Route Guide
Thailand (TH) to Cambodia (KH)
Navigating the Aranyaprathet (Thailand) to Poipet (Cambodia) border—the main gateway to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Preparation is key to avoiding delays and scams.
CRITICAL: Avoid the Poipet Visa Scam
The Poipet crossing is infamous for **tour operators and touts demanding inflated fees** for the Cambodian Visa-on-Arrival (VOA). The official VOA fee for most nationalities is **$30 USD**.
How to Beat the Scam:
- **Use an e-Visa:** The best method is to apply for an official Cambodian **e-Visa** online ($36 USD total). With an e-Visa, you skip the VOA queue entirely.
- **Ignore Bus Drivers:** If traveling by bus, **refuse** to hand your passport to anyone, including your bus operator, who claims they must handle your visa for a ‘smooth crossing.’
- **Go Direct:** Walk straight past the crowds and middlemen to the official Cambodian Immigration booth inside the main terminal building.
2. Key Modes of Transport
Bus and Minivan Services
Many services run directly from Bangkok to Siem Reap/Phnom Penh. This is generally the most convenient, but requires vigilance at the border.
- **Bangkok to Aranyaprathet:** Buses depart frequently from Mo Chit terminal.
- **The ‘Switch’:** You will likely be dropped off at the Thai side, cross on foot, and then catch a *different* vehicle on the Cambodian side. Do not pay for the second leg until you see the vehicle.
- **Best Operators:** Government buses (from Thailand’s side) and reputable private companies booked via platforms like 12Go.
Train and Final Leg by Taxi
A slower but sometimes cheaper option is taking the train to Aranyaprathet and using a shared taxi from Poipet to your final Cambodian destination.
- **Bangkok Train:** A daily train runs from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet.
- **On Foot:** From the Thai train station, you take a short taxi/tuk-tuk to the border crossing itself.
- **Poipet to Siem Reap:** The road quality has improved greatly. A private taxi takes about 2-3 hours and costs around $30-$40 USD.
3. Essential Immigration Checklist
Ensure you have the correct documentation for your Cambodian entry.
Documents Required
**Passport:** Valid for at least six (6) months, with at least one blank page.
**Passport Photo:** If using VOA, you need one recent photo (4x6cm). You may be charged an extra $1-$2 “fine” if you don’t have one.
**Proof of Funds:** Rarely asked for, but technically required: proof you can support yourself during the stay.
Visa Logistics & Money
**VOA Fee:** Exact $30 USD in clean, unmarked bills. Don’t pay more.
**Currency:** Cambodian Riel (KHR) is used, but **USD is widely accepted** everywhere, including the border.
**Border Hours:** Most major border crossings operate from **07:00 to 20:00 (7 AM to 8 PM)**. Do not attempt to cross outside these hours.
4. Safety and Departure Tips
Getting from Poipet to Siem Reap
Once you clear immigration, you will be in the confusing Poipet transit area. Ignore the aggressive taxi and tuk-tuk drivers. Look for the **official transport desk** set up by the Cambodian government to book a fair-priced taxi or shared minivan to Siem Reap.
NEVER tell an unlicensed taxi driver you are going to a ‘free’ government taxi stand—this is often another scam to divert you.