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If you’re coming from outside the country, again there are several ways of getting to us. Obviously you can fly into PP or Siam Reap and then make your way to Sihanoukville. However, you can come over land from Thailand, Laos or Vietnam.
The usual route runs from Bangkok, to Trat (with some people opting for a detour to Koh Chang), then on to the border crossing at Had Lek where you cross to Koh Kong (Cham Yeam). The border is open from 7am to 8pm. From Koh Kong, either take the ferry or the road to Sihanoukville. If you intend to take the ferry, note that it departs Koh Kong at 8:00am, which means that unless you arrive at there just before, you’ll need to spend a night in Koh Kong. Some tour operators on Khao San Rd. in Bangkok are offering night-time minibuses that leave Khao San at 1am so that they arrive in Had Lek at 6am, just before the border opens and two hours before the ferry leaves.
- Bus from Bangkok to Trat (~280 baht)
- Minibus from Trat to the Thai border town of Had Lek (120 baht). Departs every 30 minutes or so.
- Buy your visa (20 tourist or $25 business) and walk into Cambodia.
- If you are going to take the road, touts and drivers will approach you as soon as you cross the border.
- If you are going to take the ferry or stay in Koh Kong, take a motodup into Koh Kong town or to the ferry dock (Around 100 baht for moto or shared taxi., 200 baht for private taxi)
Road #48 - the relatively new road from Koh Kong town to its intersection with National Route #4 north of Sihanoukville has been repaired and is now passable, although remains untarmacked and there are 4 river crossings which require small car ferries. From the intersection at Route #4, you proceed south to Sihanoukville or east to PP.
When you cross the border from Thailand, touts for vans to Sihanoukville will immediately approach you, claiming their van is about to leave. Vans only leave when they are full, regardless of tout’s claims to the contrary. Best to choose a van or taxi that is almost full. There are now mini-buses that mainly depart in the morning for Snooky though you may be able to still get one around mid-day. 6 - 7 hours to Sihanoukville. 600 baht/$15. Road conditions on Road #48 deteriorate dramatically during the wet season and often the road is impassable. Routes #4 is paved and remains in good condition year round. Many, if not most, guesthouses in Koh Kong offer mini-buses Snooky.
Small bullet ferries run daily in both directions between Sihanoukville and Koh Kong. The trip takes around 4 hours. US$15. There are occasional cancellations during the rainy season. From Koh Kong to Sihanoukville the ferry departs at 8:00am every morning.
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