Bangkok or Pattaya to Siem Reap

[lvr 10]

Which bus? Which train? From where? How long, how much? Any "beware" tips? I know, simple question probably with long answers for this newbie. Thanks folks.

[Two Shots 8]

haven't done that trip overland for a long, long time, so my info would be out of date..

 

Good resource is the Lonly Planet Forum.

 

Theres loads of back packing orientated travel services running out of Khao San road...some at unbelievable low prices.. Particularly the ones that head direct to Phnom Phen, cheap for a reason, some do very long stops at "truck stop " type places..captive customers and then pull into their destination...a guest house at night in the dark...therefore pressurising you to stay that establishment, with all the kick backs to the tour organisers...So ultra cheap is not always best.

 

For sure theres public minibus, and bus services to the border, did it in reverse last time and picked up mini bus back to Bangkok. Thais like the Casino,s cross border.

Can't give you specifics, because long time passed..but once on the ground it will be real easy to sort. I'll look up a Private minibus / bus service my LB friend uses to shuffle round the country...raves about it,"just like Aeroplane" ?

[nightwatch 16]

This info is from Frommer's

Train

There is no international train routes into Cambodia

Air

Can fly into Phnom Penh(PNH) or Siem Reap(REP)

It is noted that if flying into Siem Reap that Bangkok Airways has a monopoly on all direct flights between Bangkok and Siem Reap so it is cheaper if on a budget to fly to Phnom Pehn and then take boat or bus to Siem Reap.

Bus

Take bus from Morchit northern bus terminal to Aranyaprathet. The trip takes five hours. Once there take a tuk tuk to border for 50 to 100bht. From there you have an option of bus, shared or private taxi, or a seat in a crowed pickup truck. There is a free shuttle bus from the border to the place where the buses and taxis are parked. Many choose to spend the night at Aranyaprathet to break up the journey. It takes between 2 and 3 hours to get to Siem Reap.

 

Again this info comes right out of the Frommer's book I have not done a trip there from Thailand. I have only flown in from Vietnam myself. I hope this helps you out.

[bighairy 30]

Try this link:

 

http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-overland-bkksr.htm

[Two Shots 8]

Are you heading to see Angkor Wat ?

 

 

 

Edited March 21, 2012 by Two Shots

[Moqui 1]

You can take the train from BKK to Aranyaprathet, not sure the price but it's not expensive, then take a tuk tuk from the station to the border crossing for 80 baht. Make sure they take you straight there, sometimes they try to take you near the crossing and have you buy a visa from some tout. Don't buy it. At the border the visa is 20 USD. Pay with a $20 bill. No more no less. The border guards will try to get you to pay something more but don't do it. If you remain firm they will just process your visa and send you on your way. It really is amazing how many people pay that unnecessary fee. After you cross the border you can get a taxi or bus to SR. I carpooled in a taxi with a Canadian and a French couple and it came out to about $12 each for the 1.5-2 hour trip. The bus costs about $10 so the taxi is worth it if you can carpool. The road to SR is new and a nice ride. If you take the 6AM train from BKK you can be in SR by 2PM.

 

Had my first ladyboy experience in SR. Met her in one of the clubby bars on the main drag.

[Siam Man 2,298]

Spot on Moqui. The train is cheap as chips, and free for Thai's. I took a ladyboy to clear my return visa. There is a Thai market at the border where she waited for me and bought some boots, or I bought her some boots as it turned out. The train is slow and stops often picking up school kids and mostly Thais. Had some backpackers on the train. At the passport control area a sign even said $20 but they try to get 1,000 baht out of you. They also want you to pay for an express line for another 200 baht. Always trying to get in your pocket for more. It's a long day, but a good feeling when you get it out of the way if doing it for visa purposes.

 

Just over the border/bridge in Cambo is the casino and black market items. Cheapest cigarettes and booze I've ever seen. Only one bottle if your going back into Thailand. If your taking the train back you have to do all this pretty quick, which is how they get some people when they offer the express deal.

 

I haven't went from Aranyaprathet to Siem Reap, but expect its the same type of deal as from Poi Pet. Thats another border crossing that I used from the mainland near Koh Samet. Probably one you would use from Pattaya (not sure). There you just find a travel agent type place for buses that will be out front. Also Taxi's will be there. They are more expensive than a bus and are not marked vehicles. Pieces of junk mostly from what I saw. The roads are shit, and the buses can't go very fast. Not sure how much they are. Taxi was about $10 as I recall, paid same place that ran the bus dealio.

 

The taxi will take you to a Guest House or shit hotel where they get a kickback. Have them drive on unless you really want to stay there.

 

If going on to Phnom Phen from Siam Reap you can take a bus or the boat. The boat is longer and takes longer than they say. It's not all that scenic as your crossing a big lake and only see scenery when you leave and arrive. Just occasional fisherman and a distant shoreline along the way. Can be hot and crowded.

 

Good idea to have USD on you and singles are quite handy.

[lvr 10]

Are you heading to see Angkor Wat ?

 

 

 

 

Yes, I am.

[lvr 10]

Thanks to all for your valuable input - most appreciated