Siem Reap Itinerary + Travel Budget Guide for first-timers

Siem Reap, Cambodia is one of the most exceptional places to visit in Southeast Asia.

Here, you can find Angkor Wat, the World’s largest religious monument & other ruined sites built during the reign of the ancient Khmer empire.

I had been to Siem Reap 3 times and on each of my multi-day tours around the temples, the marvelous sights never failed to amaze me.

Traveling to Siem Reap for the first time? This detailed travel guide will make it easy for you to plan a trip, save money, and maximize your time.

Scroll down to read must-know travel tips before you go, followed by a sample itinerary + budget breakdown , recommended hotels/places to stay , things to do/places to visit and lots of extra travel tips.

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How to get to Siem Reap — Touchdown at Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (REP), the primary gateway to the city and the Angkor temples. Siem Reap is also popularly reached overland from Thailand, Vietnam, Laos & Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia.

Find cheap flights

Book your hotel early — Stay at Siem Reap central area for convenient transport to the Angkor temples & the airport. It’s also within the prime nightlife & food district of the city. Grab rock-bottom rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon as you know you’re going. Click below to compare discounts and read reviews by other travelers.

Cheapest ratesBest hotel reviews

Check prices online and pre-book discounts — Save money by checking discounts on tours, airport/city transfers & sim card/WiFi hotspots. Booking before you leave also saves you time by avoiding the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash & exchanging currency/money during your actual trip.

See top discounts

What are the best temples in Siem Reap? — In addition to Angkor Wat, the major temples that you shouldn’t miss are Bayon Temple (famous for its giant stone faces) in Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm Temple (featured in the 2001 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie). Other popular temples include Banteay Srei, Phnom Bakheng, Pre Rup & Banteay Kdei. If you’re seeking an off-beat adventure, head to the less visited/remote temples of Preah Khan, Banteay Samre, Koh Ker, Beng Melea & Phnom Kulen.

How to get to the temples? — Tuk-tuks (auto rickshaw/remorque) are the most popular means of transport to & around Angkor Park. A whole day tuk-tuk charter (including a driver) costs USD 20-25. Each tuk-tuk can seat up to 3-4 people. You can also go by private car charter (from USD 15 per car) or by joining a guided tour (from USD 13 per person).

See all tours & discounts

How much does it cost to visit Angkor Wat — To enter Angkor Park & visit the temples, you’ll need to buy an Angkor Pass. A 1-day ticket costs USD 37 per person, a 3-day ticket costs USD 62 pp. & a 7-day ticket costs USD 72 pp.

When is the best time to visit Siem Reap? — The best time to go is during the cooler months from December to February. Siem Reap can be enjoyed all year round but keep the following considerations in mind: The hottest months are April and May with temperatures topping 38°C (100°F). Meanwhile, September tends to be the wettest month.

Getting to Siem Reap by bus — Siem Reap is a major destination in the Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam Indochina “Banana Pancake” Trail. Travel time on express bus trips from Bangkok takes 8 to 9 hours. Meanwhile, night buses from Ho Chi Minh take 13 hours or more. Buses typically arrive in Siem Reap mid-late afternoon or in the evening.

Check Siem Reap bus fare

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Siem Reap Itinerary

Here’s a sample itinerary that you can follow during your trip to Siem Reap.

On this trip, you will visit the major temples including Angkor Wat, Bayon in Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm & Phnom Bakheng. For a change of scenery, go on an excursion to a floating village on Tonlé Sap, the largest lake in Southeast Asia, and enjoy a walk around Siem Reap city center.

This a full 2 days itinerary. If you are going to follow it from start to finish, you’ll need at add at least one day for the arrival in Siem Reap. The arrival day is marked as “Day 0” below. Evening arrivals are usually the case for travelers crossing by land from Thailand/Vietnam or flying from Manila to Siem Reap with Cebu Pacific.

Day 0: Siem Reap arrival

Day 1: Angkor temples

Day 2: Tonle Sap & Siem Reap

Siem Reap Budget

Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 2 days itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices.

