Most travellers heading to Southeast Asia prefer to visit Bangkok and Phuket. Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. Every year 5 million travellers flock to Phuket to experience the turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, tropical climate, adventures, thriving nightlife, and luxury spas.

Phuket caters to the needs of all holidaymakers travelling in a group, family or with special someone. If you are visiting Thailand for the first time, you may want to get as much information as you can – read about Thailand visa.

Best Time to Visit Phuket

The climate in Thailand can vary depending on where you are going. The best time to travel to Phuket is from December to March. The weather is comfortable with a cool breeze and no humidity. The months of May and April are the warmest.

While in June, July and August, there are heavy showers every now and then. In September and October, you can expect non-stop rains, which can disrupt your sightseeing and exploring plans in Phuket.

Book Tickets in Advance

From Bangkok, you can reach Phuket via a flight. Then you can either travel within Phuket by train or bus. Road transportation is very well connected here.

Car rental is costly, and thus travellers choose to travel by bus from Bangkok to Phuket. While you can also get on a bus and travel your way around.

Some things to now before reaching Phuket

• Majority of tourists buy lots of clothes, bags, shirts, pants, etc. at the Jungceylon Shopping Mall because it is affordable. Unfortunately, the goods claimed to be branded are NOT. It is not a place to do bulk shopping, but choose some of the funky branded apparel for your wardrobe. Do bulk shopping in Bangkok!
• Phuket offers a plethora of services, including massage, pedicure, manicure, massage, and hairstyling at affordable prices. You can pamper yourself with a Thai massage!
• Thailand is popular for its authentic food. However, you’ll find international cuisine served more than the local dishes in the restaurants. If you are keen on trying some traditional Thai food like Pad Thai, Tom Yam, Green Curry, or Thai Pancake, then street stalls are placed to feed your hungry soul. 
• Phuket is a travellers’ heaven, so you will find all kinds of accommodations around suitable for every budget ranging from backpackers to luxurious resorts. 
• Be cautious about your expectations to enjoy the popular nightlife. You will be amazed to read the menu, ‘Buy a drink and watch the show for free’. You’ll need to pay for 45 to 100 USD for the drinks, not in Thai Baht, so drink wisely. 

ALSO READ: How to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap

Which Beaches to Visit

Now, let’s learn about all the places to explore in Phuket, so you can carefully plan your itinerary. The overall enjoyment will not be only the number of sites you get to see, but even how you will visit it counts!

The popular Patong Beach

It is the very first place travellers flock to as soon as they land on the island. Patong beach is always crowded and bustling. At night, the area turns into a party hub. It is a hot and happening place, but someone looking to relax and stretch needs to visit Karon and Kata beaches.

The recommended Karon and Kata Beaches

Both are a short drive from the Paton beach. The sand is white, water is clean, and the environment is laid-back. These peaceful beaches allow travellers to relax and enjoy the remarkable sunset on the horizon. Kata beach bars are perfect for a beautiful evening.

Unbeaten path of Laem Ka Beach

It is a kind of private beach and hidden gem with stunning offshore island views. The sparkling blue water is crystal clear and perfect for some refreshing splash! It is a little remote from the central region with an ideal backdrop.

Other similar beaches are the Paradise beach, Nui beach, and the Freedom beach.

Temples to Explore

A trip to Thailand is never complete without exploring and discovering the temples which is the centre of the religion of most Thai people. Here are some temples we recommend you see while in Phuket.

Big Buddha and Wat Chalong

Phuket’s most famous landmark is the 45-meter massive statue of Buddha. This white marble figurine is perched on top of a hill, which offers stunning views of the Chalong Bay. For serene and prayer offerings, many travellers visit Wat Chalong, the most important and colourful worship place.

Wat Khao Rang

This temple hosts many golden Buddha figurines and other Hindu Gods. The incredible temple Wat Khao Rang was constructed by Luang Pu Supha, a monk. He is stated to be the world’s oldest man. A massive statue guards the entrance and a dragon slides down its stairway.

