[echance]

I am planning on going to Siem Reap- Angkor Wat in August. Is it possible to purchage a flight ticket all the way to Siem Reap from Hong Kong?

[kostas]

I did a quick search but I couldn't find any direct scheduled flight. I don't know if there are any chartered flights. You'll have to ask a travel agent for that.

[bingo]

I took a flight to Bangkok and then took Bangkok air to Siem Reap.

[tsuiwah]

Visited Angkor for a second time last July.

It's rainy season around then but the alternative is oppressive heat, so it isn't so bad to have downpours every once in a while. It will affect your photo ops and limit your sunsets, but the views are still spectacular.

Another option is to fly to Angkor/Siem Reap via Vietnam. I believe Vietnam Airlines (VN) offers the best deals and fairly frequent service (although I was subject to a 5-hour delay on my connection into Siem Reap). They fly new Airbuses and Boeings and codeshare with Cathay Pacific. The upside is that you can stopover in Saigon (or Hanoi) as well for a small fee -- for example, the round trip fare to Siem Reap with a stop in Hanoi is still cheaper than a straight return fare to Hanoi. The downside is the visa is a pain in the butt (or just pricey) to get.

If you have more time, then you could also consider flying into Phnom Pehn on VN or Dragonair and then catch another flight or the boat across the Tonle Sap. Personally, I would avoid Phnom Pehn and focus on Hanoi if you have the time.

[tsuiwah]

Oh, should add that I think there is direct nonstop (semi-charter) service 2-3x a week, but it is on a regional jet and I don't think the fares are very competitive.

[Baby61212]

hey, i'm going to Angkor Wat in August too! I am still looking into flights, but I think I am flying into Bangkok and then booking a separate flight into Siem Reap. Also looking into going overland.

[echance]

Originally Posted by Baby61212

hey, i'm going to Angkor Wat in August too! I am still looking into flights, but I think I am flying into Bangkok and then booking a separate flight into Siem Reap. Also looking into going overland.

Do you have to book from Bangkok or do Hong Kong travel agents provide both tickets HKG-BKK and BKK-Siem Reap? I am going to check this out at an agent but if you already have that info let me know.

[echance]

Originally Posted by tsuiwah

Visited Angkor for a second time last July.

It's rainy season around then but the alternative is oppressive heat, so it isn't so bad to have downpours every once in a while. It will affect your photo ops and limit your sunsets, but the views are still spectacular.

Another option is to fly to Angkor/Siem Reap via Vietnam. I believe Vietnam Airlines (VN) offers the best deals and fairly frequent service (although I was subject to a 5-hour delay on my connection into Siem Reap). They fly new Airbuses and Boeings and codeshare with Cathay Pacific. The upside is that you can stopover in Saigon (or Hanoi) as well for a small fee -- for example, the round trip fare to Siem Reap with a stop in Hanoi is still cheaper than a straight return fare to Hanoi. The downside is the visa is a pain in the butt (or just pricey) to get.

If you have more time, then you could also consider flying into Phnom Pehn on VN or Dragonair and then catch another flight or the boat across the Tonle Sap. Personally, I would avoid Phnom Pehn and focus on Hanoi if you have the time.

How long are the down pours generally? Is it possible that it could rain continuously for days?

[kostas]

Have you seen the movie "Forrest Gump"?

[tsuiwah]

Originally Posted by echance

How long are the down pours generally? Is it possible that it could rain continuously for days?

A few hours at a time so it makes sense to have an umbrella handy. I recall spending time watching the rains from inside the various ruins, but Angkor is a beautiful place in any weather, and airfares aren't any lower in August.

With the rain, it probably makes more sense to hire a covered vehicle rather than the back of a moped to tour the sights. A car and driver runs USD 20-25 per day (but this was before oil prices skyrocketed) while a moped costs USD5-8. There are other options in between. A moped is not a good option to visit the outlying ruins (such as Banteay Srei or Beng Melea) though, since you'll be either covered in red mud or a fine laying of red dust at the end of the day.