You’ll be picked up right at your hotel in Siem Reap or Koh Chang by a local driver who knows every twist of the road. Expect help with border paperwork at Poi Pet and smooth handoffs between vehicles on both sides. With private transfer service and all logistics handled, you can just watch Cambodia turn into Thailand outside your window — something you’ll remember long after the trip.
I didn’t expect the drive from Siem Reap to Koh Chang to feel so personal. It’s not just a straight shot — there’s this odd rhythm to it, switching cars at the border, watching the scenery change from Cambodian dust to Thai greenery. Our first driver, Mr. Dara, showed up right on time at our hotel (he even waited while I scrambled for my missing sunglasses). The car was cool inside, which felt like a small miracle after that sticky morning air.
We rolled out of Siem Reap before sunrise — honestly, I barely remember those first few hours except for the sound of Khmer pop on the radio and Dara pointing out roadside stalls selling something that smelled sweet and smoky. When we got close to the border at Poi Pet, things got a bit chaotic (lots of people, lots of paperwork), but our guide just grinned and waved us through each step. He even helped us fill out some forms — I probably would’ve messed that up alone.
Crossing over into Thailand felt like flipping a switch: new driver, new van, suddenly everything looked different outside the window. The Thai driver barely spoke English but smiled a lot and handed us cold water bottles (I still think about how good that tasted after standing in line at immigration). The last stretch down to Trat Pier was quieter — I dozed off for a bit and woke up as we pulled up to the ferry dock. There’s something weirdly comforting about being handed off from one local to another; you don’t really have to think too hard about logistics or what comes next.
The whole private taxi transfer took almost ten hours door-to-door (plus that hour or so sorting out visas), but it never felt rushed or stressful. If you’re nervous about border crossings or just want someone else to handle the details between Siem Reap and Koh Chang, this is probably the way to go. Not glamorous — but real travel rarely is, you know?
The journey takes about 9–10 hours plus 1–1.5 hours for border crossing procedures.
Yes, pickup from your hotel in either Siem Reap or Koh Chang is included.
Yes, passengers pay $3 USD per person for the ferry ticket separately.
Yes, staff will assist you with paperwork and crossing procedures at the border.
Sedan cars are used for 1–3 people; minivans for 4–5; larger vans for 6–9 passengers.
Yes, you can book from Siem Reap to Koh Chang or vice versa.
Yes, one driver covers Cambodia and another takes over in Thailand.
You’ll need your hotel address, phone number, and full names of all passengers.
Your trip includes private vehicle transfers with two local drivers (one in Cambodia and one in Thailand), hotel pickup and drop-off on both ends, gasoline, tolls, parking fees, local taxes, passenger insurance coverage throughout the journey, plus friendly assistance during all border formalities along the way.
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