggage?

[QUOTE=Fred Gold]Does anyone have experience with Bangkok Air between BKK and REP in terms of their excess baggage costs. They seem to allow only 1 piece of carry on luggage not to excess 5kg. I have more and they say they charge about 100THB per kg.

Anyone have experience with them in terms of baggage?[/QUOTE]I did it a couple of years ago with a small backpack in which I had an SLR camera, 2 lenses and a laptop, suspect I was around 7KG+ and nobody said anything.

[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]Kid.

Totally incorrect information. I have been from BKK to Siem Reap three times this year by ROAD. First time, I went with a mate and we drove to the border. Silly, as his wife had to drive all the way back to BKK.

On my second and third trips, I took the 5:00AM bus from MOCHIT bus station in BKK. Bought my ticket 212 baht from BLUE COUNTER # 31, and took the bus from gate #121. It takes 5 hours and takes you all the way to the market at the border. You walk across the border, and try to avoid all the touts who want to fill out forms for you and carry your baggage. I also did visa on line as it was more convenient.

After I had my Cambodian entry stamped in the passport, I walked up to the place where you take a bus to the taxi station. Last time, I ended up getting a taxi from there to Siem Reap for US$45. 00 all the way to my hotel in SIem Reap. Took 2 hours.

So, 5 hours BKK to the border, allow 1 hour for all the messing around crossing, and two hours to Siem Reap. 8 hours in all for US$ 52. 00 or so. Fly for Baht 7, 000 on Bangkok Air. No way. Too expensive!

AIR ASIA does not fly from BKK to SIEM REAP

Road is perfect condition. Sealed all the way. No problems at all.

Do the reverse to get back to BKK from Siem Reap and you will pay US$35. 00 for the taxi, as they want some $$.

Don't be conned into taking a bus back to BKK. I did that last time, and it takes something like 11 hours from pickup in Siem Reap to actually arriving in BKK. (You also change bus at the border)

Hope this helps.

[QUOTE=Fred Gold]Does anyone have experience with Bangkok Air between BKK and REP in terms of their excess baggage costs. They seem to allow only 1 piece of carry on luggage not to excess 5kg. I have more and they say they charge about 100THB per kg.

Anyone have experience with them in terms of baggage?[/QUOTE]Fred,

I fly with Bangkok airway a few time service is great, this is not a discount airline one way SR to BKK 4 yr ago cost 109 USD very expensive not sure about the baggage I have only one carry on with me no charge maybe is not over 25 kg.

Fast Eddie 48

[QUOTE=Chuckn]Kid.

Totally incorrect information. I have been from BKK to Siem Reap three times this year by ROAD. First time, I went with a mate and we drove to the border. Silly, as his wife had to drive all the way back to BKK.

On my second and third trips, I took the 5:00AM bus from MOCHIT bus station in BKK. Bought my ticket 212 baht from BLUE COUNTER # 31, and took the bus from gate #121. It takes 5 hours and takes you all the way to the market at the border. You walk across the border, and try to avoid all the touts who want to fill out forms for you and carry your baggage. I also did visa on line as it was more convenient.

After I had my Cambodian entry stamped in the passport, I walked up to the place where you take a bus to the taxi station. Last time, I ended up getting a taxi from there to Siem Reap for US$45. 00 all the way to my hotel in SIem Reap. Took 2 hours.

So, 5 hours BKK to the border, allow 1 hour for all the messing around crossing, and two hours to Siem Reap. 8 hours in all for US$ 52. 00 or so. Fly for Baht 7, 000 on Bangkok Air. No way. Too expensive!

AIR ASIA does not fly from BKK to SIEM REAP

Road is perfect condition. Sealed all the way. No problems at all.

Do the reverse to get back to BKK from Siem Reap and you will pay US$35. 00 for the taxi, as they want some $$.

