Bangkok and Phnom Penh are the capitals of Thailand and Cambodia, and are also two tourist destinations that are highly sought after by domestic and international tourists. It would be great to be able to explore both countries in one trip. Let’s take a look at the ideal schedule with Metta Voyage to visit from Bangkok to Phnom Penh in the article below!
1. Overview about Bangkok
1.1. Introduction of Bangkok
Tourism in Thailand is no longer strange to tourists around the world, especially for young Vietnamese. Referring to Thailand, it is impossible not to mention countless attractive spicy dishes, shopping centers with thousands of diverse items or interesting places to visit… In particular, Bangkok is known as the tourist paradise of Thailand. This place is not only famous for its beautiful tourist sites, ancient temples and pagodas, but also the convergence of everything a tourist wants such as busy commercial centers, tourist services, unique entertainment, rich cuisine… Exploring Bangkok will definitely help you have memorable experiences!
1.2. The best time to visit Bangkok
The period from November to February is the best time to travel to Bangkok, at this time the weather is cool and pleasant. However, this is also the peak tourist season, so the number of visitors here will be very crowded and the price of services will also increase. Therefore, you should travel from October to March with pleasant weather and cheaper service prices than usual or you can travel around October to April to attend Valentine’s Day (December lunar calendar) and Songkran Traditional New Year (mid-April).
2. Overview about Phnom Penh
2.1. Introduction of Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the largest city, the most populous and at the same time the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Not only is the political, economic and cultural center of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is also the most famous tourist city of the country. Phnom Penh tourists favorably call this city with beautiful words such as “Pearl of Asia” or “Paris of the East“.
Phnom Penh is an ancient and busy place with many scars left by the war that have been healed over time. This is one of the two most famous tourist cities in Cambodia. Coming to Phnom Penh, visitors will be able to freely experience the rich and diverse culture, cuisine and life of the people here.
2.2. The best time to visit Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is located in the tropical monsoon climate area, with two distinct seasons, the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season of Phnom Penh lasts from December of the previous year to May of the following year. In the dry season, there are 2 sub-seasons including a cool sub-season from December to February, a hot sub-season from March to May. The weather in the dry season is generally dry, convenient for travel. The best thing is that you travel in the cool sub-season, freely traveling here and there without being afraid of the hot sun.
The rainy season lasts from June to November. The months of July and August are particularly susceptible to flooding because this is when 80% of the year’s total precipitation falls. You shouldn’t travel anywhere in Cambodia at this time. To experience Khmer culture, you can also visit Phnom Penh at special occasions:
- Chol Chnam Thmay Festival – Traditional New Year takes place on April 13 – April 15 of the solar calendar every year.
- Bom Chaul Chnam Water Festival from April 13 to April 15 every year.
- Boating festival on November 24 to 26 of the solar calendar every year.
3. Transportation from Bangkok to Phnom Penh
3.1. Plane
Airlines operating flights from Bangkok to Phnom Penh include Bangkok Air, Cambodia Airway, Lanmei Airlines, Thai AirAsia, Thai Smile, Thai Vietjet. Flight time for a direct flight between the two locations is approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. Normally, the minimum you need to pay for an air ticket is 63$/turn
3.2. Bus
Bus is the means of transportation from Bangkok to Phnom Penh that takes the longest, about 22 hours. However, bus tickets will be cheaper than other vehicles, about 50$/person/way if you use Travel Mart‘s bus.
Buses start on the route from 02:00, you can also take the bus as late as 09:00. There will be 5 buses every day.
3.3. Taxi
Taxi is the easiest way to get from Bangkok to Phnom Penh. You can go the way you want, stop and visit anywhere you like. You can also choose the vehicle type and size according to your needs for comfort. However, taxi fares will be more expensive than other types of vehicles. Specifically, if you book Glass Flower‘s taxi tickets, the fare can be up to nearly 375$/way
4. Things to do in Bangkok
4.1. Visiting tourist destinations in Bangkok
4.1.1. Thai Royal Palace
The Palace is open from 08:30 to 16:30 every day, except during special ceremonies. From Siam, you take the MRT to Sapan Taskin station and buy tickets to the Royal Palace with 14$ for 1 adult ticket. Please dress modestly and politely when visiting temples in general and in Thailand in particular. If you wear shorts or a short skirt, you have to rent long pants with a deposit of 5.5 $, when the tour is finished, they will return the deposit to you.
