I agree that an overnight stay in Cambodia is not enough...
Well, I don't have any choice because I only have a tight travel schedule. In order for me to maximize and enjoy my stay, I made sure beforehand that I will feel comfortable with my travel accommodation, but of course not forgetting blending with the Cambodian daily life.
Going to Siem Reap from Bangkok, Thailand, I would highly recommend traveling by train because you will surely experience the real Thailand rural life and appreciate how simple yet fulfilling their lives are.
From Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Train Station, there are two train trips to Aranyaprathet, Thailand border. Riding the train is the cheapest among other transportation options and only costs THB 48 for the whole 6 hour-trip to the border. Check-out the latest train schedules below:
Arriving at Aranyaprathet, ride a Tuktuk going to the Cambodian border, tuktuk drivers already know it. Haggle a price of THB 80 for the ride to the border and that should be a fair deal already. If you need a VISA and your tuktuk driver offers you a place to get one, just ask him nicely to still bring you to the border. There is a legal or legit office near the border that issues official VISA.Tourist Visa is around USD 20.
TRAVEL TIP: Thailand - Cambodia border has a lot of VISA agencies that are not legit and there have been a lot of experiences that tourists get into this trap.
Exit the Thailand border through the usual Immigration Process, walk a few meters going to the Cambodian ark which is the official border of Cambodia. There are a lot of Casinos and gambling houses in the border by the way. There are also official Cambodian tourist assistants that will guide you through the process.
Enter the Cambodian Immigration and complete the entry process. The Immigration office is only a small room and a bit hot by the way. After you have been granted your entry, ride the passenger bus just outside the Immigration office.
TRAVEL TIP: The passenger bus is FREE and being supported by the Cambodian government. The passenger bus will bring you to the Passenger Terminal to which you can then ride a bus or taxi going to Siem Reap City.
BUS or TAXI? If you are with a group of four, better ride a taxi for faster travel time. If you are a solo backpacker, you may negotiate and group with other backpackers to occupy a taxi. If you're with a group, better to ride a bus instead. Here's a comparison rundown for more details:
AIn Siem Reap City, their main system of transportation is the Tuk-Tuk. I highly recommend my Tuk-Tuk driver, Mr. Sokhom, driver number 3609. He is very talkative, accommodating, and nice! You may hire a tuk-tuk driver for your one-day Angkor Heritage Tour. Mr. Sokhom charged USD 12 and I think this is a fairly good deal!
Here's Mr. Sokhom, English Speaking Tuk Tuk Driver, contact details:
Contact Number-: (+855) 92 634 226
E-mail Address - tab.sokhom@yahoo.com
Accommodation is also very important to me. Well for this trip, I did not opt to look for a backpacker hostel because I won't be staying longer so I guess a good night and comfy bed is better. I stayed overnight at Rithy Rine Angkor Hotel found near Siem Reap's market. One night stay cost around USD 26.
What I liked about Rithy Rine Hotel is that they have free bottled water. In my case, unlimited bottled water! I grabbed the chance of getting as much bottled water as I can to hydrate myself during the Angkor Historical Tour. See more of Cambodia's heritage from here: "Siem Reap Tour".
More information about Cambodia from here:
Well, I don't have any choice because I only have a tight travel schedule. In order for me to maximize and enjoy my stay, I made sure beforehand that I will feel comfortable with my travel accommodation, but of course not forgetting blending with the Cambodian daily life.
 |
| Train Ride to Cambodian Border |
Going to Siem Reap from Bangkok, Thailand, I would highly recommend traveling by train because you will surely experience the real Thailand rural life and appreciate how simple yet fulfilling their lives are.
 |
| Train Ride to Aranyaprathet |
From Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Train Station, there are two train trips to Aranyaprathet, Thailand border. Riding the train is the cheapest among other transportation options and only costs THB 48 for the whole 6 hour-trip to the border. Check-out the latest train schedules below:
Bangkok >> Aranyaprathet (3rd class seat)
| |||
Departs
|
05:55
|
13:05
| |
Arrives
|
12:30
|
18:00
| |
Aranyaprathet >> Bangkok (3rd class seat)
| |||
Departs
|
06:40
|
13:55
| |
Arrives
|
12:05
|
19:55
| |
 |
| Bangkok Hua Lamphong Station |
Arriving at Aranyaprathet, ride a Tuktuk going to the Cambodian border, tuktuk drivers already know it. Haggle a price of THB 80 for the ride to the border and that should be a fair deal already. If you need a VISA and your tuktuk driver offers you a place to get one, just ask him nicely to still bring you to the border. There is a legal or legit office near the border that issues official VISA.Tourist Visa is around USD 20.
 |
| Aranyaprathet Station |
 |
| Thai Immigration |
TRAVEL TIP: Thailand - Cambodia border has a lot of VISA agencies that are not legit and there have been a lot of experiences that tourists get into this trap.