Natural Attractions to See

For those who are very outdoorsy, don’t worry, there are also places you can visit that will bring you closer to nature while travelling in Phuket. Here are some places to add on your itinerary:

Karon viewpoint

Although this point is called Karon, it is in Kata. On a clear-day, travellers can get picture-perfect ocean views and the three beautiful beaches.

Promthep Cape

Nature lovers can experience the majestic sunset from this viewpoint. The Nai Harn beach and several offshore islands can be seen from this point. Evenings are crowded here as many people take a hike towards the southernmost point. If you too want to join them, then it is recommended to wear comfortable hiking shoes.

Bang Pae waterfall

The waterfall has a steady flow of milky white water, which is perfect for enjoying a swim after a memorable hiking experience across the scenic beauty.

Other Activities

If the above suggestions are not enough or there is still some activities you want to add on your Phuket itinerary, check out these other ventures:

Art museums

The trick eye museum, as well as the upside-down house, have impressive displays but are both quirky. The first one exhibits life-size 3D paintings, which appear to pop out anytime. The latter one is designed with everything upside-down.

Cultural shows

Thai folklore is told uniquely at cultural shows Phuket Fantasea & Siam Niramit. You can enjoy gravity-defying stunts at the circus-style show Phuket Fantasea. Other things to enjoy are the tigers performing jumps and leaps, adorable elephants, fireworks, and magical illusions.

Siam Niramit takes guests back in time with hundreds of artistes adorned in glitzy costumes displaying an entertaining and educational show. The popular ladyboy show at Simon Cabaret is glamorous. Guests get captivated with the graceful dancing, celebrity parodies, and performance revealing boundless energy.

Island tours

Phang Nga Bay Cruise

You get to visit the popular James Bond Island. You can enjoy your lunch at Koh Panyee. It is a fishing village built on pilings. You can canoe leisurely along the well-known limestone cliffs.

Phi Phi Island tour

Thailand’s most Scenic Island is the Koh Phi Phi. People are mesmerized with Maya Bay, a green lagoon enclosed by rocky cliffs. You sail along Pileh Covers, Monkey Beach, and Viking Cave. You get to snorkel and explore the diverse marine life under emerald green waters.

Other water activities

• Scuba diving or snorkelling
• Bungee jumping
• Ziplining 

Have a refreshing experience and explore the underwater and the wilderness!

Nightlife

Thailand is easily the heart of Southeast Asia when it comes to partying, our tip? Never miss that! Even if you are not into this kind of thing, check it out and see who travellers and locals party, it’s nothing like any other parts of the world.

Here are some areas we recommend:

• Bangla Road is a crazy party street jammed with neon-lit bars and flowing music at night-time
• Walk along with Phuket’s Night markets for an authentic experience of shopping cheap clothes, funky souvenirs and savour best street food
• WWF fans can watch the Muay Thai, a compelling martial art match involving hard elbow strikes and kicks at stadiums

If you plan to spend more than 4 days in Phuket, then visit an overnight trip to nearby Khao Sok National Park!

We hope that this article about planning a Phuket itinerary is helpful for you. If you have questions or more tips to add, feel free to write them in the comment section below.

Since travelling is now very trendy especially backpacking in Southeast Asia, cheap ways to travel are getting more and more attention. If you are on a budget, Southeast Asia is a perfect destination for you and I’ll tell you later why.

Travelling is constantly developing, nowadays, this is something that other people see as a lifestyle. Companies in the tourism industry are everywhere and a lot of them are competing who can offer the cheapest flight tickets, accommodations, tours, and other services.

Even you are half the world away, travelling is very possible now without spending too much. Find out what are the top destinations in Southeast you should explore next.

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NOTE: All prices are in US Dollars

HERE ARE THE TOP DESTINATIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA FOR YOU TO EXPLORE

Make sure you already have a passport, because after reading this article, you will not be able to stop looking at cheap flights, accommodations, food to try, and of course, blue beaches to swim.

