Hi all,

First time travels to SE Asia for 3 weeks in Feb-March. I'll be traveling by myself from Hong Kong to Bangkok to Siem Reap for a week (25, male). I'm interested in taking the bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap but am not sure how to go about booking it or any other key information I should be aware of. Any advice out there? Many thanks!

All the info you need for doing this at http://talesofasia.com/cambodia-siemreap-guide-get.htm - I did it in the other direction - car to the border and bus on to Bangkok.

Thanks, Thursdaysd! How was the experience for you?

It was fine - I prefer to travel overland, and the road was in reasonable condition when I did it. I understand it's harder going from BKK to SR, make sure you read talesofasia carefully.

If you arrive by plane to Bangkok, there is a bus from transport center (near airport) direct to the border. Fast and good service. It leaves around 7 and 11 am.
I think the one at 7 am is best, gets you into SR in the afternoon.
The road from border to Siem Reap is now in perfect conditions.
We were 5 people so we had a minivan from our hotel to pick us up at the border.

Take the pleasant train ride from Bangkok's main station to Aranyaprathet, no reservation needed, fare less than $1. Then take a taxi or tuk tuk to the boder for another on to Siem Reap. Two trains, daily, at 0655 and 1305 as I recall off-hand.

See www.seat61.com/Cambodia.htm for details and there's travellers reports too.

Just be careful of scams at the border. Do a google search!

I am sure it will say this on the Tales of Asia site but do not buy tickets from travel agents around Khao San road you will almost certainly get ripped off. Instead go to the bus station. Do not put anything valuable or important in the luggage hold of the bus.

As silverwool says there are MANY scams at the border. On the Thai side they asked for a visa fee of 4000baht (the actual fee is $25. On the Cambodian side they told us that the sign above their own head was in correct in stating the fee was $25 and that it had been increased to $50. Also check that they date your visa in immigration otherwise you will be asked for more money at the border gate (or have to return to immigration).

The last time we went by train and it was quite a pleasant journey although we did end up getting the later train and staying overnight in Arranyabpratet.

As talesofasia points out, the trouble with train is that either you have to get up really early, or spend the night before crossing the border. And yes, talesofasia lays out in excruciating detail all the KSR and border scams! (That's why it's easier going the other way.)