Cambodia Scooter Tour - Two Up!
Discussion
In the distant past I have written some threads on various bike trips I have done (see links below). I find these a good way to keep track of progress and have something to look back on. The latest trip will be a two and a half week trip around western Cambodia on a rental scooter, leaving at the end of January 2025 and returning mid February.
Vietnam:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Scandinavia:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I am going with my partner who also rides, but it will be her first time in South East Asia and would be more comfortable riding pillion, and after my experiences in Vietnam I don't really blame her. We have been planning to go to Cambodia for some time, but it was actually her idea to travel by bike rather than use public transport. I have warned her of what i expect the uncomfortable days riding will be like but she has insisted we do it anyways
This will be a lot shorter trip than when i was in Vietnam (which I did over 3 months) as we are both working full time and this will be more of a 'holiday' situation. I have already organised the scooter rental from Phnom Penh which is $8 per day for a 125cc Honda, most of the hotels are provisionally booked apart from the 4 days we will be riding through the Cardamom Mountains, but all have free cancellation in case our plans change.
It will actually be my 36th birthday whilst we are there, so we have a very nice hotel booked for 3 days in Siem Reap over my birthday.
Here is our rough route so far. I will update as we go
Vietnam:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Scandinavia:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I am going with my partner who also rides, but it will be her first time in South East Asia and would be more comfortable riding pillion, and after my experiences in Vietnam I don't really blame her. We have been planning to go to Cambodia for some time, but it was actually her idea to travel by bike rather than use public transport. I have warned her of what i expect the uncomfortable days riding will be like but she has insisted we do it anyways
This will be a lot shorter trip than when i was in Vietnam (which I did over 3 months) as we are both working full time and this will be more of a 'holiday' situation. I have already organised the scooter rental from Phnom Penh which is $8 per day for a 125cc Honda, most of the hotels are provisionally booked apart from the 4 days we will be riding through the Cardamom Mountains, but all have free cancellation in case our plans change.
It will actually be my 36th birthday whilst we are there, so we have a very nice hotel booked for 3 days in Siem Reap over my birthday.
Here is our rough route so far. I will update as we go
AceOfHearts said:
In the distant past I have written some threads on various bike trips I have done (see links below). I find these a good way to keep track of progress and have something to look back on. The latest trip will be a two and a half week trip around western Cambodia on a rental scooter, leaving at the end of January 2025 and returning mid February.
Vietnam:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Scandinavia:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I am going with my partner who also rides, but it will be her first time in South East Asia and would be more comfortable riding pillion, and after my experiences in Vietnam I don't really blame her. We have been planning to go to Cambodia for some time, but it was actually her idea to travel by bike rather than use public transport. I have warned her of what i expect the uncomfortable days riding will be like but she has insisted we do it anyways
This will be a lot shorter trip than when i was in Vietnam (which I did over 3 months) as we are both working full time and this will be more of a 'holiday' situation. I have already organised the scooter rental from Phnom Penh which is $8 per day for a 125cc Honda, most of the hotels are provisionally booked apart from the 4 days we will be riding through the Cardamom Mountains, but all have free cancellation in case our plans change.
It will actually be my 36th birthday whilst we are there, so we have a very nice hotel booked for 3 days in Siem Reap over my birthday.
Here is our rough route so far. I will update as we go
When we were in Battambang, we biked over to a nearby big hill that at sunset had a cazzilion bats flying out, it was very popular. Took us 45 mins on the bike...Phnom Sampov. Was well worth the ride. Kep was a nice stoppover for a cpla days. Kampot was also OK. Night trip up the river with a bottle of rum and a few cokes....Vietnam:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Scandinavia:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I am going with my partner who also rides, but it will be her first time in South East Asia and would be more comfortable riding pillion, and after my experiences in Vietnam I don't really blame her. We have been planning to go to Cambodia for some time, but it was actually her idea to travel by bike rather than use public transport. I have warned her of what i expect the uncomfortable days riding will be like but she has insisted we do it anyways
This will be a lot shorter trip than when i was in Vietnam (which I did over 3 months) as we are both working full time and this will be more of a 'holiday' situation. I have already organised the scooter rental from Phnom Penh which is $8 per day for a 125cc Honda, most of the hotels are provisionally booked apart from the 4 days we will be riding through the Cardamom Mountains, but all have free cancellation in case our plans change.
