Whether you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia or looking for places to visit from Bangkok, Cambodia is a fantastic option. Some argue that with its ancient ruins and stunning natural beauty, Cambodia offers a more down-to-earth look at the region’s culture than cities like Bangkok.
Find out more:
• From Bangkok to Cambodia by plane
• From Bangkok to Cambodia by bus
• From Bangkok to Cambodia by train
• Visa information for Cambodia
Cambodia’s biggest tourist attraction, the Angkor Archaeological Park, is undoubtedly a place not to be missed. On the other hand, the country’s capital, Phnom Penh, is considered one of the friendliest and most hospitable capitals of Southeast Asia thanks to its relaxed and calmer atmosphere. In addition, Cambodia also has national parks and quaint towns in the countryside and coastal areas where beach resorts are becoming popular. If you want to travel from Bangkok to Cambodia, in this guide we present several options on how to make this trip.
Flights from Bangkok to Cambodia
Air Asia plane at Bangkok Don Muang Airport © Farbregas Hareluya / Shutterstock, Inc.
The fastest way to travel from Bangkok to Cambodia is by plane, but only if you want to go to the capital Phnom Penh or Siem Reap and Angkor.
Siem Reap International Airport is within easy reach of Siem Reap city and is just 6 kilometers from the Angkor Archaeological Park, perfect if you want to visit this amazing 12th century temple complex. There are three airlines that fly from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Siem Reap: Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways (operated by Thai Smile) and Cambodia Angkor Air. Another option is to fly from Don Mueang in Bangkok with Thai AirAsia. With a flight time of around an hour, this is the perfect way to travel from Bangkok to Cambodia if you want to get there in the shortest possible time.
You can also fly from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. These flights take just over an hour, so they’re still fast, but they’re the most expensive way to travel. As with flights to Siem Reap, there are four airlines that fly to Phnom Penh International Airport from Bangkok: Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways and Thai Smile from Suvarnabhumi, and Thai AirAsia from Don Mueang.
From Bangkok to Cambodia by bus
Cambodia Border Crossing © withGod / Shutterstock, Inc.
Buses from Bangkok to Cambodia have the advantage of offering more flexible routes than flights and are very cheap compared to air tickets. The disadvantage of the bus is that it takes a long time to cover such a long distance. Squeezing into a bus all day is not pleasant for all travelers, although many prefer this option due to its economy.
As with flights, the main destinations for buses traveling from Bangkok to Cambodia are Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Both cities have many bus connections and you will need to cross the Cambodian border at Aranyaprathet/Poipet to reach them. If you are going to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, you can take a direct bus from Bangkok. It is a very practical and inexpensive service.
There are other options if you just want to travel from Bangkok to the Cambodian border and then be on your way. There are several bus companies that offer a service to the border, and after crossing it you can take another bus from Cambodian territory.
By train from Bangkok to Cambodia
You’d expect the train to be a faster option than the road, but that’s not the case in Thailand. Trains can be a good means of transport to get from one place to another, but they are not designed to be fast. For example, a train that goes from Bangkok to Cambodia takes 6 hours to reach the border. But travel time aside, traveling by train in Thailand has its advantages. Train tickets are cheap, it is a mode of transport that can be more comfortable than the bus because you can also get up and move around a bit, and it usually has more facilities and services. Also, traveling by train to Cambodia allows you to enjoy the scenery if you choose to travel during the day.
Of course, keep in mind that there are no trains crossing the border between Thailand and Cambodia, so you can only get to Aranyaprathet. From there, you will need to take a tuk-tuk to the border, and once you cross it, you will be able to choose how to continue your journey depending on your final destination.
It will take around 2.5-3 hours to reach Siem Reap by van, bus or taxi if you want to enjoy Angkor Wat. If you want to travel directly to Phnom Penh, you will still need to pass through Siem Reap and continue by boat or bus to the capital.
Cambodia visa information
Keep in mind that if you plan to travel from Bangkok to Cambodia, regardless of the mode of transport you choose, you will have to cross an international border.
If you are traveling by bus or train from Bangkok, it is not difficult to obtain a visa at the border, although it may take a while. Try to ask for it if possible online e-visa before traveling to save some time at the border.