Before you start reading, are you looking for our full review of how to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap in 2022? If not, carry on.
If you’re heading from Thailand to Cambodia, the Bangkok to Siem Reap direct bus is the easiest way to do the trip overland. Why might you want to go overland, one might ask? For one, it’s a lot less expensive, with the direct bus costing between $28 and $35. For another, if you’re looking to transport large or bulky household goods or have large pieces of luggage, the direct bus is an easier option, particularly because they don’t make you change buses at the border.
The Nattakan direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap (and vice versa)
Bus options
There are now two companies running direct buses between Bangkok and Siem Reap, Nattakan and Giant Ibis.
We have more in-depth reviews of both Nattakan (see below) and Giant Ibis (click here) on this route if you want to get into the nitty-gritty details, but in summary, I have taken both several times and think that Giant Ibis offers a better trip. They leave from a more convenient location near Khao San Road, the buses are brand new and the entire journey, including the border crossing, is smooth. Although the ticket is more expensive at $35, it’s well worth the price.
Buying tickets
If you’re going with Giant Ibis, tickets can be bought online and a seat reserved in advance for $35 with no additional service fees. You can print your ticket out or just show it to them on your phone or device and you’ll get straight onto the bus. Buying online allows you to choose your own seat, and advance purchase is recommended because the bus can get busy in high season.
You can also buy Nattakan tickets between Bangkok and Siem Reap (plus Bangkok and Phnom Penh) on BookMeBus. Tickets cost $28 in either direction, plus a 5% booking fee ($1.40 per ticket). The procedure is simple and you’ll receive an e-ticket that you can either print out or present on your phone when you arrive at the bus station. In high season the buses are often full, so it’s more than worth the booking fee to be able to reserve a seat in advance.
The Transport Co. Ltd station inside the Northern/Mo Chit 2 bus terminal, Bangkok
Tickets for Nattakan can also be purchased at the Northern bus terminal in Bangkok, sometimes called Mo Chit 2 bus terminal, sometimes called Chatuchak bus terminal. On the ground floor a booth labeled The Transport Co, Ltd. sells the Bangkok to Siem Reap tickets. Taxi fare to the bus station is around 150 baht (about $4.25) from Sukhumvit, making the trip a more expensive way to get a ticket than the online option unless you’re already in the area.
The Nattakan buses run at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. in either direction and the Giant Ibis leaves at 7:45 a.m.
The bus journey on Nattakan
The direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap takes between 8 and 11 hours, depending on how crowded it is at the border. Passengers are allowed two bags each with a maximum weight of 20 kg, although the weight limit was not enforced when I hauled two suitcases of Ikea merchandise to Cambodia. There is limited storage space above the seats in the bus, so if you want to stow something inside, board early. The Nattakan Bangkok-Siem Reap direct buses are Korean, and seats are comfortable and lean back more than they probably should–watch out for the knees of the person behind you!
Nattakan buses: not not the worst place to spend eight hours…
On my recent trip, the 9:00 a.m. bus from Bangkok left on time. We were given a bottle of water and a snack, which was a limp-looking Asian pastry. There was a toilet break at 11:00 a.m. at a rest stop with a giant 7-11 and some fast food and local food options. At 1:10 p.m. we stopped at the Transport Co., Ltd. office in Aranyaprathet and were each given a ready-made hot lunch from 7-11, in my case it was shrimp and basil stir-fry. I’m ashamed to admit, but I thought it was pretty good if a bit on the small side. Vegetarians be warned, you’ll need to bring your own lunch. Later, we were given the choice of an orange juice or an iced coffee. You won’t starve if you don’t, but it’s definitely worth bringing some food of your own on the trip.
By 1:40 p.m. we were at the border, and everyone had finished their visa process and we were on the road at 3:15 p.m. We arrived in Siem Reap at 5:30 p.m., for a total of 8.5 hours.
