I am a budget/midrange traveler. Want to visit Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia as a side trip. What are some of the creative ways to avoid paying the cost prohibitive Bangkok Airways fares
($147/one way) as most of the tours terminate in Siem Reap. If I book a flight to Phnom Penh from Siem Reap then exit Cambodia from there, am I still saving money? All suggestions greatly appreciated. PS I absolutely do not want to go over land, want to fly.

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You're resistance to go overland put a big crimp in the budget aspect of going to Siem Reap.

I would recommend, on a budget, that you fly to PP on AirAsia (about $100us R/T). From there take the boat, or a taxi, to Siem Reap. Boat is about $20, taxi is about $30. See Siem Reap, and Ankhor Wat, then return to PP by taxi, or bus. Total cost will be less than just the flight from BKK to Siem Reap. Bangkok Air has the monopoly on that route.
The road from PP to Siem Reap is good, but if you want to fly the whole thing, then forget your budget. The flight from Siem Reap to PP, or vise versa is $157, again on BangkokAir.
If you are insistant about flying, then the cheapest is about $260us just for the flights.
If you relent, and go overland from PP to Siem Reap, the whole trip including hotels will cost you about the same as just the flights.

Just a thought.

koolbreez

I guess my idea of budget/mid range is different from others; here in Hawaii we used to being gouged so I guess the costs you stated are in line with what my family and I want to do.

The economy package we are looking at from Mittapheap Tours is $261/USD pp based on 7 pax and includes: all hotel rooms in PP & Siem Reap, tour and sightseeing w/ English speaking guide, one way domestic air ticktet PP to Siem Reap, private ground transportation w/ AC, boat rental fees, all entrance fees to tour sites throughout and all meals for 4 days and 3 nights.

We do intend to utilize AirAsia for the BKK to PP portion. The cost of the taxi back from Siem Reap to PP you mentioned is agreeable too. To clarify, we did not want to go overland coming from BKK to Cambodia.


Next questions....how long is the boat ride from Siem Reap to PP? how long is taxi ride? Sounds like enough overland experience for us in this portion.

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The boat ride is about 7 hours. You might want to take a good cushion, food, and water. The taxi is about 5 hours, 6 hours given a few stops.

That's a pretty good price for your tour.

Have fun.

koolbreez

The tour price is very good for 4days/3nights but I would suggest paying the extra $25 to get better hotels, especially in Siem Reap where a hotel pool is great to cool off in after a hot day at the temples. Getting there can be cheap by using discount airline Air Asia from Bangkok to Phnom Penh. Return fare will be between $57-79 (depending what day you fly and how far in advance booked) plus airport taxes of $20 and 25. Since the tour does not provide transportation from SR back to PP you could take the bus (best is Mekong Express at $10) Takes around 5hrs over a good road. Don't bother taking the overpriced boat as it takes the same amount of time if not more and is not that comfortable. Before the road was improved and better buses, the boat was the only way to go.

Hi Khun Pamela,
My 5 cents. Although the price of the tour you suggested sounds OK I'd do it on my own if I were you. Gives you a lot more freedom to do what you want and would probably work out cheaper. It isn't difficult especially for a seasoned traveller like yourself. Fly BKK PP on Air Asia (book ASAP to get the best rates) and take the bus or hire a taxi between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. It's dead easy to get tours once you're there, hiring a tuk tuk with an English speaking guide (well my tuk tuk driver doubled as the guide) to see Angkhor Wat and the temples cost $10/day when I was there 3 years ago, doubt if it's increased too much. Or you can rent a bicyle. The entrance fee to visit the temples was $40 for a 3 day pass or $20 for a one day pass and you need a photo for the pass.
Have a look at this hotel for Siem Reap ... I didn't actually stay there but used the pool a couple of times and it's very pleasant... as Scotters said, a pool is good after the temples.

Bopha-Angkor.com - to Bopha Angkor Hotel & Restaurant - Siem Reap, Cambodia


PS. Please take pics of the fried spiders en route between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh for Mark as my digital camera was in repair when I went (green mould problem again) and I only had a throw away camera from a 7/11 with me.

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“Not all those who wander are lost.” Tolkien.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

I see Mark hasn't fixed the *welcome* bug on here yet!

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“Not all those who wander are lost.” Tolkien.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

PS. Check out Tales of Asia - Home for good info on Cambodia too.

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“Not all those who wander are lost.” Tolkien.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Fio, thanks for the insight and not only will I take pictures of fried spiders, I'll try and eat one too. I think. Maybe not. Haha!

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Ooops, forget to thank you too Scotters & Koolbreez. I'm looking forward to my first Cambodia visit. All of your tips are greatly appreciated.

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Be a traveler, not a tourist.