There are a load of different ways to get from Laos to Cambodia so this post will concentrate on the one in southern Laos near the resort of Don Det. From there you can cross between Nong Nok Khieng and Trapaing Kreal and enter Cambodia. A few travel tips and money savers are revealed here. []
To get a bus that goes across the border from Don Det to Cambodia just shop around to find one.
What is needed going from Laos to Cambodia?
- A valid passport
- 1 or 2 passport photos
- $27 US Dollars (the cheapest you could get it for in 2012)
- All the forms filled in
How to get the Cambodian Visa:
To get your visa for Cambodia sorted you need to book things yourself. It will save you time, hassle and most of all money. Plus as a traveller it is always better to do things for yourself rather than pay others. You will get your visa forms just before the border so fill them in and you are ready to hit Cambodia.
Is there a charge for leaving Laos at Nong Nok Khieng?
They told us we were free to walk across without the departure stamp but that we would be charged in Cambodia. We had to bite the bullet and in the end paid them $2 US Dollars each. Just to leave Laos. A horrible end to a time in a country I don't have a lot of positives for.
So there shouldn't be a charge. However if it is a Saturday or Sunday they will try to charge you an "overtime fee" and that was what happened to us. So if you want a tip - don't cross the border at the weekend. You'll save $2 US Dollars.
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 will be in the area 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.
From there you hang around until the bus driver rocks up with the bus and takes you down south in Cambodia past Kratie, Stung Treng and onwards to Phnom Penh, the capital city. It's a long bus journey down to Phnom Penh but the Cambodian countryside is wonderful and you have your visa already so you're all set.
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.
To get a bus that goes across the border from Don Det to Cambodia just shop around to find one.
What is needed going from Laos to Cambodia?
- A valid passport
- 1 or 2 passport photos
- $27 US Dollars (the cheapest you could get it for in 2012)
- All the forms filled in
How to get the Cambodian Visa:
To get your visa for Cambodia sorted you need to book things yourself. It will save you time, hassle and most of all money. Plus as a traveller it is always better to do things for yourself rather than pay others. You will get your visa forms just before the border so fill them in and you are ready to hit Cambodia.
Is there a charge for leaving Laos at Nong Nok Khieng?
They told us we were free to walk across without the departure stamp but that we would be charged in Cambodia. We had to bite the bullet and in the end paid them $2 US Dollars each. Just to leave Laos. A horrible end to a time in a country I don't have a lot of positives for.
So there shouldn't be a charge. However if it is a Saturday or Sunday they will try to charge you an "overtime fee" and that was what happened to us. So if you want a tip - don't cross the border at the weekend. You'll save $2 US Dollars.
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 will be in the area 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.
From there you hang around until the bus driver rocks up with the bus and takes you down south in Cambodia past Kratie, Stung Treng and onwards to Phnom Penh, the capital city. It's a long bus journey down to Phnom Penh but the Cambodian countryside is wonderful and you have your visa already so you're all set.
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.
