Getting to Siem Reap & Angkor
Air, Train, Bus & Taxi to Siem Reap from Bangkok and Phnom Penh
Angkor Archaeological Park is located near the town of Siem Reap in North West Cambodia. Since there are no hotels in the Angkor Archaeological Park itself, most visitors stay in Siem Reap town, close to the main Angkor temples like Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.
Siem Reap is well connected to both Bangkok and Phnom Penh. You have several options to get there either by air or overland.
Get tickets online
Buy tickets online
Tickets by air, train, bus, van or taxi to Siem Reap from Bangkok and other cities can be bought at the 12Go website.
By Air
By far the most comfortable and quickest way to get to Siem Reap is by airplane. The modern Siem Reap airport is just a few kilometers North West of Siem Reap town. A taxi from the airport to town will cost around US$ 7, a tuk tuk around US$ 5. Most of the larger hotels will pick up from the airport without charge.
Bangkok to Siem Reap
Bangkok Airways has multiple flights daily (6,600 Thai Baht) that take around 1 hour. For more information, see the Bangkok Airways site.
Cambodia Angkor Air has one flight daily (starting at 3,400 Baht). View the Cambodia Angkor Air site for details.
Bangkok to Siem Reap by air via Phnom Penh
Air Asia from Bangkok (Don Muang airport) to Phnom Penh, two flights per day at 1,590 Thai Baht.
Cambodia Angkor Air from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Multiple flights daily at US$ 125 (3,750 Thai Baht).
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Cambodia Angkor Air offers multiple flights daily at US$ 125.
Overland
A slower way to get to Siem Reap, but a chance to see the Thai and Cambodian countryside, is to travel overland.
Bangkok to Siem Reap
Total distance between Bangkok and Siem Reap is about 450 kilometers. The first leg of the trip involves getting from Bangkok to the Thai border town Aranyaprathet. You can get there by train, bus or private taxi.
First leg: Bangkok to Aranyaprathet
Bus
Buses to Aranyaprathet leave from Bangkok’s Northern bus terminal Mo Chit. You have a choice of first and second class buses, the fare is about 210 Baht first class, 160 Baht second class. The trip takes between four and five hours.
Train
A little slower than the bus, the train offers a good opportunity the see the Thai countryside and meet local people. The State Railway of Thailand offers twice daily services, the train leaves from the Hua Lamphong station in downtown Bangkok.
Bangkok to Aranyaprathet schedule:
5.55 am - 11.35 am and 1.05 pm - 5.35 pm
Fares for first, second and third class are 222, 111 and 48 Thai Baht respectively.
Taxi
A private taxi from downtown Bangkok to Aranyaprathet will cost around 2,800 Thai Baht and take about 4 hours. Most Bangkok hotels will be able to book one. Agree on the price before leaving.
Second leg: Aranyaprathet to Siem Reap
The second leg of the trip involves getting through Thai and Cambodian immigration and the trip from the Cambodian border town Poipet to Siem Reap. The road between Poipet and Siem Reap has been improved considerably, by car the trip takes a little over two hours.
Once arrived in Aranyaprathet, get to the border. From the bus terminal or the train station, take a tuk tuk that should cost around 80 Thai Baht. A lot of touts hang around in several places offering various services, like Cambodian visa service. As you don’t need them, try to ignore them as much as possible. Walk up to Thai customs and get your exit stamp. Proceed to Cambodian immigration, fill out the visa form and pay the visa fees of US$ 20 (new bills). Bring a passport photo.
Alternatively, you can get an e-visa online for US$ 25 before starting the trip. After having cleared Cambodian immigration you have two choices. The first one is to walk into Poipet town, find a taxi and negotiate a price with the driver. A taxi should cost around US$ 35 to 40, regardless of the number of people. Pay the driver on arrival, the trip should take a little over two hours.
The second choice is to take a government shuttle bus to the International Passenger Terminal. From there take a government bus to Siem Reap for around US$ 10. The bus arrives at the bus station on National Highway 6, East of Siem Reap. A tuk tuk from the bus station to town will cost around US$ 3.
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Distance from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is about 315 kilometers. The road is in good condition, the trip can be made by bus or taxi.
Bus
Several bus companies like Capital Open Tours, Giant Ibis Transport, Phnom Penh Sorya Transport and Mekong Express serve Siem Reap from Phnom Penh operating from several bus stations across town. All have multiple daily connections, the trip takes around 5 to 6 hours. Tickets can be bought at most travel agencies in Phnom Penh town. Many hotels will be able to assist with information on schedules and buying a ticket. Prices vary from US$ 1o to 15. Buses arrive in Siem Reap at the Chong Kov Sou bus station on National Highway 6, East of Siem Reap. A tuk tuk to the center of town will cost around US$ 3.
Taxi
A private taxi from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap will take around 4 to 5 hours at around US$ 70. Agree on the price before leaving.