10 Min. Read
By now I think its safe to assume that most people know about Angkor Wat and how magnificent it is.
From the countless number of stunning photos on the internet to its popularity from the successful Tomb Raider movie, it’s no wonder why it sees millions of visitors each year.
That being said,
Angkor Wat is definitely not to be missed if ever in Cambodia or even close to Cambodia.
I repeat.
Do NOT miss it.
It is awe-inspiring.
And rightfully so.
As the largest religious monument in the world, this Hindu-Buddhist temple complex is also one of the most beautiful of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
And that’s just ONE temple.
There are over 70 temples within the temple complex area alone and several hundred minor temples in the Cambodian countryside beyond.
Or maybe…
this is your first time hearing about Angkor Wat.
And if that’s the case, don’t you worry.
Cause I’m going to painlessly hit you up with everything you’ll possibly need to know for your first visit to one of the worlds most marvelous structures.
Which is, quite honestly, up there with Machu Picchu and the Pyramids of Giza.
We’ll cover some quick facts, some fresh tips, and a suggested itinerary to get you the most out of your visit.
Cool?
Wat we waitin’ for?
(Only one joke like this. I promise).
Let’s dive right in.
Facts about Angkor Wat
- Angkor Wat means “City of Temples.” Oooooooo.
- It is the largest religious monument in the world.
- The entire complex is 154 square miles (400 square kilometers).
- It was built in the early 12th century and orginally was a Hindu temple before transitioning to a Buddhist temple.
- Angkor Wat is on the Cambodian national flag. And on their beer, for that matter.
- It took 30 years and 5 million tons of sandstone to create Angkor Wat!
- It was abandoned and hidden for around 400 years. (This I found truly amazing.)
Ok.
Let’s Begin.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Angkor Wat and Cambodia in general, is anytime between November – Febuary. During this time, the weather will be a bit cooler with temperatures around 70-85 degrees Farenheit (21-30 degrees Celsius). March through June is generally very hot and humid, while the rainy monsoon season kicks in around July-Ocotber.
How to get to Siem Reap
Although Siem Reap is a very popular destination for people around the world wanting to visit the Angkor Wat temples, its airport, Siem Reap International isn’t exactly a major travel hub, especially for visitors coming from Europe or the Americas. Most likely you would have to fly to one of the major airports nearby, such as Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. From there you can fly to Siem Reap fairly cheaply, depending on the season. I would recommend checking out Skyscanner or Adioso for some of the best prices out there.
Where to Stay
When visiting Angkor Wat, you’ll be staying in Siem Reap, a city in northwestern Cambodia, which today has become a popular tourist destination because of the promixty to the Angkor Temples.
The city itself has an Old French Quarter and has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the area, as well as around the Old Market. It also boasts many hotels, restaurants and resorts, all related to the growing tourism. The city also has a vibrant nightlife with many stores, massage parlors and nightclubs. I would definitely spend at least one night on the town to take advantage of what Siem Reap has to offer. And you can enjoy a lot, as Siem Reap isn’t terribly big.
I would recommend to find a place within the Psar Chaa area (Old Market) as it’s the livlier part of town with alot of bars, restaurants and markets.
The prices for hotels around this area can vary, but you can usually find homestay rooms for around $12-$15 per night. Which is not bad in my book.
For the hostels though…
A bed in a 4 person dorm is going to set you back a whole $2.
Which is one of the cheapest I’ve seen in Asia and great for budget travelers, but most hostels range from $3-$10 per night.
You can easily book accomadation through Agoda or Hostelworld.
Find one that looks good and book in advance, but even if you arrive without a reservation, you won’t have any problem finding a place to lay your head down.
Recommendations
Budget
Onederz Hostel – $8-$10/night (dorm). $26/night (room).
Lub d – $7-$10/night (dorm). $ 26-36/night (room).
Boutique
Kannitha Boutique – $15-$20/night (room).
*Prices vary
Dining
There are many restaurants to choose from in Siem Reap, especially in the Psar Chaa area. A lot of them being family-run restaurants whipping up delicious Cambodian fare with the average price for dishes ranging around $2-$7. That being said, there are also a lot of European and Asian restaurants to be found, along with some interesting French-Khmer fusion restaurants.
But please…
Definitely try the national dish of Cambodia, Fish Amok. Which is steamed coconut fish in banana leaves with coconut milk and curry paste.
It’s Delicious.
Preah Khan Temple
Angkor Wat Opening Hours
The main temple, Angkor Wat, opens up at 5am. and closes at 5:30pm.
The other temples open up at 7:30am. and close at 5:30pm.
What to wear
Visitors must dress modestly when visiting the Temple complex and appropriate attire must be adhered to.
This being:
– Long pants to cover the knees.
-Shirts and/or scarf to cover the shoulders.
-No tank tops, shorts or any revealing clothing.
Currency
The currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel but interestingly enough, US dollars are accepted virtually everywhere. When withdrawing from ATM’S you will receive American dollars as well. Usually when purchasing food & other items, you will be paying in US dollars and the change that you receive in return will be the Cambodian Riel.
Stay saavy though and make sure you’re getting back the correct exchange (mistakes do happen). Currently the exchange rate for the US Dollar to Cambodian Riel is for 4,112.00 Cambodian Riel per $1, but definitely check out the exchange rate upon arrival.
