GETTING IN AND
GETTING OUT OF CAMBODIA
Cambodia is served by an increasing number of
flights from neighboring countries to both Phnom
Penh and Siem Reap, though the best choice is from
Bangkok in Thailand. There are now five overland
crossings open to foreigners, two from Thailand, and
two from Vietnam and one from Laos. Even if you have
obtained a Cambodia visa before entry, it is
essential to obtain an entry stamp in your passport
when crossing overland, as failure to do so will
cause serious problems when you come to leave the
country.
THAILAND
From Bangkok, there are regular daily flights to
Phnom Penh, taking around an hour, with Thai
Airways, Bangkok Airways and Royal Phnom Penh
Airways; the last of these offers slightly cheaper
fares than the other two, but can't be booked from
outside the region. Bangkok Airways and Siem Reap
Airways also fly daily to Siem Reap, with slightly
higher frequency in the high season of December to
February.
Overland trips to Cambodia from Thailand have
increased in popularity and are well publicized in
Bangkok, particularity on the Khao San Road, where
travel agents try to sell their Bangkok-Siem Reap
trips by alleging that doing the trip independently
entails various problems (dealing with Cambodian
border officials, sorting out onward transport,
etc).
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In fact, it's
straightforward enough to do the journey by
public transport, and the convenience of
using one of these private firms can be
offset by much waiting around until the
required number of passenger's turns up.
Though most of these companies are
reputable, a small minority of travelers has
reported being ripped off over visas, and
even being left for hours at the border
waiting for onward transport; therefore it's
worth asking fellow travelers of staff at
your guesthouse about companies they would
recommend or avoid.
The Aranyaprethet/Poipet border crossing is ideal if
you want to start your visit to Cambodia in the
north at Battambang and Siem Reap, while Trat/Koh
Kong is good for Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. From
Bangkok, you can reach Aranyaprathet by train (7hr)
or by air-con bus (4hr); there are also air-con
buses to Trat 95hr). Both borders are open daily
(7am-5pm) and visas are issued on arrival. From
Poipet, onward transport by shared taxi or pick-up
is readily available to Sisophon ( for Siem Reap)
and daily boats from Hong Kong to Sre Ambel (for
Phnom Penh) and to Sihanoukville. Poipet is in fact
derelict, the nearest train station being at
Sisophon. |
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Cambodia-Thailand crossing border:
- Cham Yeam International Check Point (Koh
Kong Province)
- Poi Pet International Check Point (Banteay
Meanchey Province)
- Osmach International Check Point
(Odor Meanchey Province)
- Sihanoukville International Check
Point (Sihanoukville Province)
- Choam Sanguam International Check
Point (Banteay Meanchey Province)
- Prum International Check Point (Pailin
Province)
- Doung International Check Point (Battambang
Province)
- Preah Vihear International Check
Point (Preah Vihear Province)
VIETNAM
There are several regular daily flights to Phnom
Penh and to Siem Reap from Ho Chi Minh City,
operated by Vietnam Airlines and Royal Phnom Penh
Airways. Border crossing are open to foreigners at
Moc Bai/Bavet, 200km southeast of Phnom Penh, and at
Chau Doc on the Bassac River, through note that
Cambodian visas are not issued at either crossing
point. From Bavet, it's easy to get shared taxis to
Phnom Penh (6hr); though the road has been in
appalling condition, the journey time should be
reduced when repairs are completed at the beginning
of 2003. If you've crossed over at Chau Doc, you may
be able to get a moto the 60km to Phnom Penh, but
given River, it's easier to take a short moto ride
to the Mekong village of K'am Samnar, where you can
get a boat north to Neak Leung (3hr), 37km east of
Phnom Penh and connected to the capital by bus and
shared taxi.
Note that only Cambodians and Vietnamese are
permitted to cross east of Kep, despite assurances
to the contrary from Sihanoukvill's Vietnamese
consulate.
Cambodia-Vietnam crossing border:
- Bavet International Check Point (Svay
Rieng Province)
- Kha Orm Sam Nor International Check
Point (Kandal Province)
- Koh Rohka International Check Point
(Prey Veng Province)
- Banteay Chakrey International Check
Point (Preyveng Province)
- Tropeang Sre International Check
Point (Kratie Province)
- Prek Chak International Check Point (Kampot
Province)
- Phnom Den International Check Point (Takeo
Province)
- Oyadav International Check Point (Rattankiri
Province)
- Tropieng Phlong International Check
Point (Kampong Cham Province)
LAOS
Laos Aviation and Vietnam Airlines operate daily
flights from Vientiane to Phnom Penh, with stops in
Siem Reap on Tuesday and Fridays; sometimes there's
also an unscheduled stop in Pakxe.
Adventurous travelers may wish to try the crossing
between Voen Kham, an island in the Mekong, and the
Cambodian town of Stung Treng. Visas are not issued
on either side of the border, so you'll have to
haggle with officials to get your passport stamped
(Cambodia officials have been known to0 demand $60
for this, but you can bargain them down to $15).
Private boats can be chartered on the Mekong between
Voen Kham and Stung Treng ($25; 2hr).
Cambodia-Lao crossing border:
- Dong Krolar International Check Point
(Steung Treng Province)
- Tropieng Kreal International Check
Point (Stung Treng Province)
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