From Pattaya to Cambodia: How to Get There and What to See?

When planning a trip to Thailand, keep in mind that right next to it lies Cambodia, home to countless attractions that draw thousands of tourists from around the world. It’s worthwhile to travel from Pattaya to Cambodia, either on your own or with an excursion group, since it’s definitely cheaper than going there as a tourist straight from Europe or any other distant country.

Travel Options

So, there are a few ways to reach the land of temples and a fantastic infrastructure—Cambodia.

1. **Excursion.** (The best choice for those vacationing on Phuket, as an excursion from Phuket to Cambodia is time-saving and often cost-effective.)

2. **Do It Yourself.** (There are three routes—by plane, by land, or by water.)

Going on your own has its perks. You can enjoy the scenery without being tied to a group tour and fully immerse yourself in the local culture and way of life. The catch is you won’t have a guide you can call for help—everything is on you (which can make it all the more interesting).

How to Reach the Aranyaprathet Border Crossing

We’ll discuss the excursion option later, but first, let’s look at traveling independently.

To get from one country’s territory to another’s, you must do two simple things:

1. Get to Thailand’s border with Cambodia on your own.
2. Cross at the border checkpoint.

There are a few ways to reach the border checkpoint, except for the quickest, most comfortable, and most expensive option—a plane:

– Taxi
– Bus
– Rental transport
– Minibus
– Ferry

We’ll skip the ferry option because it’s quite cumbersome and pricey.

By Taxi

If you have the funds and want to avoid figuring out the local transport system or bus tickets, you could take a taxi from Pattaya (we’ll focus on Pattaya here—details on reaching it from anywhere in Thailand can be found on our site).

Yes, it’s not cheap, but comfort comes at a price.

– **Cost**: 2,000–4,000 baht to the border, depending on your negotiation skills.

If you don’t want to haggle with a Thai driver, you can book a car via the form below.

By Bus

Traveling on your own by bus is cheaper, especially compared to a taxi. The bus won’t drop you off directly at the border; it goes to one of two places where you’ll have to switch to a tuk-tuk to reach the crossing.

– **Bus ticket**: ~250 baht
– **Tuk-tuk fare**: 50–100 baht (depending on driver’s boldness)

The route heads toward Mukdahan–Aranyaprathet, with the final stops being either the city bus station or the Rongkluea Market station (closer to the crossing).

You must buy the ticket at the Northern Bus Terminal (details on location and how to get there from Pattaya to Bangkok are on our site). Then board the bus on Sukhumvit Road.

There’s no real timetable, and punctual arrivals are the exception. Expect about five hours en route, with many stops, so bring a book or something to do.

Note that, upon arrival, tuk-tuk drivers often mislead tourists by taking them to a “fake” border post, where they try to sell visas at 1.5–2 times the official price. If traveling alone, it’s good to pair up with a group to reduce your chances of being scammed.

By Rental Car

Having your own vehicle is great, but we recommend against driving into Cambodia in your personal (or rented) car. It’s possible, but do you really want the hassle of gathering extra paperwork? Plus, there’s no guarantee that returning will go smoothly—Cambodian border officials are quite strict.

The best approach is to drive or ride a motorcycle to the border, park it in a paid guarded lot (100 baht a day), then proceed by public transport. If you search online, that’s what most travelers do.

By Minibus

A comfortable and relatively inexpensive way to go from Pattaya to the border crossing is by minibus. These standard vans run from Pattaya to Aranyaprathet every hour from 3:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

– **Fare**: ~260 baht
– **Travel time**: 4–5 hours

Minibuses around 3:00–6:00 AM tend to be the fastest, since at night the van doesn’t need to drop off locals along the route (most Thais aren’t traveling late at night).

They depart near Big C, with three loading points close to each other. En route, there’s usually one 15-minute stop at a gas station for restrooms and snacks.

Note: If you bring lots of baggage, remember there’s no luggage compartment—your backpack may get trampled.

Key Points to Remember: Crossing the Border

Step-by-step:

1. **Border Hours:** 7:00 AM–8:00 PM. Getting a visa takes time, so allow 2–3 hours (usually faster).

2. **On Foot Only:** Even if you booked a tour, you’ll exit the bus, walk through, and reboard on the other side. Another reason flying might be simpler.

3. **Minibus Stop:** They’ll drop you near a plaza close to the crossing, from which it’s a short walk.

4. **Passport Control** for foreigners is on the second floor of the building (air-conditioned).

