Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING TO VIETNAM: PHNOM PENH TO HO CHI MINH CITY
Getting to the border
The original
Bavet/Moc Bailand crossing
between Vietnam and Cambodia
has seen steady traffic for two decades. The easiest way to get to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is to
catch an international bus (US$8 to US$13, seven hours) from Phnom Penh. We recommend taking a
Vietnamese company, such as Sapaco, as it will speed entry into Vietnam in the event of long lines at
the border. There are several companies making this trip (
Click here
).
At the border
Long lines entering either country are not uncommon, but otherwise it's straightfor-
ward provided you purchase a Vietnamese visa in advance.
Moving on
If you are not on the international bus, it's not hard to find onward transport to Ho Chi
Minh City or elsewhere.
Getting Around
Being such a small city, Phnom Penh is quite easy to get around, although the traffic is
getting worse by the year and traffic jams are common around the morning and evening
rush hour, particularly around the two main north-south boulevards, Monivong and Noro-
dom.
TO/FROM THE AIRPORT
Phnom Penh International Airport is 7km west of central Phnom Penh, via Russian Blvd.
An official booth outside the airport arrivals area arranges taxis to the centre for US$9
to US$12; a
remork
costs a flat US$9/7. You can get a
remork
for $US4 and a
moto
for
half that if you walk one minute out to the street. Heading to the airport from central Ph-
nom Penh, a taxi/
remork
/
moto
will cost about US$9/4/2. The journey usually takes
about 30 minutes.
BICYCLE
It is possible to hire bicycles at some of the guesthouses around town for about US$1 to
US$2 a day, but take a look at the chaotic traffic conditions before venturing forth. Once
you get used to the anarchy, it can be a fun way to get around.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Exploring Phnom Penh and the surrounding areas on a motorbike is a very liberating ex-
perience if you are used to chaotic traffic conditions.
There are numerous motorbike hire places around town. A 100cc Honda costs US$4 to
US$7 per day and 250cc dirt bikes run from US$12 to US$30 per day. You'll have to
