There are lots of ways to get from Cambodia to Thailand, and it all depends on how much time, money, and patience you have. In this post, I’ll cover the best ways to get from Siem Reap to Bangkok in 2022 whether you travel by plane, direct bus, mini-bus, or taxi. Flying is always the most convenient, but going overland is less expensive and more of an adventure!
If you’re heading the other direction, how to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap.
At a glance…Siem Reap to Bangkok
- Direct bus: Costs $49. Takes 8 to 10 hours. → Book now
- Taxi: Starting at $195. SUV seats 4. About 8 hours. → Book now
- Indirect buses and vans: Costs $26+. 10 to 12 hours. → Book now
- Plane: Costs $100-300. Fastest but most expensive. 75 min. → Book now
- Crossing the border: What you need to know.
The Giant Ibis direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap (and vice versa)
Direct buses from Siem Reap to Bangkok
The easiest way to get from Siem Reap to Bangkok is by direct bus, although it’s not the fastest. Direct means that you don’t have to change buses at the border or haul your luggage over the border — it stays on the bus while you get your visas. While many buses advertise themselves as direct buses, but they are not, and will require changing buses at the border.
Giant Ibis, a company with great reputation in Cambodia, is the best option between Bangkok and Siem Reap. The buses are new, the drivers are good, and the attendants are friendly and help you through the visa process at the border. Although the tickets are more expensive at $49, it is worth the price, and there are no booking fees. There is a $5 visa charge if you do not already have a visa, for “VIP” processing, which means you will not have to go through the Thailand visa hall at all.
I have taken this bus and felt completely safe leaving my baggage in the baggage compartment under the bus while I went through the visa process. The Giant Ibis Siem Reap Bangkok direct bus leaves from Siem Reap at 7:45 a.m. and arrives around 4:15 p.m. Read our full review with photos of the Giant Ibis Bangkok bus.
You can book the Giant Ibis Siem Reap to Bangkok bus online and choose your seat in advance (the closer to the front the better, in my opinion). → Book now
Taking a taxi
Taxi is the most expensive overland option, and can cost approximately $200. If you book online you can choose between an SUV taxi or minivan that can take 4 or 7 passengers, respectively. → Book now
It’s possible to also book a taxi in Siem Reap to go to Poipet, and then get a second taxi at the border to go to Bangkok. This is a less expensive option, but is generally very stressful, particularly if you have substantial baggage. I’ve been left sitting at the border for hours trying to argue my way out of extortionate taxi prices, and frankly, it’s easier to just book in advance unless you enjoy that sort of argument (some do).
Indirect and mini-buses from Bangkok to Siem Reap
Travel Mart runs various sized buses from Bangkok to Siem Reap, from full size to vans.
There are buses and mini-bus services that go “direct,” meaning the same company will drop you off on the Cambodia side of the border and then meet you on the Thailand side of the border. You still need to haul your luggage through the border on foot, and often end up waiting for others on your bus who mysteriously take an hour to go through immigration. These services offer you no direction or hand-holding in getting through the border, but are substantially less expensive than than a true direct bus.
Travel Mart has a good reputation (I’ve taken them and had no complaints). They used to run direct buses but since the pandemic are doing a van to a minibus or express bus combo in cooperation with Virak Buntham, who have a not-quite-as-good reputation. Travel Mart offers night buses or day buses, which range in cost from $26 to $34.50. → Book now
Go Ho Travel are also running vans that require a change at the border for $30. I haven’t taken this bus so I can’t comment. → Book now
Flights from Siem Reap to Bangkok
AirAsia usually have the cheapest flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap, but there are strings attached.
There are fewer flight than pre-pandemic, but Bangkok Airways and Air Asia are flying from Siem Reap to Bangkok in 2022.
Bangkok Airways offer one-way flights at around $100. They offer a 20kg baggage allowance, but if you sign up with their frequent flyer club they will automatically give you an extra 10kg. Another nice perk is that there’s an airline lounge for all passengers, not just those in business class. → Book now
Malaysia-based LCC Air Asia has daily flights between Siem Reap and Bangkok that are usually the cheapest option available. You can find one-way flights on this route for as little as $70 if you book in advance. Flights arrive at Bangkok’s DMK airport and you’ll pay extra for baggage. → Book now
Crossing the Thailand-Cambodia border.
Crossing the border
The Aranyaprathat/Poipet border is known for scams, delays, and confusion. I’ve got a whole blog post with what you need to know about crossing the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border, but here are some important things to know.
You do not need to change money into Thai baht. This is a scam and you will be given an outrageously bad exchange rate.