I’ve included backpacker budget estimates for food & accommodations to give you an idea of how cheaply you can do the trip. If you have money to splurge on hotels, food, and luxuries, simply use the expenses posted to calculate your own budget.

Where to Stay in Siem Reap

You can find most of the budget hotels and backpackers hotels near the night markets/Pub Street in Siem Reap city center/central area. Meanwhile, high-end hotels are located along Charles De Gaulle, the main road leading to Angkor Wat. For peaceful yet accessible hotels & guesthouses, there are plenty along the banks of Siem Reap river.

Check discountsSee more

Click below to compare rates and Siem Reap hotel reviews within your budget.

Top-rated places to stay in Siem Reap

Where to book

Book your room through these trusted booking sites. I use them frequently to grab rock-bottom prices & enjoy convenient bookings. Click below to confirm the lowest prices:

Booking.comAgoda

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Siem Reap Travel Tips Before You Go

Do I need a visa to visit Siem Reap, Cambodia?

Cambodia tourist visa for Filipinos

How to get to Siem Reap

Flights to Siem Reap

Philippines-Manila to Siem Reap

How to book cheap flights to Siem Reap?

How to get around Siem Reap

How to get from the airport to Siem Reap city center

How to get to Angkor Wat?

How much is the entrance fee to Angkor Wat?

Should I get a guide to visit the temples

Thailand to Siem Reap

Bangkok to Siem Reap by bus

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Vietnam to Siem Reap

Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap by bus

Malaysia to Siem Reap

Singapore to Siem Reap

What is the best currency to use in Cambodia

Should I book my Siem Reap hotel online?

Pre-book your Siem Reap tours & attraction tickets online

Useful travel apps & websites for Siem Reap

How to get mobile internet in Siem Reap?

Do I need a visa to visit Siem Reap, Cambodia?

Citizens of 8 countries in Southeast Asia and the island nation of Seychelles may enter Cambodia without a visa for tourism/transit purposes. Maximum stays vary from 14, 21 or 30 days depending on nationality.

Countries that enjoy visa-free entry to Cambodia include The Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia…Visit this Wikipedia page for a comprehensive list of countries with visa-free access.

For a hassle-free trip, make sure that you are able to provide the following typical requirements at the immigration checkpoint:

Remember to always check for changes in the visa policy of any country that you want to visit. You can find official visa information at the Cambodia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Cambodia tourist visa for Filipinos

Filipinos/Pinoy tourists do not need a visa to enter Cambodia granting the purpose is tourism or transit. Philippine passport holders get a maximum stay of 21 days.

Simply show up at the immigration checkpoint and get your passport stamped.

Keep in mind that all countries have the right to refuse entry to any person even if they are eligible for the free tourist visa or have a valid visa on hand at the border.

At the very least, have these on hand at the immigration checkpoint: Return/onward ticket, hotel reservations & tours/attraction tickets that you have pre-booked online.

These documents will help to convince immigration officers that you are really are visiting as a tourist, NOT for work, and you are able to fund the entire duration of your trip.

How to get to Siem Reap

Touchdown at Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (REP), the primary gateway to Siem Reap and the busiest airport in Cambodia. Siem Reap is also popularly reached overland from Thailand, Vietnam, Laos & Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia.

Flights to Siem Reap

Located 8 kilometers from the city center, Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport serves flights from many tourist hubs in Southeast Asia & East Asia including Bangkok in Thailand; Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi in Vietnam, Singapore; Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; Hong Kong, Manila in the Philippines; Luang Prabang in Laos; Busan and Seoul in South Korea; Taipei in Taiwan and more.

Flights are served by budget carriers namely AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar & VietJet Air. As well as full-service carriers including Bangkok Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways & Vietnam Airlines.

Philippines-Manila to Siem Reap

From Manila, direct flights to Siem Reap are operated by Cebu Pacific (4x weekly). Travel time from Manila to Siem Reap by flight is 3 hours.

Flights depart from Manila at 7:35 pm and arrive in Siem Reap at 9:30 pm. The return flight departs from Siem Reap at 10:30 pm and arrive in Manila at 2:25 pm.

The timezone difference between The Philippines and Cambodia is 1 hour.

