Cambodia & Vietnam

Aranyaprathet - Poipet is the land border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia most used by western tourists, and the nearest to Bangkok. It is the best for those wishing to visit the north Cambodia where are Siem Reap and Battambang, but also for those continuing the journey until Phnom Penh or Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. To reach Aranyaprathet from Bangkok you can choose among a comfortable train journey, a 4-hour bus trip offered by several private companies or also reaching the border with a private or rental car, which however you'll have to leave in the car parks available near the Thai checkpoint because you can not enter in Cambodia with a Thai car. The Eastern Line of State Railway of Thailand, SRT, connects Bangkok with Aranyaprathet, a railway stretch 255 Km long that takes about 6 hours. The trains are only 3rd class and leave from Hua Lamphong Station at 05:55 and 11:35, reaching Aranyaprathet at 11:35 and 13:05. The railway station is only 6 km from the Thai border, 10 minutes trip with a tuk-tuk for about 80-100 THB. There are several options available for tourists to reach Aranyaprathet by bus from Bangkok or other cities in northeast Thailand, even because Poipet in Cambodia has several casinos, which are banned in Thailand and so it is a favorite destination for many Thais lovers of gambling. From Bangkok the buses depart frequently from the Mo Chit and Ekkamai bus stations, some buses depart from the Airport Public Transport Center at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Some companies also offer the bus trip up to Siem Reap. Minibuses and buses also depart from Pattaya. The main bus station in Aranyaprathet is about 6 KM from the border; some buses stop at Rongkluea Market Bus Terminal, about 2 Km away from the border, 5 minutes trip with a tuk-tuk for about 50 THB. Many buses will drop you off right next to the area of Thai checkpoint.

 Tips: Once at border in Aranyaprathet do not be fooled by strange characters who pretend to help you to get Visa or for organize your next step of trip. They are just petty fraudsters, they ask your money for something that you can do yourself. The formality for Visa on Arrival, if you have photos and photocopies of your passport, you can easily make alone at the Cambodia Immigration Office. The best thing to avoid these annoying people is to go straight to the Immigration Office delivering the passport only in hands of customs officials. For onward journey you behave in the same way. Negotiate directly with the Cambodians on the other side of the border, the petty fraudsters will ask a higher price, even suggesting to prepay the return ticket by taxi from Siam Reap, which probably will not be able to claim.

Along the way little further the border there are many private taxis, most of them are not properly licensed but the prices are even lower if you are good at haggling, $ 6 for a seat or $ 30 for the whole car till Siem Reap or Battambang, 15 and $ 50 US$ until Phnom Penh. The road 160 Km long that leads to Siem Reap is finally almost all paved, just over two hours drive to reach the famous Angkor Archaeological Park heritage of UNESCO. Please note that some taxi drivers try to leave customers just outside the city with the excuse that they can not enter the city, not believe them this fact is absolutely false. The bus will drop you at Siem Reap's bus terminal located a few kilometres outside the town along the National Road 6, bargain the price of the tuk-tuk with the first drivers that will approach you, the correct price is between 2 and $ 3 depending on your final detination in the town. Be clear and firm in your request if you have already booked a hotel. Often the drivers of tuk-tuk and taxis try to bring you at different hotel where they receive a commission for your overnight. Try to be smart in Cambodia, if you are naive you are easy prey to petty fraudsters.

 Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

From Siem Reap you can get to Phnom Penh by bus or boat. Several private companies operate the bus service along the 314 km strech of road which divide Siem Reap from the Cambodian capital. Buses are fairly new and reliable, some have seats on two levels and all equipped with air conditioning and toilets. The ticket prices range between 9 and $ 12 depending on the company, a six-hour bus trip.

 Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City

The distance between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City is 240 km, six-hour trip by bus. The road linking Phnom Penh to the former Saigon is in fair condition; on the way there is a river crossing on Mekong in Neak Loung. There are several private companies that offer the bus service to and from Saigon, each one with equivalent services and similar prices, about $ 14. Tickets can be bought at travel agencies or at hotel receptions. There are several departures a day, but concentrated in the mornings or early afternoon. From Phnom Penh buses leave from the private terminal of the various companies, to reach them just ask the taxi drivers. Some companies also offer the free transfer from your hotel. The border checkpoint is located between Bavet in Cambodia and Moc Bai in Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City the majority of buses arrive at station in Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCM City. Some travel agencies offer a package trip which includes a part of the journey by bus and a shorter by boat. If you have more time available for your journey it's possible to enjoy a three-day cruise along Mekong River till Ho Chi Minh City. For information and booking see the website:www.mekongeyes.com

Hat Lek - Cham Yeam is the border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia that allow to reach Sihanoukville, the most popular seaside resort in Cambodia, but also reaching Phnom Penh or Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. To reach Hat Lek from Bangkok the best way is to use the bus services offered by the governmental and the private companies until Trat, far 90 km from the Thai-Cambodian border. Buses depart from Ekkamai and the Airport Public Transport Center at Suvarnabhumi Airport. At Trat Provincial Bus Station there are several minivan services available to reach Hat Lek, a two-hour trip for about 120 THB. Minivans depart every 45 minutes from 07:00 am until 17:00 pm. From Pattaya there is a comfortable minivan service that allows reaching directly Sihanoukville. The prices vary depending on the companies and seasonality, approximately between 400 and 600 THB.

Completed the formalities at Cham Yeam checkpoint you must reach Krong Koh Kong, also know as Kaoh Kong or Koh Kong far just 10 km. The path includes the crossing on Koh Kong Bridge over Kah Bpow River's estuary. There is a toll to pay to transit on the bridge, 1,400 Riel or $ 0.35. For the short path you can use a taxi bike or a tuk-tuk. Rates are $ 2.5 or 80 THB for a bike and $ 7 or 220 THB for a tuk-tuk.

 Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

If you do not arrive in time to catch the last bus, and do not want to stay overnight in Krong Koh Kong, you can consider the option to go to Sihanoukville and then reach Phnom Penh the next day from the seaside resort. Sihanoukville is 234 km away from Koh Kong, about four hours by bus. The four-hour trip costs from 7 to $ 9, depending on bus companies. The bus station is located on an isolated road, about 10 minute walk from the Victory Hill, 5 minutes from the downtown and 10 minutes from Ocheteaul, Sokha, and Serendipity beaches. The bus trip from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh takes about 4 hours. Several private companies offer the bus service. Prices range from a minimum of $ 5 for a cheap bus without toilets to a maximum of $ 12 for a VIP bus. Tickets are avaiable at bus station or at any hotel or tourist agencies in the seaside resort. The road until Phnom Penh is in fair condition and has scenic stretches fascinating, especially when crossing the mountains Kravanh, also known as Cardamom Mountains.