I'm in the midst of planning a RTW itinerary and wanted to find out which country i should spend the longest time in so that I could do an overland trip (bus, etc...) to check out Cambodia. Specifically, which country will provide the least amount of hassle and the best/cheapest transport service to check out the palaces and other places of interest. Any ideas/experiences???
Reply to this Bangkok. Mainly KSR as it is great for organizing land travel. I've gone from Bangkok to Sam Reip via bus--not the quickest route but definitely a great experience. Anyway I recommend using Bangkok as you base of operations 😊 Have fun!!
Reply to this You could also make it from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in So. Vietnam to Siem Reap via Pnom Penh in a days bussing. It shouldn't be any more hassle to get to Cambodia from either place, I would recommend deciding whether you'd rather see Thailand or Vietnam. Consider that they have different rainy seasons as well. One may fit your travel dates better than the other.
Reply to this Hello Glyingpolish 😊
I would say Thailand because it is the least expensive and the visa situation is less complicated and can be less expensive than for Cambodia and Vietnam.
Mel
Reply to this Personally I prefer to use Thailand as the base because of it greater accessibility to modern infrastructure.
Reply to this Hi ,
I am doing SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore for 3 months from March. I cant wait to be see SE Asia especially after spending 6 weeks in India.
Cheers for the info,
PTB
Reply to this Thanks for the info everyone! This is going to be exciting!
Reply to this Id agree with all the Peps that suggested Thailand, its cheap and user friendly and agencys on Kao san can organise everything including visas
Reply to this Thailand is best because the transportation is cheap and reliable and the country is easy to deal with! When complaints come up in regards to bus travel, too often it is a bus out of the Khao San Road area! Complaints of buses frequently breaking down, theft of items from the underneath or rear storage area to lack of service! If you simply need a ride from point A to point B then take a regular long distance bus out of a real bus station!
When you use a bus, train or plane keep your valuables close by or in sight. Don't put money, valuables, passports, medicines or electronics in the checked in bag. There are instances where the suggestion is made that stored bags on buses originating from Khao San Road sources have been rifled through during part of the trip, one idea is that someone is crawling around under the bus checking all the bags. Who knows! In any event don't put anything of value in a checked in bag!
It is easy to sign up for regular tours in Bangkok by simply finding the nearest travel agent and checking out their menu book of tours. Choose a tour and the company will pick you up at your hotel and return you there at the end of the tour.
I prefer a hotel near the Skytrain in Bangkok so I can use that overhead train service to take me around the city cheap and easy!
Good luck on your trip.
Reply to this Hi Guy,
i'm argree with your opinion, vietnam is a very cheap than cambodia & vietnam. but why don't you try onetimes to vietnam for paradise beaches and the world heritage halong bays-hoian town-phong nha cave-hue museum.....
i'm assure you will have uncredible time in vietnam.
dave
Reply to this I took a bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap and it is fine. The roads weren't the greatest between the border and Siem Reap, lots of potholes. Made for a very bumpy ride. One female traveler on the bus broke down and cried for the last hour of the trip due to the discomfort of the bumps.
Don't change your money at the border, you will be given a terrible rate. There are atms in Siem Reap and US currency is preferred by most guesthouses and restaurants.
Cheers,
Michael
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