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Hello guys, howd it go? I'm taking the afternoon train from Bangkok and arriving in the evening.. I have a friend waiting for me in Siem Reap, will the Camry driver be polite and take me to my hotel in SR? I am so confused reading so many stories, all I want to do is:

  1. Take the train

  2. Pass imigration

  3. Find a driver to my hotel in SR.

Would you recommend buying the E-visa in advance? I'm arriving on a monday (no holiday) so I dont even know if I have to be prepared that much :)

Catch you later! :)

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11

Old posts like this one should have floated into no mans land. But I'll give you my opinion at any rate.
Being night, you might be asked for another dollar or so. I normally wouldnt pay extra but other borders I have crossed ask for extra for a late crossing.
You mihgt also find the taxi driver wanting to take you some other hotel but be politely insistent if this is the case.l

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12

So late crossing is from what time?

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13

I've found 5pm. I don't know if Poipet is one of those with a late charge. You could try with the official visa charge and see what happens. Its a crossing that has been rife with scams over the years.

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14

what is a visa charge? Im thinking about getting the e-visa online.

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15

I took the afternoon train more than once. You need to be fast in getting or joining one of the few songtaews at the train station. Motorbike taxis are also few. No wait at the Thai checkpoint. Similarly, no hassle in getting a Cambodian visa. They will ask for 5 USD extra which would be still less than the cost for an electronic visa. You can stay your ground and stick to the real price but it will take a bit of time.
No problems with getting a camry. You will be offered transport even before reaching the Cambodian passport control.

The trick is to pay only on arrival in SR and that at the point you want. If you do not have too much to carry I would suggest that you pick a drop-off nearby the hotel but not exactly at the place. The driver might try to extort a commission from the hotel.

Do not pay more than the usual rate, not late fees etc. I would not talk to touts in any way and ignore them. Just go to the driver by walking a circuit. Meaning: turn left when leaving the passport control. Go around the roundabout to the cars. If you walk straight, some tout will get a few dollars by walking next to you and claiming that he delivered you. That money would come from your wallet.

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16

Is it safe to travel alone?

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