Our journey travelling from Bangkok to Siem Reap, crossing the Thailand-Cambodia border at Poipet.
Our mission today is to reach the Thailand-Cambodia border by train from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet, get the Cambodian Visa in Poipet, and then carry on by bus until Siem Reap.
BY TRAIN FROM BANGKOK TO CAMBODIA
Our day starts with a run to Bangkok’s main train station at Hua Lampong, since the staff members didn’t wake up (classic Thai relaxation…) and we were locked inside the guesthouse!
Running with your backpack on your shoulders at 5.30 am isn’t really the best way to start your day.
Still we manage to arrive in time to buy the tickets, spending less than 2$ for a 300-km-trip, and get on the first 5.55 am Bangkok to Aranyaprathet train.
WHAT ARE THAI TRAINS LIKE?
We have two seats in the already crowded second class carriage. What strikes us is the contrast between the simplicity of the means and the extreme organization and strictness: at every stop the ticket inspector walks through the aisles and the passengers, hearing the “tac tac” sound of the hole punch, immediately show their ticket.
Around us, people snuggle up barefoot on the seats, sleep or talk. And eat. Always: vendors pass by every few minutes to sell snacks, a typical scene on every train in Thailand, both regular and sleepers.
It takes almost one hour to leave Bangkok, its outskirts are never ending and the train proceeds very slowly. Getting away from the city, the stations become smaller and around them the fields wider.
The journey is quite long, around 6 hours, but enjoyable. We got to know the local culture from a closer point of view, while observing their habits and every day life.
ALSO READ: our experience on a Thai sleeper train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
ARANYAPRATHET, THAILAND-CAMBODIA BORDER
Once in Aranyaprathet, the last Thai town before the Cambodian border, the zen mood of the journey is immediately interrupted. It gets replaced by the chaos of tuk tuk drivers, who try to catch backpackers to be driven to the border, 6 km far.
The heat, the weight of the backpacks and the thousands of misleading directions make the arrival to the Thai offices a challenge!
We don’t give up and find a less aggressive tuk-tuk driver to get to the border area of Poipet.
UPDATE 2026: 10 years after our first trip (!) across the Thailand-Cambodia border, a few things have changed. Due to recent conflicts, the border is momentarily closed for tourist crossings. Flying between the two countries is recommended.
POIPET – THAILAND-CAMBODIA BORDER
Watch out for weird invitations at the border. We’re aware we have to ask directions to officers only and avoid locals dodgy invitations (“come with us, the office is around the corner!”). Look for official signs and head straight on.
As we find the customs facilities, the procedure works this way: first, you need to get the exit stamp on your passport on the Thai side, then the Cambodian Visa at the office across the street.
The choice is either to pay in American dollars cash (30$ + 100 bath commission) or everything in Thai baht (1200). Plus, you need 2 passport photos, and in 10-15 minutes your Cambodian Visa will be sorted out.
Walking under a big arch, casinos and motorcycles welcome us to Cambodia, we are officially in the border city of Poipet. Here, they attract Thai people with casinos, since gambling isn’t allowed in Thailand.
Crossing a land border is always adventorous, challenging and fun!
FROM POIPET TO SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
Surprisingly, a free shuttle van takes us to the main bus station. From Poipet to Siem Reap the options are mainly two: either taking a taxi for a 2-hour ride (50$ per car) or getting on a bus for 10$ and a 3-4-hour drive, depending on the mood of the driver and on the requests of the other passengers (we had to stop a couple of times at ATMs, banks and restaurant for an early dinner at 4pm).
Prices may vary depending on how many people show at the bus station. As we learned from our experience, Cambodian people are quite cheeky and often try to overcharge tourists. This is also due to the fact that they use US dollars as currency along with Cambodian Riel, so watch out for potential ripoffs!
ALSO READ: Our guide to Dealing with currency in Cambodia.
TIPS AND USEFUL LINKS
In order to avoid having a hard time with transfers, you can always book transfers online between Bangkok and Siem Reap, travelling by bus, taxi or minivan.
Or, a quicker and less adventurous, fly from Bangkok straight to Siem Reap.
Exhausted, we eventually get to Siem Reap at around 6 pm, after a quite epic 12-hour journey.
We hop on a tuk tuk to reach our nice Garden House Guesthouse, and finally rest in our room. Tomorrow we have a full day of adventures and we’re already dreaming of the Angkor temples!
RECOMMENDED HOTELS:
- Hansa Bangkok House: friendly guesthouse on the riverside, very warm welcome and hospitality.
- At Mind Executive Suites, Bangkok: modern suites, great location close to BTS subway, amazing rooftop swimming pool!
- Garden House Guesthouse, Siem Reap: 8usd/night, good location.
- Onederz Khmer House, Siem Reap: a beautiful house of khmer architecture inspiration, city centre and swimming pool;
- You can pre-book all your accommodation with free cancellation here.
HOW TO GET AROUND:
- Bangkok-Aranyaprathet train: from 50thb/2rd class, 6 hours;
- Poipet-Siem Reap bus: around 9usd/person, 3-4hrs;
- Tuk-tuk, Aranyaprathet-Poipet: 200-300 baht.
- Flights: Bangkok to Siem Reap, look for deals here.
BORDER&VISA FEES:
- Thai exit stamp, free;
- Cambodia Visa: 30 usd/person, +100 baht commission. Or 1200 baht altogether.
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