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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 235 kilometre distance from Don Det to Siem Reap. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.
There are 3 ways to get from Don Det to Siem Reap. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan, flight + bus. The most affordable option is by shared minivan, starting from $23. The fastest route is by flight + bus (5h 45m).
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5h 45m
$195
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10h
$27
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11h
$23
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The bus is an affordable way to get from Don Det to Siem Reap. Bus fares start from $27, and the journey takes around 7-10h.
You can choose from four bus companies operating on this route: Garuda Transport & Travel, AVT - Asia Van Transfer, Lana Express and Airbus.
We recommend booking with Asia Van Travel. Their company gets great feedback because they have very friendly staff who give good instructions on how to cross the border and where they will make stopovers.
Just note that they run only one direct trip per day from Don Det to Siem Reap. If you miss it and have a slightly bigger budget, you can book with Airbus instead.
Most bus companies include the ticket for the short boat ride from Don Det to Nakasong Pier (mainland). If it’s not included, expect to pay an extra 50,000 KHR total for 1–2 people, or 20,000 KHR per person for groups of 3–5.
A minivan ride from Don Det to Siem Reap costs around . The minivan journey takes about , depending on traffic.
You can choose from companies operating on this route.
A minivan ticket is usually cheaper than a bus ticket, which makes it a good choice if you’re travelling on a budget. That said, for a long journey like this one, keep in mind that minivans can feel quite cramped, especially when every seat is taken.
Note that some operators include the boat ride ticket from Don Det to Nakasong, so it’s worth checking what’s covered before you book.
Flying from Don Det to Siem Reap is a bit faster, but expect to pay at least $195 — and that’s only if you book early. Flight fares rise quickly as your travel date gets closer. Plus, you’ll miss the experience of crossing the border on foot!
The flight itself takes just 1 hour, but the total travel time is around 5h 45m - 6h 30m.
That’s because the closest airport to Don Det is in Pakse, about 4 hours away by land. Once you add transfers and airport waiting time, flying isn’t quite as fast as it first seems.
Still thinking about taking a flight? Check out the step-by-step guide below.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Siem Reap and Angkor Wat come hand in hand with each other. Almost everyone who visits Siem Reap also explores the extensive and remarkable temples of Angkor Wat - the largest religious monument in the world.
Some visitors spend an entire week discovering every corner and carving of the temples, but here's your reminder to explore beyond Angkor Wat. The city also has cute cafes, a nightly circus that will leave you stunned, never-ending markets, and a lively Pub Street. For many, it exceeds expectations.
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Every route is personally traveled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
Popular budget resort with pool, located on Sairee Beach. Walking distance to dive shops and restaurants.
800 THB/night ($24)
Beachfront bungalows with balconies overlooking Sairee Beach. On-site restaurant and dive center.
2,200 THB/night ($66)
Luxury resort with private beach, infinity pool, and spa. Perfect for couples wanting extra comfort.
6,500 THB/night ($195)
Monthly
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Carbon Footprint
This 235 km journey produces approximately 21 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
OOliver S.November 2025Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
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