Cambodia question for Fuzzy Ken

[NickDunning]

Hello Ken,

After +24 years, I'd like to visit Cambo again for 7 to 10 days later this year/early next year, but I'm completely out of touch with what it was back in the Wild West days.

Where do you recommend I visit (PP, Angkor, Snookyville, etc) ON A BACKPACKER'S BUDGET, please?

[Fuzzy Ken]

Hi Nick and all those interested in Cambodia

Cambodia has changed a lot since my first visit 22 years ago.

Phnom Penh has plenty to offer including budget accommodation etc. Although not for everyone, visit the killing fields and the Genocide Museum S21, I rather the like the National Museum and SOSORO Museum. The Royal palace is a must. At weekend evenings the promenade from the Royal Palace to the night market is traffic free with plenty of stalls and street food and ad hoc entertainment. Perhaps 4 or 5 days in the city.

Siem Reap for Angkor Wat is a must. I’ve not been back for more than 10 years so many changes likely. When I return, I will not want to miss the place where rats are trained to find land mines. Really touristy so a few days could be well spent.

Never visited Sihanoukville although not too far from where I now live in Kampot. Maybe I’ll take a look but I’m in no hurry to learn mandarin. Kampot is a small town close to the sea at Kep with its large crab market.

In general, use an app for Passapp or Grab for getting around. For intercity travel use Giant Ibis bus services.

Take a look at our Cambodia travel site https://fuzzykensblog.com where you will find many useful hints and tips.

[AlexO]

Sihanoukville was a little gem before 2010. I really considered living out my remaining years there.
Since the Chinese takeover everyone from tourists to former resident expats have cursed the day the first Chinese menu appeared.
Nothing like its laid back former self, just a sprawl of new casinos, overpriced hotels and condo's serving the Chinese (and other Asian types) to the detriment of locals and expats alike.
Angkor Wat has changed as well, way overpriced and overcommercialised compared to a decade ago.
PP agree with the sites to see, but daytime traffic is a nightmare especially the central areas. Last time there, pestered nearly everywhere we went at night by quite aggressive drug peddlers.
Just my tuppence worth.

[NickDunning]

Hi Nick and all those interested in Cambodia

Cambodia has changed a lot since my first visit 22 years ago.

Phnom Penh has plenty to offer including budget accommodation etc. Although not for everyone, visit the killing fields and the Genocide Museum S21, I rather the like the National Museum and SOSORO Museum. The Royal palace is a must. At weekend evenings the promenade from the Royal Palace to the night market is traffic free with plenty of stalls and street food and ad hoc entertainment. Perhaps 4 or 5 days in the city.

Siem Reap for Angkor Wat is a must. I’ve not been back for more than 10 years so many changes likely. When I return, I will not want to miss the place where rats are trained to find land mines. Really touristy so a few days could be well spent.

Never visited Sihanoukville although not too far from where I now live in Kampot. Maybe I’ll take a look but I’m in no hurry to learn mandarin. Kampot is a small town close to the sea at Kep with its large crab market.

In general, use an app for Passapp or Grab for getting around. For intercity travel use Giant Ibis bus services.

Take a look at our Cambodia travel site https://fuzzykensblog.com where you will find many useful hints and tips.

Thanks, Ken.

[pipoz4444]

Sihanoukville was a little gem before 2010. I really considered living out my remaining years there.
Since the Chinese takeover everyone from tourists to former resident expats have cursed the day the first Chinese menu appeared.
Nothing like its laid back former self, just a sprawl of new casinos, overpriced hotels and condo's serving the Chinese (and other Asian types) to the detriment of locals and expats alike.
Angkor Wat has changed as well, way overpriced and overcommercialised compared to a decade ago.
PP agree with the sites to see, but daytime traffic is a nightmare especially the central areas. Last time there, pestered nearly everywhere we went at night by quite aggressive drug peddlers.
Just my tuppence worth.

This is the Sihanoukville of new

And this is how you destroy a coastal village/city and it is all due to the over influx of the Chinese - Criminals, yes criminals. If you ever think that the Chinese are coming to your country to help or improve it, then think again

What was the word that Ivan Danko's (Arnold S) used in the movie Red Heat to describe his fathers crimes.
"BRIGANDAGE" ,





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjHc6JE2oV0

[pipoz4444]

Was in Bangkok and Phnom Penh last week, and then went through the new Techo International Airport PP.