You do not need to pay any border crossing fees or get a Thai visa before you get to the border office. Do not accept help from anyone who says they can help you get a visa or cross a border. The exception is your bus company, who may offer VIP service, like Giant Ibis.
Know that Thai officials have been cracking down on those who appear to living illegally in Thailand. They only allow two land border entries per year, and there is a requirement for each person to be carrying 10,000 Thai baht, or the equivalent in another currency, per person. This is rarely enforced unless the border officials have some misgivings about you, but if you have multiple Thai visas it’s best to show be able to show that you have cash on hand, a hotel reservation, and plans to leave.
If you’re going the other way, check out my post on how to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap.
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Hi, Have you tried from Siem Reap to Poipet (bus) then Poipet to Aran (tuktuk) then Aran to Hualampong via train? I thinks it’s doable and a bit cheaper. I didn’t find any article doing that but, there’s one from Bkk to Siem Reap. Thanks! -josh (fellow pinoy)
Hi Josh, I haven’t done it yet. I’ve heard the train takes a long time and I’m always in a rush, but I will try it soon! Tell me how it goes. :)
Well Josh, to each their own but not sure why anyone would want to go that route unless there is a fear of other ground transport or a love of trains.
It can be done if you have time to waste. There is nothing to see and the trains are old, slow and a way for roaches (the insect) to get around the Country.
You can do it and connect to the MRT at Hua Lampong to get around the City but you can do the same thing with the vans and connect to the BTS at Victory Monument.
Happy travels
That made me laugh out loud, Vincent.
Thank you Vince! Yeah, I have time to waste and I’m interested the way other locals commute. I don’t mind slow, old trains and, roaches.
Happy Travels too!
Hi! First, your blog is so informative! Thank you so much :) I would just like to ask some help, my boyfriend and I will be traveling from Bangkok to Siem Reap soon and I am planning to take the minivan in Victory monument at lunch time as we will do some shopping in Chatuchak Market in the morning. Most of the blogs say that it would take 4 to 5 hours. Is that reliable? From Poipet to Siem Reap, can you please suggest the most affordable way yet the fastest to get to Siem Reap downtown. Taxi maybe too expensive as we are only 2 persons. Will appreciate your reply. Thank you!
You’ll probably need to take a taxi or shared taxi if you arrive at the border in the afternoon, but you might be able to find a mini-van. Nothing is guaranteed, but you won’t have a problem getting to Siem Reap one way or another.
Vincent will probably have better advice. :)
If you are going to be at Chatuchak market check the direct bus service from Mochit bus station which is a short taxi ride from there. I think you can see their schedule on this web site or Lina can advise. About $30 USD BKK to SR and their office is right downtown in SR next to the KFC.
You will save yourself some grief if you can make this happen. Poipet/ taxis etc are less then pleasant and ultimately more expensive. Happy travels.
After reading so many blogs about the scams and delay, we might consider riding the direct bus through Transport Ltd. Maybe we can skip shopping in Chatuchak on Saturday :( If you another suggestion if we can leave BKK in the afternoon just please let me know. Thank you very much for all the responses!
Chatuchak is reknowned as a Sunday Market and is really just a big flea market with some good and some not so good prices. You would really not be missing much except the park is rather nice.
Nattakan Co. LTD. is the direct bus serice out of Mochit Bus Terminal.
I do not know their schedule but they are reliable from what I am told. You can get a taxi from the Mochit BTS or the Chatuckak MRT stations. Catch the taxi on the side of the park and you will save a big U-turn.
Hi guys!
I have a question, when traveling from Siem Reap to Bangkok, would it be faster to take a taxi to the boarder then hop on a big bus into Bangkok? Cost?
Thanks, I’ve never crossed the boarder over land, only by plane.
Thanks!
Hello,
I will be travelling from Siem Reap to Bangkok in a couple of weeks. According to the schedule, the trip should last 9 hours, is it reliable?
Thanks!
9 is as good a guess as any but depends on traffic, construction and clearing immigration for Thailand and Cambodia. I have had the trip take 12 hours as well as 8 hours. The service you use can be a factor as some make unecessary pit stops at restaurants they own. The real challenge will be from the border to Siem Reap. which is where many of the scams start. Safe journey.
sorry sorry I read as the reverse trip!!! BKK to SR
I love this site. Many great posts.
I am going from Siem Reap with two female pensioners. We are three females travelling together. Does anyone know how safe it is to travel on the Casino buss if we decided to try this? and are they allrght with non-gamblers on the buss? -Or do you suggest just tak ethe direct buss from Siem reap to Bangkok?
The casino bus is mainly filled with elderly Thai female gamblers and has been totally safe when I have taken it. However, it can be confusing and is definitely easier to take a the direct bus and even easier to fly on Cambodia Angkor Air or Air Asia.