The border
When you approach the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border, the bus will stop and let off all passengers. You can leave your bags on the bus (that’s why they call it a direct bus, there are no bus changes). You’ll then be expected to walk yourself through the various border checkpoints. There’s not a lot of instruction from the crew and the process can be confusing for those who have not done it before, but it’s actually quite simple. Just remember that you need to be stamped out of the country you came from and get a visa for the country you are entering (so two stops).
If you are heading from Bangkok to Siem Reap, after you go through both offices, turn back around and the bus will be waiting for you in front of the Grand Diamond Casino. They wait there for every passenger to complete their visa process, which takes an hour or two in total, so don’t be afraid to go into the casino and have a drink or a meal in the Chillax Cafe. It sounds awful, but the food isn’t too bad.
Visas
Most nationalities do not need to get visas in advance (check out our page about Cambodia visas if you want to know more). On the Cambodia side, a tourist visa costs $30. The bus company will request an additional $5 to have your visa batch processed with everyone else on the bus, and it is much quicker. Some days the bus company will require you to do this, other times you can secure your visa on your own.
If you choose to do it on your own, the visa officials will ask you for 1100 or 1200 baht (~$35) or if you insist on paying in dollars, which you should, they will ask for $30 and a 200 baht processing fee. There is no processing fee, it’s just a bribe. Arrive early and refuse to pay and eventually they will stamp you through. Telling other passengers the real price loudly will usually get you serviced more quickly, as they will be eager to get you out of there. The other option is to secure an e-visa in advance. The price these days is $40, so you won’t save any money doing it that way, although it may help minimize border-induced rage that is not uncommon in Poipet. For more about crossing the Poipet border, check out our post on Crossing the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border overland.
This is the official building that you get your Cambodia visa in. If you stop somewhere before the border, don’t bother wasting your money.
We’ve gotten reports that the bus will stop before you get to the border and try and get you to use an agent to process your visa for 900 baht by calling it a VIP service. They did not do this on my recent trip, so hopefully this is no longer an issue. However, if they do stop and try and get you to let them process your visa you have a choice of whether or not you pay. However, this so-called VIP service can be worth it, and it’s often faster and less stressful to just pay the extra money, so it’s up to you whether or not you think it’s a battle worth fighting.
On the Thai side, you will get stamped through and do not need to pay anything.
Overall, this is a much easier way to travel overland than the other methods I have tried, which always involve haggling at the border for taxis and buses. The Bangkok-Siem Reap direct bus is not as cheap as the mini-bus/casino bus combination (which is usually around $11 or $12) but the peace of mind is worth it. If you’re looking for more info on going the other way, check out our post on getting from Siem Reap to Bangkok.
Transport Co., Ltd.
Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal (หมอชิต 2 (อาคารผู้โดยสาร), Bangkok [map]
+66 2 936 0657; +66 89 281 1396
Buy tickets
Nattakan Transport
22 Sivatha Blvd, Svay Dangkom District, Siem Reap [map]
T: 063 96 48 96; 078 975 333
Buy tickets
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Hi all
My friend and I are travelling to Siem Reap from Bangkok. Our flight lands suvarnabhumi at 6:30 in the morning on Dec 24th. I see that the only bus going from Mochita to Siem reap is at 9 am. Is that enough time to clear customs and reach reach Mochita 2 to catch the 9 am bus? Is there a pick up point at the airport? I called the number mentioned at the top of this page but unfortunately the lady at the other end did not speak English.
I think that would be very tight, to be honest.
Thank you for the article. I registered with Thai Tickets online. I sent an inquiry about advance online purchase from the US. I asked (1) how much in advance may I purchase a ticket from Bangkok to Siem Reap? (2) How soon after purchase do I have to pick up my ticket? (3) Where may I pick up tickets?
My wife and I will be in SE Asia for 10 weeks. Arrive in Bangkok from USA on Dec 23, 2015, travel around Thailand and hope to leave for Siem Reap on Jan 23, 2016. I provided this information in the inquiry.
I think the odds that you will get a response to that are slim, but if you do, let us know!
