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.
What is needed going from Laos to Cambodia?
- Your valid passport
- A passport photo (carry two just in case, I always carry them)
- $27 Dollars US
- Complete all the forms
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.
On the weekend the corrupt Laos officials will try and charge you $2 US this is only on Saturday and Sunday so try and avoid those days and you'll already have saved $2.
How to cross the border from Laos into Cambodia:
You simply walk along the road across a bridge past the obvious border between the two countries, a flag on either side plus barriers mark the border. It was so quiet and not busy at all. The bus I had booked to Phnom Penh was waiting on the other side of the border for me, and once in Cambodia head to the immigration hut on your right hand side. Pay them $25, fill in the forms, give them a passport photo and you're in! Don't let them charge you any "animal fee" or "immigration fee" as there isn't any. $25 for your Cambodian Visa and that's it.
You have arrived in the Cambodian border point of 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.
After arriving in Cambodia at Trapaing Kreal you may have to wait for a few hours for your onward bus so just relax. Time to admire your visa, read your guidebook and have a beer and some local food before your onward journey. The bus down south to Phnom Penh could take up to 12 hours but you'll love it.
Total price I paid to get from Laos to Cambodia:
$27 US Dollars ($2 US to leave Laos, $25 for the Cambodian Visa. The cheapest price you can get it for is $25.
Have a look around Don Det for the bus you want and get it booked.
What is needed going from Laos to Cambodia?
- Your valid passport
- A passport photo (carry two just in case, I always carry them)
- $27 Dollars US
- Complete all the forms
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.
On the weekend the corrupt Laos officials will try and charge you $2 US this is only on Saturday and Sunday so try and avoid those days and you'll already have saved $2.
How to cross the border from Laos into Cambodia:
You simply walk along the road across a bridge past the obvious border between the two countries, a flag on either side plus barriers mark the border. It was so quiet and not busy at all. The bus I had booked to Phnom Penh was waiting on the other side of the border for me, and once in Cambodia head to the immigration hut on your right hand side. Pay them $25, fill in the forms, give them a passport photo and you're in! Don't let them charge you any "animal fee" or "immigration fee" as there isn't any. $25 for your Cambodian Visa and that's it.
You have arrived in the Cambodian border point of 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.
After arriving in Cambodia at Trapaing Kreal you may have to wait for a few hours for your onward bus so just relax. Time to admire your visa, read your guidebook and have a beer and some local food before your onward journey. The bus down south to Phnom Penh could take up to 12 hours but you'll love it.
Total price I paid to get from Laos to Cambodia:
$27 US Dollars ($2 US to leave Laos, $25 for the Cambodian Visa. The cheapest price you can get it for is $25.
About the Author:
For more articles like How to get from Laos to Cambodiavisit Jonny Blair's fantastic travel site Don't Stop Living, one of the Best travel blogs on the internet with perpetual travel tips.. Free reprint available from: Getting From Laos To Cambodia.
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