Don't be conned into taking a bus back to BKK. I did that last time, and it takes something like 11 hours from pickup in Siem Reap to actually arriving in BKK. (You also change bus at the border)

Hope this helps.[/QUOTE]

I wanted too experience how it was too travel by road between Seam Reap and Bangkok (mid August 2010).
I asked some travel agencies in Seam Reap about this and they all had the same story.
It will take you 2 hours from Seam Reap to the Cambodia/Thai border (Poi Pet), than 1 hour for border change followed by a 3 hours drive to Bangkok (Koh San Road).
Pick up from your Seam Reap hotel by minibus and depending on the number of passengers they will continuing with the minibus or change to a larger aircon bus.
I travelled on a mid week day (believe it was Wednesday) and the trip was totally done through mini busses (change from mini bus on the border).
In Cambodia the driver always drove more than 100 km where mostly 60 km is signed/allowed.
When he was stopped by a traffic control (I guess they used the only laser gun available in the country) he reacted very upset, both to us his passengers as to the Cambodia police people. When he returned to the bus he did not want to say how much his fine was and also not if he has to pay by himself or that he could declare by his employer (a big lack of English happened after he was fined).
The driver from the minbus from the Thai/Cambodia border to Bangkok was even more worse; he didn’t speak any English and he drove more than 120 km per hour (but in general Thai roads are much better). Only one stop for a army control.
Within 3 hours (including a stop for fuel and using the restrooms) he dropped me and two other passengers (for a tip) on the Sukhumvite area instead of Koh San road.

This all for US $ 11.00 !

[QUOTE=Fred Gold]I will probably stay at the Golden Orange, but - what to check out Golden Banana,The Kool Hotel, Soria Moria Boutique Hotel or Tara Angkor.

Any info on the places and whether gf would be appreciated!!!

Any suggestions as to where to stay for being within easy walking distance from bars, etc

THX[/QUOTE]

I stayed at the Tara Angkor (mid August) for more than a week.
It was not a problem to bring a girl in (even where it looks like the want to register but I moved them straight forward too the elevator of too the stairs).
And......a had a very positive expierence in the (internal) massage as well. One lady was willing to go tuther than only massage. She offered that I could book her to the room (that is normal she said). She didn't want to come to my room after fineshed work.
Some days later I visited also the massage and met her again. She looks always to the door (with a small windows in) but was willing to help me with her two hands!

Forget the walking distance from Tara Angkor too Pub Street. A tuk tuk will cost you (depending on time of the day and rainy or not) between 1 and 3 US $. They start standard with US 3 and you reply with US 1 and....end up with 1,5 (in local amount KHR/Riel 5.000 or 6.000) or US 2.

Note: take a room with one big (king) bed. As your travel alone they standard give you a room with two beds. For that reason I changed one day later (and they where very willing too help me with this).

Here some of the talent that you can find in Pub Street specially in Temple Bar (after 9 PM).

They ask US 30 or US 40 as starting point and you start with US 15 and find yourself on the end somewhere in the middle.
As they rather don’t speak/understand English (and I checked out many this time and also last year) it is helpful if you have a telephone with you (as you can type in the amount that you want to pay).

Pictures not a problem; English more than the standard questions and answers: forget it.

Last two times I've come from Singapore - REP and had a nice play in Geylang first, nice change from all the pressure of Thailand girls. I flew Silk Air which is a lovely airline and if you are flying into Singapore with Singapore Airlines you can combine. [i]Nice pics[/i]

[QUOTE=Somewhere15]I wanted too experience how it was too travel by road between Seam Reap and Bangkok (mid August 2010).

I asked some travel agencies in Seam Reap about this and they all had the same story.

It will take you 2 hours from Seam Reap to the Cambodia/Thai border (Poi Pet), than 1 hour for border change followed by a 3 hours drive to Bangkok (Koh San Road).

Pick up from your Seam Reap hotel by minibus and depending on the number of passengers they will continuing with the minibus or change to a larger aircon bus.

I travelled on a mid week day (believe it was Wednesday) and the trip was totally done through mini busses (change from mini bus on the border).

In Cambodia the driver always drove more than 100 km where mostly 60 km is signed/allowed.

When he was stopped by a traffic control (I guess they used the only laser gun available in the country) he reacted very upset, both to us his passengers as to the Cambodia police people. When he returned to the bus he did not want to say how much his fine was and also not if he has to pay by himself or that he could declare by his employer (a big lack of English happened after he was fined).

The driver from the minbus from the Thai/Cambodia border to Bangkok was even more worse; he didn't speak any English and he drove more than 120 km per hour (but in general Thai roads are much better). Only one stop for a army control.

Within 3 hours (including a stop for fuel and using the restrooms) he dropped me and two other passengers (for a tip) on the Sukhumvite area instead of Koh San road.

