Cambodia Visas

Visas can be obtained on entry to Cambodia at airports and many overland crossing points.

There are relatively few Cambodian Consulates around the World for advance visa purchase; but it is hardly necessary given the ease of getting one on entry.

Many overland travelers obtain their visas from the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok. This is a painless process if you have a couple of days to spare. Tourist visas cost $20 and are valid for one month. These can be renewed once for an additional month only.

If you want to stay longer; 1 month Business Visas cost $25 and are renewable through some travel Agencies.

There are some visa scams at the Poipet border where some Thai Travel agency buses stop just short of the border for lunch and offer to get your visa at an inflated price (Up to $40) There is absolutely no need to do this.

Thai Visas are normally given free for 1 month at overland border crossings for most countries in Europe EU and US etc. if you are coming from an unusual country and are passing through Thailand check with your countries embassy (or website).

Vietnam Visas We can obtain Your Vietnamese Visa for you, in 3 -4 Working Days; the price is currently $35.

If you are passing through Bangkok or Phnom Penh you can get your Vietnamese Visas there through many travel agencies.
Go to Top

Flights to and from Cambodia

Flights are best booked well in advance. Most people fly through Bangkok. As the regional hub it has the best and cheapest choices. Costs to Bangkok from London for example can be as low as under £400 return; but expect £700 or more at Christmas or if you have to fly at short notice.

You can fly direct to Siem Reap from Bangkok using Bangkok Airways $135. Bangkok Airways are doing some good deals if you buy a multi destination ticket within Thailand and to neighbouring countries inc Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. $50 for an internal Thai flight and $80 international within SE Asia.

There is a hefty $25 departure tax from Cambodian Airports for international flights and a variable rate for internal. This applies to PP to Siem Reap
(Flights are approx $60-$70 + tax)

Flying via Phnom Penh

It is well worth flying here either on the outward leg or on return. However there sometimes is a lower baggage limit than on International Flights. This should not be problem off season, but on busy flights in peak season you may have to pay a baggage surcharge we will clarify this if we obtain air tickets for you.

There is a variable departure tax from Cambodian Airports for internal flights. This applies to PP to Siem Reap (Between $5 and $18)

Ferries from Siem Reap to and from Phnom Penh

Fast ferries do the PP SR run in around 5 hours. The Royal, Chhenna Express and Rambo boats are running daily. The boats have a car service to pick up passengers from their hotels in Siem Reap 5:30 am.
Go to Top

Examples of fares etc

Please note that there are seasonal variations and discounts; especially from Phnom Penh so don't be surprised to find cheaper fares at times.

In the Dry Season esp. Feb to Aug, the water levels on the Tonle Sap Lake make boat travel slower and less reliable. There are sometimes 2 -3 changes of boat and at worst it can take 9 or more hours. There is no food or drink provided on these boats.
Go to Top

Siem Reap to and from Phnom Penh by road

Now that the road has improved; the bus has now become a cheaper, more reliable and faster option. Buses take around 51/2 hours and cost between $4 and $6 . There is usually a 1/2 hour stop in Kompong Thom.

We can arrange a pick up from the Bus Station which has recently moves to the east of Siem Reap Town. It can be very chaotic there on arrival with many drivers and touts. Stay cool; don't rush and look out for our driver with our orange Peace of Angkor board.

Taxis can cost from $40+ for the journey which takes 4 Hours.

It is also possible to go by road or take a boat to Battambang and continue to Phnom Penh by bus.

For the train enthusiast; it is also possible to go by rail from Battambang to P Penh; but do not expect speed or comfort!
Go to Top

Overland Travel

The overland routes into Cambodia are generally improving; however even the main routes to Siem Reap are unpaved or in a very poor state of repair . We recommend taking the air con public bus from Bangkok (Morchit) Northern terminal. If you catch a bus at 7am or 7:30 you can get to Aranyaprathet at 12 pm. A short Tuk Tuk ride (5Km) takes you too the Cambodia border.

The train from Bangkok is a good and enjoyable option. Trains leave at 5:55 and arrive at Aryanapathet around 12pm. There are many willing tuk tuk drivers to take you the 6kms to the border. Don't be persuaded to buy onward tickets on the Thai side as you are likely to have long delays waiting for a bus.

