Bangkok to Siem Reap by bus or plane

Siem Reap, the base for visiting the temples of Angkor, is about 400 km east of Bangkok. You can cross overland in one long day, or fly in about an hour.

Direct bus

Several companies run direct international buses from Bangkok to Siem Reap via the Aranyaprathet (Thailand) – Poipet (Cambodia) border. The whole trip typically takes around 8–10 hours, depending on queues at the border. You get off the bus, exit Thailand, walk across to Cambodian immigration, then rejoin the same company's bus on the other side. A direct ticket is simpler and safer than piecing together local transport.

Border and visa tips

• Most nationalities can get a Cambodian e-visa online before travel or a visa on arrival. Check the official rules for your passport before you go.
• Ignore people near the border offering "visa services" or "health checks" — use the official immigration counters only.
• Bring passport photos and some US dollars or baht in small notes for incidentals.
• Cambodia commonly uses US dollars alongside riel; ATMs in Siem Reap usually dispense dollars.

Flight

Flights from Bangkok take about 1 hour and arrive at Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), which opened in 2023 roughly 40–50 km from town. Allow about an hour for the road transfer into Siem Reap. You can arrange a private transfer in advance.

Private transfer

For families or groups, a private car with a driver to the border, then a Cambodian car onward, is the most comfortable overland option. 12Go lists transfer options on some routes.

After Siem Reap

Most travellers continue to Phnom Penh by bus (around 5–6 hours) and then to Vietnam. See the Cambodia hub for more routes, or go back to Thailand routes. Fares and schedules change, so check live prices on 12Go.