Pattaya to Phnom-Penh

[Sullo 0]

Got to go to Phnom-Penh for a day or two what’s the best way to get there , read a site said I need a visa is that right ?

 

Should I go Bangkok and fly or can you go direct from Pattaya somehow.

 

Never been before any advice is welcome . Oh and also hotel tip once there what’s a decent 3 star hotel good for two nights , need Cable TV and hot water ! email number or web sites ?

Thanks Rob

[SunnyValentine 173]

Great site with information on Cambodia as well as updated overland travel info is

Tales Of Asia

 

Sunny

[carcareers 0]

Flying is easy, only about an hour flight. You need 2 passport size photo's to give immigration at the airport in Phnom Phen (you can get them at don muang photo booths). I think the visa you get on arrival is about $20 U.S.

 

Be sure and take very small $$$$ with you. I spent U.S. money during my trip. I can be difficult to change larger bills.

[aqua4 2]

There is also a taxi that runs from Khao San Road each day in Bangkok.

[wombat 5]

http://www.se-asiaboard.com/board/index.ph...af5357214a5a72f

[OnMyWay 0]

Sullo,

 

Just take a flight. It's much easier, safer & you'll arrive refreshed. The visa on arrival is $20 & you do need two of the small visa photos to give them. Inisde the arrival door is the immigration counter. One takes your passport and photos, the next collects the $20 and the next hands you back your passport complete with visa.

 

I can't recommed enough to take $1 & $5 bills. They will accept US currency almost everywhere. BUT, if you give them anything much bigger than a $10 us bill, change is hard to come by. Be safe, stick with $1's and $5's.

 

Have a good time!

 

Mark

[SunnyValentine 173]

In case you forgot the photos, you have 2 options at Pnom Penh Airport:

a) pay 4 Dollars to have Passport photos made.

Pay 2 Dollars tip, and they will forget to ask you for Photos.

 

I agree, flying is the way to go, especially when you don't have much time.

 

Sunny

[Sullo 0]

Great info thanks guy flying it is, with the two passport pics, small US Bills glad I asked , what should I pay for plane ticket ? I guess any travel center in Bangkok will have about the same, any suggestions on a comfortable hotel 3 star in Phnom Phen

[SunnyValentine 173]

Sullo, try River Star Hotel or Bougainvillier Hotel, the latter more upscale than the first one.

Also heard from others that the California Guesthouse is very good, but make sure you reserve a River view room, some of the other rooms are rather dumps.

 

Oh, and a return flight is around 6000 - 7000 Bt; book anywhere. Bangkok Airways and their Cambodian Daughter/Partner (forgot the name) have a monopoly on this track, so not much choice ......

 

hope this helps, and have a great time!

 

Sunny

[SunnyValentine 173]

Ok, small US bills, and: Don't even think of exchanging money into riels at all!

While in the USA the national currency is the US$ (1 Dollar = 100 cents), in Cambodia it is the US-$ (1US-$ = 4000 Riel).

As long as you have some One and 5 Dollar bills, you will probably get change back in Riels, that should be enough to cover the small expenses like a Motodop within PP (1500 - 3000 Riel) or Water or a Coke or a leaf of french baguette on tthe street; you pay with Dollar everywhere, and get change back in Dollars, or Riels. Only Motodups have the tendency to "no have" ANY change, so you might haggle him to 2000 Riel for the trip of 2 or 3 Km, and pay him one Dollar as you don't have change, and he says he don't have....!

Any don't believe any tout telling you the governement recently imposed a rule for foreigners to exchange money at the border, THIS IS SCAM!

Again: Never ever think of changing money into Riels, you will get scammed or shortchanged one way or the other

 

Sunny

[Flash_Basbo 0]

Any don't believe any tout telling you the governement recently imposed a rule for foreigners to exchange money at the border, THIS IS SCAM!

Again: Never ever think of changing money into Riels, you will get scammed or shortchanged one way or the other

Sunny has already made this clear but I just want to second it. I went to Cambodia on a whim and got played in the Riel game on the border. I only lost money on the exchange but it was annoying. US dollars are happily accepted everywhere.