Poipet Border Crossing
The border crossing situation has now changed in July 2005 . The price of a visa has risen to 1000THB ($25).

On exit from Cambodian immigration, tourists are sometimes directed to a 'free' Tourist bus which is now taking tourists to an a new Bus station near the Market in Poipet; where minivans and buses transport tourists to Siem Reap.

It is not compulsory to use this .

If you have arranged a taxi pick up from us; do not use the free service; wait at the exit from immigration.

We have a car service to take you from Poipet to MOM’S GUEST HOUSE with no hassles. just let us know at least 2 days in advance.

The fixed taxi fare has risen to $45 for tourist cars to Siem Reap. This has been enforced by the authorities by putting up the fee that drivers have to pay per journey .

The cost on the bus service to Siem Reap is $11 per person. The bus is ending its journey at the new Bus Station East of town. We understand that there can be delays waiting for the bus to fill up; but the bus drives direct to Siem Reap Bus Station with a short stop and should take around 4-5hours.

The new bus station is a chaotic entry to Siem Reap. Please be patient if you have pre arranged a pick up. There are a lot of drivers and in busy periods it will take time to find our driver with our orange peace of Angkor Board.

Tales of Asia has a useful forum on this subject which makes interesting reading.

Road conditions have deteriorated along parts of the route. The rains and heavy traffic have caused severe damage to the road surface from Poipet to 30kms east of Kralanh that is two thirds of the 180kms Allow 5 to 6hours for the journey.

The route to Phnom Penh is now much improved; 300kms of tarmac road; buses take 5 1/2 hours; cars 3-4 hours. We will pick you up at the bus station which is to the East of town. It can be chaotic and noisy at times; so stay cool and look out for our driver with our orange Peace of Angkor board.
Go to Top

Warning for bus travellers

Avoid the rip off Kao San Road Bangkok buses and go by public buses from the Northern Bus Terminal or by train.

Here are the reasons why

Everyone who uses the Bangkok Tour Agency Buses have had problems; from overpriced visas, to horrendous journeys up to 18-20 hours in cramped minivans or pickups arriving in the early hours. Arriving at the guest houses late at night you will be pressurised into staying at their guest house.

• They will not help with transport or often even allow phone calls to your chosen hotel or guest house. Most TAT agencies in Bangkok say the journey takes 8-10 hours via Poipet. Don't believe them! At best It will take 12 or more hours. Some operators are now sending people to remote border crossings; taking 18-20 hours on arriving at 2am.

• The Bus that takes you from Bangkok to the border is usually a good air con vehicle . If you are taken to a place called Pallin It is here that most problems occur. If you are asked to pay $1500 baht or more for visa; our best advice is to refuse to go any further; walk back into Thailand and take a Taxi to Poipet.

• If you stay there you will certainly be delayed by 3 hours waiting for the transport (usually overcrowded minivans or pickup trucks ). you will have an uncomfortable journey on dirt roads via Battambang; with numerous long stops and at least one well rehearsed breakdown. If you get to Siem Reap before midnight; count yourself lucky!

• Poipet is a big town with new Casinos straddling the main road there are plenty of taxis to take you from there.

• Buses from Bangkok can arrive anywhere in Siem Reap and frequently very late Well rehearsed breakdowns are a common reason for delay so we can only collect you if you phone us from your arrival point

Going From Siem Reap to Bangkok is also a problem with some bus companies. They are generally good to Poipet; but many people are having long delays on the Thai Side. So far we cannot strongly recommend any company on this route; as it is a bit of a lottery beyond the Thai Border. as to what bus you get on. If you are lucky you can get a luxury VIP bus with WC. We do use Chhenna Tours from time to time, although slow, (12hours) they get to KS Road OK.
Go to Top

Money & Exchange

Take ample amounts of US Dollars here. They are the most widely used currency in Cambodia. You get 6400riel to the GP£ or 4000r to the US$.

Some areas near Thailand use Thai Baht, though you would get a worse exchange rate. US$ Travellers cheques are the best ones ones to have. Commission rates for T/Cs are 2- 4%.

