Bangkok to Poipet border crossing

Hello friends,

My partner and I will be traveling from Bangkok to Poipet mid January. We're looking for the quickest solution that is relatively comfortable. I have been reading up on a variety of options and I can't quite understand which is the best solution. This is what I seem to understand, please correct me if I'm wrong:

-Morchit bus terminal (govt buses, fewer buses, but less hassle at the border)
-Ekamai bus terminal (more busses but more hassle, more possible scams)
-Casino shuttle from Lumpini park (little to no hassle but no info or guarantee)

Since we are getting in late into BKK and we would like to leave early the next morning for Cambodia we would like to have a game plan for when we get up. Not to mention that knowing what bus station to use will help us find where to book accommodation. Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!

I have been told that border has gotten to be hassle/scam free in recent years, but I personally dont believe it. Please go and report back. I hope i'm wrong, and the border is indeed scam free...

We've taken the morning train. My son has gone by public bus from Michit bus station a few years ago. He certainly didn't get scammed but he had been a frequent traveller to SEA for many years since he was 6 and knew what to look out for. Do NOT get your visa before getting to the actual Immigration post. Only pay the required amount. Politely stand your ground if asked for tea money.

If you are going to Siam Reap, there are now through buses that go all the way from end-to-end. They wait for you at the border.

I think they go from Morchit, but there was a shake-up with the bus terminals about a year ago, so double-check that.

There is also one listed here from KSR for about 800B.

edit: some links

http://www.movetocambodia.com/transportation/review-direct-bus-from-bangkok-to-siem-reap/
https://www.travelfish.org/transport_detail/thailand/bangkok_and_surrounds/bangkok/bangkok/84
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g297390-i9163-k6403293-Direct_bus_from_Bangkok_to_Siem_Reap-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html

Thanks guys for the replies so far. A couple of tidbits I failed to mention in the original post.

-We will have our visas already, with the online e-visa system.
-We are not headed to Seam Reap, we'd like to go to Banteay Chmmar first.
-(Fairly obviously) We'd like to travel overland rather than fly because we'd like to stop in Banteay Chmmar.

I guess another question I have is this:

Is it possible to book a bus online from Bangkok to Poipet?

I had an e-visa and bunch of scammers trying to lead me to another area for a stamp After exiting Thai border and before getting into Siem Reap.

Seems like there are scams @ the poipet border(both sides) still, just that people nowadays avoid it altogether more. Fwiw there are more scams than visa scams...visa scams being the obvious, well known.

And im going to argue that getting a 900baht bangkok to siem reap direct bus is a scam in itself...it just that it is sanctioned by tat (to avoid poipet border itself). The recent mev is also a lawful scam imo...i do miss the double/triple visa, and many do too. The mev is a waste of money, the triple is more than enough for 98% of visitors.

The best scams are scams to avoid other scams...but it is just another scam, whether legal or not.

I took 4 years ago the Nattakan company bus from Bangkok Mochit (9:00 in the morning) to Sieam Reap and it was a very smooth and pleasant experience and I didn't have an e-visa. It should be possible to take this bus to Poipet instead of all the way to Siem Reap.

@takluz

What do your abbreviations mev and tat mean?

Mev
multiple entry visa
Tat
tourism authority of thailand

@OP

Most ordinary buses go to the big bus station in Aranyaprathet on the Thailand side.
https://wikitravel.org/en/Aranyaprathet
This is still 6km away from the border and you have to take a tuk-tuk the extra distance. Apart from the extra expense, the driver might take you some of the scam visa offices on the way. (There is also a sorngtairw, if you can find it).

A better option is to take one of the (fewer) buses that go to a market called 'Rong Kluea' (in the Eastern suburb of Aranyaprathet -Khlong Leuk). This is only about 100 metres from the border. There are buses direct to Rong Kluea from Morchit (I used to have the bus number(s) written down, but I can't find it now).

.

I guess another question I have is this:
Is it possible to book a bus online from Bangkok to Poipet?

If you are looking for the convenience of booking in advance, I guess you could book the international bus and leave it at the border, if you don't mind wasting a bit of money. Tell the driver you are getting off!!

Maybe a better option for online booking is this site - it will let you book online a ticket from Morchit to Rong Kluea.
https://12go.asia/en/travel/morchit/rong-klua-market
(Some buses listed only go to Aranyaprathet and some go right to the border at Rong Kluea (0330, 0430, 0700, 0800, 0900, 1200 etc)). Take a Rong Kluea one.

...Or you could just rock up at Morchit and ask for the public bus to Rong Kluea. It's probably the same bus as the online one, but you will save some money (I think it cost about 250B). If people look blank, say 'Talat Rong Kluea glai Aranyaprathet' (Rong Kluea Market, near to Aranyaprathet).

I have heard of people paying 200-300baht going just from arany to the border. Anyway, it sucks if you dont know where you are going, and it's quite a walk, i guess.

And i remember the first time i arrived in rongklea...i still didnt know where the border was.

This is excellent and exactly what I was looking for. The only online bookings I could find to the border were minibus options, those 12-16 seater vans of sorts. I wasn't sure they were exactly legit. The site you provided seems much better. It's likely we will just head over to Morchit and hop on a bus rather than book, but it's nice to have the option.

Thanks so much!

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.