First, you exit Thailand’s territory. Hand over your departure card (filled out when you arrived in Thailand) and passport. If you have a Thai visa, once your passport is stamped, follow the sign to Cambodia in the neutral zone. If you don’t have a Cambodian visa, turn right.

To get a Cambodian visa, fill out their form (staff will guide you), submit it with your photo and passport.

**TIP:** The visa costs 30 USD (a business visa is 35 USD). Some officials try to charge extra, so calmly say you only have dollars and know it costs 30. They rely on unwitting or enchanted tourists, but you’re savvy!

Prices can change, so verify in advance. Usually, you’ll see an official sign with fees. You can also get an e-visa or apply at an embassy in advance. Validity is 30 days.

For the visa, you need:
1. A valid passport (at least 6 months left)
2. Two 3×4 photos
3. A passport photocopy

After receiving your visa, proceed onto the neutral territory.

It’s a mini-town with souvenir shops, a hotel, and even a casino. You can spend the night there, though prices are likely higher than in the city.

At passport control, expect a queue (time to fill out immigration forms). You’ll show your passport, visa, immigration cards, they’ll scan your fingerprints, and then you’re in Cambodia.

From Poipet (Border Town) to Siem Reap

Now you’re in Cambodia. The real fun is still ahead. After crossing, you need to reach Siem Reap—one of the country’s main tourist cities. There are several ways:

– Minibus
– Public bus
– Taxi

The first two leave from the bus station, which you reach via a free bus from the border.

A minibus ticket is ~10 USD, a bus ticket ~9 USD.

We suggest not being stingy—take a taxi (20–25 USD). They’ll initially quote more, so bargain. Cambodians are flexible.

It’s ~1.5–2 hours on a decent road.

If you really want local flavor or are low on cash, just hop on the free bus near the border to the station where the public transport departs.

A Quick Look at Cambodia Through a Tourist’s Eyes

The ride from the border to Siem Reap might be the best road experience you’ll have in Cambodia, as it’s one of the few decent highways.

Local police are corrupt: they’ll let you go without a license for a 5–10 USD “tip.”

It’s dirty—trash is often dumped right by the roadside.

Everything is cheaper, even compared to Thailand. For instance, many thrifty tourists come to Cambodia to buy cheap alcohol. Compare the price of a “Jack Beam” whiskey bottle: 0.7 liters cost about 10 USD (decent liquor, not counterfeit).

Remember the customs limit of 3 liters of alcohol per person.

You could cheat a bit—water and juice aren’t regulated…

Sights to See in Cambodia

So, what’s worth checking out in Cambodia, and what itinerary covers the top sites? Here are a few popular attractions:

Notable highlights:
– Angkor temples
– Genocide museum
– Royal Palace
– National Museum of Arts
– Tonle Sap Lake

Cambodia has plenty more to offer, but we can’t cover everything here.

Angkor Temples

When Cambodia is mentioned, Angkor Wat springs to mind. Indeed, it’s the most famous of the country’s extant temples. But it’s only part of the massive city Angkor, home to multiple sacred sites:

1. Angkor Thom
2. Angkor Ta Prohm
3. Angkor Bayon

This is also where they filmed “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” starring Angelina Jolie—a fact guides love pointing out. But there’s plenty to see regardless.

Visa costs vary based on how many temples you plan to visit.

Tonle Sap Lake

Tonle Sap is famous for its floating village. In the dry season, the water recedes, turning the houses “land-based.”

It may look like a poor fishing village with zero modern convenience, but that’s not exactly true. There are kindergartens, shops, even leisure spots for locals. Yet for a Westerner, it’s still strikingly primitive. Don’t forget to get malaria shots before going.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Cambodia is cheaper than in Thailand, reflecting the country’s lower income level. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find good hotels. Below are a few options if you’re traveling without a tour group—if you booked a tour, lodging is included.

With time on your hands, you could even stay with locals, but that requires some searching.

Other Countries

From Thailand, you can also visit many other Southeast Asian destinations. A common (though not cheap) trip is the “Golden Triangle,” covering three countries—Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. It’s expensive due to the necessary flight, as the large distances are covered by plane.

You could also visit Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) or Singapore (the capital of tech and cleanliness). The priciest part is the airfare.

Check ahead with your tour operator to avoid surprises.

So, no matter how you arrange your trip—by plane for a 2–4 hour flight, or a 5-hour journey on Thailand’s roads—Cambodia is well worth a visit.