There are obviously a few routes you can take to go between these two countries Laos and Cambodia. I was staying in Don Det down near the Cambodia border so I did the Nong Nok Khieng to Trapeang Kreal crossing. This is also a money saving tip by the way as you want to cross your borders and get your visas in the cheapest way possible. For this basis of this post and all my world borders, I'm talking about using a British or Irish passport as those are the two I travel on. I happen to know that Russians and Luxembourg passports don't need visas for Laos and that other nationalities will pay different amounts for their Cambodian Visa. []
Have a look around Don Det for the bus you want and get it booked.
When you go to Cambodia from Laos what do you need?
- A valid passport
- A passport photo (carry two just in case, I always carry them)
- In US Dollars You'll need $27
- All the forms filled in
Sorting out your Cambodian Visa:
OK please listen to me here and do it yourself. Don't pay $30 or more to a bus driver or the company to do it for you. Yes they will get you across the border no problem and with the valid visa, but you're paying them money that you can save. Remember Cambodia and Laos are cheap and you can get a hostel, a beer and a meal any evening for $5 dollars, so keep the money for yourself. Tell them you are doing it yourself. You will get all your Laos and Cambodia visa forms at Ban Nakasang - fill them in while you wait for the bus.
Do you have to pay to leave Laos at Nong Nok Khieng?
It's supposed to be free and normally it will be especially if you are Lao or Cambodian. For tourists they try to charge you $2 US dollars at weekends for overtime. I ended up having to pay it after an hour of arguing and you might have to too.
At weekends particularly they try to charge an overtime fee which is outrageous and costs $2 US so for advice don't cross the border at the weekend.
Crossing the border itself from Laos to Cambodia:
It's a very short walk from the Laos border point across the road and bridge into Cambodia - an easy walk to do and suddenly all you need to do is get your visa. Pay them $25 at the booth, get the visa and on you go into the Kingdom of Cambodia!
You are now in a place known as Trapeang Kreal.
This is just the border crossing village of Trapaing Kreak and there's nothing much to it. Be ready to wait a few hours for the bus and relax with some food and beers! You are now in Cambodia.
The sun was beating down and it was hot. I had paid $27 US Dollars to leave Laos and enter Cambodia and we then learned that a beer here was only 50 cents. Still on a slight budget, Anthony (from Cork) and I had a beer each and sat in the shade. I read my lonely planet book and we chatted about all things in life and relaxed. Within two hours we were safely on the bus to Phnom Penh. The bus took a further 12 hours that day to get us to the city of Phnom Penh just before midnight, but it was a great trip. If you want to break up the journey and get off the beaten track a bit - there are buses to Stung Treng, Kratie and Kompong Cham as well. I was happily heading straight to Phnom Penh though!
Total price I paid to get from Laos to Cambodia:
The grand total was $27 US, which was $2 US to leave Laos and $25 for the Visa for Cambodia. The cheapest you can really get this for is $25 US.
Have a look around Don Det for the bus you want and get it booked.
When you go to Cambodia from Laos what do you need?
- A valid passport
- A passport photo (carry two just in case, I always carry them)
- In US Dollars You'll need $27
- All the forms filled in
Sorting out your Cambodian Visa:
OK please listen to me here and do it yourself. Don't pay $30 or more to a bus driver or the company to do it for you. Yes they will get you across the border no problem and with the valid visa, but you're paying them money that you can save. Remember Cambodia and Laos are cheap and you can get a hostel, a beer and a meal any evening for $5 dollars, so keep the money for yourself. Tell them you are doing it yourself. You will get all your Laos and Cambodia visa forms at Ban Nakasang - fill them in while you wait for the bus.
Do you have to pay to leave Laos at Nong Nok Khieng?
It's supposed to be free and normally it will be especially if you are Lao or Cambodian. For tourists they try to charge you $2 US dollars at weekends for overtime. I ended up having to pay it after an hour of arguing and you might have to too.
At weekends particularly they try to charge an overtime fee which is outrageous and costs $2 US so for advice don't cross the border at the weekend.
Crossing the border itself from Laos to Cambodia:
It's a very short walk from the Laos border point across the road and bridge into Cambodia - an easy walk to do and suddenly all you need to do is get your visa. Pay them $25 at the booth, get the visa and on you go into the Kingdom of Cambodia!
You are now in a place known as Trapeang Kreal.
This is just the border crossing village of Trapaing Kreak and there's nothing much to it. Be ready to wait a few hours for the bus and relax with some food and beers! You are now in Cambodia.
The sun was beating down and it was hot. I had paid $27 US Dollars to leave Laos and enter Cambodia and we then learned that a beer here was only 50 cents. Still on a slight budget, Anthony (from Cork) and I had a beer each and sat in the shade. I read my lonely planet book and we chatted about all things in life and relaxed. Within two hours we were safely on the bus to Phnom Penh. The bus took a further 12 hours that day to get us to the city of Phnom Penh just before midnight, but it was a great trip. If you want to break up the journey and get off the beaten track a bit - there are buses to Stung Treng, Kratie and Kompong Cham as well. I was happily heading straight to Phnom Penh though!
Total price I paid to get from Laos to Cambodia:
The grand total was $27 US, which was $2 US to leave Laos and $25 for the Visa for Cambodia. The cheapest you can really get this for is $25 US.
About the Author:
For more stories like How to get from Laos to Cambodiavisit Jonny Blair's fantastic travel website Don't Stop Living, one of the Best travel blogs on the internet with perpetual travel tips.
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