Cambodia Travel informations
The most convenient way of getting to Cambodia is by air from Bangkok. Connections are short, and there are a number of carriers servicing Phnom Penh from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The country’s internal air transport system is reasonably well developed with regular flights between major towns. Remote provinces such as Ratanakiri, however, are no longer serviced by air.
Visitors can also enter Cambodia by rail, bus, or ferry from Laos, Thailand, or Vietnam. Traveling
within the country varies from easy to gruelling depending on the roads. While many highways
have been greatly improved, making journeys by bus fairly comfortable, reaching remote places may not always be a pleasant experience. For commuting within cities, visitors can choose from
tuk-tuks, motos, and taxis.
ARRIVING BY AIR
There are two major airports: Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, which operate flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai, and most major cities in the US, UK, and Australia. International carriers, such as Thai Airways,
Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Eva Airways, Air Asia, Lao Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, operate flights from Cambodia. Flying from the US takes more than 20 hours, while flying from Europe takes around 13 hours.
AIR FARES
The cost of flying to Cambodia varies depending on the airline, season, and travel agent used. Fares are usually high during holidays and the cool season (Nov–Feb), when the country gets most of its visitors.
However, air fares fall considerably during the rainy season (Jun–Oct). Visitors are advised to book tickets well in advance.
ARRIVING BY LAND OR WATER
There are at least 12 border crossings into Cambodia from Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.
The most popular crossing from Thailand is Arayprathet to Poipet. Due to recent trouble with Thailand over the ownership of Prasat Preah Vihear temple, however, the northeaster border is currently closed. Veun Kham to Dom Kralor from Laos and Moc Bai to Bavet from Vietnam are also used regularly.
These places are accessible only by car since none of the borders are linked by a rail service. Besides, improved highways have now cut journey time significantly.
Travel by water is becoming increasingly rare with few waterways linking the borders.
ON ARRIVAL
Cambodia provides the facility of visa on arrival, though it can also be applied for in advance.
An evisa can be obtained from the website http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/evisa.
Visitors are handed an immigration form in-flight, which must be presented on arrival, along with a passport-sized photograph.
The procedure is swift, provided there are at least six months left before your passport expires. Generally, a business visa is more expensive than a tourist visa. At Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
airports, visitors automatically receive a one-month visa.
GETTING TO AND FROM AIRPORTS
Departures and arrivals are handled with courtesy and efficiency at international airports, although visitors must be prepared for security checks during arrival and departure.
Tuk-tuks and air-conditioned taxis can be hired from outside the terminal at both airports.
Taxis and minibuses can also be organized in advance from upscale hotels. While the journey time from Siem Reap’s airport to the town centre is 10–15 minutes, traveling through Phnom Penh’s over-crowded streets can take up to an hour.
DEPARTURE TAX
All visitors leaving Cambodia are expected to pay a departure tax, which costs US$25 at international airports and US$18 at domestic airports. The payment can be made with cash or credit card. This is not included in the price of the ticket.
GREEN TRAVEL
While travel around Cambodia is becoming increasingly convenient with improved road networks and a growth in the transport infrastructure, it is far from eco-friendly. Many cars and mopeds still use leaded fuel, which is sold on the road side in second-hand plastic and glass bottles, because unleaded fuel is expensive. Added to this, cities such as Phnom Penh are crowded with numerous
outdated, polluting vehicles. Visitors, however, can help by taking measures such as avoiding excessive use of air conditioning in the car, especially during the cool season; using bicycles or walking for sightseeing trips wherever possible; and careful disposal of litter. When participating in
Activities such as eco-trekking, visitors should check the credentials of the company hey are using, including details of how long they have been operating, how they contribute to the local community,
and what they do to minimize their carbon footprint.
DIRECTORY
ARRIVING BY AIR
Air Asia
Phnom Penh International Airport,
Pochentong Rd, Phnom Penh.
Tel (023)-890-035.
Bangkok Airways
61 Samdech Pan, St 214, Phnom
Penh. City Map D3. Tel (023)-
426-624. www.bangkokair.com
Cathay Pacific
168 Monireth Blvd, Phnom Penh.
City Map B3. Tel (023)-424-300.
Eva Airways
11-14B, St 205, Phnom Penh.
City Map B4. Tel (023)-210-303.
Lao Airlines
111 Sihanouk, St 274, Phnom
Penh. City Map D3. Tel (023)-
222-956. www.laoairlines.com
Malaysia Airlines
35–37 Samdech Pan, St 214,
Phnom Penh. City Map D3.
Tel (023)-426-688.
Thai Airways
294 Mao Tse Toung, St 245, Phnom
Penh. City Map B4. Tel (023)-
890-292. www.thaiairways.com
Vietnam Airlines
41 Samdech Pan, St 214,
Phnom Penh. City Map D3.
Tel (023)-215-998.
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ReplyDeleteThank for continues posting your articles