The border crossing

Rainbow Lodge is just over 30km from the border with Thailand. The border crossing is between Ban Had Lek (Thailand) and Koh Kong (Cambodia).

To get to the border, you need to come via Trat (sometimes written Trad). There are many ways to do this (see below).

You need a visa to cross into Cambodia. You can get a visa at the border but it is better to get one in advance, either from your local embassy/consulate or apply online for an e-Visa.

By bus to Trat

Buses run regularly from Bangkok to Trat, costing approximately $10/300B. It is best to use the Ekamai Bus Terminal because there are more frequent buses from there.

Time estimate 5-6 hours

There is also now a bus service straight to Trat from the airport and vice versa. Take a shuttle bus from the airport to the Airport Transportation Center. Tickets for the bus to Trat are available from The Transport Co. Ltd. on the corner opposite the 7 Eleven store. At the time of writing (22/12/2008) the departure times are 06:40, 10:10, 11:40, 13:10, 16:10 and 18:10. For up-to-date information please check the The Transport Co. Ltd. website or contact them directly on +66 2 9362832

Time estimate 4½-5½ hours

By plane to Trat

It is possible to fly to Trat. This option is a lot quicker than the bus but also a lot more expensive (approx $90/3000B). For up-to-date pricing and timetables see Bangkok Airways

You will need to get a taxi from Trat airport to the bus station and then a minibus (see "To the border" below). The airport seems to have its own fleet of taxis, making bargaining a little tricky and, as a result, the prices are more than expected. You could try to get a taxi straight to the border but this is a more expensive option than the minibus.

To the border

During the day, minibuses run every 45 mins from Trat bus station to the border with Cambodia ($4/120B)

Time estimate 1½ hours

Taxi

Taxis can be taken from Bangkok straight to the border. Expect to pay anything up to $100, but haggle hard.

Time estimate 5-6 hours

From the border

Taxis/motos are available at the border but do be aware that these can be some of the most persistent and expensive taxis you will meet in Cambodia.

Please contact Rainbow Lodge if you would like help arranging transport from the border to Koh Kong or Rainbow Lodge with a known and reliable taxi driver/moto

Cost to Rainbow Lodge from border taxi: approx $20, tuk tuk approx $12, moto approx $6. They will also expect you to pay the bridge toll which is cheap 4,800riel for a car, less for moto, but has to be paid in Riel or Baht but not a mixture!

For your convenience

Whichever method you choose, it is possible to get from Bangkok to Rainbow Lodge is a single day.

However, please be aware that the border closes at 8pm. Also, it is easier to get you and your luggage to Rainbow Lodge in daylight, so it is best to leave Bangkok as early as you can.

For all these methods please contact us by telephone when you are ready to leave the border so we can make sure we are in Tatai in time to pick you up. See Arrival in Tatai for more details

Note: All prices are approximate as fluctuations are regular and are sometimes subject to your haggling skills