Absolute disgrace. Squeezed 2 x 6ft males into 1 bottom level single bed which was so low we could not sit up. Were told cannot change, bus full. Found out half an hr later from own investigation there was a free bed. Would have suffered for 12 hrs otherwise.
After 6 hrs, had a 2 minute toilet stop then yelled at to hurry up.
Sold us tickets for a bus that didn't exist!! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!! You have been warned.
Transport in Cambodia is difficult and slow, we accept this. But Virak Buntham is by far the worst we've used over 5 SE Asian countries and in fact the rest of the world too.
We booked a 7-8hr journey from Sihanoukville to Kratie. 7hrs later we arrived... In Phnom Penh. We asked why and were told that the bus we had been booked didn't exist and we would have to wait a further 4hrs for the night bus... Another 7hr journey. We asked for a refund, which we were told we would have to go back to Sihanoukville to get... After a 3hr argument and many phone calls to various managers trying to tell us a refund was impossible, we finally got our $48 refund... To be told we would need to book new tickets for the night bus ($22). Annoyed, and wanting to get to our destination, we were then taken by tuk-tuk to another bus station where we were told this bus didn't exist either and no busses were going to Kratie as the road was "broken." When I again demanded a refund we were told this wasn't possible and the manager came out and said we could get on a bus that was waiting outside to take us to our destination. When confronted we then found out we were lied to again... There were no issues with the road it was just a short detour the driver didn't want to take.
I then again asked for my refund, but was laughed at by one member of staff and shouted at by the other saying that she would never give me a refund as I was a "bad man" and she didn't like me... Can't say I was too keen on her either. After another 2 hrs arguing I got my refund, had a lovely 2 night's in Phnom Penh and used a different company (which offers a cheaper, faster and more comfortable transfer).
I'm aware 5(ish) hrs is a long time to argue over $50 but I wasn't prepared to let this company have a single cent off me. I'd advise you take the same approach and avoid Virak Buntham at all costs.
Do not book with this company!
We booked the night bus from Phnom Phen to Bangkok. The company offers a hotel pick-up but we could not select our hotel, only the startpoint. So our hotelowner called the company for the pick-up. She needed to call like 3 times and then they said: “We can’t find the booking”. We already had a confirmation e-mail. So I needed to send an e-mail after that they finally found our booking. Then they suddenly changed our Seats... Finally at the sleepingbus, the man asked everybody a charge because he loaded in your backpack. We never had this, so I refused to pay that, especially for this bad service! On the bus they were again not friendly. And again the driver could not find our booking... He didn’t gave the water bottles or told something about the free water. There was also No toilet on the bus (for a bus which drives like 8-9 hours).
The bus stops like every 30mins until the border with Thailand to drop off locals. So the company lied about “instant” bus. The driver looked always angry when I woke up and stood up when he stopped. We read alot of bad things about stolen luggages etc. So every stop I checked if he was not in the luggage room for nothing. He was definitely not happy with that. We think that without our attention, we would be tobber by them.
Also on the border with Thailand you need to get in a minivan. That was also a disaster, we waited for 3hours at the border without any information. They just throw your luggage out the bus and than your on your own... We finally found our company and than he dropped us at the wrong bus and let us wait there for like 1hour...
oooh and the WiFi is free, Yeah because there is none. The driver just yelled unfriendly “NO” when we asked for the WiFi. No is also the only English word he can, he doesn’t speak a word of English.
Worst experience in my Asia holiday and I am here already for 1mounth.
As opposed to what is presented on the internet, after booking three sits for me and my kids, a very old van came to pick us up, we got the row in the middle while first row was able to lay back comfortably, so we were left with very little leg space. there was no wi fi connection as has been promised, so we decided to get off.
No refund was given not even to use a different car later on. knowing I have to travel 5 hours with two little kids.
I recommend to avoid this company.
Variety Routes Bus In Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam
Don't worry about your destination and how to travel with safety and comfortable bus in Cambodia. This is what I want to share. Hey...they allow us book ticket on line now directly with their website and CamboTicket.