Hanoi to Siem Reap
by Anonymous
What do you recommend for flying into Siem Reap from Hanoi, Vietnam?
I have looked at some flights and they all seem pretty pricey.
What is the best way to get there on a budget?
=========================================Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.comI'd love to know what your definition of pricey is and how much time you have.
If you are limited on time buy your flight ticket online. Here is the best website I know for
Deals on Flight Tickets
.
The online flight company is asking $200USD for a 1 way ticket to Siem Reap. I checked some local travel agencies here in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and prices ranged from $280 up to $400USD.
You'll need a credit card to book it, though.
I would love to see you go from Hanoi to Siem Reap via the adventurer's path, though.
If you have a lot of time to spare then I would take a bus from Hanoi to Louangphrabang in Laos. I'd spend the day doing an inner tube ride down the river then hop on a bus at night to arrive at the Cambodia Border crossing in the early morning.
Then it's straight on to Siem Reap. On another bus!
It is a really long ride but a very spectacular one in my opinion. If you have the time it would be more memorable than a visit to the now over crowded temples at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.
The trip I am suggesting is a moderately popular trail that's well known
by travel agents, the ones that know their stuff anyway.
I took 4 days to do that trip but only because I fell in love with Laos. It is a stunning place and worth every penny of the $125USD it cost me to get from Hanoi to Siem Reap.
I'm sure you could do it in 2-3 days and spend $62.50USD. That is just a basic calculation that assumes you are looking to keep costs as low as possible.
That means $7USD guesthouses, very few beers and no extra -curricular excursions.
I won't mention the train from Hanoi to Danang and then across to Cambodia by bus to Siem Reap. It can be done and would save you the cost of a Loas Visa and the train would be faster but more expensive and painful.
Get back to me with more details about your time frame, where you are now and when you expect to make this trip. Ask if you want more info about the train to Danang as well.
Take care of yourself,
philip.