Over the past year or so there have been some major changes in how to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap (and from Siem Reap to Bangkok). From fantastic new bus companies, to the very best taxi services, to more convenient flights, it has never been easier to get from one city to the other. Here’s all the latest information on buses, taxis, and flights between Bangkok and Siem Reap.
P.S. You can book your tickets online now and save up to 30%:
Flights From Bangkok to Siem Reap
The easiest and fastest (one-hour) way to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap is to catch a flight.
There are now several airlines that fly direct between Bangkok and Siem Reap, including Air Asia, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, and Lanmei Airlines.
Of these, Air Asia tends to be the best value for money, with flights starting from just $50 (though there is a $15 charge for the first 20 kilograms of checked-in luggage).
Air Asia Flight Between Siem Reap and Bangkok
Bangkok Airways is the most expensive ($95), but probably the most comfortable of the airlines (and checked bags up to 20 kilograms are free).
It is worthwhile noting that AirAsia flies from Bangkok’s older airport, Don Mueang, while the other airlines fly from Suvarnabhumi. As with all flights, there are usually special offers on depending on the booking company, time of year, etc.
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Buses from Bangkok to Siem Reap
If you’d prefer to go by land, and enjoy the beautiful scenery while saving some money, a direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap is your best option. The journey will take approximately 8 hours in total, but direct means that you don’t have to change buses at the border or haul your luggage through customs – your luggage stays on the bus while you get your visa.
Although many bus companies advertise themselves as direct, this is usually not the case, requiring a change at the Thailand / Cambodian border. The two companies that are actually direct and offer a great service are: Giant Ibis and Nattakan.
Giant Ibis Between Siem Reap and Bangkok
Giant Ibis has a great reputation in South East Asia – The buses are new, well kept, and clean, the drivers are safe and responsible, and the attendants are friendly and helpful, making sure that you don’t have any problems getting your visa. It is a little bit more expensive than Nattakan ($32), but the service is of a high standard.
Nattakan is similarly well reviewed – the buses are in a good condition, the drivers are careful, and snacks and food tend to be provided on most journeys.
Although you might see Wi-Fi advertised by both companies, if you do actually have a connection it will be very slow and unreliable.
To give you an idea of bus times:
Giant Ibis
Bangkok to Siem Reap: 7.45am and 8.45am.
Siem Reap to Bangkok: 7.45am.
Nattakan
Bangkok to Siem Reap: 8.00am and 9.00am.
Siem Reap to Bangkok: 8.00am.
If you’d prefer to take the night bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap, then there a couple of options, but be warned, you may be required to change buses along the way!
The best of the night buses are probably Travel Mart and Virak Buntham.
Both companies tend to have buses that are clean and in a good condition, and the staff will help you at the border. Their respective timetables are:
Travel Mart (Night Bus Option)
Bangkok to Siem Reap: 1.00am and 9.00am.
Siem Reap to Bangkok: 12.30am and 9.00am.
Virak Buntham (Night Bus Option)
Bangkok to Siem Reap: 1.00am and 9.00am.
Siem Reap to Bangkok: 12.30am and 9.00am.
Taxis From Bangkok to Siem Reap
If you’re looking for a bit of comfort during your trip, then consider taking a private taxi. The journey will take approximately 6 hours in total and there is some absolutely stunning scenery along the way. Watch this video to see some of the beautiful countryside you’ll pass during your taxi drive:
On average, a private taxi from Bangkok to Siem Reap will cost in the region of $250 (that’s usually the quote from one of Bangkok’s airports to Siem Reap). You’ll have the option of stopping for toilet breaks, coffees, and even sightseeing if you wish.
The better services offer nice comfortable cars (e.g. a Lexus 4 x 4) and the drivers will pick you up from your hotel, the airport, or any other location convenient for you, dropping you off directly at your hotel in Siem Reap (and waiting for you at the Thailand / Cambodia border while you get your visa).
Please note that the Thailand / Cambodia border crossing is open from 6:00am to 7pm, so try to plan your trip accordingly.
We also recommend for you to book your taxi in advance. Not only is it cheaper, but traffic can be very hectic, so the taxi rides can be daunting and frightening if you don’t know your driver – please contact us to book a safe, reliable taxi driver from anywhere in Cambodia, or click below and book online now.
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How to Get a Visa at the Thailand / Cambodian Border
Getting a Cambodian visa at the border is very straight forward – Once you fill in a simple form, you just have to pay $30 for a tourist visa or $35 for a business visa. The visa is then valid for one month, but does not allow multiple re-entries into the country.
You should try to bring a passport photo with you, but this requirement is less stringent these days, and in any case, if you forget to bring one, the most you have to pay is a $5 fee.
If you prefer to buy your visa in advance, you can do so here.
How to Get From Siem Reap Airport to Siem Reap Centre
Getting from Siem Reap Airport to the city centre is pretty straight forward – there’s no line-jumping, and all of the prices are set (the drivers are under strict instructions to not undercut each other). This means that once you find your taxi, moto, or Tuk Tuk, you’re all set to go.
