From Inside
Asia
There is no
viable rail service at present, so
you have only a few choices. You can
take a bus or mini-bus from several
adjacent countries, you can fly, or
you can enter via river or ferry
boat. In theory, you could hike or
bicycle in, but the trip would be
long, the terrain quite rugged, and
the risks from wildlife and
unexploded ordnance unacceptable to
most travelers. If you arrive by
any means other than flying into
Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, get your
visa in advance.
You can get from Vietnam and
Luang Prabang, Laos to
Cambodia on either Vietnam Airlines
(Website:
www.vietnamairlines.com.vn)
or Siem Reap Airlines. You can get
from Thailand to Cambodia on
Bangkok Air (Website:
www.bangkokair.com)
or Thailand Airway
(Website:
www.thaiair.com) Siem
Reap Airlines
(Website:
www.siemreapairways.com).
Siem Reap Airlines or Bangkok Air
are the primary carriers for
internal flights and many flights to
adjacent countries. The airlines may
do code shares with Vietnam Airlines
and Bangkok Air. The Siem Reap and
Bangkok Air aircraft are generally
up to Western standards with
Western-trained pilots and
maintenance staff. Always check to
see which airline is actually flying
your flight. The two airlines also
have an air pass – a good idea to
consider if your travels include
Thailand. You can actually book
online as well as find schedule
information on website.
While most US and major European
airlines no longer require
reconfirmation of flights, Asian
airlines are different. There is a
high demand for seats, so if you
fail to reconfirm at least 72 hours
before your flight –you should
actually do so at least 72 hours
before and again the day before –
you may not have a seat.
Flights between adjacent countries
in Southeast Asia and within
countries are overbooked and
frequently canceled or rescheduled.
In fact, flights often leave earlier
than originally scheduled, so you
could be there on-time and still
miss your flight. Asian airlines
depart the minute the plane is full.
