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How to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap
When crossing the 400 km distance from Bangkok to Siem Reap, you have 3 options: you can take a flight for 1 hour and costs 1,550 THB ($43.00); you can take a bus for 9 hours and costs 950 THB ($26.50); or you can take a train for 9.5 hours and costs 550 THB ($15.00).
Offering a taste of majestic heritage through Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is packed full of temples for you to explore. Other attractions include the local markets and restaurants serving authentic Cambodian cuisine. If you’re thirsty, Siem Reap has an excellent pub culture, with an ‘all-day happy hour’ experience waiting for you. Whatever you have in mind on your visit to Siem Reap, there truly is something to suit everyone.
3 ways to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap
This cross-country journey from Bangkok, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia is very popular among tourists. The quickest way to travel is by plane. This takes around an hour, and the route is served by several airlines. However, flights can get expensive during peak season. Cheaper alternatives include taking a bus or train, which can take around 9 hours, although both options give a taste of the local scenery.
Some options may also require a taxi transfer once you’ve passed the immigration. The method you choose really depends on the time you have available, as well as your budget.
Bangkok to Siem Reap by Flight
A good way to save money is to book your flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap well in advance. AirAsia offers some of the cheapest flights travelling between the two destinations, with prices starting at around 1,550 THB ($43.00) for a one-way trip.
Departing from Don Muang Airport, the flight time is just 1 hour. Alternatively, Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways and Thai Smile also operate on this route. However, their fares are slightly more expensive and instead depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Their prices start at 3,000 THB ($83.00). Look out for special offers with all these airlines as they normally offer promos on special occasions. The best way is to book as far in advance as possible, especially when demand is low for your chosen dates.
See here Siem Reap Airport to the centre.
Bangkok to Siem Reap by Bus
If you are looking to save money and experience the true local life of both Thailand and Cambodia, then taking the bus is a good option for border-crossing. But consider this only if you have a lot of time as the bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap takes around 9 hours.
Travel Mart and Giant Ibis are two of the most highly-rated bus companies operating this route. You can check their schedules in the table below.
Bus schedule from Bangkok to Siem Reap
This route requires an on-land border crossing, which involves disembarking the bus when you reach the border in Aranyaprathet. The bus staff will instruct you on what to do and you will need to leave your belongings in the bus in order to go through immigration. For those needing a visa to enter the Kingdom of Cambodia, make sure you secure one before you travel.
You need to pay a fee at the counter to enter the country. Once you’ve completed immigration, simply locate your bus and make your way back to your seat. The bus will then depart for Siem Reap. It will take another 2-3 hours from this point.
Giant Ibis
- Departs from Giant Ibis terminal along Phra Sumen Road
- Arrives at Siem Reap Bus Station, near Borey Seang Nam Market
Travel Mart
- Departs from Travel Mart Bangkok, near The National Gallery along Rong Mai Alley
- Arrives at Virak Buntham Express terminal near the Sivutha Boulevard roundabout
Other Bus Options
Another option is to catch a casino bus from Poipet, which will take you to Aranyaprathet. Casino buses can be found on the opposite side of HSBC along Lumpini. They charge 300 THB ($8.00) – 500 THB ($13.50), depending on the bus. Casino buses are available as early as 5:00. However, when you reach Aranyaprathet, you will have to arrange for your own transport to Siem Reap.
Taxis are also available in Poipet and they usually charge 1,500 THB ($41.50) for the entire vehicle. To split the cost, you could also arrange to ride with other travellers.
Bangkok to Siem Reap by Train
If you plan on travelling between Bangkok to Siem Reap via train, expect to see some incredible views along the way. However, it’s worth noting that the train doesn’t go directly to Siem Reap. You still need to take a taxi or rideshare transfer after immigration at Aranyaprathet Train Station.
The train heading for Aranyaprathet leaves from Hua Lamphong Railway Station at 5:55 at 13:05 and takes around 6 hours. The ride is in a 3rd class coach which does not offer a lot of comfort, but is clean and pleasant enough. The cost is about 50 THB ($1.30) per person, and tickets are available at the station.
When you get off at Aranyaprathet, you will need to take a tuk-tuk to the border. This takes about 10 minutes and costs 80 THB ($2.20) – 100 THB ($2.70). At the border, head for immigration to enter Poipet.
Once you’ve been granted entry, look out for a taxi to take you to Siem Reap and be sure to negotiate a good deal. You can also split the fare with other tourists via rideshare. This costs about 400 THB ($11.00) per person.
If you prefer to book your taxi in advance, then you can do so via Camboticket for $60 for a 4-seater SUV taxi.
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
