Overview Compare Flight Bus Train To Stay
How to get from Siem Reap to Bangkok
After a nice immersion into rural life in Siem Reap, heading to the Capital City of Thailand will give you the opportunity to experience all things Thai. Bangkok is filled with culture, history, shopping and nightlife. From tasty local street food to fine dining of international cuisine, your palate will have a blast in this city.
Take a tour of the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, or hike up to the top of Golden Mountain Temple for excellent views of the city during the day. Spend your evenings enjoying the vibrant nightlife of Khao San Road or taking in some live music at almost any restaurant in the city.
3 ways to get from Siem Reap to Bangkok
The distance from Siem Reap to Bangkok is 430 km (265 miles). In this post, we compare the 3 options to travel from Siem Reap to Bangkok: by flight (1-1.5 hours), by bus (7-12.5 hours), or by train (8-9 hours). Ticket prices range from 475 THB ($13.50) to 2,200 THB ($63).
Taking a flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok is the fastest and easiest option. However, it is also the most expensive, with fares starting at 2,200 THB ($63). The travel time only takes 1-1.5 hours.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to help reduce your impact on the environment.
The bus is a good alternative with combined fares from 1,050 THB ($30) from Siem Reap to Bangkok. The bus ride takes about 7-12.5 hours. An advantage of this option is that buses depart from Siem Reap city centre and arrive near Bangkok’s Khao San Road.
The cheapest way to travel from Siem Reap to Bangkok is by train. Combined costs start from 475 THB ($13.50), but note that this option involves several transfers. You can take the train if you want to save money while enjoying the rural views during the 8 to 9-hour journey.
Since this is a cross-border route, take note of the customs and immigration process.
Itinerary from Siem Reap to Bangkok
Train
- Siem Reap
- 3 hours
- Poipet
- 10 minutes
- Aranyaprathet
- 5-6 hours
- Bangkok
Siem Reap to Bangkok by Flight
Flying is the fastest way to travel from Siem Reap to Bangkok. Airfares are a little pricey, but you will be on your way to Thailand’s capital city in just 1-1.5 hours.
All flights depart from Siem Reap International Airport (REP). You can take a 20-minute ride by taxi, a tuk-tuk, or a motorbike taxi from the city centre to the airport.
AirAsia offers the cheapest flights from Siem Reap to Bangkok, with prices starting from 2,200 THB ($63). Bangkok Airways also offers direct flights for this route, but their airfares are more expensive at around 4,600 THB ($130).
Air Asia flights land at Don Muang Airport (DMK) in Bangkok, which is about 30-60 minutes by taxi or bus to the city centre. Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways flights land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
Both airlines offer promo rates during special holidays. We suggest booking your flight in advance as ticket prices tend to increase for last-minute bookings.
Siem Reap to Bangkok by Bus
If you don’t mind the long travel, the bus is a good alternative when travelling from Siem Reap to Bangkok, especially if the airfares are too expensive.
The cross-border journey takes about 7-12.5 hours, excluding the stop at Poipet for immigration. This travel time can take longer, depending on traffic. Bus fares start from 1,050 THB ($30).
There are several bus companies that operate from Siem Reap to Bangkok, such as Giant Ibis, Virak Buntham Express, and Travel Mart. The earliest departure is at 07:45 in the morning and the latest is at 14:30 in the afternoon.
Departure and arrival stations
There are two departure points in Siem Reap. Giant Ibis bus departs from Giant Ibis Siem Reap Office, while Virak Buntham Express and Travel Mart depart from Virak Buntham Siem Reap Bus Branch.
These bus stops are located along Sivutha Boulevard, about 1 km from the centre. To get here, you can take a 10 to 15-minute walk or a 5-minute ride from Siem Reap city centre.
The last stop for all buses is at Phra Nakhon, just a few minutes walk to Khao San Road.
Bus schedules from Siem Reap to Bangkok
Customs & Immigration
All buses from Siem Reap to Bangkok make a stop in Poipet for immigration purposes. Here, you will have to get off the bus and go through the border immigration for both Cambodia and Thailand. The bus crew will guide you on the things you need to do.
For those who are required to have a visa to enter Thailand, it’s important that you have your visa ready to present to the immigration officer.
The tourist visa fee at the Thailand-Cambodia border costs $30, plus a small processing fee of $5 at the Cambodian immigration counter. Note that these fees should be paid in US Dollars.
After paying the fees, you can now head to the Thailand immigration office past the casinos. Here, you can present your documents and get your passport stamped. Once you’re done with all these steps, you can board the bus again and resume your trip to Bangkok.
Siem Reap to Bangkok by Train
The cheapest option when travelling from Siem Reap to Bangkok is by train.
It’s worth noting that this option is a bit complicated as it requires several transfers, but it does offer lovely views along the way.
Step 1: Siem Reap to Poipet by Bus
For the first part of your journey, you will need to take a bus or taxi from Siem Reap to Poipet. Poipet is where the border station of the Cambodia side is located.
Bus ticket prices going to Poipet from Siem Reap start at 335 THB ($9.50) for the 2-3 hour journey. Virak Buntham Express offers 4 bus trips daily, but you must take one of the two morning trips to make it in time for the connecting train to Bangkok.