How to book cheap flights to Siem Reap?

If you are flying to Siem Reap within the next 2-3 months, the general rule to spend less on flights is by booking sooner rather than later. In case you are booking well ahead of your trip, keep a lookout for airline promo fares & seat sales.

The easy way to find cheap flights that you can book right now is to use flight search engines. These sites compare prices on different airlines to show you the cheapest prices. Check multiple flight search engines listed below:

MomondoSkyscannerWegoTripAdvisor

Always check promo fares before booking. Visit the airlines’ official website, mobile app, Facebook, Twitter & other social media accounts for updates.

You can also check the latest promo alerts posted here on Detourista. Click below to start:

Subscribe to the email alerts to save time from checking many websites frequently.

To learn more, visit the guide on how to book cheap flights.

How to get around Siem Reap

The main transport options in Siem Reap are tuk-tuks, motodops, taxis, or private car charters.

Tuk-tuks (auto-rickshaw/remorque) are the most popular way of getting around. A short ride within the city center should cost USD 1 to 3 per tuk-tuk (seats up to 4 people).

Motodops (motorcycle taxi) are also popular. A ride usually costs half the price of a tuktuk.

Taxis are mainly available for transport to/from the airport and chartered transport around the temples.

As of April 2018, ride-hailing app, Grab started beta operations of its GrabRemorque (tuk-tuk) & JustGrab (car/taxi) service in Siem Reap.

Use Grab during your trip to enjoy fixed rates and avoid haggling with drivers. You can even book a ‘GrabRent Remorque’ for your whole-day (up to 10 hours) transport around the temples.

Get Grab for iOSAndroid

How to get Grab fare estimates in Siem Reap

This is very useful if you want to make a pre-trip budget plan.

STEP 1: Open the Grab app on your phone (use the links above to download).

STEP 2: Tap on the “Enter pick-up point” searchbox. Then, “Select location from map”.

STEP 3: Manually locate Siem Reap on the map. It’s a bit of an effort but don’t worry, you only have to do this once.

STEP 4: Choose the pick-up and drop-off points. Prices are quoted in Cambodian Riel (KHR)

How to get from the airport to Siem Reap city center

The 8 kilometer ride from Siem Reap International Airport to Siem Reap city center takes around 20 minutes.

Getting transport from/to the airport is easy. You can either go by taxi, tuktuk, motodop, shuttle/van taxi, or private car.

A taxi ride to Siem Reap city center/central area costs USD 10 per taxi (seats up to 4 people). The tuktuk, motodop, shuttle/van taxi costs USD 1 less if you book at the airport taxi stand.

If you want to get cheaper prices. Walk through the parking lot, exit the airport gate, and hail a ride along the main road. Watch out for tuktuks/motodops heading back to town (after having dropped off passengers at the airport). Tuktuk rides from/to the airport cost USD 4-6 per tuktuk (seats up to 4 people). Going rates for motodops start at USD 2. Keep in mind that passing tuktuks/motodops are hard to come by late at night.

Better yet, use Grab. The one-way fare is around USD 4 / KHR 16,000.

How to get to Angkor Wat?

Located 7 kilometers or a 20-minute drive from Siem Reap city center, Angkor Wat & other temples in the ancient city can easily be reached on a guided tour, chartered transport (tuk-tuk, motodop or car/taxi) or by bicycle.

Guided tours to Angkor Wat — This is the easiest and most convenient option. Full day tour prices start at USD 13 per person. Includes transport and professional tour guide.

See prices & pre-book online

Tuk-tuk — Usually costs USD 15 per tuk-tuk for a 6-hour charter around the Angkor Wat area. This open-air covered transport can seat up to 4 people. Expect to spend more if you want to: (1) include a sunrise trip; (2) extend to a full-day charter; (3) visit farther temples. You can arrange a tuk-tuk for hire with your hotel.

Grab — Fixed rate for Angkor Wat area is KHR 80,000 (USD 20) for 10 hours. Includes driver.

Private car — Rate online starts at USD 15 for a half-day charter around the Angkor Wat area to USD 35 for a full-day charter around the Angkor Wat area + Banteay Srei.

