Cambodia and Thailand both welcome most travellers easily, but the routes look different. Cambodia uses a paid eVisa or Visa on Arrival for most nationalities; Thailand grants visa-free entry to many of the same passports for short tourist stays. Here is the side-by-side for trip planning.
| 一目了然 | Cambodia VisaeVisa or Visa on Arrival | Thailand VisaVisa exemption for most tourists |
|---|---|---|
| Common entry route (AU/UK/US/EU) | eVisa (online) or Visa on Arrival | Visa exemption stamp on arrival |
| Cost for tourists | $80 USD via eVisa | Free for visa-exempt nationalities |
| Apply in advance? | Yes — recommended for eVisa | No — granted at the border |
| Stay duration | Up to 30 days (single entry) | Up to 60 days (extendable for some nationalities) |
| Documents at the border | Passport + eVisa printout | Passport + onward ticket + proof of funds (sometimes) |
| Multiple entry options | Business/long-stay classes available separately | Tourist visa for longer / repeat stays |
| Land border crossings | Open at major Thai/Vietnamese/Lao borders | Open — exemption applies overland for many nationalities |
| Best for | A planned, paid-once Cambodia leg | A flexible Thailand stopover with no fee |
For most Australian, UK, US, EU, Canadian and NZ passports, only Cambodia needs to be sorted in advance. Thailand is granted at the border under the visa-exemption scheme. Always confirm your passport is currently visa-exempt for Thailand before you fly.
Thailand is slightly easier for visa-exempt nationalities because there is no fee or online step. Cambodia is straightforward if you sort the eVisa online — both countries process tourists in volume every day without drama.
Yes — Poipet and Koh Kong are the busiest crossings. Your Cambodia eVisa is accepted at both. If you only have Visa on Arrival you will need USD cash and a passport photo at the Cambodian side.
Cambodia tourist stays are 30 days single entry. Thailand visa exemption is typically 60 days for eligible nationalities and can be extended by 30 days at a Thai immigration office. Confirm your passport length for both stays.
No. Both Cambodia and Thailand removed pandemic-era health requirements. Standard tourist documentation is the only entry condition.
Apply for the Cambodia eVisa first — it has a lead time and pre-approval requirement. Thailand handles itself at the border for most travellers, so leave it for last.