Took 60 minutes to get from the Techo Airport to Wat Phnom, Duan Penh, by taxi and hit a bit of traffic towards the end. Landed late Friday evening, which was expected Cost $22.00 for the taxi fare.

Took 75 minutes to get from the Wat Phnom, Duan Penh to Techo Airport on a Saturday morning by Tuk-Tuk, minimal traffic through the city early morning. Cost KHR 50,000 or $12.40 for the Tuk-Tuk ride. Quite pleasant with a cool breeze.

I think there is an express Bus option for around $4.00 but wasn't going to look for it or chance it.

In some ways the new airport is nicer that the old one is some ways, but there are some signs of a few construction shortcuts or cost cutting exercises by the Chinese, who obviously funded it and arguably managed the construction of it. Still a bit sparse and empty.

I do question what these travellators are for and where they are. They are too short to be of any use to anyone, unless you are on your last dying legs. Even then they are spaced so far apart you need a stiff drink to get from one to the other/next one. Typical Chinese Choice of flooring is another question

Still it is an achievement for the Cambodians, just hope they won't be paying off the the Chinese for the next 50 Years

[deankham]

Built from of the proceeds of their government backed scam-centers potentially???

Hasn't the US and UK governments recently siezed 15 billion dollars worth of bitcoin from the Cambodian PM?? Edit sorry it was from the Cambodian Prince Group, but same same...

[pipoz4444]

Built from of the proceeds of their government backed scam-centers potentially???

Hasn't the US and UK governments recently siezed 15 billion dollars worth of bitcoin from the Cambodian PM?? Edit sorry it was from the Cambodian Prince Group, but same same...

I wanted to be nice and just generalize where the money came from hence saying "who obviously funded it"

No one will ever know where it came from or even bother to ask, after the Bank to Bank to Bank to Bank process

[AlexO]

Built from of the proceeds of their government backed scam-centers potentially???

Hasn't the US and UK governments recently siezed 15 billion dollars worth of bitcoin from the Cambodian PM?? Edit sorry it was from the Cambodian Prince Group, but same same...

I wanted to be nice and just generalize where the money came from hence saying "who obviously funded it"

No one will ever know where it came from or even bother to ask, after the Bank to Bank to Bank to Bank process

Virtually everything to do with infrastructure or a Government Project is funded with Chinese money. Just how much of it is legal, including the large brown envelopes to the Party one can only guess.

[Fuzzy Ken]

Phnom Penh’s new airport, Techo International KTI

I am happy that the new airport has been completed as this will bring long haul flights from all corners of the globe, bypassing the need to transit in, for example, in Bangkok or Singapore. Could be a real plus for Cambodian tourism.
The F4 airport rating means that the largest of aircraft can land and be serviced here.

Later this week or early next, I will be visiting KTI to check it out for myself and the various options for transport to and from. I’m particularly interested in the public bus service from the Canon Rifle Roundabout, aka Kouch Kanong Circle, which will make the run periodically throughout the day from 5:30am to 23:30 at 15-minute intervals. Ticket price 1500 Riel, under half a dollar.

For all modes of transport, one should allow between 1½ and 2½ hours for the 30km trip, dependent upon traffic and weather etc.

Looks like Grab and Passapp will be in the region of $10

I will firm up on all this later, after my investigation.

Always interested to learn of traveler’s experiences.
Best wishes to all and remember to check our travel site at https://fuzzykensblog.com

[Fuzzy Ken]

Express City Bus to/from Phnom Penh’s New Airport

31st October 25: City Bus operate an express service to the airport for 1500 Riel, less than ½$, at about 15-minute intervals throughout the day. Note: you pay the same fare, on the bus, no matter where you board and you need the exact amount as no change is given.

The service departs from the Old Stadium Roundabout aka Canon Rifle Roundabout, but currently known as the Kouch Kanong Circle, opposite the French Embassy. I took the bus from here departing at 11:42am which arrived at the airport at 12:55pm. It stopped 4 times on route. First at the University of Health Sciences across the road from Vatanac Capital, then further down Monivong at the Ministry of Social Affairs, close to street 352, then R & F City and onto Aeon Mall 3 and last of all, the airport.

I am puzzled that the Express Bus terminates on the main road resulting in a good 15-minute walk, with all your luggage and no baggage carts, to the departure building. I am left wondering why the bus does not stop outside the airport terminal building, where tuk-tuks and taxis drop off their passengers.

