Cambodia

[Pagey]

Any of you guys visited Cambodia from Bkk ?

What does a visa cost and where can I buy it ?

Whats the best method of travelling between Pnohm Penn and Siem Reap ? According to my old L.Planet there is a boat which takes about 5 hours, anyone used this ?

Accommodation suggestions in both places, I usually pay around 1000 Baht in Thailand.

Also anyone visited the beach areas ?

3 of us (Brits) are travelling from Saudi Arabia at the end of July so would welcome any first hand experiences.

Thanks.

[lomuamart]

I think a visa on arrival at the border at Arayna Prathet costs 1,200 Baht and gives you 30 days.
I hear that Sihanoukville is pretty laid back.
Hopefully, others can give you more detailed information.

[buksida]

I've been but it was a long time ago so my info may not be relevant now.

I got my visa at the Cambodian consulate in Bangkok, it cost $30 USD.

Got a train from BKK to Aranya then road to SR, that was a hellish journey that took nearly 12 hours, things should be better now.

The boat leaves a water village on Tonle Sap and goes to Phnom Penh in about 2-3 hours, it was a tiny little speeder with about 300 people on it, pigs, goats and fruit. Not a very comfortable journey but a good way to see the surrounding countryside.

Accom ranges from beat up guesthouses shrouded in a familiar smokey aroma to half decent hotels, can't remember any names though.

Sihanoukville is worth a visit, nice laid back place on the coast.

I did a trip report at the time which I can post if you like but it is quite long!

[hogus]

Nowadays you can apply for and receive your Cambodia-Visa online.
It costs US$ 25 and is valid for 30 days.
Just go to the following government-website for applications and further informations.
http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/index.php?version=eng

Cheap flights can be ordered also online with airasia.
A flight is mostly cheaper more than a taxi-ride from Hua Hin to Bangkok.
E-tickets will be sending to your e-mail within a working day.
Just print it out.
http://www.airasia.com/site/en/home.jsp

About accommodations, well, I heard that the Asia Hotel Phnom Penh isn't bad, but I didn't test it out yet.

[darwinian]

If you are flying to Cambodia you can buy a visa on arrival for$20.
Bring a passport photo.

[hogus]

You're right,

but I made it online and got my visa already.

[Pagey]

Thanks guys.

Since asking around I have decided to spend a week in Koh Chang so will be going from there over the border to Cambodia.

[gaijin]

Siem Reap Airways (see siemreapairways.com), which is affiliated with Bangkok Airways, is not expensive and flies from Bangkok to Siem Reap as well as Siem Reap to Phon Phen. You can buy your visa on arrival. They will want payment for the visa in US dollars. The main currency that you will need in Cambodia is the US dollar. Indeed, the ATM’s in Cambodia dispense US dollars.

[Harry]

I recently got my visa renewed, took one of the regular tour buses from BKK. Cost 2,000B. Decent enough service.

[hogus]

Just came back from a Cambodia-trip (Phnom Penh) a couple of days ago.
The city was booming ...many tourists, foreigner businessmen and former Thai-Expats.
A "Low Season" like in TH wasn't recognizable, although the locals call it so, too.

For those who are searching for an alternative to TH:

- You should apply for a b-visa in advance, not the normal tourist-visa.
The b-visa costs US$ 25 is 30 days valid and will be issued in every Cambodian-Embassy or Consulate.
Special documents are not necessary!
- You can extend this b-visa endless! No visa-trips are needed!
The Immigration-Office is opposite the International Airport.
It's often easier to get an agent to do it for you...even some Hotels offers this service.
If you're willing to pay for a 1-year-extension about US$ 280, 6 months US$ 155 (maximum prices), you'll get "express" service, 2-3 day turn-around, enquire at the office.
Just passport and photo are required!
- Visa over-stay is charged at US$ 5 per day
- Many nice accommodations are available for rent...simple rooms, apartments, but also exclusive villas in the town-center (quiet areas and boulevards) for i.e. US$ 800/per month
- In the city you'll find all you need... western restaurants, bakeries, Pubs, Discos etc. ... the prices are mostly cheaper as in TH...the locals (and also officials) are friendly and have better English-language skills then our Thai-friends.
- To get US$ is no problem.
There are many ATMs installed!
- The bad side for people, which are interested in real estates...it's the same as in TH and the Phils.
You can't become owner of land & houses, or just under questionable and risky (law-???)constructions.
- If you want to run a business, you have to go a similar way as in TH...apply for a work-permit, licenses etc., but it seems the paperwork isn't so intensive and expensive as here.

My personal resume:

Cambodia is a very good alternative for those, which want to have a similar lifestyle as in TH, but under cheaper and more comfortable (visa-)conditions.
Unfortunately, as in TH you should avoid big private investments, too.
Only Malaysia seems to be liberal enough (in SEA) to grant real ownership for foreigner investments yet.

[lomuamart]

Good resume, hogus. I've always heard it's good over in Cambodia.
The visa situation and cost is much more flexible than Thailand, but acommodation from what you've said is expensive.
I've always said that certain parts of Malaysia are potentially better.
More road trips with real experiences, please.

[hogus]

You're true Lo,

accommodations are expensive...but keep in mind please, it's the capital of Cambodia, and the villas I wrote above are mostly 8 bedrooms-villas, built in French colonial style with nice gardens or even swimming-pools.
I’m sure, you can find cheaper more houses, apartments etc. outside the city-center of Phnom Penh.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t enough time to search around outside the center…just visited the “Killing fieldsâ€

[Mart]

You can get the business visa on arrival, just make sure you state which visa you want - cost is the same, $25.

Check all your dollars. You will find it hard to spend torn, dirty notes: beware, that even the banks/money changers will try to palm you off with dodgy looking notes. Check them as you get them, and just hand back any bad looking ones for exchange.

Mart

[darwinian]

The business visa is $25 but the tourist visa is only $20.
You have to pay a departure tax of $25 so keek some $$$ for when you leave

[hogus]

Right, but only the business-visa can be extended for 6 or 12 months, if you'd like to stay longer more in Cambodia, or even want to live there, as I posted above.