Daily Costs
-Guesthouse Room – $5-10
-Local Meals and Street Food – $1-3
-Tuk-Tuk rides – $1-4
Getting Around
For the days that you’re visiting the temples, I would advise on getting a tuk-tuk driver for the entire day and he’ll take you to & from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat and around the temple grounds for about $25/day. If you don’t hire a driver for an entire day, which is totally fine, you’ll probably spend around that much anyways.
As for getting around Siem Reap, expect to pay about $1-$2 for a five minute ride and around $3 to take you across town. Not too bad at all.
Now.
I must say that I understand that every traveler/tourist has their own time restraints.
I really do.
Some travelers have all the time in the world to explore slowy.
While others may be doing a quick trip and have to get back to work or their regular routine.
But remember that sometimes, delays, accidents, new plans & emergencies do happpen.
And as a long-term world traveler, I am all too familiar with this.
I myself have had to cut certain trips short.
Maybe because of the date of a certain festival in another place was pending and I didn’t time it right.
Or my visa was about to expire.
Or perhaps my dumbass crashed in Laos on the way back from some waterfalls, therefore I couldn’t fully enjoy Luang Prabang and had to cut my experience there short.
Read & Laugh here:
Luang Prabang: Kuang Si Falls and Unfortunate Events
That being said, to come all the way to Cambodia and to see Angkor Wat for “A day” is unadvisable,.
Angkor Wat is simply too big, too historical, too interesting and too magical.
Therefore, if there is anything you can take away from this post it’s this:
Give Yourself Plenty Of Time.
I mean it.
There is much to see.
And although unlikely,
anything can happen while you are traveling, whether near or far.
You know…
The things I mentioned above.
Ta Prohm Temple
Angkor Wat “Boss” Itinerary
Firstly, I would recommend that you purchase your ticket online in advance, especially if you want to catch the main temple at sunrise to get those sweet beautiful shots that you keep seeing on Pintrest. (Be aware that there will be a lot of tourists there doing the same exact thing).
But if you feelin’ like a rebel and don’t buy your ticket in advance, you can buy your admission pass or “Angkor Pass” at the main entrance on the main road to Angkor Wat. And that’s actually what I did.
Prices for Angkor Wat
- 1-day pass: $37
- 3-day pass: $62
- 7-day pass: $72
*As of this moment: With the 1-day pass you have two days to use it. With the 3-day pass you have ten days and with the 7-day you have 30 days.
ok, so for all you jetsetters out there that have only one day to spare to see this magnificent place in our world; here is a good One-Day Itinerary to fullfill all of your Temple Oriented Desires (TOD).
One-Day Itinerary
- Watch the Sunrise over Angkor Wat and explore the grounds
- Visit the large trees and root system taking over at Ta Prohm
- Stop for a quiet lunch
- Visit the giant carved faces at the Banyon Temple
- Visit the peaceful Preah Khan
And what I would recommend…
Three-Day Itinerary
Day 1
- Watch the Sunrise over Angkor Wat and explore the grounds
- Angkor Thom
- Break for lunch
- Pre Rup Temple
- Ta Som Temple
Day 2
- Ta Prohm Temple
- Banyon Temple
- Break for lunch
- Preah Khan
- Banteay Srei
Day 3
- Neak Pean
- East Mebon Temple
- Break for lunch
- Bakong
- Preah Ko
Or… No Temples at all. (Explanation down below.)
I’m done with you.
A word on this Itinerary
Believe me when I say that three days of straight up temples is
ALOT.
I’m for real.
It’s called Temple Fatigue.
And trust me, unless you’re a budding archaeologist or extreme temple nerd, you’ll be pretty tired of seeing temples all day that you’ll want to run AWAY from Angkor Wat by the end of your second day.
This is why I also say that, you’d want to give yourself plenty of time to see this spectacular place and to do it as relaxed and as stress-free as possible. To see the temples at your own leisure and not rushed is key and essential for you to maximize the most enjoyment out of your experience while there.
Therefore, I would even say that if you buy the 3-day pass, go and explore the Temples for the first two days and give yourself a break on the third.
Trust me.
Siem Reap is wonderful in of itself, so go and enjoy the city.
Grab some drinks on a chic rooftop bar. Get a relaxing massage in one of the towns many parlors. Eat a tarantula. (True.) Explore the Old Market for Cambodian delicacies and traditional craft. Or party the night away bar-hopping around with the locals through Siem Reaps’ crazy nightlife.
Anything but Temples.
And for the following day,
if you have the time and are up for it,
explore slowly through any other temples that you may have missed.
I personally stayed in Siem Reap for more than a week, as I also spent alot of time exploring the city itself and doing other activities. But quite honestly, I think a good 4 full days is a good amount of time to enjoy Angkor Wat and the city of Siem Reap.
ALSO.
Keep in mind that these itineraries presented here are merely what I’m suggesting. Feel free to use them more as an outline for you to plan your trip. I highly encourage you to do some research, see what temples you would be interested in seeing and make a plan similar to what is provided here.
We made it.
Whew!
Alright guys and girls, that concludes everything you may need to know about planning your trip to Angkor Wat!
I hope you guys enjoyed the read and if you have any questions or comments or just want to say hi, I’d love to hear from you!
Also, for additional information on tourism in Cambodia check out:
https://www.tourismcambodia.com/
Now book that flight to Cambodia and see for yourself!
(When everything gets back to normal that is).
However sheltered this port 