Border crossing was one apprehension during our Indochina Trip taking note that it will be a long arduous whole day bus journey. Upon knowing that Cambodian border is just 2 hours away from Saigon then we thought we don't want to miss that chance. It was remarkably a fulfilling experience as we have embraced the circumstances of queuing for immigration, walking along borders, passing bumpy dimmed roads, making creative ways of easing boredom while seating for countless hours in the bus and meeting fellow backpackers along the way.
CROSSING BORDERS
HO CHI MIN TO SIEM REAP VIA BUS RIDE
Border crossing made me worry for a time, so I researched a lot about it, read a few blogs, and consulted travelers who recently visited Indochina doing the same itinerary that we did. I thought we needed to be prepared as it is one risk for our group, most especially that I am traveling with my pregnant cousin.
We wanted to make sure it won’t be that a hassle with immigration with the safety and convenience of the roadway going toCambodia .
We wanted to make sure it won’t be that a hassle with immigration with the safety and convenience of the roadway going to
Doing it overland is one of the inexpensive ways of country hopping with Bus trips going to Cambodia long been open to any nationals. Although there are other options via Ferry and Air, but Bus rides are the most accessible and the most affordable, an incomparable expense with airfares and speedboats.
Cambodia’s capital city is Phnom Penh, but at the last minute we decided to travel straight to Siem Reap a province in the country that tourist also flock for decades now.
It was one lengthy bumpy shaking trip for us but we consider it a stress free ride. We never had any problems, never had any aches nor complained about the traveling time or how bumpy the road was. All we think of is that we are just hours away from the city that we dreamt desperately.
We arrived in Siem Reap late at night by crossing borders between Moc Bai and Bavet, a 14 hour bus ride coming straight from Ho Chi Min Vietnam.
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WHICH BUS LINE?
There are different options of bus lines or agencies to choose. You can checkout the bus operator sites for online bookings or you may visit their offices around backpackers area. Your hotel accommodation may also arrange it for you.
As soon as we arrive in
Since December 2014 Sinh Tourist no longer operates buses going to
Majority of the operators leave from the bus station in the backpackers road
We had Mekong Express bus operator for the whole day journey.
BUS OPERATORS
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Saigon-SR
Fare (dollars)
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Saigon-SR
Fare (Pesos)
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Mekong Express
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$25
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Php 1,165
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SAPACO
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KUMHO Samco
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- This bus line operates daily with air-conditioned buses.
- They have a functioning restroom back end portion of the bus
- Provides cold towels, with free bottled water and snacks for 2 sets morning and afternoon consumption.
- All luggage’s/bags will be tagged and loaded in the bus compartment. You will have to keep your baggage receipt for claiming
- Take note that that they will change bus in Phnom Pehn Mekong Bus Terminal
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| Mekong Bus, and we are seated in the middle portion |
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| Bottled water and box of bread |
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IMMIGRATION PROCEDURE
- Fill out immigration cards once settled in the bus
- The bus operator (
- Vietnamese Border – MOC BAI, 1st stop, You will have to get out of the bus for checking/exit stamp and luggage scanning. Then you will have to ride back in the bus afterwards.
- Cambodian Border – BAVET, 2nd stop which is another building few meters away from Moc Bai, You will have to present again your passports for immigration checking/baggage scanning. During that time an official collected $1 each from the four of us, we still say thank you for a fast and efficient processing.
- It will take more or less 1 hour stopover to complete immigration checking for both borders.
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| 10 minute Mekong river crossing |
TRAVEL TIME LINE
We left Saigon around 6:30AM and reached our final destination in Siem Reap at 9:45PM, around 14 hours whole day of travel.
Saigon to Phnom Penh
- 7AM: Departure from
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| Snapshots as we cross borders |
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| We knew we are already in Cambodia as we now see a different view of the country side |
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| Quick shot of Phnom Pehn City as we passed along the highway |
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| My 2nd set of snacks and my last bread for the trip |
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| Our dinner at Cambodia Guesthouse, Perfect combo to end the night welcoming us to the Adorable Siem Reap |
WHAT WE DID FOR 14hours?
- Sightseeing
- Computer Games
- Movies
- Music
- Taking Pictures
- Chatting
- Meditating
- Read and read
- Moderate Eating and Hydrating
- Facebooking ( 1st few hours of the ride)
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| With terence overdozing with sleep |
REMINDERS
- Eat light before traveling
- Bring Food
- Fully charge your gadgets
- Power banks are an asset
- Eat and Drink light while on travel
- A backpack is enough for a hassle free border crossing c”,)
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| Packed Goodies we brought from Philippines, all for the 4 of us c",) |
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