VIETNAM TRAVEL COST

Forget about the Pho they offer to your favourite Vietnamese restaurant, get on the plane and try the tastiest, freshest and cheapest Pho you will ever have! Vietnam has a crazy number of tourist every day, and it keeps growing. Because of this, cheap hostels and affordable tours can be found in every corner of the streets.

Why Is This One Of The Most Affordable Destinations Outside The Philippines?

Daily Budget

Accommodation and food alone should not cost you more than $10-$15 a day, which means you can survive with $20 a day. There are tons of budget-friendly hostels around, while cheap and tasty food can be found almost everywhere. Even beers cost next to nothing!

Flight Tickets

$500 or less, I managed to fly from Denmark to Hanoi for $350 for one-way ticket most of the time, it’s cheaper if you get a return flight. Most affordable flights are leaving from Helsinki, London, Copenhagen, Warsaw. Turkey, Rome, Frankfurt, and Paris in Europe, make sure to check the flights from big cities or capital of the country to find the best flight. Check for cheap flights.

Hostels​

$4-$5 – Sharing a room with 2 or more bunk beds. If you are travelling with a friend or someone else, it’s cheaper to get a private room which starts at $10. Check these Best Vietnam Hostels or my recommended hostel in Vietnam that I personally stayed at

Meal​​​​

$1-3 from street food to a casual restaurant or fast-food chains. There is also convenient stores like VinMart, Family Mart, and Circle K that offers ready to eat meals for great prices.

Transportation

$12 for an 8-hour bus ride. Local buses around the city are around $0.20 but the traffic is pretty bad, you can take a motorbike taxi for as cheap as $.50. Maybe motorbiking in Vietnam sounds appealing to you as well.

Tours​

Tours start about US$25 up depending on what you are looking for to do. There are also free things to do like visiting Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum in Hanoi. I joined the Mekong Delta tour in Ho Chi Minh City for $12. Check the super cheap tours here. or here.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa​

Southeast Asian nationals and a few Europeans are free to enter between 14-30 days. If you want to stay longer than that or if you need a visa, you can do it check this Vietnam visa guide too or  Apply here

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CAMBODIA TRAVEL COST

The beautiful Angkor Wat, the markets in Battambang, the beach in Koh Rong, and not to mention the happy pizza (Oops!). Whatever your reason is, Cambodia is definitely worth a visit. With its affordable food, hostels, and beers, there is no excuse not to travel here anytime soon.

Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia? 

Daily Budget

You can easily survive with $15-$20, tours and visit to Angkor Wat are excluded. It’s very easy to find budget food and hostels. Transportation should not be expensive too and remember to always bargain when you use tuk-tuk. Check for cheap flights.

Flight Tickets

The flight are about $600 or more, it’s rare to find a direct cheap flight to Cambodia, the best is to fly to Bangkok and then take a bus for $12 to Cambodia. Check for cheap flights

Hostels

Dorm beds in a mixed room are about $4-$6. Again, sharing a private room is also cheaper. 
Check Hostels in Cambodia that I personally stayed at

Meal

You can find $1.5 or less for street food or $2 for side street restaurant that can leave you full. While the restaurant is about $3-$5.

Transportation​

A taxi should cost you around $1-$2 per 5 kilometres. For a short ride with tuk-tuks, it should not be more than a dollar. Buses are around $10-$12 for 9-10 hour bus ride. Local buses are $5-$6 or less.

Tours

You can find cheap tours in Phnom Penh for about $3, these are some tours that you only need to pay for transportation.  Find more information about affordable tours here or here.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa

Cambodia is only visa-free for Southeast Asian countries, however, Europeans and travellers from other parts of the world can get a visa on arrival or an evisa online – Cambodia Visa Guide: Apply here!

THAILAND BUDGET COST

Wait, what?! I thought Thailand is supposed to be expensive? Well, that’s quite accurate, unless you budget and plan well. Perhaps turn your focus up in the north instead of the islands? Both of us know that we have more than enough islands in the Philippines.

Thailand is one of the main destinations in Southeast Asia, because of the growing number of backpackers here, Thailand offers affordable hostels and food to its travellers. If you are going alone (because your friends are “puro drawing”) no need to worry, you will meet heaps of solo travellers here.