See prices & pre-book online

Motodop — Motorcycle taxis usually cost half as much as (or a few dollars more than) getting a tuktuk.

Bicycle (pedal) — This is the cheapest option. Rentals start at USD 1 per day for a basic city bike. If you plan to go with this option, it’s worth to spend a few dollars more & rent a good bicycle built to cover long distances. Consider the great distances you’ll have to pedal under the scorching heat. The trip to Angkor Wat & around the major temples (AND BACK) is around 30 kilometers.

How much is the entrance fee to Angkor Wat?

The Angkor Pass costs USD 37 for a 1-day ticket, USD 62 for a 3-day ticket & USD 72 for a 7-day ticket.

The tickets allow entry to all temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park including temples in the Small Circuit, Big/Grand Circuit, Banteay Srei, Rolous group & Phnom Krom.

Angkor Passes are purchased at the Angkor Ticket Office located in cor Street 60-Apsara Road. From Siem Reap city center, follow Charles De Gaulle Road towards Angkor Park. Turn right at Street 60 towards Apsara Circle Garden.

There’s a separate entrance fee of USD 20 for visits to Kulen mountain (Phnom Kulen), USD 10 for Koh Ker & USD 5 for Beng Melea.

If you want to visit Phnom Krom (the hilltop temple near Tonle Sap) without an Angkor Pass, the entrance fee is USD 5.

*Rates above are per person.

Should I get a guide to visit the temples

I highly recommend that you either join a guided group tour or hire a private guide. At the very least, get a guide on your first day.

A trip to Angkor is sure to leave you in awe regardless, but a guide can help you get a better appreciation of the architectural, engineering, and artistic work involved in constructing the ancient wonders. Plus, lots of local insights.

In case you prefer to go guideless, make sure to read a background about the sites before you go.

Thailand to Siem Reap

Bangkok is usually the starting point when crossing from Thailand to Siem Reap. Go by air or overland by bus/shuttle.

From Bangkok, direct flights to Siem Reap are operated by AirAsia, Thai Airways & Bangkok Airways. Travel time by air is 1 hour.

Bangkok to Siem Reap by bus

The 400+ kilometer journey takes 8 to 9 hours or more. Buses usually depart from Bangkok at 8-9 am and arrive in Siem Reap at 5-6 pm.

Overland journeys from Bangkok to Siem Reap require a land border crossing at Aranyaprathet on the Thai side and Poipet on the Cambodian side.

To avoid time lost changing buses & potential scams at the border, book express transfers that include the border crossing with a reputable company. The fare is around USD 28-32 per person per way.

Reputable bus companies include Giant Ibis, which offers pickup in Khao San Road, and government-run Transport Co. (Nattakan), which departs from the Morchit (Mochit)-Northern Thailand Bus Station.

Book Bangkok to Siem Reap bus tickets online

Check bus fare & book here

How to get to Siem Reap from Bangkok by bus/land

STEP 1: Pre-book your bus/shuttle tickets online to reserve seats early & avoid fully-booked transfers. You can also book at an agency or your hotel/hostel in Bangkok.

Go with a reputable bus company, which typically provides a representative that will guide you through the border crossing process.

STEP 2: Carefully check the schedule (departure/arrival time), pick-up and drop-off location. Arrive at the pick up location 1 hour before the departure time.

STEP 3: Transport from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet-Poipet border crossing. Travel time is around 3.5 to 4 hours.

STEP 4: Drop off at Aranyaprathet and clear the Thailand immigration checkpoint. You either do this yourself or a representative from the bus company may offer to do it for all passengers (in bulk).

Always remember that Pinoys enjoy visa-free travel to Cambodia. Do not believe anyone who says that you have to pay to cross the border. Simply walk away & proceed to the immigration counters.

Do not leave important things on the bus. Also, take a picture of the bus no./plate no. and ask the bus driver/representative if it’s the same bus that will take you to Siem Reap. If yes, it’s okay to leave your big luggage. Bring your valuables with you & remember to lock/secure your bag.

