The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Angkor Wat

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Visiting Angkor Wat is the best thing to do in Cambodia. It is one of the most important monuments in Southeast Asia, like the Borobudur Temple in Indonesia and the Bagan Temples in Myanmar.

Angkor Wat is a beautiful temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world!

This ultimate guide to visiting Angkor Wat includes the best time to visit, how to get there, where to stay and practical information.

Avoid the crowds and make the most of your trip to Cambodia with our guide to visiting Angkor Wat.

Where is Angkor Wat?

Angkor Wat is located in the northwest of Cambodia, about a 15-minute drive from Siem Reap.

Why is Angkor Wat famous?

Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.

It was built by Khmer King Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century. Angkor Wat was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu but eventually became a Buddhist temple at the end of the 12th century.

Did you know that Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The most famous attractions of the Angkor Archaeological Park are Angkor Wat Temple, Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm (“Tom Raider” Temple).

Another Beautiful Temple Complex → Prambanan, Indonesia

Good to know
Angkor Wat is also called the “Temple City” as translated from the Khmer language, “Angkor” means capital, and “Wat” means temple.

Best Time to Visit Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat can be visited all year round! But the best time to visit Cambodia is during the dry season between November and April.

In the dry season, the weather is pleasant for exploring the Angkor Wat temple complex, as humidity is low and little rain can be expected.

The busiest months in Cambodia are from December to January. The rainy season runs from May to October.

Angkor Wat is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Cambodia and is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Therefore, we suggest avoiding weekends and arriving at sunrise when you can enjoy the best Angkor Wat sunrise spots!

TIP
In high season we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!

How to Get to Angkor Wat

The closest city to Angkor Wat is Siem Reap which is easily accessible by a short flight or bus from neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.

You can reach Siem Reap from Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh by bus, which takes about 6-7 hours.

Siem Reap has an International Airport, the Siem Reap International Airport (airport code REP).

There are many international flights from Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur and domestic flights from other cities of Cambodia, such as Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

The distance from the airport to Siem Reap is 20-30 minutes (depending on traffic), and Angkor Wat is only 6 km away.

From Siem Reap Airport, you can get to Angkor Wat by taxi or tuk-tuk.

TIP
Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

How to Visit Angkor Wat

You can visit the Angkor Archaeological Park on your own, join a private or organized tour, or rent a scooter.

The best way to get around Angkor Wat is to negotiate with a tuk-tuk driver, who will take you to the sights you want to visit.

You can easily book Angkor Wat tours in all hotels and tourist offices in Siem Reap or online.

To get the most out of the experience, you can hire a private guide who will explain the history while wandering around.

Keep reading → Borobudur Temple, Indonesia

Good to know
Usually, tuk-tuk drivers offer the same route, the short circuit costs 15 USD, and the big circuit costs 20 USD.
There is an additional cost of 5 USD to see a sunrise or sunset.

Is it Safe to Travel to Angkor Wat?

Visiting Angkor Wat is absolutely safe.

But small thefts and pickpockets can occur everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!

What are the Angkor Wat opening hours?

The Angkor Wat Temple is open daily from 5 AM to 5:30 PM.

The Angkor Archaeological Park temples can be visited every day from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

How Much is the Angkor Wat entrance fee?

Different ticket types are available for the Angkor Archaeological Park.

The entrance fee to Angkor Wat is 37 USD for a 1-day ticket, 62 USD for a 3-day pass, and 72 USD for a 7-day pass.

There is no need to schedule your visit on consecutive days, so you can easily plan your Cambodia Itinerary.

Good to know
A 3-day pass is valid for 10 days from the date of issue, and a 7-day pass is valid for 1 month from the date of issue.

Where can I Buy the Angkor Wat Ticket?

The Angkor Pass can be purchased at the official ticket center located 4 km from Siem Reap, about a 10-minute drive away. You can pay for the ticket by cash or credit card.

The Angkor Park Pass Ticket Counters is open daily from 4:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

You can also buy Angkor Wat tickets online only HERE.

Good to know
The Angkor Pass is not transferable, as each ticket is printed with the name and photo of the holder!

How Many Days Do You Need in Angkor Wat?

Most people only spend 1 day in Angkor Wat, which is enough time to visit the most popular attractions.

But in our opinion, at least 2-3 days is the ideal time to see the best temples of Angkor.

Visiting Angkor Wat, Cambodia

We agreed with a local tuk-tuk driver to take the small circuit of Angkor Wat the next day.

Good morning! Wake up early and meet the tuk-tuk driver at the hotel entrance at 4:30 AM, then go to the official ticket center and purchase your Angkor Pass.

Angkor Wat

Afterward, enjoy a magical sunrise experience at the Angkor Wat Temple. As the Angkor Wat Temple is the best sunrise spot, it is incredibly crowded but not to be missed.

See also → Bagan Temples in Myanmar

Angkor Thom

After Angkor Wat Temple, our next stop was the impressive Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire.

Angkor Thom was founded by King Jayavarman VII.

Angkor Thom is surrounded by a moat, the most spectacular part of which is the South Gate, with stone statues of demons and warriors standing along the way.

King Jayavarman VII was a Buddhist and promoted the Khmer people’s conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism during his reign.

TIP
As there are many local vendors at the Angkor Wat temple complex, bring cash and buy a refreshing coconut or a wonderful souvenir.

The most beautiful places to visit in Angkor Thom are the Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Leper King, Phimeanakas, Preah Palilay, and the Terrace of the Elephants.

With its 54 towers and 216 smiling and mysterious faces, Bayon Temple is one of the most popular attractions at Angkor Thom.

After spending a few hours exploring, we went to Takeo, which is a pyramid of 5 levels and a total height of 40 meters. We climbed the steep stairs to enjoy the fantastic view.

Ta Prohm

Are you looking for the best place to visit in Angkor Archaeological Park? The small circuit includes Ta Prohm, which you may recognize from the movie Lara Croft: Tom Raider.

There has been little restoration work done on Ta Prohm, as it has been deliberately left as it was found so that everyone can see this impressive “jungle temple”.

To avoid waiting in line to take photos, visit Ta Prohm in the morning!

Our last stop on the Angkor Wat tour was Banteay Kdei, which used to be a Buddhist monastery. As this is a less popular sight, it is the perfect place to end your visit to Angkor Wat.

TIP
You can easily modify the Angkor Wat small circuit itinerary or add extra places.

Tips for Visiting Angkor Wat, Cambodia

• There is a dress code! Wear respectful clothing when visiting Angkor Wat, and cover your shoulders and knees!
• Use sunscreen and wear a hat because there is little shade.
• The Angkor Wat temple complex is quite large, so wear walking shoes and comfortable clothes.
• Bring plenty of water and some snacks.
• Ask permission from the monks before taking a photo!
• Drones are prohibited at Angkor Wat!
• You can climb some of the temples of Angkor at your own risk, but be careful, as the stairs can be steep and slippery!
• Allow enough time to explore the sights and take photos.

Where to Stay near Angkor Wat

Siem Reap is the perfect base for visiting Angkor Wat, as it is only a 15-minute drive from the famous temples.

The city has good restaurants and great places to shop.

The accommodation options are available for all budgets in Siem Reap.

Best hotels in Siem Reap, Cambodia

• Luxory: Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa
• Mid-Range: Tara Angkor Hotel I Grand Venus La Residence
• Budget: Aniza Angkor Villa

We hope our ultimate guide to visiting Angkor Wat will inspire you to visit Cambodia. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.