We are starting our adventure from Bangkok to Cambodia then Vietnam on Dec.9th.Looking for advise on border crossing, thinking of getting bus from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet and staying the night then crossing border in morning before getting taxi to Seim Reap.Is this a good idea,we are in our 50/60's and have lots of time.. is there plenty of hotels here or should we aim to go Bangkok to Seim Reap in a day.. all input appreciated... Cheers...

www.talesofasia.com has a comprehensive step by step guide for Bangkok to Siem Reap over land. While it is possible to do it's not on my list of to do's. It sounds rather unpleasant.

If you are on a budget, rather than flying Bangkok Air Bangkok to Siem Reap, it is less expensive to fly Bangkok to Phnom Penh on Air Asia, then take the bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. You could also see Phnom Penh easily that way too.

Not that age really has anything to do with it, but if it did, you are my parents' age, and I do not picture my parents enjoying a trip like the overland trip to Cambodia one bit. I don't see myself enjoying it either.

See your point KimJapan.. we are somewhat apprehensive about the journey, we are not on a budget and could fly but feel we will not see and experience as much.. I am hoping we will survive to tell the story..
Does anyone know anything about hotels in this Thailand border town of Aranyaprathet and should we stay the night here???
Thanks for your quick response KimJapan..

I really don't think there is much of anything at the border other than the border. Do take a look at www.talesofasia.com before you decide to go this route. It really doesn't sound like an experience that would enhance your trip. Better to spend your valuable travel time doing or seeing something a bit more exciting in ways other than avoiding being scammed.

There are some hotels just across the Thai border and they all have casinos in them. A little sleazy but I've heard that they are equivalent to 3 stars hotels in terms of amenities.

Here are some links for the hotel/casino there: http://www.yellowpages-cambodia.com/...asino-resorts/

Personally I would forego the drive and fly instead. The Aranyaprthet border is not really known for it's tourist attraction, more known for smuggling and cross border gambling.

Hhmmmm Thanks for the imput guys.. perhaps we will rethink the overland way and fly to Seim Reap.. got us a bit scared now,no one seems to know much about the Thai side of the border.... we have 4 nights booked in Seim Reap and then 3 nights in Phnom Penh.. whats your ideas on getting from Seim Reap to Phnom Penh.. boat or bus??

Bus. Read about the boat on talesofasia.com...really, you've got to just read what is on that site, the information, the message boards..excellent, up to date information.

Will do KimJapan... on to right now.. Many Thanks..Cheers.....

I AM in my fifties, and I did this trip the other way two years ago. I followed talesofasia.com's instructions and had no problems. The road was not in great shape most of the way, but I much prefer to travel overland and see the country to flying over it and seeing the inside of a tube. I took a taxi (arranged by my hotel) to the border, and the car was comfortable. I took a bus on into Bangkok. I would be inclined to get up early and do the trip in one day, but if not, I would follow talesofasia's advice and stay on the Thai side. Flying into PP and taking the bus to SR (not the boat, which apparently has in any case been canceled) would allow you to see some of the countryside.

Many Thanks Thursdaysd.... we are still perplexed.. but do agree with you on see more on the ground than from the air... will probably stick to our overland plan I think...Cheers Mate...

I would not really suggest the land route through Poipet as the road is still in pretty bad shape in spite of numerous attempts to improve it. When I first traveled this way it took around 8-10hrs from the boarder but now it is more like 3-5 but even the taxis cannot avoid the large and many potholes and it can be a very rough ride. And the town of Poipet is disgusting dirty town full of cheap everything and bustling with hundreds of trouts just waiting for the tourist and their money. It is not that this way is dangerous nor bad things will happen, it is just a lousy introduction to Cambodia where other places are really nice and the people so friendly. This would be the last place I would stay in.

If you are determined to go this way then do it in one day. Take a taxi to the Morchit Bus Station and get nice 1st class a/c bus. Try to leave by by 8am for the 4.5hr trip to Aranyaprathet. From the bus station get a tuk-tuk to the boarder for 80 baht. You will arrive before the tour buses from Bangkok and get through customs more quickly. Visa are 1000 baht. Once into Cambodia you will be directed to a bus that will take you to the transport area where you can get a taxi. Cost around 1800 baht. Total cost for the trip excluding visa is about 2300 baht ($62)

I would suggest the following as a more comfortable way and still see some of the country and continue on to Vietnam.

Fly one way Bangkok to Siem Reap by Bangkok Air. Take the bus or a taxi to Phnom Penh and spend a couple of days. The road is in good shape and takes around 5hrs +. The bus makes one stop and with a taxi you can stop anywhere. Good way to see some of the country. The best bus is the mekong express which has comfortable seats, is a/c and has a bathroom. Cost $9. They will pick you up at your hotel. A whole taxi will cost $40-45 about the same price as the boat which I think has been discontinued.

From PP to HCMC you can first take a boat to Chau Doc. There are several types but of the two better ones I would suggest the one costing $35 and can be booked at Sun Rise Booking No 249 St. Preah Sisowath. Phone 0855.23.223.579. This boat take about 4hrs and have fairly comfortable seats and a clean toilet on board. The more expensive one is run by the Victoria hotels group. From CD it is about 270kms to HCMC by either bus or taxi.

Just avoid the scam buses.

Although, I would just fly to PP, see the Killing Fields and take a nice bus to Siem Reap.

We have just returned from Bangkok and Siem Reap. Before we left we asked this same question. We decided to take a flight to Phnom Penh and then a taxi to Siem Reap. The drive was about 5 hours on a good road and there was lots to see all the way there, we really enjoyed it. On the way back we chose the bus, it was not as good as the taxi, as it was packed full of people and not that comfortable, also alot of the passengers closed the curtains so we couldn't see outside. They played an some interesting movies on the bus. I asked about the bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok and they said 10-11 hours. When waiting at the bus stop we noticed the buses going were also filled, it appears that they wait until they fill them before going, we were told bus left at 7am and we didn't end up leaving until 10am!

We are doing the BKK Siem Reap overland as described on Tales of Asia early Jan... we decided to go overland as we want to experience it, see the scenery... just make sure you are prepared for the journey with no high expectations and I am sure it will be an experience you remember for a lifetime! We have already pre-arranged a taxi to pick us up from the border, so less hassles! He is charging the going rate of $45USD. He doesnt have an email address but you can contact him through his brother (his brother is Soryar who is a tuk tuk driver in Siem Reap)... The taxi driver is called Mr Thong and you can arrange him through Soryar... Soryars email address is [email protected] - we are taking a 1st class air con bus to the border and when we walk out on the Cambodian side Mr Thong will be waiting! Much cheaper than flying and think of it as an adventure...

I have also heard that the road is on the improvement at the moment... a full update on the road condition is at Tales of Asia

Reet

I just re-read your post... I would leave early from BKK if you can (6am) and get to the border by 10ish... then head to Siem Reap.... with the taxi organised you should be able to make it to Siem Reap by 2-4 pm ....

I wouldnt stay the night at the border, unless you just cant get away early enough...