- Address: Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
- Opening hours: From 08:30 to 16:30 (tickets sold until 15:30)
- Ticket price: 14$
4.1.2. Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is situated inside the grounds of the Royal Palace, features a Buddha statue fashioned completely of jade, giving it an opulent and whimsical beauty. The unique feature of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is that there are no monks present; instead, only members of the Royal Family and frequent visitors are there. One of the nation’s landmarks, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, draws thousands of visitors from all over the world each year with its refined architectural splendor.
- Address: Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
- Opening hours: From 08:30 to 16:30 (tickets sold until 15:30)
- Ticket price: 14$
4.1.3. Chinatown Bangkok
Chinatown is an extremely spacious and bustling neighborhood, coming here you will feel like you are lost in a Chinatown in the heart of Thailand. In addition to visiting and learning more about the unique culture, visitors also have the opportunity to shop freely with a variety of items including electronics, souvenirs, garments, antiques, musical instruments…
- Address: Samphanthawong, Bangkok, Thailand
- Opening hours: all day
4.1.4. Khao San Street
Coming to Khao San town, you will be immersed in a vibrant and bustling atmosphere, where many bars are concentrated, with most foreign tourists (Khao San Street has similarities with Tay Ta Street in Hanoi, Vietnam).
You should visit Khao San Street in the evening, especially between the hours of 21:00 and 03:00, when you may experience our lively, melodic atmosphere. In addition, this is a popular tourist spot in Bangkok where you may enjoy flavorful Thai street cuisine.
- Address: Khao San Road, Bangkok, Thailand
- Opening hours: all day
4.2. Try Bangkok specialties
If you are a street food enthusiast, right on Khao San Road there are great snacks such as Pad Thai, papaya salad, mango sticky rice, grilled coconut… In Chinatown, you can’t miss these Chinese foods such as Peking duck, Hainan chicken rice, grilled fish with salt…
In particular, when visiting Bangkok, you must try Thai hot pot and Tom Yum, two of the many well-known Thai meals with a distinct spicy flavor. At Banglamphu market, you may savor Thai hot pot and Tom Yum, which won’t disappoint.
Some places selling traditional dishes in Bangkok that visitors can refer to:
- Tealicious Bangkok restaurant: Mostly Thai specialties such as Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, Mango Sticky Rice, Chicken Satay. In addition, the restaurant also has a few vegetarian and Western dishes
- Address: 492 Trok To, Soi Charoen Krung 49 Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Thailand
- Opening hours: 12:00 – 23:00 daily, except Wednesday
- Phone number: +66 2 630 7710
- White Flower Bangkok Restaurant: The restaurant serves dishes such as Thai Hot Pot, Egg Fried Squid, Thai Dried Beef Noodle Soup, Tomyum, Spicy Fried Meatballs, Som Tam
- Address: Bamrung Muang Rd, Khwaeng Wat Thepsirin, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
- Opening hours: 10:30 – 22:30 all days
- Phone number: +66 2 225 2749
- Mango Tango: The restaurant serves dishes made from mango such as Pudding, Ice Cream, Smoothie, Mango Sticky Rice.
- Address: Soi 3 Siam Square, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand
- Opening hours: 12:00 – 22:00 daily
- Phone number: +66 64 461 5956
- Thip Samai Restaurant: The restaurant only serves Pad Thai with all different variations such as Traditional Pad, Pad Chai, Superb Pad Thai, Pad Thai Shrimp, Pad Thai Seafood
- Address: 313 315 Maha Chai Rd, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
- Opening hours: 16:00 – 1:00 at night
- Phone number: +66 2 226 6666
- China Town Scala: Located in the Chinatown neighborhood. This place will serve Chinese-style dishes such as roasted duck, grilled pork, fried noodles with shrimp and eggs
- Address: 483-5 Yaowarat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
- Opening hours: 10:30 – 02:00 am the next day
- Phone number: +66 2 623 0183
5. Thing to do in Phnom Penh
5.1. Visiting tourist destinations in Phnom Penh
5.1.1. Royal Palace of Cambodia
The Royal Palace (Royal Palace of Cambodia) was built by King Norodom in 1866. The Royal Palace is the living and working place of the King of Cambodia. The palace complex is divided into two zones. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the place where the king celebrated his longevity, or Buddhist ceremonies. This pagoda is also known as the Golden Temple, the Silver Pagoda because there is a Buddha image studded with more than 2,000 diamond stones and the floor here is lined with 5,329 pieces of silver lining tiles. The remaining area is the palace area – where the king lives and works.
