Bangkok - Siem Reap - Bangkok
Apr 23, 2012, 9:25 am
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Bangkok - Siem Reap - Bangkok (overland)
Much has been said about this crossing over the years and through my experience, I can put some of the myth and older posts to rest . . .
This month I flew in/out of BKK to/from Siem Reap.
When you get in slightly after midnight, don't bother with a hotel, just rough it and catch the 7:30AM bus from the BKK Bus Center to the border. 187 Bhat ($8.00). If you are going direct to Siem Reap upon arrival into BKK, don't screw around with bus to Morchit, transfers, or even the train. The 7:30AM bus is perfect and the seats recline to a spectacular degree that sleep should come fast and well. You will be in your hotel in time for a swim before supper.
When you get to the border, don't get off at the first stop, the driver will drop you closer to the checkpoint or at the Rong Kluea Market. If they take you to the market, snag a tuk tuk (moto taxi) right there to the checkpoint 30 Bhat ($1). Even it you get off at the first stop it is no biggie, snag a mototaxi and it may run 35-40 Bhat to the checkpoint.
Crossing is easy (get a Cambodian Visa online first $25). Think Left. You pass through Thai border control & immigration (have your departure card filled out - back of your arrival card into BKK), walk past casinos and follow the signs to Cambodian immigration. The will look at your Visa, stamp stamp and off you go. No biggie if you don't get an e-visa, I noticed that if you did it expedited the matter substantially.
When you get past Cambodia immigration DO NOT get on the bus you will be shoved or "encouraged" to take, well unless you want a crammed mini-bus ride to REP or inflated taxi fare. Just ignore the offers, unless you are on a super tight budget. Some of the min-vans are decent and best if you luck out with some room. From my experience, they wait till full and I mean FULL.
You exit onto what is a roundabout. Across from you is a grass circle (in the middle) on the opposite side are where taxis are parked to take you to Siem Reap ($30 US). Be sure that you are speaking with the driver, be adamant that you ALREADY have a hotel reservation, do not want to go to any other hotel, yada yada yada.
Just about every western face you see coming through passport control is headed to Siem Reap also. Chat it up with someone and you can share the taxi. It is $30 regardless if 1 - 3 passengers. For comfort and considering the cost is OK as is, just share with 1 other person, or 2 if someone sits in the front with the driver.
I did this process in reverse a few hours ago which was evern easier. I left Siem Reap around 10AM'ish and arrived at the BKK airport around 6:30PM. The bus leaves from a market 2km (Rong Kluea Market) to the right of the checkpoint. Grab a mototaxi and say Bus to: SUVARNABHUMI Airport Bus (su-wahn-nah-phum). The 2:30PM departure to BKK is perfect.
Neither side is all that is was cracked up to be . . . at least now. The roads are great and with a little common sense, reading and right attitude, the experience is swift and forthright.
Enjoy Siem Reap!
This month I flew in/out of BKK to/from Siem Reap.
When you get in slightly after midnight, don't bother with a hotel, just rough it and catch the 7:30AM bus from the BKK Bus Center to the border. 187 Bhat ($8.00). If you are going direct to Siem Reap upon arrival into BKK, don't screw around with bus to Morchit, transfers, or even the train. The 7:30AM bus is perfect and the seats recline to a spectacular degree that sleep should come fast and well. You will be in your hotel in time for a swim before supper.
When you get to the border, don't get off at the first stop, the driver will drop you closer to the checkpoint or at the Rong Kluea Market. If they take you to the market, snag a tuk tuk (moto taxi) right there to the checkpoint 30 Bhat ($1). Even it you get off at the first stop it is no biggie, snag a mototaxi and it may run 35-40 Bhat to the checkpoint.
Crossing is easy (get a Cambodian Visa online first $25). Think Left. You pass through Thai border control & immigration (have your departure card filled out - back of your arrival card into BKK), walk past casinos and follow the signs to Cambodian immigration. The will look at your Visa, stamp stamp and off you go. No biggie if you don't get an e-visa, I noticed that if you did it expedited the matter substantially.
When you get past Cambodia immigration DO NOT get on the bus you will be shoved or "encouraged" to take, well unless you want a crammed mini-bus ride to REP or inflated taxi fare. Just ignore the offers, unless you are on a super tight budget. Some of the min-vans are decent and best if you luck out with some room. From my experience, they wait till full and I mean FULL.
You exit onto what is a roundabout. Across from you is a grass circle (in the middle) on the opposite side are where taxis are parked to take you to Siem Reap ($30 US). Be sure that you are speaking with the driver, be adamant that you ALREADY have a hotel reservation, do not want to go to any other hotel, yada yada yada.
Just about every western face you see coming through passport control is headed to Siem Reap also. Chat it up with someone and you can share the taxi. It is $30 regardless if 1 - 3 passengers. For comfort and considering the cost is OK as is, just share with 1 other person, or 2 if someone sits in the front with the driver.
I did this process in reverse a few hours ago which was evern easier. I left Siem Reap around 10AM'ish and arrived at the BKK airport around 6:30PM. The bus leaves from a market 2km (Rong Kluea Market) to the right of the checkpoint. Grab a mototaxi and say Bus to: SUVARNABHUMI Airport Bus (su-wahn-nah-phum). The 2:30PM departure to BKK is perfect.
Neither side is all that is was cracked up to be . . . at least now. The roads are great and with a little common sense, reading and right attitude, the experience is swift and forthright.
Enjoy Siem Reap!
Last edited by idriveuride; Apr 23, 2012 at 3:26 pm