Exit the Thailand border through the usual Immigration Process, walk a few meters going to the Cambodian ark which is the official border of Cambodia. There are a lot of Casinos and gambling houses in the border by the way. There are also official Cambodian tourist assistants that will guide you through the process.
 |
| Kingdom of Cambodia Arch |
Enter the Cambodian Immigration and complete the entry process. The Immigration office is only a small room and a bit hot by the way. After you have been granted your entry, ride the passenger bus just outside the Immigration office.
 |
| Cambodia Passenger Bus |
TRAVEL TIP: The passenger bus is FREE and being supported by the Cambodian government. The passenger bus will bring you to the Passenger Terminal to which you can then ride a bus or taxi going to Siem Reap City.
BUS or TAXI? If you are with a group of four, better ride a taxi for faster travel time. If you are a solo backpacker, you may negotiate and group with other backpackers to occupy a taxi. If you're with a group, better to ride a bus instead. Here's a comparison rundown for more details:
Poipet >> Siem Reap City
|
Fare
|
Travel Time
|
Bus
|
USD 9
|
3.5 hours
|
Taxi
|
USD 48 or USD 12 /person
|
2.5 hours
|
AIn Siem Reap City, their main system of transportation is the Tuk-Tuk. I highly recommend my Tuk-Tuk driver, Mr. Sokhom, driver number 3609. He is very talkative, accommodating, and nice! You may hire a tuk-tuk driver for your one-day Angkor Heritage Tour. Mr. Sokhom charged USD 12 and I think this is a fairly good deal!
 |
| Mr. Sokhom doing his job |
Here's Mr. Sokhom, English Speaking Tuk Tuk Driver, contact details:
Contact Number-: (+855) 92 634 226
E-mail Address - tab.sokhom@yahoo.com
Accommodation is also very important to me. Well for this trip, I did not opt to look for a backpacker hostel because I won't be staying longer so I guess a good night and comfy bed is better. I stayed overnight at Rithy Rine Angkor Hotel found near Siem Reap's market. One night stay cost around USD 26.
 |
| Rithy Rine Hotel Siem Reap |
 |
| Unlimited "ROSE" Water |
More information about Cambodia from here:
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and the rest of the website is
ReplyDeleteextremely good.
Life Size Statues
Thanks ! Have you already visited Cambodia? If not yet, I highly recommend you to visit such place and I am pretty sure you'll like the place too. :)
DeleteCheers!
Such a great article! I had been searching for a really nice text about upgrading conversion rates for a while, when I found your blog. Thanks for the useful information!
ReplyDeleteYou are very much welcome @Siem Reap Hotels!
DeleteHope you enjoyed reading my Cambodia trip and as well as my Thailand Trip! South East Asian countries are such beautiful countries..
Keep traveling... :)
Do you think it is safe to travel alone in Cambodia and Thailand? I am a girl. :)
ReplyDeleteHi!
DeleteYes it is safe to travel on both countries. In Thailand, you may visit, Bangkok, Aranyaprathet, Chiang Mai and Damnoen Market. In Cambodia, never miss visiting the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap city.
There are a lot of tourists traveling from Thailand to Cambodia so it's safe. I advise you to travel in the morning. :)
Keep Traveling!
My favourite is a moto (Scooter taxi)!! It's pretty intense when the driver is speeding through the traffic. A bit scary but wow what a rush!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah Chad, I've heard it's very popular both in Cambodia and Thailand and very fast! Well the good thing is that you can reach your destination quickly but ofcourse with some road cautions and hazards.
DeleteKeep traveling!
thank you very much for a very detailed information about going to Cambodia , I,m actually curious how you manage to go back to the Philippines? did you cross the border again back to Thailand? or directly ride a plane in siem rep going back to the Philippines?
ReplyDeleteHi there! Yes, I did cross the Thai-Cambodia border in Aranyaprathet to Poipet route. Then have a direct flight back to The Philippines through Cebu Pacific Air's Siem Reap flight :)
DeleteKeep traveling! ^^,