The taxi rank is immediately in front of you as you exit the arrivals building. On average, it’ll cost you about $10 to Siem Reap city centre. If you need a bigger taxi (for 6+ people), it will cost a little more.
If you prefer to book your taxi in advance, you can do so here:
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Although you can also book a Tuk Tuk at the taxi rank, it’s best to walk a little further and exit the airport – here you’ll find the cheapest Tuk Tuk’s (and motos) which will charge roughly $6 to the city centre (a moto will cost $2).
A Typical Tuk Tuk from Siem Reap Airport to Siem Reap City Centre
A typical Tuk Tuk can take up to 4 people but doesn’t have as much room for luggage – if you have a lot of bags you’ll struggle to get more than 2 people in the back.
Siem Reap Tuk Tuk drivers are well-known for dropping you off at your hotel and then offering very cheap temple-tours, only to change the prices half way. If you’re considering to take a temple tour, it’s best to book one through your hotel.
FAQs
Q: How do you travel from Bangkok to Siem Reap?
A: If you want to travel from Bangkok to Siem Reap, you can either take a flight, a bus, or a private taxi. Most people prefer to fly, as the journey is just one-hour long and not too expensive (prices start from $50). However, if you’d prefer to go by land, and enjoy the beautiful scenery while saving some money, a direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap is your best option.
Q: How do I get from Bangkok to Angkor Wat?
A: To get from Bangkok to Angkor Wat, you can either take a flight, a bus, or a private taxi from Bangkok to Siem Reap. Once in Siem Reap, it is very easy to get to Angkor Wat – just ask a nearby Tuk Tuk (it’ll take about 15 minutes to get there from Siem Reap city centre).
Q: Is there a train from Bangkok to Siem Reap?
A: There is currently no direct train from Bangkok to Siem Reap. If you would like to take the train, there are third-class-only trains from Bangkok’s Hualamphong Station to Aranyaprathet.
Q: How far is Bangkok from Siem Reap?
A: Bangkok is approximately 366 km from Siem Reap. The road distance between the two cities is 402.3 km.
Q: How far is Bangkok from Angkor Wat?
A: Bangkok is approximately 366 km from Angkor Wat. The road distance between the two cities is 405.6 km.
Q: How many days should I spend in Siem Reap?
A: Siem Reap can’t be covered in one day – you’ll need at least three days to cover the huge expanse of the Angkor temples and other attractions in the area. The ideal time to spend in Siem Reap is around 3-4 days, depending on how early you get there. Just make sure you have at least one and a half full days.
Q: How much is Angkor Wat entrance fee?
A: The entrance fees to Angkor Wat are: Single day pass: $37.00; Three day pass: $62.00; Seven day pass: $72.00.
Q: Do I need a visa for Cambodia?
A: Yes, you will need a visa to enter Cambodia, along with a valid passport. Tourist ($30) and business ($35) visas are valid for one month, and can be obtained from all major border crossings.
Q: Can I get a visa on arrival in Cambodia?
A: Yes, it is very easy to get a visa on arrival in Cambodia – Once you fill in a simple form, you just have to pay $30 for a tourist visa or $35 for a business visa. The visa is then valid for one month, but does not allow multiple re-entries into the country.
Q: How much is the bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok?
A: Prices for buses from Siem Reap to Bangkok start at $32. Although many bus companies advertise themselves as direct, this is usually not the case, requiring a change at the Thailand / Cambodian border. The two companies that are actually direct and offer a great service are: Giant Ibis and Nattakan.
Q: Is there a night bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok?
A: Yes, there are several night buses from Siem Reap to Bangkok, but you might have to change buses along the way. The best of the night buses are probably Travel Mart and Virak Buntham. Both companies tend to have buses that are clean and in a good condition, and the staff will help you at the border.
Q: How much is a private car from Siem Reap to Bangkok?
A: On average a private car from Siem Reap to Bangkok will cost in the region of $250 (that’s usually the quote from Siem Reap to Bangkok airport). You’ll have the option of stopping for toilet breaks, coffees, and even sightseeing if you wish.
Q: How long from Bangkok to Siem Reap by bus?
A: A bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap will take approximately 8 hours in total and will cost roughly $30. Although many bus companies advertise themselves as direct, this is usually not the case, requiring a change at the Thailand / Cambodian border. The two companies that are actually direct and offer a great service are: Giant Ibis and Nattakan.
Q: How many days should I spend in Cambodia?
A: We would recommend that you spend at least 10 days in Cambodia. An itinerary could go something like this:
Day 1 – Fly into Phnom Penh.
Day 2 – Visit Phnom Penh Museums.
Day 3 – Travel to Siem Reap.
Day 4 – Visit Angkor Wat.
Day 5 – Explore Siem Reap.
Day 6 – Fly to Sihanoukville.
Day 7 – Travel to Koh Rong.
Day 8 – Relax on Koh Rong.
Day 9 – Travel to Koh Rong Samloem.
Day 10 – Explore Koh Rong Samloem.
Q: How many days do you need in Phnom Penh?