[greenhorn 7]

I found out the hard way that there were no ATMs in Cambodia in Mar-Apr04.

 

But you could go to any of the major local banks, with a bank card or cc? and your passport to either get $ or riels.... it was about 4000riels to the buck then......

 

I asked for small dollars and 100,000 in 500... what a roll... oh oh oh I was rich...

[SunnyValentine 173]

I asked for small dollars and 100,000 in 500... what a roll... oh oh oh I was rich...

What a feeling! Yeah!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunny

[BigDUSA 71]

Can you change riels back to USD or baht?

[RWB 0]

Best to not acquire enough riels to even thing about exchange. Take good usd$1's, 5's and maybe a few 20's, but never pay for anything that will result in you getting large amount riels back in change, ie don't pay for beer with a usd$20. The baht is also good there, same thing don't use large denomination for small tab. You should try to spend whatever "excess" in riels you have, although everyone wants usd or baht, not riel.

 

If you go, and have the time, see the killing fields and prison. It is a downer, but really a must see (only once though!).

 

Hire a taxi for the time you are there, a good driver will take good care of you, very cheap and will keep you safe.

 

Interesting flight, a Boeing 737(I believe) with what appeared to be Russian instructions and a Russian flight crew. First time I ever landed at an airport with MIG's.

 

There are some good posts here already on Kampuchea, check them out.

 

Have a good trip, it is diff. but lots of fun.

[bigfoot 0]

Try this hotel out its only been open a couple of months and is right in the middle of the action.whatever hotel you choose make sure to get a airport pick up (free)

 

http://flamingos.com.kh/

 

also these hotels are good for around 20.00 per night --- Sakura,Big Luck,Paris.

 

don't forget you need USD 25.00 for your departure tax.

 

the foot

[SunnyValentine 173]

Can you change riels back to USD or baht?

Never have enough Riels on you to even think of it! Actually, I doubt it, but maybe ...

 

Sunny

[greenhorn 7]

Tol Sleng is very educational.... it's surprisingly mundane...

Imagine a torture centre taking over a surburban secondary school.... very creepy and pretty scarey for the neighbours..

 

The coffee shop just outside is excellent.

 

You must try the Blind Masseurs.... excellent bone crunching massages...

[leemo 0]

Must be way off the screen here because I never take small $ bills and never had a problem; any moneychanger, bar, hotel or restaurant will gladly swap your new $100 for any combo of denominations.

 

Also, do carry some reil; not a lot, $10-20 with refills as required should give you enough and also control of payment for incidentals.

 

Try the Flamingo hotel, around corner from Walkabout and almost opposite Shanghai. It's a new place, partner/manager is Kim, spent some years owning a restaurant in the US, sold out and returned home to family, fame and fortune. You'll be well looked after at $16/night incl breakfast, with pleasant roof garden for an evening of relaxation, and free transfer to/from airport, so book ahead and save $7+return. I stayed there 10 days on my last visit, and was so pleased with courtesy and diligence that I gave all at reception, kitchen, housekeeping and bar $5 a piece.

 

gl

 

 

leemo

[oldtimer 0]

If you are going to Cambodia,dont fly President Airlines, they fly Ruskie Antonov 24s and they are real shitbuckets, poor a/c no legroom. the domestic aircraft we flew in was showing 2 layers of canvas on one of the tyres,scarey shit.but we had a good time and a must to go and see the ruins at Siem Reap.cheers Oldtimer

[TURBO 1]

I also recommend that you don't use President Air for the same reasons . They are the cheapest but BKk airways is only slightly dearer & worth the extra .

 

As it's your first visit you should hire a driver for $20 - $25 per day . I can recommend Ben Wee , e-mail benweekh@yahoo.com . He speaks good English , has a good car & will act as a guide as well . He will take you to all the main sites & knows the nightlife as well .

 

You should take a tour of the Grand Palace in Phnom Penh . Similiar to the one in Bkk but smaller and better kept .