There are two options to bus into Pakse, Southern Laos: 1) From Siem Reap and 2) from Phnom Penh. Since we will be coming from Siem Reap, is it more feasible and practical to take the minivan that departs at 5am from Jasmine Lodge to Kampong Cham with transfer to a bus to Pakse (Laos) or take the Phnom Penh Sorya direct bus that leaves Phnom Penh at 0645 hrs.?
From info gathered in the internet, the only direct bus to Pakse, Laos originates from Phnom Penh (PP Sorya Transportation Co.). Since we will be coming from Siem Reap there is a minivan that leaves from Jasmine Lodge at 5am but this goes to Kampong Cham then transfer to a bus for the continuing trip to Pakse.
Would it be a good idea to opt for the minivan and bus from Siem Reap or gor to Phnom Penh for the direct bus to Pakse (Laos) that leaves at 0645 hrs.?
I am traveling with my sister in May next year and I want to avail of the most practical and comfortable land trip to Laos from Cambodia. In both instances, are we going to reach Pakse on the same day?
Will appreciate to receive your feedback.
Frankie
Reply to this Hi Ya
I know this is not what you asked for but it may be worth looking at the Laos airline flight if you want to get all the way to Pakse. The roads North through Cambodia aren't the best and it is very easy to get ripped off. This flight continues on to Luang Prabang. If you do travel by bus, go straight from Siem Reap. It is much easier to book this in Siem Reap once you get there. You're much more likely to get what you want and there are probably quite a few providers, some might even be good ;-))
As another option if you have time you may want to look at a couple of days in the Four Thousand Islands in Southern Laos. A couple of days kicking back on Don Det is well worth it.
It's about 4 hours on to Pakse from there. While you are in Pakse, if you can, a couple of days on the Bolivan plateau is fab, especially if you love coffee.
Have a fab trip
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In response to: Msg #146252
Dear Chris & Lisa,
Thanks for your advice. Originally, my plan was to fly out of Siem Reap but Lao Airline airfares to Laos are bloody expensive. I thought the 13-hour bus ride to Pakse is worth the effort considering that we will be able to avoid paying the USD25 passenger fee when leaving Cambodia by air.
Si Phan Don and the Bolaven Plateau will be in our itinerary if we will give Vientiane a miss since we are visiting Laos only for a couple of days. We are crossing the Lao Bao border to Hue, Vietnam and unfortunately, we have very limited time for this trip.
Best regards,
Totoy
Reply to this No Problems. A good idea to miss the capital, it's not very interesting and it is very expensive.
You have chosen the best bus route into Vietnam, an easy and very scenic bus ride from Savannakhet, we have travelled the opposite way a couple of times.You get the added bonus of driving through the DMZ so you don't even need to do a tour to see it once you are in Vietnam.
Have an amazing trip.
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