Lina, I ended up with two e-mails that were very helpful. Here is the text from one of them, which pretty much says it all for me:
Reservations (purchase) normally open around 60 days before departure.
If the order is completed, the customer will receive 2 E-mail from Thaiticketmajor (E-mail Confirmation and E-mail Confirmation [E-ticket]).
You can print out the E-ticket from PDF File to get on the bus.
Completed this journey at the end of August. We booked tickets online in the UK with a visa debit card and had no problem collecting the tickets at the station just before departure (Mo Chit BTS is not ‘right beside the bus terminal’ as our hostel had told us!). The journey was fine, with lots of drinks and snacks, as well as a clean toilet onboard. We also made a toilet stop before the border and several other short stops along the way – I think it depends how bad your drivers nicotine habit is.
We also made a stop before the border for the much talked about visa scam. We had an e-visa which was a blessing as everyone else was getting stressed out. Luckily when someone took out their iphone to show the guy the real price of the visas he quickly gave up.
Thanks for the report! How many days in advance did you book your tickets?
Hi, thanks for this post and everyone’s comments. Very useful information!
I have been asking around at all the travel agents in the area I’m staying (sukhumvit Bangkok) for a bus from Bangkok to siem reap. so far the best deal I can find is 800baht for a, so they say ‘direct’ bus with no changes, which will pick me up from my hotel at 7am.
I do not have a pre -organized visa to enter Cambodia, but I also do not want to have to give into the bus company or any other ‘agent’ to organize my visa for me, am I meant to just pretend I have a visa already and then get off and do it at the actual border crossing? Or will I have to pay the ‘fee’ whatever it may be….? I’m a bit worried if I pretend I already have a visa, I won’t get the opportunity to get off at the real border crossing and end up with a big stuff around in the end. I know it may only be a few dollars extra here and there, but I’m a backpacker on a very tight budget, I feel as though I’m already lashing out on this bus rather than the crappy mini vans.
To my knowledge, there is only one truly direct bus going between Bangkok and Siem Reap, the Nattakan/Transport Co bus. I would make sure that’s the one you are getting, or you can just go to the bus station and get it. If you insist, they won’t make you pay the extra fee but they might be annoyed. In addition to the fee making more money for them, it does speed things along because everyone gets their visas processed at the same time. They have to let you out at the border regardless, because you will walk across and meet your bus on the other side.
Okay thanks!
I’ve actually found a really useful site for travel between bkk and siem reap.
It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s certainly the way I’ll be going!
http://www.seat61.com/Cambodia.htm#Siem%20Reap
It’s an early start but you will arrive before all the tourist buses, also avoiding a lot of the scams along the way.
I encourage everyone to have a look.
Hi Lima,
Gr8 blog. Thanks for your inputs. I am travelling from bkk to seam reap by bus on 31st august. Would like to know what time does the bus reservation counter open at Mo Chit if I have to buy ticks on the same day and leave for Cambodia. I am arriving at 6am to bkk Intl airport. And is it possible to get reservations?
I’m not sure what time the bus reservation counter opens, but you can book in advance on Thai Ticket Master. I wouldn’t chance booking the same day as there might not be seats available.
Thanks for this information! I do have a question regarding using the direct bus from BKK to Siem Reap during December-January.
My intention is to travel on January 5th, 2016 to Siem Reap from Bangkok, yet I’m pretty sure it’s going to be crazy (like everywhere across the world) because of post-Xmas and New Years. How is bus transportation during that time? And when would you recommend I book my ticket? Also, is the visa and border control during that time just as crazy?
Thanks
You should check and see how far in advance you can book your ticket online, I think it’s just 10 days. I would try and book as far in advance as possible, and give yourself extra time at the border.
Hello everybody!
I just wanted to remind you that most of us that travel to South East Asia come from the western world were we have clean running water, good health care coverage, and an opportunity to make a great living through hard work. In South East Asia these people are simply trying to get by day to day.
So if it means paying an extra $5 or $10 so that someone can buy the necessities
of life for their family, then I’m all for it!
