Siem Reap Vistior Guide 59th

overland

60

overland: thailand

1) Direct Bus: One ticket, one price, no bus change at the border, though you still disembark at the border and walk through for visa, immigrations and custom check. The bus makes 2-3 rest stops and a snack is served, but you may want to pack some extra food for the trip. Total trip: 6-8 hours. Price: $25-$30 (750B), not inclu- sive of visa fees. Buses leave early, 8AM-9AM in both directions. At the border crossing make sure to get your visa at the Cambodia “Visa-on-arrival” immigra- tion station, not the ‘local consulate.’ In Bangkok tickets are sold and buses depart from Morochit station. In Siem Reap purchase tickets through the Nattakan office on the Sivutha Blvd or at a travel/tour agent. 2) Package Bus ticket: One ticket, one price, change buses at the border. In its favor, package bus tickets are cheaper than the direct bus and there are more depar- tures. Ticket run around $10-$17. 3) DIY Coming from Bangkok, take a bus or train to Aranyaprathet. The bus takes about 4 hours and departs the Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit) hourly all day. 190-230B. From Aranyaprathet, take a moto or tuk-tuk to the border, and once on the Cambodian side take a shuttle to the transport station, where buses and taxis await. Buses depart the transport stations at regular inter- vals, cost $7-$9 and takes about 4 hours. The buses stop at a couple of places right in town, not at a for- mal bus station.

Most overland travelers between Thailand and Siem Reap cross at the Aranyaprathet/Poipet bor- der crossing. Cambodian visas are available at the border. Thai transit visas are available free of charge. The usual route between Bangkok and Siem Reap involves bus or train in Thailand and bus or taxi on the Cambodian side, though there are also direct buses these days. Touts on the Thai side will tell you that you should get a Cambodian visa from a ‘local consulate’ on your way to the crossing. DO NOT GET YOUR VISA AT THE ‘LOCAL CONSULATE.’ It is valid but is overpriced. Do not get your Cambodian visa until you have stamped out of Thailand, crossed the border and arrived at Cambodian “Visa-on- Arrival” station. Aranyaprathet, Thailand / Poipet, Cambodia Border Crossing: Route from Bangkok to Siem Reap Cambodian and Thai visas available at the border. Generally speaking there are three option: 1) Direct bus between Bangkok and Siem Reap; 2) Package bus ticket between Bangkok and Siem Reap, but change bus at border; 3) DIY with bus or taxi and maybe train.

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