It will actually be my 36th birthday whilst we are there, so we have a very nice hotel booked for 3 days in Siem Reap over my birthday.
Here is our rough route so far. I will update as we go
Biker9090 said:
As others have said, check your travel insurance. Some not only have cc limits but also won't cover you in certain countries.
Already checked thankfully, and we are covered on motorcycles as long as we have the relevant UK license, and are complying to local laws.Technically tourists are only legally allowed to ride up to 125cc without a Cambodian license although many places will rent you a bike of a larger capacity. We are sticking to a 125 scooter though and keeping within the rules
romft123 said:
When we were in Battambang, we biked over to a nearby big hill that at sunset had a cazzilion bats flying out, it was very popular. Took us 45 mins on the bike...Phnom Sampov. Was well worth the ride. Kep was a nice stoppover for a cpla days. Kampot was also OK. Night trip up the river with a bottle of rum and a few cokes....
Thanks for the advice I will definitely look that up!I’m definitely in, I’d planned to a trip, China > Laos > Thailand > Cambodia > Vietnam on the train, postponed until next year.
Looking forward to reading about the planning an the actual trip; what are you doing about luggage, sending it forward by car?
Last year, we did Vietnam and China, 5 weeks, mix of public transport and scooter, loved it.
Looking forward to reading about the planning an the actual trip; what are you doing about luggage, sending it forward by car?
Last year, we did Vietnam and China, 5 weeks, mix of public transport and scooter, loved it.
daqinggregg said:
I’m definitely in, I’d planned to a trip, China > Laos > Thailand > Cambodia > Vietnam on the train, postponed until next year.
Looking forward to reading about the planning an the actual trip; what are you doing about luggage, sending it forward by car?
Last year, we did Vietnam and China, 5 weeks, mix of public transport and scooter, loved it.
Nothing as fancy as that, we are taking backpacks Looking forward to reading about the planning an the actual trip; what are you doing about luggage, sending it forward by car?
Last year, we did Vietnam and China, 5 weeks, mix of public transport and scooter, loved it.
We are quite happy to pack light, and just get laundry done as we go round. I have a 40l Backpack and Tara has a 26l
What was it like riding in China?
Edited by AceOfHearts on Tuesday 17th December 21:53
AceOfHearts said:
Nothing as fancy as that, we are taking backpacks
We are quite happy to pack light, and just get laundry done as we go round. I have a 40l Backpack and Tara has a 26l
What was it like riding in China?
Apologies, if my post was misleading, we didn’t ride in China, (too much of a faff) though they seem to be making that kind of thing more easy recently, especially with e-bikes. We only rode in Vietnam.We are quite happy to pack light, and just get laundry done as we go round. I have a 40l Backpack and Tara has a 26l
What was it like riding in China?
Edited by AceOfHearts on Tuesday 17th December 21:53
I’ve seen people with backpacks on motorcycles, can’t say I would fancy it.
Some of the organised tours or hotels, can arrange for luggage to be sent separately.
daqinggregg said:
AceOfHearts said:
Nothing as fancy as that, we are taking backpacks
We are quite happy to pack light, and just get laundry done as we go round. I have a 40l Backpack and Tara has a 26l
What was it like riding in China?
Apologies, if my post was misleading, we didn’t ride in China, (too much of a faff) though they seem to be making that kind of thing more easy recently, especially with e-bikes. We only rode in Vietnam.We are quite happy to pack light, and just get laundry done as we go round. I have a 40l Backpack and Tara has a 26l
What was it like riding in China?
Edited by AceOfHearts on Tuesday 17th December 21:53
I’ve seen people with backpacks on motorcycles, can’t say I would fancy it.
Some of the organised tours or hotels, can arrange for luggage to be sent separately.
You’ll have a great time, Cambodia is a beautiful country! And for me it’s just the right level of still developing/developed enough that it feels like an adventure, but it’s not tooooo sketchy.
