Border Crossing Essentials
- Visa on arrival available at all international border crossings ($30 tourist / $35 business)
- E-visa only valid at select crossings (Poipet, Bavet, Cham Yeam, Trapaeng Kriel)
- Bring USD cash in clean, undamaged bills
- Passport photo required (4x6cm) – or pay $2 extra
- Hours: Most open 7am-8pm daily, but immigration may close for lunch
🇹🇭Thailand Border Crossings
Poipet – Aranyaprathet
Busiest crossing. Direct buses from Bangkok.
Cham Yeam – Hat Lek
For Koh Kong and coast. Near Trat.
O'Smach – Chong Jom
Quieter option for Siem Reap.
Pailin – Ban Pakard
Remote. For Battambang.
🇻🇳Vietnam Border Crossings
Bavet – Moc Bai
Main crossing. HCMC to Phnom Penh buses.
Kaam Samnor – Vinh Xuong
Mekong river crossing. Scenic route.
Phnom Den – Tinh Bien
Southern route to Chau Doc.
Trapeng Phlong – Xa Mat
For eastern Cambodia.
🇱🇦Laos Border Crossings
Trapaeng Kriel – Nong Nok Khiene
Only crossing. Near Stung Treng.
Common Border Scams
Watch Out For These Scams
- "Health Check" Fees: $5-10 fake fees. Only pay official visa fees.
- Inflated Visa Prices: Tourist visa is exactly $30. Bring exact change.
- "Express" Processing: Pay more for the same service. Not needed.
- Fake Exchange Rates: Know the rate before arriving. Use calculator.
- Bus Scams: Budget buses may take you to commission-based guesthouses. Insist on your destination.
Border Crossing Tips
💵 Bring Small Bills
Have exact visa fee in crisp USD. Reduces risk of "no change" scams.
📝 Fill Forms in Advance
Get arrival/departure forms on the bus. Saves time at immigration.
🕐 Arrive Early
Crossings busy at midday. Morning arrivals mean shorter queues.
📱 Download Offline Maps
Data may not work immediately. Have maps ready for onward travel.
🚌 Book Direct Buses
Giant Ibis and Mekong Express handle visa process smoothly.
🛂 Check Visa Status
Ensure your Vietnam/Laos visa (if needed) is sorted before leaving Cambodia.
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