Before leaving, make sure there’s an exit stamp on your passport.

STEP 5: Cross the border to Poipet & clear Cambodia immigration checkpoint.

STEP 6: Transfer from Poipet to Siem Reap. Travel time is 3 hours.

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

The 300+ kilometer land journey from the Cambodian capital takes 5.5 to 7 hours. Buses depart from Phnom Penh throughout the day, from early morning to midnight. The fare is around USD 12-15+ per person per way.

Reputable bus companies include Giant Ibis, Mekong Express & Capitol Tours.

Vietnam to Siem Reap

Ho Chi Minh is usually the starting point when crossing from Vietnam to Siem Reap. Go by air or overland by bus/shuttle.

From Ho Chi Minh, direct flights to Siem Reap are operated by Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air & Lanmei Airlines. Travel time by air is 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Direct flights from Hanoi are operated by VietJet Air. From Da Nang by Vietnam Airlines.

Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap by bus

The 460+ kilometer land journey takes 13 hours or more. Buses usually depart from Ho Chi Minh at 7 am and arrive in Siem Reap at 8 pm. The fare is around USD 26-30+ per person per way.

Overland journeys from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap require a land crossing at Moc Bai border gate on the Vietnamese side and Bavet on the Cambodian side.

Reputable bus companies include Giant Ibis & Mekong Express.

Book Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap bus tickets online

Check bus fare & book here

How to get to Siem Reap from Ho Chi Minh by bus/land

STEP 1: Pre-book your bus/shuttle tickets online or at an agency/your hotel/hostel in Ho Chi Minh.

STEP 2: Carefully check the schedule (departure/arrival time), pick-up and drop-off location. Most transport companies offer pick-up in District 1, Ho Chi Minh’s main tourist area. Arrive at the pick-up location 1 hour before the departure time.

STEP 3: Transport from Ho Chi Minh to Moc Bai border crossing. Travel time is around 1.5 to 2 hours.

STEP 4: Drop off at Moc Bai and clear the Vietnam immigration checkpoint. Before leaving, make sure there’s an exit stamp on your passport.

STEP 5: Cross the border to Bavet & clear the Cambodia immigration checkpoint.

STEP 6: Transfer from Bavet to Siem Reap. Travel time is 9 hours or more depending on the transit/stopover duration in Phnom Penh.

Malaysia to Siem Reap

From Kuala Lumpur, direct flights to Siem Reap are operated by AirAsia & Malaysia Airlines. Travel time by air is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Singapore to Siem Reap

From Singapore, direct flights to Siem Reap are operated by Jetstar & SilkAir. Consider flying via Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok for more flight options.

What is the best currency to use in Cambodia

The US Dollar is the unofficial second currency of Cambodia.

The local currency is Cambodian Riel, commonly abbreviated as KHR or ៛, but you don’t need to worry about exchanging money to riel because US Dollars is accepted nearly everywhere in the country, even at local shops & transport.

The informal exchange rate is usually fixed at 1 USD = 4,000 riel for payments in USD. This is a fair exchange rate compared to market rates.

Expect to receive riel bills for small change. For example, if you paid USD 5 for an item that costs USD 4.5, you will be given KHR 2,000 as change.

You should be able to exchange your SGD, HKD, EUR, GBP & other major currencies to USD or riel easily at most money exchange stalls. Don’t exchange a lot at the airport. Branches found in the city usually offer better rates.

Better yet, exchange your money to USD before you leave or withdraw money at an ATM when you arrive in Cambodia. ATMs in Cambodia dispense USD bills for withdrawals using cards issued by foreign banks.

I use my ATM card a lot when I travel. It’s way more convenient than to worry about bringing and exchanging cash. Because banks charge a fee (usually USD 5 or more) per withdrawal, I make sure to withdraw large amounts instead of several smaller ones.

It’s important to check if your bank requires you to activate your card for international withdrawal. Your card might be useless otherwise. For example, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) requires me to call their 24-hour hotline to activate my Cirrus ATM card before I travel abroad. On the other hand, My Unionbank debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) does not need activation to withdraw money abroad.

