I read that some of the bloggers hired private tour (car or van) to go about Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Because we are travelling as a group, I thought of relying on public transportation, tour agency, and good old walking in spite of hot weather. I warn you; don’t go to Siem Reap in May.
An Aussie told me that it’s hotter in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
The weather may seemed challenging but commuting with PassApp Taxi was a breeze.
This is why it’s worth taking the time to read tips from bloggers. Free, informative stories are priceless. So here’s my story.
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How to Use PassApp Taxi
If you’ve used Grab in the Philippines then you’ll have no trouble using PassApp Taxi.
- Download and sign up on the free app.
- Choose what transportation do you want: tuk tuk, rickshaw, or car. We always use rickshaw because it’s cheaper. The currency in the app is Riel but we pay in USD. I use XE app to compute the foreign exchange.
Check the number of the vehicle in front and see if it’s the same number on the app. We always wait for the driver although there are many tuktuk drivers around.
To use PassApp Taxi, you need to have Wifi. We use a portable Wifi to connect online and turn it off when not in use.
Why You Should Use PassApp Taxi
We didn’t use any other app because PassApp Taxi works well for us for many reasons.
1. Easy to use. We installed it on Android phone and iPhone. PassApp Taxi didn’t show any technical glitch. Booking is straightforward as I mentioned earlier. It’s fun to see a vehicle getting closer to our location.
2. Affordable. We always use rickshaw throughout the 5-day trip in Siem Reap. Except for two instances.
I can remember that we didn’t use it the night we arrived at the airport. We’ve been told that they are not allowed to pick up at the airport but we saw tuk tuk drivers waiting to pick up their clients outside the airport.
This must be a schemed. I don’t know.
The next day, we were charged USD 3.00 to drop us off at Angkor Silk Farm.
From then on we used PassApp Taxi wherever we go and spent only USD 1.00 or more. For cents we pay in Riel which we received as change when we buy in a grocery and convenience store in front of the hotel.
The drivers were happy when I don’t take the change (less than a dollar) which will always be in Riel.
3. Fast. The driver arrive in minutes of booking. It seems that almost every driver is using PassApp Taxi.
Although there are some, waiting or sleeping. They could also earn if they use the app because tourists are everywhere.
I mostly see young Koreans and old Chinese tourists. We spotted (and heard) few Filipinos at the market and Angkor Wat.
Diverting the topic to speed again, I realized how fortunate Siem Reap to have roads and disciplined drivers. Not just PassApp Taxi drivers.
Every driver in the road are not rushing. They take time. Life is slow and safe.
I’m sure sometimes they are in a hurry but they don’t rush enough to cause traffic and accident. You can hardly hear honking. Just the sound of engines and and bells in temples.
I never thought of talking about commuting with enthusiasm.
While there, it made me want to join teenagers riding their motorcycles (without helmet) to explore the streets of Siem Reap. I have to take motorcycle lesson first. If I’ll ever go back again (I wish someday), I’ll ride a bike to different temples and take time to explore the ancient wonders.
A day is not enough for a temple run.
What’s Not to Like About It
Nothing. I can’t think of any reason that will discourage tourists to use PassApp Taxi.
If there is, it’s not about the app. It’s the language barrier.
We noticed that some Cambodians have difficulty speaking in English. The app shows the real-time travel so it’s easy to tell that you are going in the right direction.
But there’s this one odd event.
We were drop off and can’t find the restaurant but based on the app we have “arrived” yet we seemed lost. It must be the app’s fault. Fortunately, many restaurants abound in the area.
The random restaurant where we had lunch was just walking distance away to Angkor Pearl Hotel.
Some staff of the restaurants and hotel were also having a hard time communicating in English. That’s probably why others seemed aloof.
In general, Cambodian are friendly and disciplined especially in the road. Can such value be rubbed off in the Philippines? For real.
Have you been to Siem Reap or anywhere in Cambodia? Which of the attractions you like the most?
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