Asian Travel Overland

Eastern traveling, specifically the independent kind, can not only broaden your horizons yet likewise expose you to out-of-the-ordinary views, nation jumping & boundary crossings into and also out of Cambodia are not the trouble they utilized to be, but a little bit of research study indicates you will always be prepared.

Since I was backpacking during my very first trip via Cambodia, air transportation was not a choice. So I entered by watercraft from Vietnam using the four-day Mekong delta excursion from Ho Chi Minh City with Chau Doc as well as up the river to Phnom Penh. It is sitll in operation and also extremely advised).

I left Cambodia by watercraft from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong (currently no longer operating), then took a moto from the dock to the Thai border. Up until affordable flights from Bangkok started, I normally made use of overland crossings and still do once in a while. Whatever, everything mosts likely to show that if you do a bit of study, going overland can be a satisfying experience as well as is frequently cheaper, a lot more picturesque and also include drop in neighborhoods that don’t obtain much in the means of visitor web traffic.

Nevertheless, these crossings can be fraught with problems. So figure out ahead of time if entry visas are available at your going across as well as be in a setting to conflict approximate fees at the crossing. Understanding the “typical” prices can make a huge distinction.

The standard process normally entails having a look at of one country as well as getting to the entry terminal of the next. At some crossings the stations are a short stroll, however at others you need to have transportation. There are numerous crossings between Cambodia and Laos, Thailand as well as Vietnam.

Vietnam: to/from Phnom Penh the two most typical crossings are Chau Doc (Kaam Samnor, Cambodia/Ving Xuong, Vietnam) and Bavet checkpoint (Bavet, Cambodia/Moc Bai, Vietnam). Chau Doc is often made use of on Mekong river trips as well as, as you might have thought, is close to Chau Doc on the Vietnam side. From Chau Doc it is about five or six hrs by minibus to HCMC. The Bavet course is a common crossing for bus as well as taxi journeys in between Phnom Penh and HCMC. It normally takes 6 to eight hours by bus and also is an excellent alternative if you want to go straight to HCMC. The primary bus companies start and also stop in Pham Ngu Lau in area 1, HCMC.

To/from Kampot or elsewhere in southern Cambodia there are also two main crossings. Phnom Den, Takeo, Cambodia/Tinh Bien, Vietnam is more detailed to Kampot than Phnom Penh as well as also close to Chau Doc in Vietnam. In mid-2007 the Ha Tien going across (Prek Chak, Cambodia/Xa Xia, Vietnam) opened up for international travellers. Learn when the best time to visit Asian countries from this article.

Thailand: the main north crossing to/from Phnom Penh or Siem Riep is Poipet/Aranyaprathet, Thailand. This route is infamous for officials and transportation people overcharging travellers, so do your research and remain calm. Numerous tourists publication bundles via tour ncompanies to simplify this trip, yet it is easy to schedule on your own. It needs to be said, however, nonetheless, the plans are usually cheaper. On the Thai side, a train takes you conveniently to or from Bangkok.

The primary southerly crossing used to/from Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville, is the Cham Yeam checkpoint (Koh Kong, Cambodia/ Had Lek, Thailand). With current roadway improvements on the Cambodian side and also the bridge to the border, this is an extra workable trip and my preferred going across.

The Dom Kralor, Cambodia/Voeung Kam, Laos, going across comprises two close bargains: one overland, one over water. Both are accessible from Stung Treng, which has to do with an eight-10 hr bus ride from Phnom Penh. The going across into Laos is fairly straightforward however many have broached “charges” of a dollar or more on each side of the border.

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