The Aranyaprathet border in Thailand is considered to be one of the famous borders when anyone wants to cross the border going to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh in Cambodia. The border in Aranyaprathet serves as a traveller’s exit gate to gain entry to Poipet, Cambodia when one is headed to the Kingdom’s key cities or when someone simply wants to go on a visa run.
Unknown to many, there are different ways to travel to the Aranyaprathet border especially for those who want to travel from BKK to Siem Reap. Whether you travel in style, or you travel on a budget during your last minute holidays planning on your way to Siem Reap from Aranyaprathet, there’s surely different options to choose from.
Here are 6 ways to travel from Bangkok to the Aranyaprathet border in Thailand on your way to the Poipet border crossing or when you go on a visa run.
1. Travel by TRAIN at the Hua Lamphong Station
There are only 2 train schedules if you travel by train to cross the borders in Aranyaprathet going to Siem Reap or Poipet, Cambodia. Budget travellers will find this cheapest mode of transportation favorable when going on an overland border crossing from Bangkok to Siem Reap.
Travelling by train will let you breathe in the fresh countryside air of Thailand since the train is non-air conditioned. But during Thailand’s summer months, travelling by train can be very humid. The train also stops at every train station to pick up passengers, which explains the long time it takes to reach the Aranyaprathet.
For those who are not in a hurry and wouldn’t mind sitting in a non-reclining chair, for those who wanted to take photos of Thailand’s plain countryside, or for those who are travelling on a budget, this is your best mode of transportation when you go on a visa run at the Aranyaprathet border or when you travel to cross the borders going to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Once you arrive at the Aranyaprathet Train Station, you still need to hire a tuktuk or motorbike to bring you to the border, which is approximately 6 kilometers. The motorbike fare starts at around 50 baht and the tuktuk starts at 60. You are likely to pay an exorbitant fee if you do not haggle. You can also ride a songthaew, a truck converted into a passenger vehicle, going to the border for only 15 baht. Just walk a few meters to the main road and wait for one.
For those who wants to cross the border, it is better to take the 5:55am schedule to avoid getting stuck on either of the two immigration check points (Aranyaprathet or Poipet) since those offices are likely closed by the time you reach the Aranyaprathet border if you take the 13:05H train schedule.
Fare: 48 baht
Length of Travel: 6 – 6.5 hours
Travel Schedule: 5:55 and 13:05
Reservations? No reservations needed. The train station opens at around 5am and you can buy your tickets going to Aranyaprathet when the doors of the Hua Lamphong Train station open.
How to Get to the Hua Lamphong Station?
Hire a cab, tuktuk, or ride a public (government bus) to reach the area. You can also ride the BTS and switch trains at the MRT Interchange link to reach the Hua Lampong Train Station.
2. Ride a MINIVAN in Khao San Road
Khao San Road is the backpacker’s mecca in Bangkok. With the influx of tourists in the area, you will see travel agencies almost everywhere where you can schedule your travel. Before you purchase your transportation to Aranyaprathet from those travel agencies, be sure to hop from one agency to the next since they will give you different rates. The cheapest is 250 baht for a one-way trip but you might get rates as high as 400 baht for the same mode of transportation.
If you travel in groups of 3 or more, try to use your charms and ask for a discount. 
The minivans that travel to Aranyaprathet are air-conditioned. This mode of transportation is comfortable. There will be one gasoline and toilet stopover. You will arrive near the border after 4 hrs of travelling. However, the driver will bring you to a secluded place where you will be offered to take your lunch before proceeding to the border where meals cost 70 baht up instead of the normal 40 baht.
A tout will convince you to take their services in case you are going to Siem Reap. They will charge 700 baht (approximately $22) per head for the trip. Do not listen to them. You can hire a taxi for $48 at the Poipet Bus Terminal where you can split the cost among 4-5 travellers and only pay approximately $12 each (if split with 4 heads). You can even haggle for $30-$35 for the taxi or pay $7/head, but this one’s a little bit more complicated
After all the passengers have taken their lunch (will usually last for an hour), the driver will take you to the Aranyaprathet border and will drop you off beside the 7-Eleven store. You can walk a couple of steps to reach the gates of Thailand’s immigration checkpoint.
Fare: 250 baht up to 400 baht
Length of Travel: 5 hours
Travel Schedule: 7:30 am
Reservations? You need to book for your trip 1 day ahead.
For those in a hurry to get to Siem Reap, I wouldn’t recommend this mode of transportation because of the “lunch” stop over.
3. Ride a MINIVAN at the Victory Monument
You can find a minivan or a shuttle bus at the Victory Monument. Once there, simply ask anyone where the shuttle bus travelling to Aranyaprathet is stationed. They will point you to the right direction.