RELATED POST: But watch out for the lady in the Red Dress!

Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia? 

Daily Budget

If you stay out of the restaurants and private rooms, $20-$35 will be enough for your daily budget. To be honest, you could even spend less if you will look harder for cheaper food and accommodation. Consider putting your feet to use instead of taking a taxi or tuk-tuks. Chiang Mai should definitely be on your list because it’s somehow cheap than Bangkok and its nature is a must explore.

Flight Tickets

Flying from major airports in Europe to Bangkok, there are flights from $350. While from North America, flights is not so cheap, they start at $800 if you get lucky. Many travellers from this part of the world take a flight to Europe then flight to Southeast Asia.

If you are located either in Australia or New Zealand, there are flights starting at $600 from budget airlines. Every now and then, look out for a promo for cheap flights well.

Hostels​

For as cheap as $5-$8 for dorm beds and $10-12 for private rooms. Check Hostels in Thailand.

Meal

$1-$4 for street food and casual restaurants or fast-food chains. Look out for those local restaurants on the side streets, they are the affordable ones.

Transportation

Taking buses around Bangkok should be around $0.50 while taking taxis, the fair starts at $1.5. Motor taxis and tuk-tuks are around $1 as well for a short ride. Bangkok also has a metro, they are cheaper than taxis for sure, however, they don’t cover many areas of the city yet.

Tours

$12 can be found all-over Thailand. There are actually cheap but great tours in Thailand. or even Bangkok tours for $22 or here for less.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

$12 can be fond all-over Thailand. There are actually cheap but great tours in Thailand. or even Bangkok tours for $22 or here for less. CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU or CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa

Thailand offers free-visa for 30 days to a lot of nationalities – you can more information about Thailand visa here.

INDIA TRAVEL COST

Hello, Taj Mahal and Indian food, who can resist these two? Pack your bags and head to India to try the real curry, perhaps an epic shot of your Instagram on Taj Mahal? India is a huge country, most travellers need more than three months to have a good grip on this country. Most Indians also speak English, which made it a lot easier to travel around.

Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia?

Daily Budget

A backpacker could easily survive in India with $20-35 a day excluded the tours. While a backpacker with a great talent for budgeting can survive with $18.

Flight Tickets

You can find as cheap as $250 if you are smart enough to spot the cheap flights and coming from Europe. While again, North Americans and travellers from Oceania will have to spend a more. Remember to look for flights leaving the major cities from your home country and landing in a major city in India.

Hostels

You can book a mixed dorm room for $5-$7 Check Hostels in India

Meal

There are $1 or less for street food. India is very well-known for its amazing but affordable food. India is a good place for vegetarians as well, however, you can, of course, find places that offer meat dishes.

Transportation

$0.50 to $1 are the starting rate for rickshaws and taxis. Local buses around the country are from $10-$12, that is for 12-15 hour bus trip. Some travellers even say that you can get on a train for a lot cheaper if you don’t mind to be cramped with the locals on the lowest cabin of the train.

Tours

$5 or less, depending on the tour you want to do and where in India. Check out some tours for India while you can find the cheap ones here.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

$5 or less, depending on the tour you want to do and where in India. Check out some tours for India  while you can find the cheap ones here. CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa

You must apply for an e-visa before arriving –   Apply here! or find out how you can apply for India visa online

MALAYSIA TRAVEL COST

Always wanted to see the famous Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur? Or the vibrant city of Malacca? Even though Malaysia is not very cheap compared to other destinations below, it is possible to travel cheaply. Planning in advance, you can find cheap hostels and flight tickets.

Affordable meals can be found in the local eateries and street food stalls as well. You should also keep in mind that Kuala Lumpur can be pricey but doesn’t mean the entire country is.

​Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia? 

Daily Budget

Daily budget in Malaysia is around $25-$30, however, if you keep yourself away from restaurants and taxis, and dig down for cheap hostels, you can easily go for $20-$25 a day. Street stalls are everywhere, you can easily run into a good meal for $6, or an affordable one for $2-$3.

