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How to get from
Vientiane to Siem Reap

Vientiane to Siem Reap Trip Overview

Distance529 km (330.6 miles)
Price range$62-$89
Ride Duration Range23h-1d 2h
Earliest Departure11:00
Latest Departure13:00

Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.

Travel Schedule Options from Vientiane to Siem Reap



























































































Taking a bus from Vientiane to Siem Reap

Fastest bus: 23h

Cheapest bus: $62

The fastest: 23h

The cheapest: $62

Pros

Makes rest stops

Free cancellations possible

Bathrooms on board

Hotel pick up offered in Vientiane

Cons

Departure times limited to specific part of day

Very long journey

No other transport options

Irregular WiFi connection

Bus transfer occurs in Pakse

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

WC

The available amenities for this trip are currently unavailable. For specific questions, please contact our customer service, available 24/7.

routes_hero-image-alt Siem Reap

About the ride from Vientiane to Siem Reap

The distance from Vientiane to Siem Reap is 670 km (about 415 miles), which makes this journey quite a long one. If you decide to take the bus, make sure you are prepared for a long trip. These bus rides can take over 14 hours and there is often nothing to keep you entertained. You should plan to load up your devices with podcasts, movies, or music and fully charge them (and your spare battery packs) before you set off. 

Regardless of how you choose to travel, you will be crossing the border between Laos and Cambodia on this trip. It is always a good idea to double check the visa requirements for Cambodia and ensure that you have everything ready to go before leaving Vientiane in order to avoid any hassle at the border. This is especially important if you take the bus, as you don’t want to be turned away at the border because you are missing a passport photo or completed form. 

After spending a few days exploring the capital of Laos you may be ready to experience all of the beauty that Siem Reap has to offer. Of course you will want to have as much time as possible to see the mesmerizing and magical temples at Angkor Wat. Going at sunrise is guaranteed not to disappoint - watching the sun come up over the temples is absolutely breathtaking. 

Siem Reap is so much more than just Angkor Wat, though. The Kulen Nature Trails are also stunning and walking around these rainforests is a great way to escape the heat. The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity is another way to experience Cambodia’s natural beauty.

Wandering Pub Street is a fantastic way to get a taste for Siem Reap’s nightlife. There are tons of fun bars and restaurants along one pedestrian street. You won’t find much local cuisine here, though, so if you feel like you’re missing that make sure to try a Cambodian cooking class or visit the Old Market (called Psar Chaa by locals). Psar Chaa is divided into several sections, including one for produce and meats so you can get ingredients to cook for yourself. You’ll find locals shopping here preparing for their own dinners. 

 

How to get from Vientiane to Siem Reap

Unfortunately there aren’t many options when traveling from Vientiane to Siem Reap. Many people tend to skip Laos’s capital in favor of Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang, leaving Vientiane off of the well-worn travel path. Because of this, there aren’t many choices when moving between Laos and Cambodia.

Depending on your budget and comfort level, you can either travel by sleeping bus or by flight. The sleeping bus takes much longer, but is far cheaper and would save on accommodation costs. Taking a flight from Vientiane to Siem Reap would save time and would probably be more comfortable, but would also cost quite a bit more. Choose the option that works best for your budget and style of trip.

 

Taking a sleeping bus

The sleeping bus is one of the most popular options when traveling from Vientiane to Siem Reap. It is a long journey, taking over 19 hours, but the buses are reliable and it can be a great way to save on accommodation. The bus can pick you up at your hotel in Vientiane or you can leave from the bus station, which is also convenient depending on your travel plans.

The sleeping bus is relatively comfortable, as they have A/C and bathrooms on board. Many have WiFi and charging ports as well. However, the seats/beds can be uncomfortable if you are on the taller side. It is also important to note that the seats for these buses are “double beds.” If you are traveling alone, you will usually be expected to share your bed with another person. If you are uncomfortable with this it is best to book two seats to avoid having to share. 

The bus will stop at border crossing and you will have to get off with all of your belongings in order to pass through immigration. The bus will wait for you on the other side and carry on with the journey once all passengers have had their passports stamped. This is completely normal, so don’t panic when you see the bus drive off without you! They will be waiting just on the other side of the border. 

 

Crossing the border from Laos to Cambodia

Make sure you check your country’s visa requirements with Cambodia. More than likely, you will need a visa in order to enter. You can always check the visa requirements on the Cambodian governments’ website before entering the country. You can get a visa on arrival in Siem Reap, as long as you have a passport valid for at least six months, as well as two passport photos and the required fee in cash. 

However, it is much easier to apply for an eVisa before your arrival. This will save you the hassle of having to carry around the forms, passport photos, and additional cash. It could also mean that you would be less likely to be asked to pay more for your visa to be processed in person. This is a common scam that occurs at border crossings in Southeast Asia. You need to ensure that you print your approved visa on arrival paper so that it can be processed at the border crossing. Otherwise you may be charged more than the actual cost of the visa to have your entry approved. 

There are several other ways that immigration officials try to charge foreigners extra money. One way is by asking you to pay $2USD to stamp your passport in Laos in order for you to exit the country. They may do this again once you reach the Cambodian side. You may be charged for a “medical check,” which is simply paying $1USD to receive a piece of paper with health guidelines and important phone numbers listed. There are also people who hang around the border who claim to be “helpers” and may ask for your passport before you reach the official check point. These helpers often offer to get your paperwork done for you. You should never give you should never give your passport to anyone except the immigration officials.

In order to prepare for these additional fees and potential scams, make sure you have cash with you. Cambodia and Laos both use USD so having some small bills will be helpful. Even if additional money is requested by the officials, remember that the sums are very small and it may be better to pay to avoid longer wait times. This is also less likely to happen if you come to the border prepared with a printed Cambodian eVisa. Most travelers cross the border between Laos and Cambodia with no problems and go on to enjoy all Cambodia has to offer.

 

Take a flight

Even though there are no direct flights between Vientiane and Siem Reap, the easiest and quickest option would still be to fly.  You would typically have to stop over in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, depending on the airline you choose. Because of the layovers, flights generally take between 6 and half hours and 8 and a half hours and can cost between $100-150. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as flights from Vientiane to DMK in Bangkok are usually only just over an hour, and flights from DMK on to Siem Reap take about the same amount of time, leaving you with a 4-5 hour layover in Thailand.

The flight options are very similar in Kuala Lumpur. You may love the chance to stock up on airport goods, or you may hate the thought of being stuck in a small airport for over four hours waiting on your next flight. On the plus side, border crossings are a bit more straightforward at the airport. You may also prefer the comfort of an airplane over a minivan, especially if it takes a quarter of the time.

You can get a visa on arrival once you land in Siem Reap, but an eVisa is recommended to save time and hassle, even at the airport.

Once you’ve arrived you will be ready to explore Angkor Wat, roam Pub Street, and take in all that the city has to offer.

Companies Operating from Vientiane to Siem Reap

Average time

23h

Average price

$62

(83)

Average time

1d

Average price

$69

(7)

Average time

1d 2h

Average price

$76

Average time

1d 1h 30m

Average price

$74

Popular stations and stops in Vientiane and Siem Reap

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