Overview
Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument and Cambodia's crown jewel. But the city has much more to offer beyond the temples — a growing food scene, vibrant night market, and easy access to floating villages and countryside.
Angkor Archaeological Park
Temple Pass Prices
| Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-day | $37 | Good for hitting the highlights |
| 3-day | $62 | 3 separate visit days, best value |
| 7-day | $72 | 7 separate visit days within 1 month |
Tip: Buy your pass at the official ticket office or online at angkorenterprise.gov.kh. It's a photo-ID pass — you'll have your picture taken on the spot. Passes purchased after 5pm are valid for sunset that evening plus the following day(s).
Check the expiry printed on your pass. Multi-day passes let you skip days rather than using them consecutively, but Angkor Enterprise has tightened the window in which those days must fall. Guides that promise "3 days spread over 10" may be out of date — the date on your own ticket is the one that counts.
Must-See Temples
- Angkor Wat — The iconic one. Best at sunrise (arrive by 5:00 AM)
- Bayon — The temple with hundreds of smiling stone faces
- Ta Prohm — "Tomb Raider temple" — giant trees growing through the ruins
- Banteay Srei — "Citadel of Women" — the most intricate carvings in Angkor. 25km from main complex
- Preah Khan — Sprawling, atmospheric, fewer crowds
Suggested Itineraries
1-Day: Angkor Wat (sunrise) → Bayon → Ta Prohm → Sunset at Pre Rup
3-Day:
- Day 1: Small Circuit — Angkor Wat, Bayon, Baphuon, Terrace of Elephants, Ta Prohm
- Day 2: Grand Circuit — Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup
- Day 3: Outlying — Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea, Kbal Spean
Hiring a Guide/Driver
- Tuk-tuk driver for the day: $15-20 (they wait while you explore each temple)
- Licensed guide: $35-50/day. Worth it for the history and hidden details
- Book via your hotel or at the ticket office
Getting Around Siem Reap
- Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI): Opened 2023, but it's 45km from town. Budget $10-15 for transport
- In town: Tuk-tuks ($1-3), rented bicycles ($2-3/day), PassApp/Grab
- To temples: Tuk-tuk (full day $15-20), car with driver ($30-40), e-bike rental ($10-15/day)
Pub Street & Night Market
- Pub Street: The main tourist nightlife strip. $0.50 draft beers, loud music, food stalls. Fun but touristy
- Night Market: Adjacent to Pub Street. Handicrafts, silk, souvenirs, street food
- Old Market (Phsar Chas): The real market experience — produce, fish, household goods upstairs, tourist souvenirs downstairs
Beyond the Temples
- Tonle Sap Floating Villages: Kompong Khleang (most authentic, 50km away) or Kampong Phluk (closer, more touristy). Half-day trip, $20-30 per person
- Cambodian Circus (Phare): World-class acrobatic show by former street youth. Must-see. $18-38. Book ahead
- Cooking classes: Half-day Khmer cooking classes from $15-25
- Countryside bicycle tours: Rice paddies, villages, local temples. Half-day from $25
Accommodation
- Budget: $6-15/night (hostel dorms, simple guesthouses)
- Mid-range: $20-50/night (boutique hotels, pools)
- Luxury: $80-300/night (resort hotels near temples)
Most accommodation is concentrated in the town center, within walking distance of Pub Street and the Old Market.