- Address: Samdach Sothearos Blvd Road, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Opening hours: 8:00 – 11:00; 14:00 – 17:00
- Ticket price: 6$
5.1.2. Wat Phnom
In Phnom Penh, Wat Phnom is a well-known and revered temple. Here are stored the remains of King Ponhea Yat as well as King Boliwat’s body. Not only does this location draw a sizable number of pilgrims, but a sizable number of tourists in Phnom Penh make this temple their first stop. Standing above Wat Phnom, the capital’s highest point, you can observe the entire city in its entirety.
- Address: Located between the intersection of 96th Street with Norodom . Avenue
- Opening hours: 07:00 – 18:00
- Ticket price: 1$/1 person
5.1.3. National Museum of Cambodia
The National Museum of Cambodia was started in 1917 and completed in 1920 by the French colonial government and designed in Khmer style combined with French architecture. It displays more than half a million archaeological artifacts, religion and art of the Khmer people from the IV to XIII centuries. This museum reminds everyone of the heyday of the Angkor dynasty as well as the whole country of Cambodia at that time.
- Address: Preah Ang Eng Street (13), Phnom Penh Capital, Cambodia
- Opening hours: 8:00 – 17:00
- Ticket price: 3$.
5.1.4. Independent Monument
At the crossroads of Phnom Penh‘s two busiest streets, Sihanouk and Norodom, sits the Independence Monument, a symbol of brotherhood between Vietnam and Cambodia. The monument is designed in the same manner as the Angkor Wat temple and other well-known pieces of Cambodian art. Additionally, this is the city’s main square for tourist attractions and photo opportunities.
- Address: Phnom Penh Capital Center, Cambodia
- Opening hours: 24/24
5.2. Try Phnom Penh specialties
Cambodian cuisine is distinguished by rustic dishes but contains bold and unforgettable flavors. Besides, it is a blend of unique Khmer cuisine and Western cooking methods.
From 17:30 onwards, pork rice is a popular dish in the land of the Golden Pagodas, especially the intersection between 19th and Sihanouk streets in Phnom Penh is the most crowded place.
The food vendors on 123 Street are not to be missed if you want grilled chicken skewers, even if they only operate in the evening. With pricing starting at 0.48 $ (more than 11,000 VND) for thigh and heart meat, served with your choice of veggies, mushrooms, eggplant, or cheese.
Some places selling dishes in Phnom Penh that visitors can refer to:
- Samnang Kitchen: Samnang Kitchen restaurant is the top recommendation for first-time visitors to Phnom Penh and want to taste Khmer cuisine.
- Address: 155 street, Toul Tom Poung market, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Opening hours: 10:30 – 13:00
- Phone number: +855 87 748 334
- Mok Mony Restaurant: Guests can enjoy popular dishes here such as Khmer chicken curry, beef rolled in betel leaves… Mango sticky rice or sake are also attractive options if visitors want to refresh their palates.Â
- Address: Mok Mony Restaurant, 63c Street 294, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh
- Opening hours: 11:00 – 22:00
- Phone number: +855 93 696 799
- Khmer Surin: This place specializes in serving dishes with bold Khmer and Thai cuisine.
- Address: No. 8Eo, Street 57, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00
- Phone number: 012 887 320
- Phsar Thmey Market: For a long time, Phsar Thmei market is famous as a paradise of delicious and cheap food in Phnom Penh such as noodles, vermicelli, assorted fried fish, grilled poultry, jaggery beef cake.Â
- Address: Neayok Souk, Phnom Penh 855
- Opening hours: 07:00 -18:00 daily
- Phone number: +855 10 405 086
- Khmer Food Village: The restaurant serves more than 100 unique dishes, mainly of the K’mer ethnic group.
- Address: Next to Hun Sen Park, opposite NagaWorld Hotel.
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00
- Phone number: +855 16 911 987
6. Conclusion
Above is the ideal itinerary for a memorable journey from Bangkok to Phnom Penh. Hopefully, the above useful information will help visitors have a great experience in these two capitals. If you don’t have too much time, you can also refer to The Ideal Itinerary For Travel From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap on Metta Voyage for more options for your trip.
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