This all for US $ 11. 00![/QUOTE]I came back from Siem Reap to Bangkok two weeks ago. I had a taxi booked for 7:30AM, and my hotel suggested that I take a bus US$16. 00 for the trip.

Well, unfortunately for me, I did it. I saw $$$$ signs, and common sense went out the window.

Was picked up at 7:30AM by a Tuk Tuk and taken to a place where there were lots of toursist waiting (Guest house)

The 8; 00AM bus finally turned up, and we were all away by 8:20 AM. The bus never went over 60 km / hour for the first hour, and we stopped at the little town about 50km from Siem Reap, for the usual convenience stop so that everone could buy drinks etc.

Then we got going, and about 11:30 Am or so, we arrived at the bus / taxi terminal which is 8 km out of Poipet. A 30 minute lunch break turned into an hour or so, and I was finally standing at the passport control at the border at 1:00PM. After going through passport control and entering Thailand, we had to swap our WHITE STICKERS on our clothing for YELLOW STICKERS, then, we all marched about 300 meters to a waiting bus. Finally got going, and we went to another place to pick up more passengers.

We evertually arrived in BKK at Kao San Road at 6:15 PM. A whole 10 hours from when the bus started, and almost 11 hours from my hotel.

Never again. I also lost my Bose noise Cancellig head phones, so, that cheap bus trip was very expensive.

My advise to return to BKK. $35. 00 taxi, and the 212 baht bus that goes to Morchit Bus Terminal. It would have been much faster.

[QUOTE=Somewhere15]I wanted too experience how it was too travel by road between Seam Reap and Bangkok (mid August 2010).
I asked some travel agencies in Seam Reap about this and they all had the same story.
It will take you 2 hours from Seam Reap to the Cambodia/Thai border (Poi Pet), than 1 hour for border change followed by a 3 hours drive to Bangkok (Koh San Road).
Pick up from your Seam Reap hotel by minibus and depending on the number of passengers they will continuing with the minibus or change to a larger aircon bus.
I travelled on a mid week day (believe it was Wednesday) and the trip was totally done through mini busses (change from mini bus on the border).
In Cambodia the driver always drove more than 100 km where mostly 60 km is signed/allowed.
When he was stopped by a traffic control (I guess they used the only laser gun available in the country) he reacted very upset, both to us his passengers as to the Cambodia police people. When he returned to the bus he did not want to say how much his fine was and also not if he has to pay by himself or that he could declare by his employer (a big lack of English happened after he was fined).
The driver from the minbus from the Thai/Cambodia border to Bangkok was even more worse; he didn’t speak any English and he drove more than 120 km per hour (but in general Thai roads are much better). Only one stop for a army control.
Within 3 hours (including a stop for fuel and using the restrooms) he dropped me and two other passengers (for a tip) on the Sukhumvite area instead of Koh San road.

This all for US $ 11.00 ![/QUOTE]
Is it 6 hours total travel time? For $11 dollars U.S. ?
You should atleast put the name of the travel agency here so that many will benefit.
It will be much shorter travel time to Pattaya if one chooses to go there.
Previously I heard Cambodian road from SR to the border is horrible. Is it etter now?

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48]Fred,

I fly with Bangkok airway a few time service is great, this is not a discount airline one way SR to BKK 4 yr ago cost 109 USD very expensive not sure about the baggage I have only one carry on with me no charge maybe is not over 25 kg.

Fast Eddie 48[/QUOTE]When I was planning to go to Siem Reap, the initial plan was to fly.

However, Bangkok Air are pirates. Try to book a fare on line, and depending on the season, its something like 5, 000 Baht. ONE WAY.

In fact, I just looked on their web site, and a return trip in early October, 2010 would cost Baht 10, 700 return. US $ 345. 00.

The road trip return for US$ 104 is a bargain. If there are two travelling together, the savings really really add up.

Thats why I go by road.

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48]Fred,

I fly with Bangkok airway a few time service is great, this is not a discount airline one way SR to BKK 4 yr ago cost 109 USD very expensive not sure about the baggage I have only one carry on with me no charge maybe is not over 25 kg.

Fast Eddie 48[/QUOTE]
Not being a low cost airline, Bangkok Airways (PG) does allow 20kg of checked luggage and the customary 5kg cabin/hand luggage.
Not a cheap airline, though