Comfortable visaran to Cambodia from Bangkok + instructions for crossing the border
This time we went to Thailad with double entry visa, received in Moscow. First extension we did on Koh Samui, and now in Bangkok the turn has come to get to the border and back in order to use the second fold. Various options were considered, ranging from a visa to Cambodia to a flight to Vietnam / Burma. By the way, you can say not vizaran, but border run, because the trip is carried out only to the border (border), and a Thai visa at the embassy does not work, although vizaran is a more accepted word in circulation.
Unfortunately, I delayed with the visaran to the last, because I really didn't want to go anywhere with Yegor, so there were no cheap options left. As a result, we still chose to go to rented car to the border with an overnight stay near it. For those who are forced to carry a child with them to visarians and want to do it more or less comfortably, perhaps our experience will be useful. But I will tell you about other more economical ways too. Read about why you need visaranes in the article. All about Thailand visas.
The content of the article
- one Comfortable visaran from Bangkok to Cambodia
- 2 Border crossing
- 3 Other ways to visit Cambodia from Bangkok
Comfortable visaran from Bangkok to Cambodia
From Bangkok, the easiest and fastest way is to go to Cambodia, because it’s only about 250 kilometers to go, and if you really want to, you can turn around in half a day. Since various visaran services do not take small children, we did not even consider them, and initially we were going to rent a car. Moreover, we need the opportunity to stop at any time, a suitcase of toys and a space for games, as well as a schedule coordinated with a day's sleep. We also wanted to spend the night near the border in order to make our journey easier and, again, it would be easier to fit into Yegor's dream. We could not leave him at home with my grandmother, because it is still too long. I think in about half a year it will already be possible.
The cost of our visa to Cambodia:
Car rental - 3000 baht (1500 baht / per day)
Gasoline - 1500 baht
Hotel - 680 THB
Cambodian visa - $ 40 for two (20 + 20)
In total we get 6500 baht.
Road
We left Bangkok around 5 pm. We were in Aranyaprathet (or rather, near the border) in 3.5 hours (270 km). We checked into the hotel, ate, watched a movie and went to bed. The next morning, alternately (one of us was sitting with Yegor in the hotel) crossed the border and used the second time. After that, in the afternoon we started in Bangkok and got there in 4.5 hours with stops. We took the car at the Suvarnabhumi airport and returned it there, it's convenient. In general, I can say that such a trip, split into two days, is not very tiring and allows you to adjust to the needs of the child (sleep, stops, etc.).
We left Bangkok and are stuck in traffic jams
The only thing is that it is better to go during the day, because the markings on the road are faded and driving at night is not very pleasant. Otherwise, I liked the trip by car: good roads, there are often gas stations with toilets, shops and cafes, trucks do not interfere on a two-lane road.
Here is the point to go. And keep in mind that if you build a route through Google, it is better to go along road 304, and not along road 359, as he suggests. Because this segment of the road (359 road) with one lane, the gain in the distance is only 20 km, and you will be tortured to overtake the trucks. The whole way is about 270 km one way.
Aranyaprahet-Poipet
Aranyaprahet-Poipet
The most popular crossing Thailand-Cambodia. Details on how to cross the border.
The most popular route is Thailand-Cambodia. Details on how to cross the border.
Hotel and infrastructure
Border Hotel, where we spent the night, very well located. There is a market, a bank to buy dollars, 7/11, free parking. And most importantly, the border is 10 meters away. This is convenient, because we took turns, one parent was sitting with Egor at the hotel (children can live on overstays and they do not need to visas), and there was no need to specially travel from the hotel to the border. This particular hotel can be booked here on this link. But you can search and other hotels in the area.
However, there is nowhere to walk with the child. There are no green lawns and a lot of rubbish around. And for some reason, it smells terribly of fish on the street, although I have not seen either a fish market or a river nearby. The border is located a few kilometers from the city of Aranyaprathet, which has everything you need, including shopping centers and green areas. And the city on the Cambodian side is called Poipet.
How to cut costs
Our visa run is not very budgetary, but we had to go with an overnight stay in order to spend less time in the car a day. However, those who are not critical can reduce their expenses by renting a car in advance (I rented a car two days before the trip and on New Year's Eve in general, so there were no options) and only for one day. Then we get: 1200 baht rent + 1500 baht gasoline + 40 $ visa for two = 4000 baht. For two people it will be the same price as a minibus visaran from some travel agency. And if 4 people, then already a good saving.
We could also rent a car for one day, for example, from 5 pm to 5 pm the next day, but we decided not to rush and not take risks. In the end, it so happened that we needed the car in the end for 28 hours due to the fact that we passed the border for a long time and did everything slowly and measuredly.
Border crossing
After reading horror stories about Cambodian border guards, I expected a catch every minute. But I was lucky, and everything went easily and without much extortion on their part. More details below.
Border opening hours are from 7 am to 8 pm. It is better to do all the procedures as much as possible in the morning or in the late afternoon. Because all visors brought by travel agencies arrive here around noon.
You will need to go 3 points in one direction (Thai border => point of obtaining a Cambodian visa => Cambodian border), and then two points in the opposite direction (Cambodian border => Thai border). We went through all of December 23, and perhaps that is why there were a lot of people. I went through all the procedures in 1.5 hours (from 9 to 10:30), Daria took 3 hours (from 11 to 14).
Poipet border crossing scheme
From Thailand to Cambodia
Cross the Thai border first. The border checkpoint is on the left side of the road. Look for the Passport Control and Departure sign, you find yourself in a narrow long corridor, go along it and get to the Thai border guards. Make sure you queue up for Foreigners so you don't waste time. If you do not have overstays and no one is looking for you, then the border guard will put a stamp and you will move on..
