So when I am HongKong, I always make it a point to visit Macau (around 2 hours via bus or 1.5 hours by fast craft ferry) and last time I was in Singapore, I went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (around 5-6 hours via bus)
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| Atop Braemar Hill in HK and the ruins of St. Paul’s in Macau. Posing with the Merlion in Sinagpore and with the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. |
So, recently with Cebu Pacific’s direct flights between Iloilo and Thailand (Bangkok DMK), Cambodia specifically Siem Reap was my target for it is the jump off point to the world famous heritage site of Angkor Wat.
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| Donning traditional Thai attire while roaming Wat Arun in Bangkok and blending in with the surroundings of Angkor Wat near Siem Reap, Cambodia. |
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to travel via bus from Bangkok, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia based on my experience.
1 SECURE YOUR BUS TICKETS
Buying online direct from bus companies or 3rd party apps will save you a lot of time. Be aware of local holidays and events as bs tickets may sell out fast.
I bought mine via https://vireakbuntham.com for around US$27 ONE-WAY scheduled for a 130AM DEPARTURE and around 11AM ARRIVAL in SEAM REAP. Their website shows multiple schedule per day 24/7 but be sure to check if it is a bus or a van - whichever you prefer.
2 GO TO BUS TERMINAL EARLY
I took a BOLT ride to Travel Mart along Rambuttri Alley (depending on your bus of choice) 2 hours before since I am not familiar with the area. This will give you ample time to beat the Bangkok traffic and look for the terminal.
3 CHECK IN AT DESIGNATED BUS COMPANY
Vireak Buntham (and other buses too) partner/s with Travel Mart when in Bangkok and at their office I did the following:
- Validated my bus ticket
- Filled out Cambodia Travel Card
- Chose my free breakfast
- Orientation with our bus attendants
4 INSIDE VIREAK BUNTHAM BUS
Around 15 minutes before the departure time, the bus attendants will guide the passengers to where the bus is actually parked - around 5 minutes walk from the office.
You can drop off your luggage at the compartment, find your seat and hope it's not a full so you can change seats for maximum comfort.
Here’s what’s included in my bus ticket
- 2x1 seating configuration*
- FREE WIFI and onboard charging
- On-board toilet
- FREE use of blanket
- Free SNACKS (sandwich and water)
- Free 1 MEAL (breakfast or lunch or dinner depending on schedule)
- Bus attendants who will guide you towards IMMIGRATION on both Thailand and Cambodia border
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| Comfy leatherette seats with WIDE leg room which you can also inclined almost like a bed. Other inclusions are wifi, snacks and blankets esp for early morning travel. |
Since we were just 8 passengers out of around a total of 30 bus seats , I changed my chosen solo seat to double seat to I can 1 seat as space for my backpack and snacks pack š¤£
5 TRAVEL TIME
Aranyaprathet, Thailand and Poi Pet, Cambodia are the border towns where you will have to process immigration.
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| Cambodia Immigration building in Poi Pet |
Here’s the estimated travel duration during my trip.
- 4.5 HOURS Bangkok to Aranyaprathet
- 2 HOURS Immigration process plus break
- 3.5 HOURS Poi Pet to Siem Reap
6 IMMIGRATION 2X
Your bus attendants will provide a FAST PASS ID and walk with you to the entrance of immigration offices. Be sure to wear your ID and familiarize with your bus companions.
Going FROM Thailand to Cambodia NO NEED TO BRING YOUR LUGGAGE - you can leave them on the bus. BUT from CAMBODIA to THAILAND, you will have to CARRY EVERYTHING from border to border.
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| Waiting for our bus attendant at Poi Pet as I head back to Bangkok from Cambodia with my blue luggage. |
Just observe and follow what your companions are doing. If possible don't lose sight of them. Foreigners enter different doors floors compared to locals.
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| Morning walk from Thai immigration to the Cambodian immigration building. |
On exiting Thailand, just present your passport and have your fingerprints electronically taken as well your photo. When done, walk towards the Cambodian immigration building, up to the second floor for foreigners then queue at the immigration.
At the Cambodian Immigration, just present your CAMBODIAN travel card and PASSPORT to the Immigration Officer. Very minimal or even NO questions asked. Not even accommodation or itinerary. Again, fingerprints and photos will be taken.
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| Filling out my Cambodia Travel Card |
When you get your passport and travel card stamped, bus attendants (same or new ones) will again assist you when you leave the immigration. Again, be sure to WEAR YOUR ID all the time - this is how they identify their passengers.
Personal Experience
Arrived at Aranyaprathet around 550AM and the queue was “out of this 3RD WORLD” š¤£ because I heard that the border opens at 6AM and people were lining up as early as 4AM.
Our VIP IDs made us pass the outside queue but we queued for more than 1 hour for the EXIT stamp from Thailand Immigration then walked TOWARDS the Cambodian immigration. There it was less than 10minutes from lining up to having my ENTRY stamp.
7 CONGRATS! WELCOME TO CAMBODIA
Meals are served on the bus after immigration - a sort of celebration for a job well-done. It may take a while for some to pass through immigration especially Westerners who need a VISA. Lucky for Pinoys and other ASEAN countries, we are VISA FREE!
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| Snacks are served when the bus leaves while meals are served after passing through immigration |
Stopovers may take place especially during day time along the way for some stretching, toilet break and buy additional food and drinks at bus stops.
8 ARRIVING IN SIEM REAP
In Siem Reap, Vireak Buntham buses will drop you at their Huy Leng Market Terminal. You can ask assistance from the staff to get your ride to the hotel.
Tuktuks are the main mode of transport in the city. Don’t worry if you haven't exchanged your money to Cambodia Riels yet, US dollars are widely accepted and even Thai Baht!
Around US$ 2-3 per tuktuk ride is the going rate from this Vireak Buntham stop to the hotel but still depends how far is yours from the terminal. Don't worry Siem Reap is small city, you won't get lost. I survived it without having an E-sim, just wifi at the hotel.
During my side trip in Siem Reap, I stayed at The Twizt Lifestyle Hotel/Hostel - biggest accommodation facility in the city.
They have very affordable rates - my dorm type room ( shared bathroom outside) good for 8-pax only cost me around ₱ 1,200 for 4 days and 3 nights. But there are private rooms and very affordable too!
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| Not bad for just around PhP 400 a night! |
The hotel has coffeeshop at the lobby, a restobar at the rooftop with a swimming pool. It also has a mini garden and a communal workspace for its guests.
The hotel is located in its own quiet street and is walking distance to The Heritage Walk mall, the Pub street, Old Market and many more. You can also stroll their riverside promenade, Royal residence and the Made in Cambodia market
There are also cafes, restos, foodstalls and other food outlets nearby. Tuktuks are on standby outside the hotel for the guests convenience.
This bus ride was my longest and as of now, the most challenging but very much tolerable. Planning the trip was just as challenging with Good Samaritans helped me along the way especially in the purchase of my tickets.
My 4 days and 3 nights in Siem Reap was a sort of quiet time - a reset from the chaotic but fun adventure in Bangkok and will always be part of my travel memories....
"Arkun Chran, Cambodia!"
