Back Packing Angkor Wat
Before we went there I did alot of readings regarding visa exemption and transportation. As it turns out Siem Reap--which is where Angkor Wat is accessible.
Warning: Possibility of being duped, robbed, and scam is guaranteed.
How to get there
Take a bus or van from Bangkok at Morchit Terminal, go to ticket booth number two (pink booth) at the first floor and ask them if they sell tickets for Aranyaphratet, Thailand or Poipet, Cambodia (this is Thai side of the border). Along the way you would see check points manned by Thai Military occasionally inspecting passports of passengers (this indicates that you are near the border). The travel usually takes around 5 hours because the van keeps on stopping at every town we passed by. My advice--take the very first trip (6am) out of Thailand. Ask the driver to drive you all the way to the border or the market (you'll see a 711 at the corner of the road). When you get there, just follow the stream for people walking toward the back of 711 (but before doing that, buy anything to eat and drink at 711 because that would be the last 711 you'll see for awhile). Just follow the covered pathway because it will lead you to the immigration. There is usually a long line at the immigration because apparently Cambodia is where people go to do their visa run. When you get past the immigration just walk towards the casino. It is a very big building and you would not miss it. Just right beside the casino is the immigration office of the Kingdom of Cambodia (very small building).
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| See that green roofed building behind me it's the immigration building |
This is where Poipet, Cambodia is. You are now officially inside Cambodia. just outside the immigration building you will see men dressed in long sleeves holding placards for transportation. DO NOT MIND THEM. Just continue walking about 40 meters from the immigration office are taxis bound for Siem Reap(infront of the round about). They would usually ask you to pay $40 (they use US$ currency in this country) for the entire trip. DO NOT PAY THEM THIS MUCH. Try to haggle it up to $20 only for two persons if you can, $30 would not be bad though. We paid $25 for two and we allowed him to take another passenger (by the way all of the cars they use for transportation are toyota camry). The road is paved and travel would average to 3 hours depending on the speed, and Cambodian drivers don't disappoint, because they drive like crazy.
Total Travel Cost
Bangkok-Aranyaphratet THB 200.00/pax
Poipet-Siem Reap US$ 15.00/pax
At Siem Reap, Cambodia you may want to check out Pub Street. Just tell the driver to drop you off at Pub Street. The district has a market, bars, restaurants, even a mall, night market, hostels, hotels, back packers place and etc etc etc. This place is totally awesome.
*Entrance $20/person/day
*Tuktuk $15 dollar-- is more than enough, Siem Reap is not polluted so the wind is cool so airconditioned car is overdoing it. (make it sure that they agree on a big circle tour and that's for the whole day. You must identify the temple you want to see and stop.)
*Do not hire a guide-- you can tour the building yourself--if you managed to get to Cambodia I don't see any reason why you can't tour the temple by yourselves.
*Bring your food & water because honestly one day is not enough (that's why I said to buy at 711 before crossing the border).
Total cost
$35-40/pax
$35-40/pax
Things to avoid
*The old market and their products --unless you are an expert jeweler then by all means buy stones from them.
*Touts
*People selling gemstones, gold, or silver.
Things to remember
* always carry with you drinking water
* have a mosquito repellent ready
* always make sure you have pocket change (preferably $1)
* always scout for the cheapest fare do not let them pressure you into paying.
* if you smoke, buy at Thai-Cambodia border, it's way more cheaper there compared to any countries (Singapore to Thailand).
Things to remember
* always carry with you drinking water
* have a mosquito repellent ready
* always make sure you have pocket change (preferably $1)
* always scout for the cheapest fare do not let them pressure you into paying.
* if you smoke, buy at Thai-Cambodia border, it's way more cheaper there compared to any countries (Singapore to Thailand).
Pictures Below
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| Sunrise @ Angkor Wat |
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| Pub Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia |
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| Bayon |
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| Angkor Thom |
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| Bayon |
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| Walking towards Poipet |
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| Pub Street, Siem Reap |
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| Angkor Wat 10am |
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