|
Phnom Penh or Siem Reap
to/from Koh Chang
Many people choose to combine a trip to
Cambodia, in particular Siem Reap with a few days on the beach on Koh Chang.
It should be simple enough, the
distances involved aren't prohibitive and there are, at first sight, plenty
of cheap buses providing transport services. But look a little closer, read
what your guide book has to say, read travel discussion boards and you'll
quickly notice the huge number of complaints and warnings from people who've
bought tickets for transfers into and out of Cambodia. Many people buy
the tickets even though they know they're going to get ripped off somewhere
but think they can avoid it happening to them, this isn't as easy as you
think.
Therefore, a lot of people choose to
fly in and out of Cambodia. This eliminates all the potential
headaches that you might have read about but is very expensive. It's
also very inconvenient as you have to go via Bangkok, there's are no direct
Siem Reap or Phnom Penh - Trat flights at present.
A one way ticket for one person from
Siem Reap to Bangkok in high season is around 5,500 baht - including all
taxes, plus another US$25 (1,000 baht) for the Cambodian departure tax.
Then you would have to get from of Bangkok to Koh Chang - another 500
baht/person if you use a taxi & bus or nearer 3,000 baht/person for for a
flight to Trat plus the airport minibus to your hotel on Koh Chang.
So, to avoid the problems associated
with overland border crossings, two people have to budget between 14 -
19,000 baht to get from Siem Reap (or Phnom Penh) to Koh Chang if you fly
out of Cambodia.
In the 2005-06 high season I was
receiving several emails a week from people looking for ideas about how to
make the journey between Koh Chang & Siem Reap easily, safely and without
having any experiences that would cause them not to enjoy their holiday on
the way. There wasn't much I could suggest. Tickets for
minibuses were on sale through many tour agencies on Koh Chang for around
1500 - 1800 baht. These always involved a nights stay at the border, or, so I
heard later from a few people who made the trip, involved arriving in Siem Reap in the middle of the night and being dropped off at some unknown
hotel. (You didn't have to stay there, you could just walk out onto
the unlit streets of a town you've never been to before and try to find
another place. Obviously the tour agencies knew that most people
wouldn't do this, and they'd make plenty of commission from the hotel.)
So I had an idea for a private transfer
with some form of 'No Scam' guarantee. This service would be ideal for
anyone who wants to avoid the expense of flying and the problems associated
with the cheapest forms of travel.
The private transfer by minivan.
Guests will be able to make the trip
Siem Reap or Phnom Penh to/from Koh Chang by private minivan. The
service will be coordinated by two tour agencies, one Thai & one Cambodian.
Departures will be early morning,
before 9am, and arrival time will be in the evening.
1) Koh Chang to/from Siem Reap
There are two possible routes, one
which uses the main crossing between Thailand & Cambodia, the often busy
Aranyaprahet border crossing, which is notorious for queues, but is nearer
to Siem Reap. The alternative is a much less used border crossing at
Pailin, closer to Koh Chang and with none of the hustle and bustle of
Aranyaprathet border. But is it a longer drive to Siem Reap from this
border
From the mainland ferry pier to Aranyaprathet
border crossing = 4 hours +
Aranyaprathet - Siem Reap = 4 hours, Total = 8 hours plus time to cross the
border.
Alternatively, the mainland ferry pier to Pailin border crossing = 2 and
half + Pailin - Siem Reap = 6 hours, Total = 8 and half hours plus time to
cross the border.
(Approximate timings
due to traffic conditions etc.)
Jan 2008 - Changes at
Poipet-Aranyaprathet border crossing - this affects people who will take the
Koh Chang - Siem Reap transfer. There have been a couple of changes.
a) The Cambodian partner travel agency
will require your passport details. When their driver can show your passport
details he is allowed to meet you at the Immigration area, where he
also can help carry bags etc. Without the passport details he has to wait
together with lots of other drivers outside the area.
b) The Cambodian government has just
signed an agreement with two private companies to run shuttle buses for
foreigner visitors between Immigration office and public transport areas.
You won't require this shuttle bus as you have a private transfer, but
buying a ticket is compulsory. Therefore, even though you wont use it, you
still have to pay US$1 per person for a ticket at the border. Sure
it's a rip-off but it's an offical rip-off and so there's nothing you can do
about it.
2) Koh Chang to/from Phnom Penh
It is possible to drive all the way
overland by passing through the Koh Kong border crossing less than 100
kilometres from Trat town, although many guidebooks still only make
reference to having to take a ferry to Sihanoukville and from there take a
bus/minivan to Phnom Penh. (The new Koh Kong - Phnom Penh road is one
of the better roads in Cambodia.)
The route is mainland ferry pier to Koh
Kong border = 2 hours + Koh Kong border - Phnom Penh = 6 hours, Total = 8
hours.