It really isn’t worth changing local currency when you arrive, as riels are just used as small change. There are no coins; just low value notes; 100r = £0.8p. Virtually all businesses convert riels at the following rate $1=4000r, For example when changing dollars and are expecting $1.25 in change you would get $1+1000r(25c).
Go to Top

Temples and Passes

There are 3 Passes Currently available; all are purchased at the Ticket Office on the road to Angkor Wat. For the multi day passes a passport type photo is required. You can get a photo on the spot; but in busy periods, queues for the photo office can be long.

• 1 Day $20: giving access to all Temples
• 3 Day $40: this is the most popular; most of the main sights can be covered in 3 days.
• 7 Day $60: with this pass you have scope to visit a lot of the outlying sites and have a rest and relaxation in between.

We recommend a minimum of 3 days to visit the Angkor Temples. The sites are so big and spread out that anything less than that will not really do these fabulous sights justice. The heat Even in the "'cool"' season can make scrambling around the ruins hard work. A week pass is good value for temple enthusiasts; as even some of the smaller sights require a pass. There are a lot of Tourist Police who do spot checks.

There are fines for those without a ticket and severe penalties for anyone foolish enough to remove any of the temple artifacts.
Go to Top

Health

There are no compulsory inoculations; however some vaccinations are strongly advised. Below is just a brief guide. Doctors can give safe advice.

Hepatitis A, B and Tetanus vaccinations are advised. Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis & Cholera do occur in some areas of Cambodia and can also be inoculated against.

Yellow Fever: an inoculation certificate is required if you are travelling from an infected area. It is not normally necessary if you are coming from Europe or USA etc.

Malaria and Dengue Fever are a risk in Cambodia; they are both carried by mosquitoes. Within towns and cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap areas, Malaria risk is low. Out in the country, one would need to be especially careful after dark. Long sleeves and light coloured trousers will help, as will a good insecticide spray. Doctors and pharmacies prescribe various types of Malarial pills. Some can be very expensive in UK.

Most common types are easily and cheaply obtained in pharmacies here and Thailand without prescription.

Dengue fever: is less dangerous than Malaria, but it can be very unpleasant. The mosquitoes carrying this disease are active by day. Unfortunately there is no vaccination available, so one should take similar precautions as you would for Malaria Particular care should be taken in the early mornings and late afternoons.

Salt deficiency and dehydration: can be a problem if not enough water is taken. Drink far more (water) than you would do in temperate zones and take plenty of salt with food.

Health Insurance: is essential as some medical facilities are not up to western standards. We can put you in touch with reliable 24 hour English speaking doctors here in the unlikely event of you being unwell. Food hygiene: and water is a lot better here than many Asian countries. All western run and most Khmer run restaurants provide good safe cooked food. Ice is made in factories so should not be a concern. Water at our villa in Siem reap is relatively clean; taken directly from underground; however we do not advise drinking it!

We have ample supplies of clean bottled water for guests.
Go to Top

Toilets

There are good WC/Restrooms at many of the main Angkor Temple Sites. They of a decent hotel standard with Western Loos and are usually kept immaculately clean; You need to show your Temple Pass for free admission

In the towns and bus stands etc WCs are generally good. Many Hotels and the better eating places places have clean western style toilets of a standard that we found surprising on our first visit. Standards can be higher than neighbouring Thailand for example. Toilet paper is sometimes supplied; so take tissues just in case.

Only out in the country do conditions deteriorate; where facilities are basic or non-existent.
Go to Top

Land mines and Beggars

Cambodia is one of the most heavily mined countries in the World; the large numbers of maimed beggars on the streets are testimony to this.

Towns and tourist sights are safe. Only if you go wandering off the paths in rural areas against advice will you be at risk.

It is a very sad fact of life here that there are a number of disabled beggars on the streets here. There is no social welfare, but there are disabled support groups like Angkor Association for the Disabled who train disabled people to develop their skills and improve the quality of life for their families. It is far better to give to charities like this than the persistent beggars who hang around the Old Market in Siem Reap. They annoy tourists and I'm sure that some; if they had the will or the encouragement; could do something useful to earn a living.

We are actively supporting the Angkor Association for the Disabled and welcome donations.
Go to Top