Flight Tickets

Malaysia is actually a popular transit hub to Southeast Asia, there are direct flights from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and sometimes even from North America.

However, these direct flights are not the cheapest, which is about $1,000 and up. While flights with a connection can be as cheap as $700.

Hostels

In Kuala Lumpur, hostels are not very cheap, still affordable though but in Langkawi, you can find ones for $7 Check Hostels in Malaysia that I personally stayed at

Meal

You can score a $2  for cheap eats like street food, while casual restaurants are about $4. Some hostels have their own kitchen, which means, you can cook and save money.

Transportation

For transportation, prepare to spend about $2-$7. Buses are relatively cheap, if you take a bus from the airport to George Town that should cost $0.78, renting a bicycle is also affordable, it’s around $2.50 per day, while renting a motorbike is quite popular and should be around $7.50 per day.

You can also cross the border from Melaka to Singapore by bus.

Tours

There are free things to do around Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca, and Langkawi. There are actually very affordable tours in Malaysia, as low as $8!

CHECK FOR TOURS and CHECK FOR TOURS

Visa

Free visa for 30 days –  Apply here or find out if you need one on this Malaysia visa guide post.

WHERE ELSE

Laos – Free Visa for Southeast Asian (30 days). A bit less touristy compared to Thailand and Vietnam, you can find spots where it’s more laid back and chill. Most prices are like Vietnam and Cambodia, maybe a little bit higher. Daily Budget is around $20-$25. Here’s a Vietnam-Laos Border guide.

Indonesia– Free Visa for almost all nationalities (30 Days). If the mountains and beaches in the Philippines are not enough for you, why not enjoy Indonesia’s active volcanoes and badass beaches? Indonesia may be a bit more pricey than the others, however, it is still possible to enjoy the country with good budgeting. 

I hope this list of top destinations in Southeast Asia can help you feed your travel bug even just for a week or two. Travelling is not cheap, that’s for sure, but it is affordable!

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If you have never travelled to Thailand you may be wondering if it will leave up to its hype. As Asia Pacific’s most popular tourist destination Thailand receives millions of tourists annually and many I bet would love to go back again.

Many travellers would even go to this region to do yoga in Thailand, do full moon party, hike the mountains, or simply enjoy the beach. As a first time travel knowing the best and most impressive places to visit will make you better spend your time, enjoy your trip and hopefully plan to travel to Thailand again.

That’s why we came up with this list of places to visit in Thailand for you to get the most of it. While we also recommend this first time in Thailand guide which will talk about how to prepare for your trip, how to pack, and many other tips.

From gorgeous beaches, national parks, temples, energetic cities Thailand has something for everyone. Without further delay, here are some of the “Land of Smiles” destinations and activities to add to your travel itinerary.

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The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

These attractions are located in Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River. Constructed in the 1800s the Grand Palace is one of the worlds most frequented attractions receiving close to 8 million visitors annually. While the palace was built for the Thailand royal family none has lived there since 1925 and it now serves only as a tourist hot spot.

The Wat Phra Kaew which is next to the Grand Palace is a stunning temple also known as the Temple of the Emerald. The beauty of these two attractions will blow you away.

Doi Suthep

Named after the mountain it stands on this temple is to be found in Chiang Mai. From the temple, visitors get a breathtaking view of Chiang Mai, a mountainous city in northern Thailand. At Doi Suthep, there are shrines, pagodas you can visit. If you make a trip to the temple be sure to wear comfortable shoes, preferably sneakers as to get to the temple you will have to use a
staircase with over 300 steps.

Chiang Mai is also a great location for Thailand nomads. Chiang Mai is one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads and backpackers from across the world.

Full Moon Party

Looking to party in Thailand then make a plan to attend the full moon party, one of the largest beach parties in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Held every month in the island of Koh Phangan on Haad Rin Beach this party had over 30,000 foreign tourists during the last event in December 2018. You can check this list of best Koh Phangan beaches to find your ideal full moon party location.

Characterized by lots of booze, fireworks, live DJ’s and tourists in bikinis this party goes on till early morning. It a must attend if you want to experience Thailand’s nightlife.

