Travelling in a Cambodian Post Van
8th May 2023 - New Experience Number 16.
A Cambodian Post Van is not your usual way of travelling, yet it’s an alternative way of getting between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and is well worth considering as an option for transport.
Here’s what our experience was like, and how you can use it too.
I’d certainly never travelled in a post van before, and added this as one of my 52 new things in 2023.
Seeing The Sights In Cambodia
Like many travellers visiting Cambodia, we started our journey in the chaotically brilliant capital, Phnom Penh, where we joined a friend for birthday celebrations.
Our next stop was Siem Reap, home of the magnificent temples. We looked into the best way to get between the two must-visit cities.
Getting Across Cambodia
There were multiple bus companies running between the two cities but none of them got particularly good reviews. The word ‘safety’ was often mentioned, and not in a good way!
The Other Half did a bit more research and discovered that we could travel in a Cambodian Post VIP Van. There weren’t as many reviews, but they were all pretty good and the price was low.
The pick up point was at the post office in Phenom Penh which was very central, and the drop off was in the centre of Siem Reap. It sounded ideal, so we booked our tickets online.
Smooth Journey As We Travelled In A Cambodian Post Van
We arrived at the post office and ‘checked in’ which basically involved a cursory look at the email, and an indication to sit and wait until our driver was ready for us.
The post van was more of a minibus than the mail service vehicles we see elsewhere. It had comfy seats for 10 passengers, and just enough leg room. The small amount of post, and our rucksacks, went into the back.
The journey was swift and smooth and most passengers nodded off at intervals. It started raining hard as it got dark and there were only a couple of overtaking manoeuvres which were worthy of an eyebrow raise, but we felt in safe hands.
Two stops at services along the way gave us chance to stretch legs, use the toilet and pick up snacks if needed. Having heard some stories of buses not waiting for all of their passengers to re-board after a break and leaving people stranded at services and having to make their own way onwards, we made sure we kept the minibus in view!
Delivered Ahead Of Time By The Cambodian Post Van
Five hours later, ahead of our expected arrival time, we pulled in to Siem Reap Post Office. Safe, with all of our luggage, and ready for more exploring.
This was definitely a first class service and got our stamp of approval. (Sorry! I couldn’t resist!)
Want To Try It Yourself?
We booked the Cambodia Post VIP Van through book me bus.
They run several services most days.
Not going to Cambodia but fancy trying something similar? Next time you need to make a journey, why not look into whether there are some more unusual methods of transport that you could use?
Cost Of Experience
In May 2023 it cost us $10 each for a seat on the Cambodia Post VIP Van which converted to £8 per person.
Recommendations
- Stock up on food and water. It’s at least a five hour journey. There are stops so you’ll have the opportunity to buy anything if you need it. However, be considerate of your fellow passengers and try not to take anything strong smelling.
- Keep an eye on the time. When you stop for breaks, make sure you’re back at the bus for the allocated time.
- Stretch your legs at the services. Something to consider is that the Cambodian Post Van is not as spacious as big buses, so you can’t just get up and move about as you might want to.
- Get comfy. Take something to use as a pillow.
- Share your experience! Have you travelled by any unusual means of transport? Have you taken the Cambodian Post Van? How was it?!