About the ride from Siem Reap to Koh Chang
Travel in Southeast Asia is always best achieved with a backpack, a phrasebook and a smile.
This particular ride from Cambodia to Thailand is the perfect introduction to international travel in Southeast Asia. You’ll become totally immersed and make friends for life on journeys like these.
Going from Siem Reap to Koh Chang reveals the rich diversity of these two countries.
To get between the two locations, you have two choices. You can either travel in a 9-person shared minivan or a 3-person private car ride. This journey also includes a border crossing and a short ferry trip.
Both minivans and cars are very well-maintained and comfortable. Air-conditioning will be on for all 376 kilometers (233 miles) of the journey, as will the driver's choice of radio station. So be prepared.
The recommended service provider of minivans and private hire cars is Glassflower. They're a well-respected and long-established company. Ticket prices start from US$260 for a whole car and US$291 for an entire minivan.
Minivans actually work out a lot cheaper if you're able to get eight other passengers. On the other hand, cars are much more private and the best way to get from Siem Reap to Koh Chang for families looking for extra comfort.
The final leg of the trip will be made by ferry. It's under an hour to get from Ao Thammachat Pier to Ao Sapparot Pier on Koh Chang. Ferries have minimal facilities with just a basic washroom and maybe somewhere to buy bottled water. But with ferry tickets starting at US$2 (80THB), you can’t expect much.
Border crossing from Cambodia to Thailand
Crossing the border is a necessary part of the journey from Siem Reap to Koh Chang. Most travelers will cross from Poipet in Cambodia, roughly two hours and 30 minutes from Siem Reap.
Border crossing is very straightforward. Your driver will know where to take you and what you need to do. The majority of information signs will be in a variety of languages, including English. All you'll need is a passport-size photo and 1000 THB (US$33).
Your passport will get stamped with a Thai visa, or you'll be issued a stamped piece of paper that will be stapled inside your passport. It’s always fun to look back through your passport and remember when you traveled that long distance from Siem Reap to Koh Chang.The border crossing can be an interesting place to see other travelers making their way east to west. You might even recognize one or two other people that you've already met in Cambodia or other parts of Southeast Asia. Getting your passport stamped is a real rite of passage.
What to see when traveling from Siem Reap to Koh Chang
One of the great things about getting private transport from Siem Reap to Koh Chang is that you’ll feel a little pampered. It’s basically a chauffeur-driven vehicle there for your needs. Plus, they pick you up right from your front door in Siem Reap. No waiting around for a tourist bus with this type of ride.
Drivers are usually quite friendly, although not all will speak English. Your luggage will go in the trunk, but it's always a good idea to keep valuables with you in a day pack. No matter where or which way you travel, that’s just good practice.
Driving through Cambodia can be quite bumpy. Although you'll only be heading to the border, which takes less than three hours, you'll still have plenty of opportunities to watch the world go by.
Bamboo forests, fruit orchards and rice paddies will often appear alongside roadside villages before you get onto the main highway.
Crossing the border into Thailand means more of the same scenery. It can be a real eye-opener to see how people live in the countryside as opposed to those living closer to the busier beach resort areas.
Taking the ferry from Ao Thammachat Pier to Ao Sapparot Pier is one of the most memorable moments of the entire eight-hour journey. Koh Chang is in the center of a protected Thai marine area. This means you might spot some dolphins or flying fish making the most of the sun-kissed waves as you cross the Gulf of Thailand.
The traditional wooden piers are a hive of activity. Local folk are often found working hard on the dock, and it's interesting to see other people's luggage as it's chucked from jetty to boat. Just hope it's not yours!
How to get from Siem Reap to Koh Chang
Taking a minivan
If you’re with a small group of travelers, a minivan is the best way to travel from Siem Reap to Koh Chang.
Drivers are friendly, drive safely and whack the air-conditioning to its chilliest setting. The US$291 can be split amongst the group, so it works out to be the most affordable way to travel.
Taking a car
As there’s no bus from Siem Reap to Koh Chang, taking a private car rather than a whole minivan is often better suited to small families.
Cars are contemporary, comfortable and clean. Families often like this mode of transport for peace of mind and privacy.
Just like a minivan, the (US$260) can be split if you’re with a couple of friends.
But no matter which sized vehicle you choose, don’t forget to factor in the cost of the ferry (about US$2) and the visa (US$33).
Now you know how to get from Siem Reap to Koh Chang. Even though it involves crossing borders, it’s a pretty straightforward trip.