After visiting the legendary city of Angkor, sweating and living fantastic emotions during treks through the jungles of Ratanakiri, tasting Kampot pepper and Kep crab, and sunbathing as you should on the fine sandy beaches of Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem islands, the urge to change countries may well arise, especially if time is limited during your vacation. After Cambodge, Thailand seems to be a natural destination to continue this discovery of Southeast Asia. Thai cultures and traditions, globally so close to those of your Khmer neighbor, yet so authentic and different when examined closely, are precisely worth knowing so that this diversity can be truly grasped. Adding to this the geographic proximity, making the journey concretely more affordable for tight budgets, Bangkok seems to be the ideal next stop.

After a final moment in Cambodge spent in the heart of the capital Phnom Penh, beautified by its diverse communities, its confluence between two major Southeast Asian rivers, the Mekong and the Tonlé Sap, or its historical and cultural richness, it's already high time to take the road toward new adventures. A tear in your eye of course, nostalgia caressing those final moments aboard the tuk-tuk driven by a smiling driver, in the heart of the central market, or eating a good lok lak... Several options are available to you to leave this kingdom and enter that of your neighbor. This will differ depending on your preferences; some hate long journeys, others embrace the famous maxim: "It's the journey, not the destination, that matters." Some fear flying, others fear the turbulence of a night bus. But what will obviously often influence the decision is the budget allocated to transportation. Here are some ideas to help you choose your mode of transport to reach Bangkok from Phnom Penh. For a stay in Thailand of less than 30 days, no visa will be required for French travelers. Beyond one month, obtaining a visa is mandatory. Be careful, however; your passport must still be valid 6 months after your entry into the Kingdom.

Phnom Penh to Bangkok by bus or train

The easiest and one of the cheapest ways to get to Bangkok from Phnom Penh is to take the bus. The 700 kilometers to cover are consumed in 13 hours, and travelers are required to change buses at the border. Depending on the bus companies, prices range from 23 to 38$ maximum, such as with Giant Ibis, which is known as the safest, most welcoming and comfortable. The journey can be completed in one stretch and faster by choosing the mini-van, though it is less cozy than the coach.

You can also choose a more adventurous and even less expensive way to reach the Thai capital. Some bus companies will leave you at the Khmer-Thai border in the town of Poïpet. Prices from companies vary from 8 to 11$ and the journey can take 10 hours. You can then, armed with your passport, cross the border and head, by tuk-tuk or taxi, toward the town of Aranyaprathet 5 kilometers away. From here you can take a train to Bangkok. Just go to the station in the center of this small town and buy a ticket. The cheapest costs 1.50$ and will offer you, as you might guess, a hard, uncomfortable seat. Be careful, only two trains per day depart from Aranyaprathet station heading to the capital. The one at 6:40am, number 280, arrives in Bangkok at 12:05pm, a journey of 5 hours and 25 minutes, while number 276 departs at 1:55pm from the border to arrive at 7:40pm in Bangkok, a 4-hour 45-minute ride on the rails. The journey can therefore cost you a total of less than 10$.

Phnom Penh to Bangkok by air

For those with the budget and who prefer to make the most of time on the ground, flying is the solution. About a dozen daily flights connect the Cambodian capital to Bangkok. Each lasts around one hour and ten minutes, making it easier to organize yourself on arrival.

By choosing low-cost airlines like Air Asia or Lanmei, you can easily find flights from 50 euros to reach Bangkok.