Distance 217 km (135.6 miles) | |
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Traveling in Southeast Asia is one of those bucket list items which is never too late to achieve. This particular trip is one experience that will give you real insight into a couple of the region’s “same- same but different” countries.
The best way to travel from Koh Chang to Siem Reap is by ferry and car/minivan. Really it’s the only way. Initially, you’ll take a short ferry ride to the mainland before continuing your journey overland.
Koh Chang has a couple of ferry piers but the most frequently used one is Ao Sapparot Pier. The ferry is functional, but don't expect lots of amenities. There will probably be a one-person washroom and seating, but not much else. The ride to Ao Thammachat Pier takes less than an hour, and ticket prices are from as little as US$2 (80THB).
Once you've stepped off the gangplank, it's time to get from Koh Chang to Siem Reap by road. You've basically got two options: you can hire a 9-person minivan or a 3-person private car. Both vehicles are modern, comfortable and well-serviced.
The best service provider for this road trip is Glassflower. They have a fleet of minivans and private cars, all of which offer plenty of privacy and comfort. The cost of the car starts from US$260, whereas the price of the minivan starts from US$291.
Obviously, the more people you can put in the minivan, the cheaper the ride. Private cars are always popular with families, although it is a long drive so just make sure the kids are good to go before you set off.
The total overland distance from Koh Chang to Siem Reap is 376 kilometers (233 miles). The time it takes to drive is approximately eight hours. The driver will make several stops along the way for food, comfort breaks, and so passengers can stretch their legs.
Crossing the border from Thailand to Cambodia is very straightforward. It's a common route, and visa controls are easy to navigate. Many of the signs have English translations. You will need a passport photo and around US$33 per person, which is roughly 1000 THB.
Your visa will get stamped as you enter Cambodia at Poipet and stapled into your passport. Then, you'll set off again in a different vehicle, run by the same company, and make your way to Siem Reap. It takes about two hours and 30 minutes to complete the journey from the border.
The initial ferry ride from Ao Sapparot Pier to Ao Thammachat Pier on the mainland is all about the ocean. As Koh Chang is in the middle of a protected marine area, you might see dolphins skipping over the Gulf of Thailand; fingers crossed!
Often the busy piers provide the most entertainment on this leg of the journey. Dock hands are constantly hard at work, and it's fun to watch other people's luggage being manhandled onto a variety of boats. Arrive early for optimum viewing potential and laughter before setting sail.
Once you've met your driver, you'll place your luggage safely into the back of the minivan or into the trunk of the private hire car. Sit back and enjoy chauffeur-driven transport from Koh Chang to Siem Reap for the next eight hours.
You can expect to see plenty of rice paddies and farmers' fields, as well as several roadside towns and villages.
Once you reach the border, you'll exit the vehicle, walk through immigration and meet a new driver and vehicle (organized by the same company) on the other side. Now the fun starts. You’re in a whole new country.
Don't expect to see a huge variation in the landscape and countryside of Cambodia. But there will be specific signs to keep an eye out for the closer you get to the busy tourist town of Siem Reap. Traffic will build up, especially on the approach to the more urban areas.
Taking a minivan
If you're traveling in a small group, the minivan is the best way to get from Koh Chang to Siem Reap.
The service provider, Glassflower, is well respected, and their vehicles can comfortably seat nine passengers. Drivers are friendly, safe and always crank the air-conditioning to the max.
Sharing the cost of hiring a whole minivan with eight other people really eats into the overall hire price of US$291. This doesn't, however, include the minimal price of the ferry (roughly US$2), nor does it include the cost of the visa (US$33) when you cross from Thailand to Cambodia.
Koh Chang to Siem Reap by minivan is a tried and tested option and certainly worth considering if you're traveling with friends or you pick up a couple of other travelers on route.
If you're not traveling as part of a group, it makes sense to take a smaller private car instead. Cars are comfortable, safe and modern. They tend to suit families because they get a private car for themselves.
There will be plenty of breaks along the way, as well as opportunities to watch the world whiz by your window. But, again, you'll need to exit your vehicle when you go through border control, and the overall price of a hire car (US$260) doesn't include the ferry ticket nor the visa stamp.
And that’s how you get from Koh Chang to Siem Reap in style!
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