Siem Reap to Bangkok with Giant Ibis?

[Alzir]

Giant Ibis was recommended to me when I was looking at transportation from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, and while looking at their site I noticed they also do Siem Reap to Bangkok, which is the next leg of my journey.  Has anyone used this company on this route and were they any good?

 

I was planning on getting to the border by taxi or minibus, then when I crossed into Thailand, get a taxi to Aranyaprathet and take the train to Bangkok.  But if I can do the whole journey with Giant Ibis, I might go with them just to avoid any problems and scams.  But does anyone know if this is a good idea?  The company seems to have very good reviews, modern buses, excellent safety record, lots of leg room and A/C, the price seems reasonable ($32) when you consider it is for the journey on both sides of the border and the quality of the buses.  But all the reviews are by people who did Phnom Penh/Siem Reap route, so I'm just wondering how they are with the border crossing?  I know that you have to cross the border on foot, so I assume they have another bus waiting on the other side, but does the whole process run smoothly?  Or rather, smoother than it would be trying to make the trip independently.

[Spaniel]

I'm not familiar with Giant Ibis but the price certainly looks good.    Hope you get some replies about the service because I'm interested too.

[Alzir]

On 2/28/2017 at 3:02 PM, Spaniel said:

I'm not familiar with Giant Ibis but the price certainly looks good.    Hope you get some replies about the service because I'm interested too.

You said you'd be interested in hearing about people's experience with Giant Ibis too, well I've now made both journeys, so here is what I thought.

 

I would definitely recommend using Giant Ibis.  Their buses are modern and comfortable, with wifi available.  I was lucky enough to have both seats to myself.  They have two drivers on their buses, who change over half way to prevent fatigue.  The bus to Siem Reap arrived bang on time, the one to Bangkok arrived in Bangkok on time, but took a while to get to the terminal, but that's Bangkok traffic for you, so I can't blame Giant Ibis for that.

 

The most important thing for me was the border crossing.  It was very simple, we pulled up at immigration and one of the Giant Ibis staff walks all the passengers through the crossing (there were only 9 or 10 people on our bus).  He took as straight to immigration, where we handed over our visa cards (they were handed out on the bus on the way there), seeing as I'm a UK passport holder, I don't have to pay anything.  Once they were checked, the same staff member met us outside and we walked down the street to customs where we put our carry on bags on the x-ray and walk through the metal detector, then its on to passport control, and then the Giant Ibis staff meets us outside and leads us a few yards down the street and we wait for a few minutes for the Thai customs to do their search of the bus, then we're back on and continue our journey to Bangkok.  All very simple and was actually quicker than some airports I've been to.  As for scams at the border, I didn't even see any.  If you ever plan on doing the same journey, I wouldn't just recommend using Giant Ibis, I would urge you to use them, you will save yourself so much time and hassle.  A first class service and staff who are a credit to the company.

[asanee]

YES, GI is really the best Khmer bus comp there is and doe maintain this status. They have only 1 type of bus, so thats same as for PnPn-SR. There is also a free meal (likely a microwave 7 box) included.

Besides this there is also the daily (now 2 trips/day) in coop of BoKoSo Thai and a Khmer company-effective a Thai venture in local business-same but buses are slightly older, as they started this up. They set down at Mochit first and them near khaDarn-they also have an office just near Wat Bovorn there along Tanao rd. Price from BKK was quoted as 1200 THB. Google for a site named movetocambodia and then their blog (Lisa) about all possible permutations from SR to BKK if you have enough time and want to know everything.

In traveller/bekpek places you may find also the Virak Bunkram (or so)-avoid this at any rate!

That way via train is def. the most cumbersome and slowest way to go-tipically for people who believe the www only tells the truth.

[my friend I]

We used Giant Ibis twice in Cambodia. Both times the driver stopped for extra passengers even tho the bus was full. It's only a medium sized bus