Guide on Taking Your Motorcycle Across Cambodia – Laos – Thailand Borders

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To transport your motorcycle across borders, prepare vehicle documents, passport, and clearly state the purpose of your journey.

Transporting motorcycles through Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos is not as challenging as many think. Here are essential guides for each border crossing, along with some road travel experiences.

What to prepare in Vietnam

Passport – for immigration at the border.

Vehicle registration papers – to facilitate motorcycle transportation across the border.

It's recommended to get a new driving license, and having some knowledge of English will make it easier for you on the road.

Xa Mat Border Crossing: Vietnam – Cambodia

Customs procedures for individuals and vehicles are straightforward. Travelers can use Vietnamese to communicate on both sides.

Upon arrival at the border, guide your vehicle to the Vietnamese immigration area, get it stamped. If asked about your destination, simply mention it's for tourism.

Then, guide your vehicle to the Cambodian side, using the designated lane for motorcycles. Walk to the customs officer, park your bike, and go through the procedure. They may inquire about your travel purpose, collect a fee of 50,000 VND, stamp your passport, and you're good to go.

Poipet Border Crossing: Cambodia – Thailand

Here, customs procedures for individuals and vehicles are quite straightforward. You can use English to communicate on both sides.

After completing the Cambodian procedures, drive your vehicle towards Thailand. Leave your vehicle at the checkpoint for traffic inspection (ask the staff for guidance). Then, go to the upper floor to complete the immigration process. Here, you'll have your photo taken, and your passport stamped.

Next, circle back and hand over your vehicle documents and passport to the staff at the parking checkpoint. They will take photos of your documents and process them. Wait for about 30 minutes; the fee is 40 baht (25,000 VND).

Then, drive a bit further to reach another checkpoint. The staff will guide you to park your vehicle and complete the procedures. At this step, they will check if your vehicle details match those in your registration. After about 15 minutes, once the paperwork is signed, you can proceed.

Savannakhet Border Crossing: Thailand – Laos

Thai-Laos border crossings often involve friendly bridges. Riding motorcycles across these bridges depends on the regulations at each border. Savannakhet border prohibits motorcycles, making it challenging to enter with this mode of transportation. Therefore, you must find a car to load your motorcycle onto and cross with their assistance. Note that there is no service for renting vehicles to transport across this border.

When entering Laos, you must prove your travel history by presenting documents from both Cambodia and Thailand. The processing fee for both sides is 70 baht (45,000 VND).

Customs procedures for individuals are much easier than for motorcycles. Travelers can use English, Thai when communicating (Vietnamese is also acceptable when processing in Laos).

For certainty and convenience, it's advisable to use the Chong Mek – Vang Tao land border crossing.

Travel Tips for Cambodia – Thailand – Laos

Cambodia: Roads in Cambodia are similar to Vietnam, with many motorcycles. However, there's no habit of honking in traffic, both in and out of the city. Public transportation in the city mainly consists of tuk-tuks.

Thailand: Thailand has a well-developed road system, primarily dominated by cars with high speeds. Pay attention to no-motorcycle signs and keep to the left. Main public transportation includes tuk-tuks, taxis, and trains.

Laos: Roads in Laos are quite similar to Vietnam, with motorcycles being the primary mode of transportation. As you enter major cities, you'll also find more cars on the roads.

According to Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour

MytourAugust 8, 2015

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Frequently Asked Questions

What essential documents do I need to transport my motorcycle across borders?

To transport your motorcycle across borders, you will need your passport, vehicle registration papers, and potentially a new driving license. It's also beneficial to have some English language knowledge for easier communication during your travels.

What are the customs procedures at Xa Mat Border Crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia?

At Xa Mat Border Crossing, customs procedures are straightforward. You can use Vietnamese for communication. After getting your vehicle stamped in Vietnam, you'll cross into Cambodia, park your motorcycle, and complete the customs process with a fee of 50,000 VND.

How do I navigate the Poipet Border Crossing from Cambodia to Thailand?

At Poipet Border Crossing, complete Cambodian customs, then park your motorcycle for traffic inspection. After finishing immigration on the upper floor, return to submit your vehicle documents. You'll pay a fee of 40 baht (25,000 VND) and wait about 30 minutes to continue your journey.

What should I know about the Savannakhet Border Crossing from Thailand to Laos?

The Savannakhet Border Crossing prohibits motorcycles, requiring you to find a vehicle to transport your motorcycle across. You must provide travel documents from Cambodia and Thailand, with a processing fee of 70 baht (45,000 VND) for the crossing.

What travel tips should I consider when riding in Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos?

In Cambodia, roads are similar to Vietnam but without honking. Thailand has a fast road system with no-motorcycle signs, while Laos features roads resembling Vietnam, where motorcycles are the primary mode of transportation. Adapt your riding style accordingly.