The buses also depart from Virak Buntham Bus Station located along Sivutha Boulevard, the same station where the direct buses to Bangkok depart from.
Bus schedules from Siem Reap to Poipet
Alternative Option: Siem Reap to Poipet by Taxi
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: 2,120 THB ($61)
If you want a private transfer or if the bus schedules don’t match your itinerary, you can also take a taxi from Siem Reap to Poipet. The fare can be quite expensive at around 2,120 THB ($61), but it offers more convenience compared to buses. You can check Cambotickets to reserve a taxi.
Alternately, for less hassle, you can also book this 3-hour taxi trip from Siem Reap to Poipet through your hotel.
If you’re required to enter Thailand with a visa, make sure to prepare your visa in advance. It will be much faster to go through immigration with completed documents.
Step 2: Poipet to Aranyaprathet by Tuk-tuk
Upon arrival in Poipet, you need to first go through Cambodian immigration. If you already have a tourist visa, you just need to pay a small fee of $5. Then, walk past the casinos to the Thailand immigration building to present your documents and receive your passport stamp.
After these steps, you can now head to Aranyaprathet Train Station, where you can find the trains going to Bangkok. The best and quickest way to get to the station is by tuk-tuk, which you can easily find at the exit.
The cost for a tuk-tuk ride ranges from 80 THB ($2.30) to 110 THB ($3.10) for the 10-minute ride.
Step 3: Aranyaprathet to Bangkok by Train
The last leg of this option is to take the train bound for Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok. There are only two trains operating this route. They depart at 07:05 and 14:00 daily.
A train ticket costs 60 THB ($1.70) per person, and travel time takes 5-6 hours. Since there are only 2 train departures daily, it’s important that you arrange your bus/taxi ride from Siem Reap accordingly so that you won’t miss the train.
Train schedules from Aranyaprathet to Bangkok
Note that you can only buy the tickets at the train station on the day of your travel. The only seat type available for the Aranyaprathet to Bangkok train is a third-class coach, which may be a bit uncomfortable. But it’s clean and offers great views.
From the train station in Bangkok, you can easily reach the capital’s centre in 15-30 minutes. You can check our article on Hua Lamphong Railway Station for more info.
Our favourite places to stay in Bangkok
Here Hostel
If you’re looking for a fun social atmosphere then Here Hostel is the place for you! Enjoy relaxing by the pool in the garden area or enjoying a drink with travelers from around the world. Why take the stairs when you can use the indoor slide to travel between floors, this place is full of fun, energy, and laughter. Located less than 1km from Khao San Road, this is the perfect hostel if you’re looking to have a great time in Bangkok!
Dorm rooms start at $16 per night
Hom Hostel & Cooking Club
Located in the heart of downtown Bangkok, between Nana and Ploen Chit BTS stations, this hostel is the perfect location in the Sukhumvit area. The hostel offers a garden area, a rooftop terrace and an on-site kitchen for guests to cook their own food or take part in the daily cooking classes. There is also a restaurant and bar on-site if you’d prefer someone else cook for you, as well as buffet breakfast included each day. Extremely clean and very friendly staff are top priorities for this hostel.
Single bed in dorm rooms start at $15 per night
Lamphuhouse Bangkok
If you’re looking to be near the excitement of Khao San Road but still enjoy some peace and quiet, this guesthouse is absolutely perfect. A delicious breakfast is included in your stay and the restaurant is open 24/7 for your convenience. A lovely garden area to relax in the afternoons and very comfortable beds in rooms will make for a great stay. Just 300m to Khao San road, this guest house is walking distance to many sights including the Grand Palace and the Golden Mountain Temple.
Rooms start at $19 per night
Mam’s House
Just 700m from Khao San road and sitting along the river is Mam’s House. The staff here will welcome you with open arms and help you in any way that they possibly can. The rooms are huge, the beds are comfortable and it’s extremely clean. There is a cafe on the ground floor of the hotel, street food along the riverbank and countless restaurants, bars and shops just steps away. Locally owned and operated by Mam, this hotel is all about customer service and making sure you have the best stay possible. Perfect location, great views and all the comforts you need!
Rooms start at $26 per night
Blue Chang House
Cozy, comfortable, and ideal location! This guest house is less than 1km from Khao San Road and offers all the comforts you need. It is within walking distance to numerous Temples, Wats and attractions throughout Old Town. On-site bar to enjoy a drink while taking in the sights from the terrace or a lovely garden area to enjoy to relax in if you need some quiet time. The staff is known to be exceptionally welcoming and happy to assist with all guest requests. Located in a quiet area so you will be sure to get a good night's rest after exploring the Capital City!
Rooms start at $40 per night
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About the author(s)
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.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
Hey, im wondering if i could get off the Giant Ibis BUs before khaosan? Thanks.
Hey Jie, we spoke to Giant Ibis to check for you, and you can get off the bus before Khao San Road. Simply inform the driver when boarding the bus and they will place your luggage in the compartment area with easy access. If you buy your ticket on booking platforms like BookAway, you will still need to pay the full amount.