Kampot is a lovely chilled backwater type place if you can find somewhere to stay on the river.
The roads can sometimes be interesting, especially if you go off the main roads, but like I said, it’s an adventure.
Only other tip I have for you is that US dollars are widely accepted (but you usually get change in local currency). If you’re using the ATM withdraw an odd number such as $190 rather than $200 otherwise you’ll get given $100 dollar bills which few people can provide change for.
Kampot is a lovely chilled backwater type place if you can find somewhere to stay on the river.
The roads can sometimes be interesting, especially if you go off the main roads, but like I said, it’s an adventure.
Only other tip I have for you is that US dollars are widely accepted (but you usually get change in local currency). If you’re using the ATM withdraw an odd number such as $190 rather than $200 otherwise you’ll get given $100 dollar bills which few people can provide change for.
Greshamst said:
You’ll have a great time, Cambodia is a beautiful country! And for me it’s just the right level of still developing/developed enough that it feels like an adventure, but it’s not tooooo sketchy.
Kampot is a lovely chilled backwater type place if you can find somewhere to stay on the river.
The roads can sometimes be interesting, especially if you go off the main roads, but like I said, it’s an adventure.
Only other tip I have for you is that US dollars are widely accepted (but you usually get change in local currency). If you’re using the ATM withdraw an odd number such as $190 rather than $200 otherwise you’ll get given $100 dollar bills which few people can provide change for.
We took new $5 and $10 bills with us.Kampot is a lovely chilled backwater type place if you can find somewhere to stay on the river.
The roads can sometimes be interesting, especially if you go off the main roads, but like I said, it’s an adventure.
Only other tip I have for you is that US dollars are widely accepted (but you usually get change in local currency). If you’re using the ATM withdraw an odd number such as $190 rather than $200 otherwise you’ll get given $100 dollar bills which few people can provide change for.
ATM's only dispense $100 bills now, or can you take out local. Take the USD to any money changer, usually the big ones.
Have the correct money for your visa ($30 for tourist) in clean unmarked bills. No rips or tears.
Legally a licence for a 125 and under is not required by anyone, get an IDP. You won't be bothered by cops outside Phnom Penh but if you do $5 usually fixes everything!
Are you hiring Honda Cubs/Dream? If so be very careful as they are a magnet for thieves. Bring a good lock.
I will be in Kampot then so look me up!
Oh, the road from Prey Nop to kampot is dusty as hell.
Have a great trip!
Have the correct money for your visa ($30 for tourist) in clean unmarked bills. No rips or tears.
Legally a licence for a 125 and under is not required by anyone, get an IDP. You won't be bothered by cops outside Phnom Penh but if you do $5 usually fixes everything!
Are you hiring Honda Cubs/Dream? If so be very careful as they are a magnet for thieves. Bring a good lock.
I will be in Kampot then so look me up!
Oh, the road from Prey Nop to kampot is dusty as hell.
Have a great trip!
Edited by nismocat on Thursday 19th December 04:16
Steve Bass said:
Go to Cambodia they said, it'll be great they said 
Thank God we rented Honda 125's.... the mud was beyond epic.
This my dearly departed friend Ian getting sage advice from me on where exactly he went wrong. ....
Cool!Thank God we rented Honda 125's.... the mud was beyond epic.
This my dearly departed friend Ian getting sage advice from me on where exactly he went wrong. ....
There are some great, and no so great, road around Cambodia.
Your mate Ian, he wasn't Scottish was he?
nismocat said:
Steve Bass said:
Go to Cambodia they said, it'll be great they said
Thank God we rented Honda 125's.... the mud was beyond epic.
This my dearly departed friend Ian getting sage advice from me on where exactly he went wrong. ....
Cool!Thank God we rented Honda 125's.... the mud was beyond epic.
This my dearly departed friend Ian getting sage advice from me on where exactly he went wrong. ....
There are some great, and no so great, road around Cambodia.
Your mate Ian, he wasn't Scottish was he?
He sadly passed on a ride to Dalat in 2021 just after myself and the family left Vietnam.
Top lad and dearly missed...
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