Making the return journey to the city, I searched but could not find any help point for travelers’ enquiries. I was looking for directions to the Express City Bus pickup point. I asked a couple of security personnel inside the terminal but they appeared unsure although another man said “you go outside and keep walking” I would suggest that a clear sign in Khmer and English, with directional arrows inside/outside the terminal, would be helpful as would some luggage carts for the long walk.

Anyhow, I made the long, long walk keeping the airport immediately behind me until I reached the main road. I discovered more by luck than anything else, that if you turn right, you come to the bus stop for the Express Bus departures. I boarded the bus at 2:45pm, arriving at the Kouch Kanong Circle at 15:50pm. Journey times may vary dependent upon traffic etc.

For guidance, from my hotel on street 182, off Monivong, Passapp indicated 17500 Riel, just under 4½ dollars. I suspect though, that something between $15 and $25 would be required for the entire 30km journey.

Please review our Phnom Penh travel site at https://fuzzykensblog.com

[Mosquito]

Express City Bus to/from Phnom Penh’s New Airport.

Heading to PP at the end of this month. For reference getting a 30.00 USD quote from my hotel for an airport pick-up.

Question/Clarification to Location of Bus Stop at Techo International Airport.
Pls verify this is correct:
Exit terminal, walk to the main road, turn right and you'll see the Bus Stop??

Rough estimate on walking distance (walk time / distance).

Arriving during peak traffic hours (4:30pm), and hearing the bus travel time could be up to 2 hours.

Will the driver accept Baht, say a 20 Baht note for a .37 cent ride?? Understand you can use dollars, but don't expect any change.

[TheSportsBar]

I use Grab $18 usd from City to Techo since it opened around 40 minutes in the morning and a little longer on the arvo flights. Time will depend on time you arrive or depart.

[Kenr6583]

Express City Bus to/from Phnom Penh’s New Airport.

Heading to PP at the end of this month. For reference getting a 30.00 USD quote from my hotel for an airport pick-up.

Question/Clarification to Location of Bus Stop at Techo International Airport.
Pls verify this is correct:
Exit terminal, walk to the main road, turn right and you'll see the Bus Stop??

Rough estimate on walking distance (walk time / distance).

Arriving during peak traffic hours (4:30pm), and hearing the bus travel time could be up to 2 hours.

Will the driver accept Baht, say a 20 Baht note for a .37 cent ride?? Understand you can use dollars, but don't expect any change.

Thai Baht is pretty much useless in Cambodia except around border towns and currency exchangers.

[Fuzzy Ken]

Express City Bus to/from Phnom Penh’s New Airport.

Heading to PP at the end of this month. For reference getting a 30.00 USD quote from my hotel for an airport pick-up.

Question/Clarification to Location of Bus Stop at Techo International Airport.
Pls verify this is correct:
Exit terminal, walk to the main road, turn right and you'll see the Bus Stop??

Rough estimate on walking distance (walk time / distance).

Arriving during peak traffic hours (4:30pm), and hearing the bus travel time could be up to 2 hours.

Will the driver accept Baht, say a 20 Baht note for a .37 cent ride?? Understand you can use dollars, but don't expect any change.

$30 appears expensive when compared to the City Bus under ½ a dollar. However, I do not know your starting point/hotel. I assume the $30, unlike City Bus, is door to door. In any event, I would allow a good couple of hours, a lot depends on unpredictable traffic and weather etc. so choose wisely.

Arriving at the airport by City Bus, you can clearly see the airport building which is about a 15-minute walk away. As previously mentioned for the return journey, I could find no directions to the bus stop and although staff in the terminal were polite, they did not know where the bus pickup point actually is. It was suggested that I exit the building and walk straight ahead. As soon as I was outside, I remembered the long walk so no problem for me, but for anyone unfamiliar with the layout, just arriving from some foreign destination, this arrangement is, in my opinion, far from satisfactory. Anyhow, arriving at the main road with a total lack of directions, I decided to turn right and luckily found the City Bus stop. It is not the same stop as when you arrive.

The driver will only accept USD or Riel and no change is given. If you have no Riel, a one-dollar bill will suffice, but no change given, but still very cheap.

[Mosquito]

Thanks. Not in any rush to get into the city, as I'm arriving in the afternoon and just plan on checking into the hotel....getting cleaned up...having a late dinner at Metro...start hitting the bars around 9pm.

Using the bus would save me enough for 5-6 ladies drinks.