RELATED POST: Thailand-Cambodia Border Crossing

Railay Bay

If you only plan to spend time on the beach while in Thailand then Railay Bay will be the perfect destination for you. This island has four pristine beaches the most popular being Phra Nang Beach. The beach has a very lead back vibe and a few days here will leave you not wanting to ever go back home.

The only way to the beaches on Railay Bay is by boat as they are no roads there. Apart from chilling on the beach you can try rock climbing, do some kayaking, hike, get massages, have drinks as you watch the sunset and more.

New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium

Boxing is big in Thailand and you shouldn’t leave the kingdom without watching a Muay Thai fight. The New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok has regular fights during the week and you can make your way there to watch a fight.

Shop at The Floating Markets

If you’re looking for a unique shopping experience travel to Bangkok’s floating markets. These markets are full of boats on waterways selling everything from tasty Thai food to souvenirs.

The floating markets are one of Thailand’s biggest attractions open all week so make sure you plan a visit there. While at the markets try out some snakehead fish and the shrimps, you’ll love
this Thai dish!

Maya Bay

This beach is in Koh Phi Phi and was made famous by Leonard DiCaprio’s movie The Beach released in 2000. The secluded beach has received numerous visitors since then who are keen to explore it as DiCaprio did.

Currently, the white sandy beach has been closed for a rejuvenation program aimed at installing additional jetties and reviving its decimated coral. When planning your trip to Thailand be sure to check if it is open it would be a perfect place to unwind.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

If you want to do all your shopping in one place check out this market. This market in Bangkok is one of the largest Asia and you can find just about anything you think at Chatuchak weekend market. While at the market be sure to bargain before making any purchases.

Vendors are more than happy to negotiate with tourists and if you want to spend less don’t accept the first price
given for a product.

Khao Yai National Park

This park declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO is frequented by the tourist because of its close proximity to Bangkok and beauty. It has challenging hiking trails and is abundant with wildlife and would be a pleasure to visit.

Elephant Sanctuary

Want to get up close with an elephant visit one of the many elephant sanctuaries found across Thailand to do so. However, research about an elephant sanctuary before visiting it to ensure that elephants there is well-taken care of. Some sanctuaries mistreat these animals for profit an act which should not be encouraged.

I highly recommend you head to sanctuaries that do not require such a large amount of fee or better, those shelter that is operating based on donations. The higher the “volunteer fee” the more sketchy the place is.

Red Light Districts

Thailand has many red-light districts like Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza, or Patpong which you can visit. However, be careful as prostitution is illegal in Thailand. You can visit the red light district to enjoy the vibrant and interesting nightlife there. There are so many places you can visit in Thailand. To mention a few more without going into details consider visiting;

• Sunday Walking Street Market in Chiang Mai
• Have a night out in Khao San Road
• Visit Erawan Falls in Kanchanaburi
• Get to see Ayutthaya Historical Park

As you can see Thailand has a lot to offer and you are unlikely to be disappointed when you visit the country. To travel to the country you will need a valid passport and apply for a Thailand visa on arrival online. Wherever your travels take you to hope you enjoy the time spent on Holiday.

When you are travelling in this part of the world – Southeast Asia, you’re more likely going to cross four countries; Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. I didn’t do this trail last year, I’m not sure why! I ended up leaving without seeing Cambodia, now that I had the chance, I grabbed it and booked a bus ticket from Bangkok to Siem Reap.

Crossing the border between Thailand and Cambodia was a piece of cake, it was fast and easy unless you decide to dance and drink in Khaosan Road until 3 in the morning. Don’t do it. I did it and it was horrible the next day when I needed to take this bus to Siem Reap. If you haven’t found a hostel yet, check out this list of hostels in Cambodia that I personally stayed at. If you are staying in Siem Reap for a while, you may want to check out the swimming pools in Siem Reap.

If you need help in budgeting, check out this Southeast Asia travel budget which I thoroughly wrote. I also have backpacking in Southeast Asia guide and Southeast Asia travel route post.

