Thailand to Cambodia Border Crossing and Vice Versa November 2018

Thailand to Cambodia Border Crossing Experience

After 28 days of staying in Thailand, I have to get out of the country and do Thailand to Cambodia border crossing. I decided to celebrate my birthday in a new country but only stayed 7 days in Siem Reap.

How to Cross the Border from Thailand to Cambodia?

To cross the land border, you can use the bus or train. But for me, I decided to book the bus online as it was more convenient. All I have to do was to wait for instructions of the meet-up on where and what time. Somehow, the experience was smooth sailing. Use the search box below to book your bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap.

Thailand to Cambodia by Bus

I took the night bus for Thailand to Cambodia border crossing worth 950 Baht. The meeting point was at Khao San Road in Bangkok and I went there two hours earlier as it would depart around 12 midnight. I was able to save one more night of my accommodation and I had to sleep on the bus. The metered-taxi from Phaya Thai station (near my hostel) to Khao San Road was at 65 baht.

It was a smooth experience as we arrived in Aranyaprethet/Poipet around six in the morning. The bus driver told us to walk to the border for my exit stamp. Upon entry at customs of Cambodia, the immigration officer asked me for 100 Baht. Philippines is part of ASEAN so no payment of visa fee to be given to the IO. Since I never wanted to make a scene, I chose to pay 100 Baht.

Check out my post about Myanmar Travel Cost in 28 Days | How Much to Spend in Myanmar?

How many days to stay in Cambodia through a land border crossing?

As a Philippine passport holder, I got 20 days to stay in Cambodia but I never stayed that long because I was not familiar with the country. But with a limit of 7 days, I was tired from one bus ride to another so better stay the whole week in Siem Reap. It’s a 4-hour drive from the border to Siem Reap.

Arrived in the main center of Siem Reap around 11 in the morning. Good thing, the bus company provided us with free services like dropping off in our hostels and accommodations.

Vice-Versa: Cambodia to Thailand Border Crossing

I took the day bus from Cambodia to Thailand and I could say that it was an exhausting experience back to the border of Aranyaprethet/Poipet as we were waiting for our bus. Also, there were too many people in immigration as a lot of tourists crossing on day time.

How many days to stay in Thailand through a land border crossing?

Good news! You don’t have to fly to Thailand just to have that 28 days allowed stay. Through land border crossing from Cambodia, Thailand gives you 30 days of stay (for Philippine passport holders). Both the immigration officers of Thailand and Cambodia never asked me onward tickets.

Thai Embassy just created new visa rules for border entry to Thailand.

Also, check out my bus ride experience from Tokyo to Osaka.

How many times per the calendar year you can enter Thailand through a land border crossing?

The new policy states that you are only allowed to do land border crossing entry to Thailand twice per the calendar year.

In total, I stayed three months in Thailand. I went to Phuket Immigration for an additional 30 days and paid 1900 Baht. Will write about this on a next blog post so stay tuned.

So, how was your Thailand to Cambodia border crossing experience? Share your experience below.