Transit to Cambodia

The aim was to enter Cambodia by land using trains and buses… Well that was the plan…
It all began well with a train journey back to Bangkok, which although running late lasted only 4 hours, then onto a 1st class bus to the border, which although running late lasted only 5 hours! Then an hour to clear customs and border checks and finally a 2 hour taxi ride to Siem Reap… After 11 hours on the road I was prepared to stay anywhere for the night and ended up in what can only be described as a bit of a hole with mouldy walls…
Advise on crossing the border - Avoid the scam which you will be faced with which is a phony visa booth set up to take your ID. The ONLY place to gain a proper visa at the border is at the official ‘Poipet’ post which will cost you $20 and one passport photo. Within the hour you will have passed through immigration and will be on your way to the casino town and free shuttle bus to the Siem Reap bus station/taxi stand. If you arrive after 4pm expect to pay $60 for a share taxi - the more of you there are the cheaper it is…