AFFORDABLE TOURS IN CAMBODIA

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THAILAND-CAMBODIA BORDER CROSSING

I’ll walk you step by step on how to cross the border by land between Thailand and Cambodia, we’ll also discuss the cost and what to expect once you reach the border.

Book Your Bus From Bangkok To Siem Reap

The main bus station is in Mo Chit, which is 10 kms from the city centre of Bangkok. We all know that it’s always cheaper to book your bus directly from the bus station, however giving the fact that the bus station is located outside the city centre, it might be cheaper to book your bus online or find the best travel agency.

You can also take your chances and arrive as early as you can to buy your ticket on the same day you earn to travel. But this is risky as you never know if the bus has space or not. The bus ride is about 9 hours and the bus ticket should cost about 750 baht directly from the bus station, 1100 baht through a travel agency or your hostel/hotel and 950 through online which I did.

You have the option to get a bus from Bangkok to the border of Bangkok to Siem Reap.

CHECK BUS SCHEDULE AND PRICES

Cost

The ticket cost about $12, plus the metro and motorbike taxi I took to get to the bus station, which was around $3. From the bus’ office, I took a tuk-tuk to get to my hostel for $1. I spent about $16 in total.

How To Get To Mo Chit Bus Station

Surprisingly, Bangkok has a great metro system. It’s cheap and reliable. From Silom, I took a metro to Mo Chit (42 baht) from the metro station, I took a motorbike taxi to the bus station (40 baht). Remember to arrive 30 minutes before your bus leaves as this bus station is quite busy.

You can also just book a Grab car service from your accommodation. The cost depends on how far you are from the bus station.

Crossing The Border

About 13.00, I got off the bus and head to the border control of Thailand to get my exit stamp. The whole border is a chaos and under construction, don’t panic if you get confused and lost. Just ask anyone where can you get the stamp and they’ll point you in the right direction or better just keep going straight, no turns.

Only 7 countries are visa-free in Cambodia, if you’re not on the list, you can get a visa on arrival for a fee of $30, make sure you have a passport photo with you as well. Here’s a visa guide for Cambodia for all nationalities. After getting your exit stamp from Thailand, walk about a kilometre to the entry point of Cambodia. Prepare your visa fee and a passport photo.

GET YOUR VISA FOR CAMBODIA ONLINE TO AVOID SCAMS AT THE BORDER

The border is open between 07:30 – 20.00 (7.30 am to 10 pm).

After you get your entry stamp, jump back to your bus for another 4-hour drive to Siem Reap. The journey is pretty nice, passing through farms and seeing how the locals in the countryside live their life is interesting. In my opinion, I think Cambodia is one of the poorest yet top destination country in Southeast Asia. The roads are undeveloped as soon as you leave the city. Siem Reap itself is covered in mud when the rain starts to pour.

It was about 18.30 when we reached the office of the bus company, they provided free service to drop us off at our accommodations. So, that’s it! The border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia is pretty straightforward and easy. From Siem Reap, a lot of backpackers head to Battambang, Phnom Penh, Kampot, Sihanoukville and Koh Rong. Check the map and plan out where you want to head next. Check this border crossing guide, it will show you the options of how to get from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh city.

If you have any question regarding Thailand Cambodia border crossing, don’t hesitate to reach out to me through the comment section below.

SCAMS AT THE BORDER

Be aware of the scam in the land border of Thailand and Cambodia, it has been proven that some people have been scammed by someone as they cross this border. I highly suggest you get your evisa before you arrive to avoid being a victim of the scam.

GET YOUR EVISA NOW

One example of the scam is when you supposed to pay $30 for the visa, but then you will be asked to pay another $10. Another story is when you already arranged your e-visa beforehand, someone will ask you to pay extra money without explaining what it is for.

It’s hard to say to only deal with an official at the border since some travellers claimed that even the officials are running the show as well. Just keep your passport with you and don’t hand it to anyone unless you’re about to get your stamp/visa.

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THINGS TO DO IN THAILAND AND MUST-SEE

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Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

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