Should I book my Siem Reap hotel online?

Book your stay sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms tend to get fully-booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

I frequently book my stay with the sites below to grab rock-bottom prices & enjoy hassle-free trips. Click below to see today’s lowest prices.

AgodaBooking.com

Having hotel reservations is very important when traveling abroad because immigration officers often require tourists to provide the address of their accommodation. Here top reasons why I prefer to book online & why you should too:

Pre-book your Siem Reap tours & attraction tickets online

I often book online to enjoy discounts and cashless convenience during my actual trip. Always check prices of tours and attraction tickets on these booking sites:

Klook

If you’re booking tours and you’ve already finalized your travel dates, book early, especially if you are traveling with family/friends to lock-in those open slots for everyone in your group.

Useful travel apps & websites for Siem Reap

Google Maps — Remember to download the offline maps before you go to access the map even if you don’t have mobile data.

Use the directions feature if you plan to get around Siem Reap on your own. I love this feature because I often like to wander around places that I visit & see the sights on foot. It only works online, so you will need internet access.

Maps.me — Excellent Google Maps alternative that automatically saves offline maps.

Grab — I use this reliable ride-hailing app frequently as an alternative to taking the taxi. To see the fare estimates, click below to install the app on your phone & manually set the location to in Siem Reap. Take note of the prices displayed for your pre-trip budget plan.

Get Grab for iOSAndroid

12go.asia — Handy for checking fares on buses, trains, ferries & other transport in Asia. Purchase tickets online to avoid fully-booked seats.

Go to website

XE Currency — Free & easy currency converter.

Google Translate — Very useful when communicating with locals who do not understand/speak English.

Agoda & Booking.com — My go-to for convenient hotel bookings & cheap rates. For home/apartment rentals, check listings on Airbnb.

Skyscanner & Momondo — These top flight search apps make it super easy to compare airfares from multiple airlines. Download the app & sign-up to the price alerts for updates on cheap flights.

Get Skyscanner for iOSAndroid

TripAdvisor — Great for restaurant reviews & recommendations. One of the features that I use often is the “cheap eats” filter & the map view.

Go to website

How to get mobile internet in Siem Reap?

Stay connected by purchasing a local prepaid SIM card, renting a pocket WiFi hotspot or get a roaming data plan from your current telcom provider.

Having mobile internet not only makes it possible to share your travel moments instantly, you can also travel better by having access to all your favorite travel apps.

Cambodia local SIM card — Available for purchase at the airport arrival area. A Cellcard Tourist SIM Pack (4G internet for 30 days) costs USD 2 for 1.4 GB data; USD 5 for 3GB data.

AIS SIM2FLY multi-country SIM card — Pick-up at Bangkok Airport. This is a good option if you’re starting your trip in Thailand. The discount price online is USD 10.9 for 8 days unlimited 4G data SIM card.

Book discount here

4G pocket WiFi hotspot (Singapore Pick Up)

Book discount here

3G pocket WiFi hotspot (Hong Kong Pick Up)

Book discount here

Places to Visit in Siem Reap + Things To Do

Check out these top tourist spots, best places to visit & things to do in Siem Reap.

1. Angkor Wat & Angkor Small Circuit

2. Banteay Srei & Angkor Grand Circuit

3. Pub Street

4. Dance, Performance & Dinner Shows

5. Old Market

6. Night Markets

7. Angkor National Museum

8. Tonle Sap

9. Beng Mealea & Koh Ker

10. Phnom Kulen

11. Rolous Temples

12. Siem Reap countryside

1. Angkor Wat & Angkor Small Circuit

Angkor Wat is the main attraction in Siem Reap. Built during the reign of the ancient Khmer Empire, this temple complex survives to this day as the largest religious monument in the world. What’s even more impressive is that it’s but one temple in the expansive ancient city of Angkor. Plan at least one full day for the Small Circuit loop, the most popular tourist route which includes Angkor Wat, Bayon in the walled temple-city of Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm & Phnom Bakheng.

See all tours & discounts

Little Circuit main temples and sites

Sites in bold my favorites.

