How to Get From Siem Reap to Don Det
Shared Minivan · Bus · Flight
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Don Det is one of the Four Thousand Islands in the Mekong, in southern Laos. It lies 233 kilometres (145 miles) northeast of Siem Reap, and it's all hammocks, bicycles and river sunsets. Flying is the quickest option, taking 4.5 hours. Overland, the shared minivan is the cheapest way to get from Siem Reap to Don Det, at $29 (636,000 LAK). The bus costs a little more and is a bit quicker.
Distance from Siem Reap to Don Det
Siem Reap and Don Det are about 233 km (145 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 379 km by road. The quickest way to get from Siem Reap to Don Det is by taking the flight, which takes around 4.5 hours.
3 ways to travel from Siem Reap to Don Det
There are three ways to travel from Siem Reap to Don Det. You can choose between the shared minivan, bus, and flight. The journey takes 4h 30m–8h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by shared minivan with tickets starting at $29 (636,000 LAK).
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Siem Reap to Don Det by Shared Minivan
A minivan ride from Siem Reap to Don Det costs around $29 (636,000 LAK). The minivan journey takes about 8h - 8h 30m, depending on traffic.
SRL Transport and Sarah Transport Laos is operating on this route.
Siem Reap to Don Det by Minivan
Shared Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Siem Reap to Don Det by Bus
Don Det is a popular destination for those who want to relax after having been on the road for several weeks.
Without any doubt, we recommend booking with Asia Van Travel. This company brings you door-to-door and explains very clearly how to do the border crossing from Siem Reap to Don Det. In my opinion, they provide the best service of all bus companies we traveled with.
The border crossing is actually a pretty cool experience because the bus will drop you in front of a gate. From this gate, you literally have to walk across the border. But don’t worry, Asia Van Travel will have you covered and explain to you how it works in detail.
We recommend planning this trip a few days in advance because they only run one trip a day.
Another option is to cross the Strung Treng Border independently, but you’ll need to switch buses at least twice to get to the border. From there you can take a van to Don Det.
Tickets with Asia Van Travel cost $30 (671,000 LAK) and include the pick-up service. See their bus schedule below:
Bus schedule from Siem Reap to Don Det
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Asia Van Transfer
- Departs from Asia Van Transfer Office along Hap Guan Street, next to Garden of Desire (Kandal Village)
- Arrives at North Beach, Don Det
Other departure stations
Siem Reap to Don Det by Flight
The nearest airport to Don Det is Pakse International Airport. This means you’ll need to book a flight from Siem Reap to Pakse if you want to fly this route.
We think it doesn’t make much sense to fly this route because it won’t save you much time. With the bus of Asia Van Transfer, you will start your journey at 8:00 and arrive at 16:30 in Don Det. When you take the flight you can sleep in a few hours more because the plane leaves at 14:40 from Siem Reap. However, you will arrive at 15:40 in Pakse, which means that you will likely be too late to catch the ferry to Don Det.
In other words, if you want to cross the largest distance from Siem Reap to Don Det by flight, you’ll have to plan an extra night in Pakse.
If you still want to fly, we recommend booking in advance. Tickets get more expensive closer to the travel date. Flights are operated by Lao Airlines and fares for this 1-hour flight start from $115 (2,578,000 LAK).
From Pakse International Airport, you’ll need to pre-arrange transport to Don Det. Find out how in our article on travelling from Pakse to Don Det.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
Our favourite places to stay in Don Det
Here are our favourite places to stay in Don Det for every budget.
The Boathouse
It's hard to believe that for only $10 you can enjoy a waterfront bungalow with your own private terrace and hammock! The rooms themselves are simple, but you'll probably want to spend most of your time outside anyway, it's that beautiful!
The host is incredibly friendly and cooks delicious food for the onsite restaurant. The grass area right on the river is the perfect spot for yoga and meditation.
- Riverfront bungalows
- Private balcony with hammock
- Bar and restaurant
- Amazing host
Private rooms start at $10 per night.
Mama Leurth Sunset Guesthouse
Centrally located on Don Det island, this Mama Luerth Sunset is a great choice. The rooms are large, clean and spacious. The guesthouse is within walking distance to plenty of restaurants, shops, and other amenities.
You can also rent bicycles nearby to further explore the island. Set in a quiet area, you are guaranteed a peaceful sleep here.
- Great location
- Large rooms
- Walking distance to shops and restaurants
- Quiet and peaceful
Private rooms start at $20 per night.
Moon By Night
Moon By Night offers an excellent location with beautiful river views in central Don Det. This hotel boasts a restaurant, bar and garden area on-site for the guest's enjoyment.
All chalets have private bathrooms, air conditioning, and very comfortable beds. The owner is extremely friendly, often going out of his way to assist guests with their requests. Beautiful garden setting in a quiet area.
- Quiet and peaceful area
- Great location
- Stunning river views
- Friendly owner
Private rooms start at $35 per night.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Don Det?
Don Det is one of the 4,000 islands in Laos' Si Phan Don archipelago. Sitting on the Mekong River, it's a backpacker's paradise with its hip atmosphere, cheap prices and laidback vibe. Nipa huts line its shores. And with prices starting from $3, these are among the cheapest accommodations you'll find in Southeast Asia!
The so-called "Mecca of backpackers" is so small, you can explore the island by renting a bike for $1 a day. Or you can walk; it takes just about 2 hours to explore Don Det on foot. Glide along the Mekong River on a boat, kayak, or just a tube and enjoy the raw scenery and occasional sightings of Irrawaddy dolphins and water buffaloes.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Siem Reap to Don Det, roughly 233 kilometres (145 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $29 (636,000 LAK). The quickest trip takes 4h 30m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Siem Reap to Don Det?
The distance from Siem Reap to Don Det is 233 kilometres (145 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Siem Reap to Don Det?
The fastest way to get from Siem Reap to Don Det is by flight and takes 4.5 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Siem Reap to Don Det?
The cheapest way to get from Siem Reap to Don Det is by shared minivan with ticket costs starting from 636,000 LAK.
Route Update History
Updated Bus by Ela Teodosio
- Updated Shared Minivan by Ela Teodosio
- Updated Bus by Ela Teodosio
- Updated Flight by Ela Teodosio
About the Author
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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