Corridor to Thai border control
After passing Thai border control, you will need to obtain a Cambodian visa. Exit the Thai building and move on. Near the Khemer arch (with «corn») on the right side of the road you will see the Cambodian emigration. Fill out the form, attach $ 20 (or 800 baht), passport. Most likely you will be asked here with a serious look for another 100-200 baht, but, on the contrary, you refuse with a good-natured look. Asked several times - refuse several times. Most importantly, remember to smile. I was asked twice and I refused twice, smiling. The visa was in my passport in 5 minutes. There is another option to get e-Cambodian visa, but I don't see the point in that. Well, only if you save space in your passport.
Khemer arch with corn
Point of issue of Cambodian visas
Cambodian visa application form
Now the traffic has changed from left-sided to right-sided, which means you need to go on the right side of the road. After passing the tempting casino signs, walk to the Cambodian border to the Arrival sign. You receive an immigration card, fill it out (it is better to be right in line, standing), give the documents to the border guard. Your fingerprints will be taken and then released in peace to the Kingdom of Cambodia. They say that here they can also ask for money, but they did not ask me.
We go to the Cambodian border and Arrival
Cambodian immigration card
Cambodia
After the Cambodian border checkpoint, taxi drivers will immediately rush to you with the most advantageous offers to take you to this or that point of the country. From here you can also take a bus. Children may also lash out with requests for money..
Here she is, Cambodia!
Cambodia looks like a completely impoverished
Cambodia looks like a completely impoverished
Cambodia to Thailand
We ignore everyone who asks for something. Turn around 180 degrees and look for the Departure sign on the right side of the road. There we hand over your passport, your fingerprints are taken again, they put a stamp, and you will find yourself in a neutral zone. I read that due to the fact that you did not stay in Cambodia for a day, they will try to breed you for 100 baht, but they did not bred me.
Turn back and go to Departure
Go on, after the casino and the Cambodian visa office, on the left side of the road, look for the Thai border checkpoint. Near the stairs (the border control itself is on the second floor) and even before entering the building, take an immigration card.When there are a lot of people, the table where cards are handed out can be skipped, so look for it there, without a card you will not be allowed. But it is better to fill out the card in a queue, standing, so that everything is faster, you will stand there for at least an hour..
Then go through the border control. If you are entering on a tour visa, be sure to check that the visa is activated for you. It is easy to check by the stamp supplied, if you are on a visa, then there will be a departure date in 60 days. Also, in advance, do not forget to indicate your visa number on the immigration card..
Going back to the Thai border
Thai immigration card
Thai immigration card
Thai border control
Other ways to visit Cambodia from Bangkok
Although I have not used other methods, I know about them, so I will tell you briefly. In general, they are similar to each other and do not depend on where you go from, from Bangkok or the same Pattaya. Well, or almost do not depend.
Visaran from a travel agency
Another comfortable visaran is to use the services of travel agencies. Early in the morning they will pick you up from a certain point, take you to the border, then take you by the handle back and forth (in some cases you don't even need to go anywhere), and bring you back. Usually start at 6: 30-7: 00 am and return at 16-17 pm. But there are visaranes at other times. The price is 1900-2000 baht, the cost of a Cambodian visa is already included there.
http://www.thaivisaservice.com/ - start at 6:30 am
http://www.thaivisarun.com/ - start at 9:30 am
These offices are taken not to Aranyaprathet, but to the neighboring border point, this should be faster, because it is less popular with tourists and there are fewer people..
By bus or minibus
Minibuses run from Khaosan (local travel agencies), cost about 300 baht to Poi Pet, that is, one way. Cheap, but the disadvantage is that there are overlaps with departure times and others Kaosan's joys. Conversely, on the spot look for some minibus next to Bangkok.
Transfers from Khaosan Road to Bangkok, in particular to Poi Pet
By bus, you can leave from two bus stations Mo Chit Bus Terminal and Ekkamai Bus Terminal (location of bus stations in Bangkok). Buses run frequently, destination Aranyaprathet, ticket price about 200 baht one way, travel time 5 hours. Just keep in mind that you will come to the bus station, from which you then need to get to the border by tuk-tuk (60-80 baht). In rare cases, the bus will reach the very border. Conversely, you will need to get from the border to the bus station in Aranyaprathet, and there you already have to buy a return ticket to Bangkok.
In the case of tuk-tukers and in general with all transfers / buses (except for visaran services), they may try to drop you off near some office a couple of hundred meters from the border, where they will help you with obtaining a Cambodian visa for additional money. But in general, everything is done independently and you do not need the help of such intermediaries! This can be considered a divorce! It is not clear at all what they are doing. Therefore, we do not go anywhere and wait for the real border..
Taxi
From Suvarnabhumi airport you can get to Cambodia by taxi for about 2-3 thousand baht. Back the same amount. Most likely, you can negotiate with someone right on the street in the city, but you need to be sure that they understand where to take. More details about taxi in Bangkok.
By train
An exotic and long way. The train runs from the main railway station Hua Lampong in Bangkok and to the border twice a day: at 5.55 and 13.05. The ticket costs about 50 baht. This is an electric train, the travel time is more than 6 hours, it can easily be late. Likewise, from the railway station in Aranyaprathet, you will then need to get to the border point by tuk-tuk.
P.S. My personal choice is rented car or visaran services. The costs are comparable, but the problems and inconveniences are much less.