Geeta, With normal travel precautions, like watch your handbag, there are no really unsafe methods of travel. Phsically challenged could be an issue with some modes of transport. If you have the money, you will all be happier with a flight. Happy travels.
Great post, thanks!
Does anyone have a better idea of when the earliest casino bus would leave to go to bkk? I need to catch a flight in the early evening…
Thanks!
Carlo,
DMK or BKK as they are on opposite sides of the City? You might want to consider getting a taxi from the border to Bangkok for about 1900 Baht, per taxi not per person but remember luggage space would be limited if you travel with others. Any of the bus or van services will require you to get from their drop off point to the airport anyway. Depends on your budget and need for comfort.
Vincent- do NOT bother with a casionobus for this-take a van and ASK-some will even be able to do a drop off at/near to Swampy big=BKK airport, some drop you off in just 4-5kmsd from there. At the end at Vict.Mon catch Citybus NEW A2 direct to DMK-or also mloads of normal citybuses. Its just much more of a hassle to use the casinobus without knowing BKK-city in how to do the best way to any airport.
Hi guys, is there any chance how to travel to Cambodia from Bangkok in the night time? We do not want to fly and we´d like to travel during night. Is there any chance? Maybe by van?
Remember if you are crossing through Poipet, it is not a 24 hour crossing and I think opens at 7 or 7:30 am. and closes at 10PM but double check me. You might just find yourself hanging out at the border for a few hours so check you bus/van carefully and they will lie to you.
Oops, maybe I was a minute too early/premature. I then clicked on the fb Nattakan site and saw that the VB bus was stopped by Thai police as its ILLegal, as it has no licence for this service IN Thailand. Nattakan informed the Thai BoKoSo-the state Bus who organises all in THailand.
In fact VB has teamed up with Thai vans since many years, these are run on the Thai side by travelmartbkk, they have an office near Khao sarn rd.
What vinent says about the Capitol bus: its just as easy to pay separately both suides-assuming you have enoyugh THB on you-and this saves around 3-4US$ compared with paying all to Capitol and getting the sticker. PLUS you have then much more choice in Aran/Kleua market for onward transport. I paid 230 Bt for a 4 hr direct van, only half seats taken, to the Vict. Mon, it had 2 15-20 stops on the way and did not really speeding either. Just the route into BKK was rather roundabout, as 2 people had to be set down in BangNa.
Personally, I wouldn’t ride a VB bus, their reputation is probably the worst in Cambodia at this point for accidents, thefts, even molesting female passengers. Ick. Where in the market do you get direct vans?
About these vans: direct on THAI side eonly-from the place mentioned on the blog-behind the big 7, left hand side coming FROM KH. There are 2 diff. companies, both ending at Vict.Monument.
I meant to say 2 10-15 mins. stops en-route (for refuelling NGV-gas, thus anyone has to get out). Both were at PTT-pumps who always also have a 7 shop for some quick food)
NEW update:
I am in BKK again-Khao Sarn area and definetely saw the last days BOTH a VB bus (new VN built Hyundai-but then I only saw outside) to SR (dep BKK by 9.30) and ARRive from PnPn-around 18/18.30. This may run only every 2nd day (according to local agents).
Its quoted as 7/800 THB for SR and 1000/1200 to PP-incl. the agents mark-up.
Travelmart is the name here of a many years already comp. that sends minibuses to border+onward ticketing to SR+PP. Some are very cheap and thus prone to all kind of money-grabbing scams on board.
a NEW direct bus has strated from 1/12/15 by Virak Buntan and runs to the Khao sarn area in BKK. One sees banner advertsing this now everywhere and I indeed saw the bus, a KHmer one, riding a few days ago-around 10.00, though the time said for dep. is 9.00-BKK end. Book via the 100s of travel-agents around-I was quoted fares of 700/750 THB, incl. ”snack”. Dont know how much this bus is subject to the many machinations that VB is known for, mainly TO Camb.
Is it advisable to stay at Poipet overnight, clear immigration early in the morning, take a van, bus or train to Swarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok in time to catch a 3.30 international flight
When I have an international flight out of Bangkok, I travel to Bangkok the night before so I have an extra day in case of delays. No reason to stay in Poipet, I think.
Not sure if you mean AM or PM with your international flight but probably best to avoid Poipet if possible. I call it the armpit of Cambodia.
Many van services from the border will tell you “drop at airport” but they really mean drop at the closest train station. Not to worry it is a reliable and inexpensive train directly into the airport. Still if you have some money take Cambodia Angkor air to BKK from REP. Safe travels