Travelled in a Cambodian Post Van
8th May 2023 - New Experience Number 16.
Travelling around Asia was a fantastic experience in itself. It gave me the opportunity to work towards my 2023 new years resolution of staying in 12 different types of accommodation as we used a sleeper bus and a sleeper train to get about.
However there was one method of transport that we’d never expected to use. We travelled in a Cambodian Post Van.
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 and the magnificent temples, so were looked into the best way to get there.
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.
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
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.
Want To Try It Yourself?
This is a very niche new thing to try!
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
- Take some water and maybe some snacks, but 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
- Something to consider is that it’s not as spacious as big buses, so you can’t just get up and move about as you might want to.
- 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?!