My husband and I are planning to go from BKK to Siem Reap, after words we would like to head from Siem Reap to Chiang Mai overland. Any suggestions as to how to do it?
All suggestions are welcome!!
Reply to this Hi There
It's quite easy to go from Siem Reap to Chiang Mai overland but I think you will have to go via Bangkok.
From Siem Reap you will need to go to Aranyapathet and Poipet Border crossing by Bus or Taxi. From here you can cross the border and take a tuk-tuk to the train (or arrange a bus). The train is around 6 hours and will take you to Bangkok.
From Bangkok you can easily get a bus or train up to Chiang Mai.
There may be a more direct route and I'm sure others will advise on this if there is.
Hope this helps.
Reply to this Hi rmespe01
In my opinion, I have some words that may be helpful to you:
First, travel to Cambodia with the attractions: Angkor temple complex (Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm temple - in Tomb Raider, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom....). On the way to Angkor temple complex you should visit Siem Reap. And if you like the sights in country, go to Battambang where there's bamboo train takes you around the place. Then other attractions are for your choices.
Then, you fly to Thailand to enjoy the city sights, beaches.
Reply to this I agree with Sophie and Dales advice. Going via bangkok is easiest and reasonably direct, although it would mean you double back on your self (which I dont like doing!) .
In terms of Siem Riep to Chiang Mai, I didn't do this exact route but overland travel in this region is quite straight forward. You should be able to take a bus from Siem Reap to the Poipet Border crossing for about 5 USD, it takes about 5 hours. The bus should take you right to the border which you can then walk across. In Thailand, either get a bus to bangkok or take a tuk tuk to the railway station. There are 2 trains a day to bangkok, one earlyin the morning and one about 1pm. You can buy tickets at the station and it's only 40 baht. The train takes 5-8 hours. From Bangkok, there are lots of buses and trains to Chiang Mai.
If you had lots of time, and fancied doing a big loop, you could also go through Laos. From Chiang Mai, go to the Huay Xai border crossing into Northern Laos ( I dont know the details of this bit I'm afraid).Once in laos,there are direct buses from Huay Xai to the Laotian Capital, Vientiane. This journey takes over 30 hours so maybe break your journey in the UNESCO crowned town of Luang Prabang. From Vientiane there are direct buses to Pakse in southern Laos (15 hours). From Pakse there are direct buses to the Cambodian capital Phnom Phen (13 hours). They cross into Cambodia at the Don Kralor crossing (you walk this bit and get on another bus on the other side). From Phnom Pehn, buses run direct to Siem Riep and take 4-8 hours. I followed this route, from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap but limited myself to 9 hours bus journeys and stopped off lots of places on the way,which was nice. The Laos roads are nearly all sealed now and the buses are bumpy but friendly. The Cambodian buses are always late... Phnom phen is worth spending a few days in if you have time.
Good luck!
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