Please remember how little it really is to get the privilege to experience these countries…..yes I said privilege!
Just remember that only a few decades ago we were not welcome there at all!….
And keep in mind what these people have endured. Imagine if tomorrow your government turned on you and started knocking on doors and simply started shooting your neighbors and relatives
in their own homes and schools….
Think about it!
I’m not saying let them walk all over you,
I’m simply saying sometimes it okay to give a little extra.
Sorry ..don’t get it..corruption is institutionalised in cambodia..it isn’t right..and I don’t think we should be endorsing it by being stupid and paying over the odds to look stupid and make some one think they can do this to everyone . Your making a contribution by being there.if its not enough in your view donate to a charity..
Hi Cecile, for us as an Indonesian, isn’t it should be free of visa to enter all asean countries? cwiiw
Hello,
First of all I would like to thank you for this review and many other that you wrote, which where so useful to myboyfriend and I during our trip to Cambodia.
They were very detailed and helped us a lot!
We took the direct bus from BKK to Siem Reap a couple of days ago and I wanted to share our experience with you and all who will read this.
All in all, it was a great wayto get from BKK to Cambodia, and the bus ride was worth it.
We booked our ticktet on the internet through their website after a quick account set up, and paid for it with australian mastercard. Everything worked eventhough I was in Indonesia when I booked it.I got a receipt which I printed and exchanged for a sort of boarding pass at Mo chit bus station before departure.
The bus left around 9.30am, and the ride was smooth until the border even though we didn’t stop once to strechour legs.
The bus was comfortable, even if it was not enough leg room for tall men like my bf. Bathroom on board where okay.
We got a little breakfast set, composed of a cookie, a sausage roll and an orange juice. We also got a small bottle of water.
5 km before the border, we stopped by a little market and the driver announced that they will be selling visas here for those who didn’t have one already.
We had bought our visa online so no problem for us, but for the ones who did buy it on the bus, they had to hand in their passport, a form that they filled in, and 1300baht or 35USD.
I was very surprised to hear they would sell the visas before hand, and it left not much choice to everybody but to buy it there (nobody asked to get it from the official authority at the border, probably because like me they were surprised)
The passports/forms/money were given to a guy who drove its scooter away and met us just before the border to hand them back stemped.
We got our lunch at this point, which was fried rice and it was good. When we reached the border, everybody got out of the bus and went through customs, and I personally thought it was a bit confusing and they could have helped us more to find our way but it was okay.
The bus was waiting on the other side by the casino and the driver came to checked if everybody got their arrival stemp.
We left the border and drove all the way again (no stop) and arrived in Siem Reap around 6pm.
Overall, the ride was fine, and the service was good but if I have to give an advice here it is : get your visa over the internet to avoid the pre border stop where they want to sell your their thing and the awkard moment when someone doens’t want to buy it.
It is way safer that way!
Enjoy the rest of your travels and keep writing on this blog!
Cecile
Thank you, Cecile. I really appreciated the detailed trip report. I’ll have to update the post about the batch processing fee. Honestly, it’s probably worth the extra $5 because when I went, we had to wait for the last person to get their visas processed which ended up taking an extra two hours. Thanks again, I’ll have to take the bus again soon and see how it goes :)
I booked my ticket online through thaiticketmajor using a credit card. Was able to choose my seat. Have just picked up my ticket from a Thai Ticket Major outlet in a shopping mall in BK. No probs.
Thanks for the report, Mary! Did you book the tickets from outside of Thailand? How long were you able to wait between booking and picking the tickets up?
Hi Mary,
Is it really only one bus a day?
My friends and I are arriving at the bus station at past 10 because of our flight.
Hey Mary, is there overnight buses? Me and my friends get to bangkok at night and want to take the bus straight to cambodia. It also helps us not waste the day traveling.
Just did the trip! The ride back with the mini-bus/casino bus combo worked totally great. We had a fun time in Siem Reap and managed to get a tuk tuk for the day for $12. Thank you for this post! It was super helpful.