Travel Mart

Travel Mart is a purely tourist bus company targeting at the foreign visitors. It runs buses around a variety of the touristiest destinations in Thailand as well as international routes to neighbouring Cambodia. As journeys are long most buses are large and have ample legroom and reclining seats so that passengers can sleep. That said, on some of the shorter domestic routes minivans are used instead of larger Express buses.

If you take the Express Bus option to Cambodia or a longer route within Cambodia you can expect Wi-Fi, food and drinks, and a blanket.

Most buses depart from Khao San Road which is a popular backpacker hub in Bangkok which means that passengers do not have to make their way to one of Bangkok’s bus stations which are often crowded and confusing to navigate.

Travel Mart has a range of routes both in Thailand and to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Here are some of the most popular and useful routes.

Bangkok–Siem Reap

Leaving from Khao San Road in Bangkok, Travel Mart buses deliver you to Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor. Tickets on this service cost between THB800 and THB1000 depending on the schedule you choose. The journey takes 8 hours and buses leave at 1 am or 9 am.

Bangkok–Koh Samet

One of the most useful domestic routes served by Travel Mart is to Koh Samet, a small island in the upper part of the Gulf. The island is the favourite quick escape to the sea fro Bangkokians, so minivans fill quickly.

Bangkok to Koh Samet route is sold as a combo ticket with ferry service included. Travel from Bangkok to Koh Samet is by minivan or not one of the larger Express buses. Departures take place from Khao San daily and leave at 8 am. The journey takes 5 hours. Tickets cost THB500.

Tickets sold on this service, particularly for international travel to Cambodia are far cheaper than flying.

International buses to Cambodia are spacious and have reclining seats.

Pick up is in Khao San Road rather than a central bus station which many travelers find easier.

If you are travelling to Cambodia then the bus staff can help you with the border crossing although you will usually have to pay an administration fee on top of the cost of the visa.

Express buses have food, snacks, and water provided as well as a steward to help with any issues you may have.

Buses on shorter routes are minivans rather than Express buses and can be crowded and feel cramped.

Buses don’t run to a wide variety of international destinations so unless you are going to travel to Siem Reap you will need to choose a different company.

Minivans may not have working air conditioning and do not have toilets.

Try to make sure you arrive on time in line with the stated departure time. Passengers who are late may miss the bus and have to wait for another one and lose their ticket. Pick up is in Khao San Road but make sure you leave time to find the correct location.

If you are travelling on a route within Thailand make sure to check whether the company uses an Express Bus or a minivan so that you can plan accordingly.

There have been frequent reports of buses being late to depart. As delays are frequent you will need to leave ample time at your destination if you are planning to continue your journey.

Passengers have said that staff may help with visas at the Cambodian border but that they charge a USD10 administration fee for this. If you do not want to pay this fee then you will need to queue and process the visa yourself.

Buses are advertised as having Wi-Fi on board although there have been reports that this often doesn’t work. As such don’t rely on having Wi-Fi on board as this may not be the case.