How to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap - Part 2

This part is about getting from the border to Siem Reap proper.

So you've gotten stamped, survived the chaotic crossing alive and all, and excited to get to the city and see the national heritages and wonders of the place. 

How to get there?
You've walked out to the Passenger Waiting Area just outside the tiny Cambodian Immigration office. The shuttles here at the border are FREE and will transport you to the Tourist Passenger (bus and taxi) terminals 5 minutes away. There are already some cabs loitering outside that you may take. Some people with private transportation bookings are picked up here too.

Bus:   are available cheaply at ($7-9) but the trip take 6-8 hours. 

Taxi: more pricey but takes a shorter time: 2/12 hours. 

I recommend sharing a cab. Since most of the travelers are going the same way, just split a cab with someone there. 

I hope you're great at HAGGLING because you'll need this important skill when the drivers try and get as much from you as possible. Make sure as well that the driver won’t be picking up any other passengers on the way!! 

More so, the driver should drop you off exactly at your hotel/s.

Personal Experience:  Mike and I met a solo female traveler and shared a cab with her. The driver agreed to $40 for the 3 of us and we thought we got it good! He said he’ll just pick up one friend on the way. We figured it wasn’t a big deal since we got it cheaper anyway. Little did we know that one friend became 2, then 3! Effin hell! I was so pissed off and scared for my life to ride with 4 strangers + the driver all on the front seat! Yeah figure that out. The driver was literally driving with one hand because he had his girlfriend sitting on his lap!

Later, after I told him off for what he did, he laughed out loud and said: 

"This is Cambodia!"

Scare factor: You may also want to know that cars in Cambodia run on propane and not petrol, to save money. So a tank is lodged in the trunk and there are refilling stations on the highway.

Previously: How to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap - Part 1 
and Crossing the Poipet Border Warnings . 


the drifting winemaker also has info on Bangkok to Siem Reap travels.