3) Koh Chang to/from Sihanoukville
Until recently anyone wanting to go
between the Thai border and Sihanoukville had to endure a 5 hours boat ride
along the coast of Cambodia. That all changed a couple of years ago.
It is now possible to do the journey by road which allows for more
flexibility in travel plans.
Travel time is similar to Phnom Penh to
Koh Chang above.
(Approximate timings
due to weather, traffic conditions etc.)
How much does it cost?
The cost for the private transfer, from
May 2008 onwards. Price is per vehicle - not per person - are as follows:
Siem Reap to/from Koh Chang
Private car for 2 people: 8,500
Baht total (approx. 170 Euros / US$ 220)
Minivan for up to 8 passengers:
10,000 Baht total (approx. 200 Euros / US$ 270)
Phnom Penh to/from Koh Chang
Private car for 2 people: 8,000
Baht total (approx. 160 Euros / US$ 210)
Minivan for up to 8 passengers:
10,000 Baht total (approx. 190 Euros / US$ 240)
Sihanoukville to/from Koh Chang
Private car for 2 people: 8,000
Baht total (approx. 160 Euros / US$ 210)
Minivan for up to 8 passengers:
10,000 Baht total (approx. 190 Euros / US$ 240)
*Prices are for a one-way transfer.*
It is also possible to arrange a
private transfer to the border crossings at Aranyaprathet (if you're coming
from / going to Siem Reap) or Hat Lek (if you're heading to/from
Sihanoukville)
A transfer from Aranyaprathet border
crossing to/from Koh
Chang is also available for 4,800 Baht total for 1- 9
passengers.
A transfer from Hat Lek border,
crossing to/from Koh
Chang is also available for 2,500 Baht total for 1- 9
passengers.
The price you are quoted includes all
expenses such as VAT, gasoline, and ferry
tickets. There are no hidden extras or taxes. You pay the
driver, in cash, when you arrive at your destination. No
advance deposit or credit card payment is required.
Note that visa fees aren't included.
If
you are heading into Cambodia you will need a Cambodian tourist visa.
The cost is typically around 1,100 baht at the border, however it is cheaper
to get the visa in advance either from your own country or in Bangkok for
US$20. One passport photo is also needed. The Cambodian government has
also introduced 'e-visa' service that works surprisingly well.
No need for any expensive trips to the Embassy or queuing at the border
crossing. Do it all online at
http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh
Coming out of Cambodia and into
Thailand there is no departure tax to pay if you're travelling overland, and
a 30 day visa will be automatically issued by Thai Immigration to visitors
from all western countries.
Crossing the border.
You will be dropped off at one side of
the border crossing and will have representative waiting for you on
the other side.
At the border, the paperwork you need
to complete is simple. Just remember to only deal with uniformed Immigration
officers and to refuse all offers of help from any locals that are hanging
around.
The travel agency will provide you with
contact phone numbers in case you encounter of problems at the border.
When you cross the border a
representative from the tour agency will be waiting for you with a sign
board with your name on it.
The 'No Scam' guarantee:
It's simple . . . if you are
scammed, duped, misled, deliberately delayed, taken to any unknown hotels,
dropped off at restaurants in the middle of nowhere several times during the
trip, made to pay to fill in unnecessary forms, taken to any
destination you didn't want to go to etc etc, the cost of your transfer will
be refunded in full.
Who provides the service?
To provide this service I have
partnered with a well known Koh Chang based tour agency - one fully
licensed by the Tourist Authority of Thailand. They will provide the
transportation services on the Thai side of the border.
Their clients on Koh Chang include many
of the package tour operators and luxury hotels. They aren't the
cheapest tour agency, but for a price difference of a couple of hundred
baht, I'd prefer to deal with an agency that has a reputation for
reliability and has experienced, European management which ensures
that any prices & arrangements that are confirmed will stay confirmed and
won't change at a later date.
(At the time of updating the site -
June '07,
they've arranged over 300 private transfers for visitors to
this site, including quite a few of the people staying at our guesthouse.
I've yet to receive any complaints about poor service but have received a
lot of compliments on the safe driving & reliability of the driver etc.)
On the Cambodia side of the border
transport will be provided by a Cambodian tour operator who already working
in partnership with the Koh Chang tour company above. They too have
earned a reputation for good customer service and providing an honest
service.
Note: Regardless of what a
tour agency may tell you if you are travelling overland you will have to
change buses / cars / minivans etc at the border.
How to book?
Simply complete the booking form.
When I receive your details I'll confirm whether a private transfer is
available, (at busy periods you should book as far in advance as
possible.) and I'll also confirm the cost for you. If you then want to
make a booking, just let me know and the manager of the tour
agency on Koh Chang will contact you direct to arrange specific details such as when and where
you will meet your driver etc.
Booking / Enquiry form
|
