Traveling north along the scenic Mekong River from the riverside town of Kratie to the transport hub of Stung Treng is a classic overland route for adventurers heading toward Laos, Vietnam, or the remote ruins of Koh Ker. While the 137 km journey is straightforward, relying on guesthouse bookings can often inflate your travel budget unnecessarily.
In this practical transport guide, we share our first-hand experience of taking a local minibus (minivan) from Kratie to Stung Treng. From navigating the Kratie bus station location and revealing how to save money by avoiding guesthouse commissions, to what you can expect regarding departure punctuality, road conditions, and arrival logistics, here is everything you need to plan a smooth, budget-friendly journey.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む：クラチエからストゥントレンへの行き方：ミニバス（ミニバン）での移動料金と安くチケットを買うコツ
Quick Transport Summary: Kratie to Stung Treng
- Transport Type: 13-seater local Minivan
- Ticket Price: USD 6 when bought directly at the bus station (Guesthouses quote USD 10).
- Journey Duration: Approx. 3 hours (Distance is 137 km).
- Departure Time: 8:00 AM (Arrive early as passenger loading takes time).
- Road Conditions: Super smooth asphalt, making for a highly comfortable ride.
Route Overview: Traveling from Kratie to Stung Treng
Stung Treng is a quiet and laid-back town located in northeastern Cambodia, within the Stung Treng Province. According to data from 2019, it has a local population of approximately 37,000 people.
Geographically, the town sits further north along the beautiful Mekong River from Kratie. The overland distance between Kratie and Stung Treng is about 137 km, which translates to a smooth minibus journey of roughly 3 hours.
For our own overland loop across the country, we planned this specific transit leg to get into Stung Treng on the day before heading further west towards Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Breaking up the long journey here allowed us to properly experience the changing landscapes of rural Cambodia without feeling rushed.
Finding the Kratie Bus Station & Ticket Prices (How to Save )
Buses to Stung Treng leave from Kratie bus station. Krachie bus station is located to the east of Krong Kracheh Pagoda, which stands near the Mekong River waterfront. We arrived at this bus station when we came to the city from Kompong Cham.
The buses are actually minivans, a larger version of a shared-ride taxi. The scheduled departure time was 8am. When we asked at the bus station, we were told that the fare to Stung Treng was USD 6.
It is possible to have the transfer from Kratie to Stung Treng arranged at a guesthouse, but this will cost more. Guesthouses were quoting USD 10.
Morning of Departure: Boarding the Minivan
We got to the bus station shortly after 7am because sometimes transport can leave early. Bus tickets can be bought there at the ticket desk, or you can pay the driver directly.
The departure time was 8am and we still had enough time to eat breakfast first. When we returned, the bus was being loaded and our backpacks were loaded in the back.
The bus is a 13-seater minivan and was still newish with clean red seats.
The Journey and Arrival at Stung Treng Bus Station
We left the bus station in Kratie almost on time, just after 8am, but it takes a while as it picks up passengers along the way.
The road from Kratie to Stung Treng was super smooth.
Arrival in Stung Treng was at almost 11am and so took just under three hours.
The bus station in Stung Treng is located to the north of the market. We were dropped off just before it, close to the guesthouse where we would be staying.
Next Stop: Exploring the Chilled-Out Town of Stung Treng
Arriving just before 11:00 AM after a super smooth 3-hour ride, the driver kindly dropped us off right near our booked accommodation. We checked in, dropped our daypacks, and headed out to explore this peaceful transit town on foot.
Discover what to see, where to find great Vietnamese coffee, and how to spend a perfect half-day stopover in Stung Treng:
➡ Stung Treng Travel Guide: Relaxing Riverfront Walks & Local Food Tips (Next Article Link)
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