A: We recommend that you spend about two days in Phnom Penh – one full day for the museums, and one day / half day to take a look around riverside (in particular, the area around the Royal Palace).
Q: How do you travel from Siem Reap to Bangkok?
A: If you want to travel from Siem Reap to Bangkok, you can either take a flight, a bus, or a private taxi. Most people prefer to fly, as the journey is just one-hour long and not too expensive (prices start from $50). However, if you’d prefer to go by land, and enjoy the beautiful scenery while saving some money, a direct bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok is your best option.
Q: How do I get from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong?
A: To get from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong, you can take either a bus, a taxi, the train, or a flight to Sihanoukville, and then take a ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong. For all the latest information, please read: Phnom Penh to Koh Rong.
Q: Is Koh Rong a party island?
A: Please ignore what you might read elsewhere – Koh Rong is NOT just a party island! Yes, the main tourist area, Koh Touch, has a reputation for being quite lively, but there are MANY other areas that are peaceful, relaxing, and truly mesmerising.
Even on Koh Touch itself there are beautiful, quiet areas a little further down the beach.
Please read our Hotel Guide and Beach Guide for more information.
Q: How do I get to Koh Rong?
A: To get to Koh Rong, you will first have to get to Sihanoukville. From there, you can take a ferry service directly to the islands. For all the latest information, please read: How to get to Koh Rong.
Q: How do you get around Koh Rong?
A: It is now quite easy to get around Koh Rong. Depending on where you want to go, you can either travel by road, a shuttle boat, a private long tail boat, or a ferry transfer.
Q: How do you get around Koh Rong Samloem?
A: Getting around Koh Rong Samloem is straight forward. Depending on where you want to go, you can either buy a transfer ticket ($6) with one of the main ferry companies, or hire a private long tail boat. It is now also possible to walk through the jungle trail (45 min) from Saracen Bay to Lazy Beach and Sunset Beach.
Q: How do you get to Sihanoukville Cambodia?
A: To get to Sihanoukville Cambodia, you can either take a flight directly into Sihanoukville airport, or if you are already in Cambodia, you can take a private taxi, a bus, or a train.
Q: How many km Siem Reap to Phnom Penh?
A: The calculated flying distance from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is 143 miles (231 km). If you want to go by car, the driving distance between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh is 314.7 km.
Q: How populous is Siem Reap?
A: Siem Reap is the fifth-most-populous city in Cambodia with a population of 189,292 people. The top 10 most populous cities and towns in Cambodia are: Phnom Penh, Ta Khmau, Battambang, Serei Saophoan, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Sihanoukville, Poipet, Chbar Mon, and Kampot.
Q: How populous is Phnom Penh?
A: Phnom Penh has a population of about 2,011,725 people. It is the 46th-most-populous national capital by population. The top 10 national capitals by population are: Beijing, New Delhi, Tokyo, Manila, Moscow, Cairo, Jakarta, Kinshasa, Seoul, Dhaka.
Q: Is it safe to travel to Cambodia alone?
A: Yes, it is safe to travel to Cambodia alone, as long as you are sensible (which is the case in any country). Cambodian people are generally very respectful and friendly towards foreign men and women, but as with any poorer country, poverty is an issue. As such, we recommend that you do not wear expensive jewellery, leave your belongings unattended, or get heavily intoxicated. Otherwise, relax, explore, and enjoy yourself!
Q: Is Cambodia safe?
A: Generally, Cambodia is a safe country – it is ranked the 59th safest country in the world, with violent crime being a rarity. The only exceptions are remote areas of large cities, so please be sensible with where you visit.
Q: What is the best time to go to Cambodia?
A: We would say that the best time to go to Cambodia is between the middle of November and the start of May. During these months you’ll have beautiful hot days (25°C – 40°C) with very little cloud and low humidity.
Q: What should I do in Cambodia for 10 days?
A: If you want to spend 10 days in Cambodia, then we would recommend for you to:
Day 1 – Fly into Phnom Penh.
Day 2 – Visit Phnom Penh Museums.
Day 3 – Travel to Siem Reap.
Day 4 – Visit Angkor Wat.
Day 5 – Explore Siem Reap.
Day 6 – Fly to Sihanoukville.
Day 7 – Travel to Koh Rong.
Day 8 – Relax on Koh Rong.
Day 9 – Travel to Koh Rong Samloem.
Day 10 – Explore Koh Rong Samloem.
Q: What is the best currency to use in Cambodia?
A: The best currency to use in Cambodia is the US Dollar, or the local Khmer Riel – Both currencies are accepted everywhere in the country.
Q: What should you not wear in Cambodia?
A: Cambodia is a Buddhist country, and local people, especially the older generations, adhere to strict dress codes. As such, if you plan on visiting non-tourist areas, men should not wear shorts or vests, while women should not wear mini-skirts, tight yoga pants, or other revealing clothing.
Q: What should I wear to Angkor Wat?
A: When visiting the temples in Angkor Wat, men and women should wear long pants (covering the knee) and shirts that cover the shoulders – skirts, small shorts, tank tops, and other items of revealing clothing are not allowed within the temple grounds.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us and we will reply ASAP.
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