Trip from Ko Tao to Bangkok cost 800THB and took twelve hours by boat and then bus. Walk around the island for best package deals, as prices vary from 800 to 1200THB. We decided not to stay in Bangkok because of current political issues and went straight to train station to catch a train to Cambodia. There are two slow trains a day from Hualamphong train station in Bangkok to the Thai border town of Aranya Prathet (48B, six hours); take the 5.55am service, otherwise you’ll end up spending the night at the border, as it’s open 7am to 8pm. Train ride is ok, as we slept most of a time. It’s simple but spacious, has toilets and constantly passing fruit sellers.
Train terminates at Aranya Prathet, which is 6km to Cambodia. And yes, we walked that distance, you know, just to burn some access fat:) But you can take a tuk tuk (motorised three-wheeled pedicab) from Aranya Prathet for about 80B. Choice is yours.
Reached the border on 5th February 2014, 1PM.
You can get Cambodian visa on arrival for $20, plus hidden 100THB fee for God knows what. Which is not listed in national website, nor is included in any signs, just handwritten on a peace of paper by the application counter.
You will need passport picture, valid passport and application fee to get the visa. It’s issued for 30days and processed in 5min. After that is passport checks, which takes ages, so be ready for it!
Avoid the touts when crossing into Cambodia and don’t listen to any offers of help securing a visa. Once across, try not to get roped into the ‘free’ tourist shuttle to the ‘Tourist Lounge’. This place arranges trans- port to major cities, but at inflated prices: $10 to Siem Reap. I’ve read about it but still took a free shuttle. And just because I’ve asked before getting in “Does it take to PUBLIC bus station? YES. But why is it free? It’s government sponsored.” What a dirty lie! We were taken to overpriced tourists counter in the middle of nowhere…I should listen to lonely planet guidebooks! Lesson learned. We decided not to pay this ridiculous amount and left. They started chasing us with taxi offers and trying to talk us into coming back for cheaper price. Thank you very much, it’s a big no from me. Came back to the border and negotiated a shared taxi for $15 both.
My advice is stick solo and walk to the bus company offices for cheaper fares. Almost all buses run by all the companies departing very early in the morning (before 8am) or later in the evening. It is also possible to negotiate taxis if you can avoid the taxi mafia. Stick to what you’re able to pay and do negotiate as they will try to rip you off everywhere possible!
Combined package booked with agents Ko Tao-Bangkok- Siem Reap (Cambodia) will cost you 1600-1800THB ($50-$60).
If you arrange and book everything yourself as we did, it comes to total of $31 but you will have to change transport and do the reading before hand. But if you’re a backpacker on a budget and craving for adventure like us, then take a less travelled path;)
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