The minivans going to the Aranyaprathet border are the same type of vehicles from Option # 2. However, I am uncertain if it follows the same stopover system as that of Option # 2.
Fare: 230 baht
Length of Travel: 4 hours
Travel Schedule: 6am onwards
Reservations? No reservations needed. Just buy as you go.
I have not tried this mode of transportation yet but will give you an update as soon as I get to ride on one.
4. Take a GOVERNMENT BUS at Morchit Bus Terminal Station
You can find a Government Bus that travels to Aranyaprathet at the Morchit Bus Terminal in the Northern District of Bangkok.
The government bus is air-conditioned with comfy seats. You will be given a free small drinking water and two mini cupcakes when you buy your bus tickets.
Since this a government bus, the bus will stop at every bus terminal it passes by on its way to Aranyaprathet, which explains the length of the travel time.
Once in Aranyaprathet, the bus will drop you off at the Rongkluea Market Bus Terminal, approximately 2 kilometers away from the border. You can either hire a tuktuk or a motorcycle to bring you to the border. Fare starts at 40 baht. You can also walk the 2 kilometers going to the border if you want to.
Fare: 212 baht
Length of Travel: 6 hours
Travel Schedule: every 30 minutes starting at 3:30 am
Reservations? No reservations needed. Just buy as you go.
How to Get to the Morchit Bus Terminal in Bangkok?
To reach the Morchit Northern Bus Terminal in Bangkok, you can either hire a taxi or ride a government (public) bus. You can also ride a BTS up to the Mochit Terminal Station in Chatuchak and hire a cab there. Bus #3, #136, #104 will take you to the bus terminal from Chatuchak. You can also ride the MRT all the way to the Kamphang Phaet Station and take a cab, motorbike or public bus to reach the bus terminal. Just remember that almost all public buses in Bangkok end their route at the Morchit Bus Terminal. To be sure, do not hesitate to ask. Fare of these public buses start at 6.50 baht up to 20 baht. BTS and MRT fares start from 15 baht up to 40 baht.
5. Ride the BUS at Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park is situated at the heart of Bangkok. Although there is no bus terminal in this park, you will see buses bound for Aranyaprathet at one of the park’s bus stops. These buses are often referred to as casino buses. Those who are going on a visa run prefers this mode of transportation when going to the border in Aranyaprathet.
The buses stationed at Lumphini Park are airconditioned with comfortable seats. Coffee and free drinking water are served. The 1st trip leaves at 6am but leaves immediately as soon as the bus gets full regardless of the time.
Once in the border, the bus will drop off passengers across the 7-Eleven store, a few meters away from the Aranyaprathet Immigration Office.
the bus travelling from Lumphini Park to Aranyaprathet
Fare: 200 baht
Length of Travel: 3 hrs – 3.5 hours
Travel Schedule: 6:00 am till 9:00 am
Reservations? No reservations needed. Just buy as you go.
How to get to Lumphini Park?
Since you would want to catch the 1st trip going to Aranyaprathet, it is best to travel to Lumphini Park by taxi or camp out around the park area the night before.
For those who are in a hurry to get to the border, this is the best way to travel to Aranyaprathet. And if you wanted to travel to Siem Reap, taking the bus at Lumphini Park gives you the chance to reach Siem Reap by lunch time since it will take another 3 hours to reach Siem Reap from Poipet.
6. Hire a TAXI cab
Forums have mentioned that hiring a taxi cab is an alternative way to reach the Thailand border in Aranyaprathet. There are available taxi cabs for hire almost anywhere. It’s just a matter of looking for one and agreeing the right price to bring you to the border.
This mode of transportation is often preferred by those who wanted to travel in comfort, those travelling with an elderly or those who are in a hurry to reach the border.
Fare: starts at 1,600 baht up
Length of travel: 3-4.5 hrs
Travel schedule: Anytime
I have not tried this mode of transportation yet but will give you an update as soon as I get to ride on one.
Aside from those 6 ways to travel from Bangkok to the Aranyaprathet border, anyone can also reach the border via a private vehicle (or even a chopper too!). If you own a car or a motorcycle, you can also travel to Aranyaprathet and drive your vehicle as you cross the border to Poipet and all the way to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
I hope this South East Asia Travel Guide to Travel in Aranyaprathet on your way to do an overland border crossing in Poipet will help you travel easily and help you travel faster and travel on a budget.
If you know of other ways to travel from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet that is not included in this list, feel free to leave a comment below so that I can update this post. Thanks!
P.S. $1 = approximately 31 baht
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