2. Banteay Srei & Angkor Grand Circuit

Extend your trip to see more ancient sites & visit the less crowded temples. One of the best places to go is Banteay Srei, famed for its pink-hued sandstone carvings.

See discounts

Grand Circuit main temples and sites

Beyond the Grand Circuit

3. Pub Street

Enjoy the cosmopolitan nightlife along infamous Pub Street. Siem Reap’s version of Khao San Road in Thailand.

4. Dance, Performance & Dinner Shows

Watch a traditional Khmer Apsara dance show while feasting on a dinner buffet or enjoy stunning performance shows. Top picks include Rosana Broadway & PHARE The Cambodian Circus.

See discounts

5. Old Market

Locally known as Psah Chas, Siem Reap’s Old Market area is an interesting place to walk around and observe the local market life. It’s filled with shops selling fresh fruits/vegetables, clothes, souvenirs & cheap local eats.

6. Night Markets

After a day at the temples, stop by the night markets to shop for souvenirs & fill-up on Cambodian street food.

7. Angkor National Museum

Houses ancient Angkorian artifacts and galleries displaying information about the history, art, and culture of the Khmer civilization.

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8. Tonle Sap

Located just 15 kilometers south of Siem Reap, The Tonle Sap is the largest lake in Southeast Asia. Go on a boat ride and visit the floating villages of Chong Khneas or Kampong Phluk.

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9. Beng Mealea & Koh Ker

Enjoy an off-beat adventure to Beng Mealea, the “jungle temple” similar to Ta Prohm sans the crowds, and Koh Ker, a remote Angkorian temple located 130+ kilometers away from Siem Reap city.

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10. Phnom Kulen

Cool off in the dense forest of Phnom Kulen, Cambodia’s most sacred mountain. Take a dip at Kulen Waterfalls and visit temple ruins rarely seen by tourists crowds.

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11. Rolous Temples

You can find the Rolous group of temples 15 kilometers east of the city, along the way to Beng Melea/Koh Ker & Kamphong Phluk. The main sites here are Bakong, Lolei, and Preah Ko. Although not as impressive as the Small Circuit temples, the Rolous group is still worth a visit, especially if you purchased a 3 or 7 day Angkor Pass and you want to make full use of it.

12. Siem Reap countryside

See discounts

Where to go near Siem Reap

1. Phnom Penh

2. Sihanoukville

3. Ho Chi Minh

4. Bangkok

1. Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, is a popular destination for overland travelers following the Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam Indochina trail. Tourists usually go on night buses that depart from Siem Reap around midnight and arrive early morning in Phnom Penh.

Check fares to Phnom Penh

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2. Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s popular beach destination & gateway to the Koh Rong Islands. Night buses from Siem Reap usually take around 10 to 13 hours.

Check fares to Sihanoukville

3. Ho Chi Minh

Night trips are also popular for Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam buses. Buses usually depart Siem Reap from 10 pm to 12 am and arrive in Ho Chi Minh by mid to late afternoon. Of course, there’s also the faster & more convenient option of flying.

Check fares to Ho Chi Minh

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4. Bangkok

It’s also easy to from Siem Reap to Bangkok, Thailand. Bus trips usually depart from Siem Reap at 8 to 9 am and arrive in Bangkok at 4 to 6 pm.

Check fares to Bangkok

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4 Days Siem Reap Itinerary

This 4 days and 3 nights (4D3N) itinerary is designed for travelers who want to see all the major Angkorian temples. This trip is easy to achieve by booking join-in tours.

5 Days Siem Reap Itinerary

This 5 days and 4 nights (5D4N) itinerary includes a custom temple route for Day 2 and Day 3. You’ll need to arrange chartered/private transport and get a 3-day Angkor Pass. The schedule/timings are intended to avoid peak crowds (tourist traffic) at three of the major temples namely: Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm. Day 2 mostly follows the Small Circuit route (with the exception of Ta Prohm) and includes temples found near the north gate of Angkor Thom. On Day 3, you’ll visit temples located beyond the east wall of Angkor Thom. For Day 4 to 5, you can choose any of the suggestions that interest you the most.

Don’t Stop Here

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