Angkor Wat: The complete Visitor Guide

Timeless stone guardians echo ancient devotion

Angkor Wat stands as a massive stone structure in Cambodia’s Siem Reap region. Built centuries ago, it served as a temple and royal palace complex. The site features tall towers and detailed carvings that show ancient Khmer skill. Surrounding grounds include ponds and walkways leading to main buildings. Visitors see thousands of sculptures depicting myths and daily life from the era. The layout reflects religious beliefs and city planning methods used long ago. Today, it remains a key cultural landmark and popular destination for those interested in history and architecture.

Add to list

Temple in Cambodia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

Safety: 7.0

General Safety:	7
Accessibility:	7

Read details

4/5

In Siem Reap, most young Cambodians working in tourism speak conversational English. Street vendors and hotel staff are generally helpful, though rural visitors may find limited English outside the main tourist zones.

Photography

Highlights Description Getting there Hotels Tips Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Angkor Wat Summary

World-famous for temple architecture. Explore vast temple complexes, climb ancient towers and watch sunrise over jungle ruins.

Opening hours:

Mon-Sun:

05:00 - 17:30

Public website:

www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh

Cambodia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type C Type A: Type C: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Cambodian Riel (KHR) £1 ≈ KHR 5,432.97
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payment options are available in larger cities, particularly in tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted in many establishments, but cash is still preferred. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Cambodia but not mandatory. In restaurants, a 5-10% tip is common. Taxi drivers and hotel staff also appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally permitted, especially in designated areas. However, excessive drinking in public places may be frowned upon.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places, such as restaurants, bars, and public transport.

Khmer New Year (April)	A major festival with national celebrations and events
Pchum Ben (Sept-Oct)	A festival for honouring ancestors, with cultural events and ceremonies

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 119 (Ambulance), 118 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Grab
Other:	Cambodia is famous for the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, vibrant markets, and rich cultural heritage. It is a popular destination for history and adventure enthusiasts.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Angkor Wat, Cambodia

🔥

Jan

🔥

Feb

🔥

Mar

🔥

Apr

🌦️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

⛈️

Oct

🔥

Nov

🔥

Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	March

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Khmer New Year, 13 to 16 April, brings Cambodian visitors, temples are busy and some shops and restaurants close

Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter Angkor Wat, sunrise queues start around 5 am

Don't miss

🌅 Explore sunrise at Angkor Wat's main temple
🏞️ Hike through Ta Prohm ruins, embrace mossy architecture
🍜 Sample street food in Siem Reap night market

You've been here?

Angkor Wat stands as a remarkable example of ancient architecture in Cambodia. Built in the early 12th century it served as a Hindu temple before becoming Buddhist over time. The site covers more than five hundred acres and features intricate carvings that tell stories from mythology and daily life. Visitors can see towering stone structures aligned with precise geometry showing advanced planning skills.

The complex includes several temples surrounded by moats and walls made of sandstone. Each building has its own purpose ranging from religious ceremonies to royal burials. The central tower rises above the rest symbolizing Mount Meru a sacred place in Hindu cosmology. Walking through the grounds reveals bas-reliefs depicting battles and celestial scenes that remain clear despite centuries of exposure.

Angkor Wat attracts people seeking history culture and quiet moments away from busy cities. Early mornings bring soft light over the ruins making photography popular among travelers. Local guides share knowledge about symbolism in carvings and the role temples played in daily life. The site’s layout encourages slow walking allowing time to notice small details like weathered faces or worn steps.

Nearby villages offer markets where craftspeople sell textiles pottery and food. Travelers can try Cambodian meals such as amok or fresh fruit from nearby farms. Conservation work continues to protect the stone from erosion while balancing visitor needs. Angkor Wat remains a living reminder of past achievements inspiring new generations to preserve heritage.

Why travel to Angkor Wat?

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Angkor Wat
2 Banteay Srei
3 Bayon Temple
4 Angkor Thom
5 Srah Srang
6 Phnom Bakheng
7 Ta Prohm
8 Preah Khan
9 Ta Keo

🎡Places for activities

1 Angkor Wat
2 Banteay Srei
3 Angkor Thom
4 Srah Srang
5 Phnom Bakheng
6 Ta Prohm
7 Preah Khan
8 Ta Keo

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Phnom Kulen National Park
2 Kbal Spean
3 Siem Reap River

🛍️Shopping

1 Old Market
2 Angkor Night Market (Entrance B)
3 Artisans Angkor Silk Farm
4 Central Market Street

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Arrive early before crowds; sunrise offers best lighting and fewer visitors.
Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing and bring a hat; the site is hot and requires walking on uneven stone.
Purchase a multi-day pass to avoid daily ticket fees and consider a guided tour for deeper historical context.
Explore lesser-known temples like Ta Prohm at dusk for unique photo opportunities and quieter surroundings.

How to travel to Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is accessible via Siem Reap International Airport (REP), located approximately 6 kilometers northeast of the city center. The airport offers flights from major Southeast Asian hubs and limited international connections. From REP, travelers can hire a taxi, use ride‑hailing services like Grab or take a local bus to reach Siem Reap town, where Angkor Archaeological Park is situated. A one‑hour drive from Siem Reap provides direct access to the temple complex. Public transportation options include shared vans and buses operating between Siem Reap and the temples. Private car rentals are available for those preferring flexible itineraries. The site’s proximity to major regional cities ensures diverse travel accessibility year‑round.

Access summary

From Siem Reap International Airport (REP): Taxi to Angkor Wat 30–45 min.
From Phnom Penh: Bus or train 6–7 hrs; from Bangkok: flight 1 hr, then bus 3 hrs.
By boat from Tonle Sap Lake: 1.5‑2 hrs to Siem Reap town.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay near Angkor Wat

Siem Reap offers a spectrum of lodging that caters to every budget and taste. Budget travelers can find clean, basic rooms in hostels or guesthouses for as little as KHR 40,000 – 80,000 (£7.35 – 14.70) per night, often featuring shared kitchens and free Wi‑Fi. Mid‑range options include boutique hotels and serviced apartments with private bathrooms, air‑conditioning and on‑site dining around KHR 200,000 – 320,000 (£36.74 – 58.79) a night, many of which boast rooftop terraces overlooking the temple complex. Luxury seekers will discover upscale resorts and heritage villas offering spa services, infinity pools and personalized tour packages, typically priced between KHR 600,000 – 1,200,000 (£110.23 – 220.46) per night. The town’s central market area is renowned for its vibrant street‑food scene, making it easy to pair affordable accommodation with local culinary delights.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Pandora Suite D'Angkor

9.6

Sabara Angkor Resort & Spa

8.8

Templation Hotel

9.3

Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa

8.6

Regency Angkor Hotel

8.5

Nita by Vo Luxury Hotel

9.0

Shintana Saya Residence

9.5

Sokhalay Angkor Villa Resort

8.2

Angkor Village Resort & Spa

8.7

Sokha Siem Reap Resort & Convention Center

8.6

Explore more accommodations

Packing recommendations for Angkor Wat

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

Reusable water bottle

👕

Light, breathable clothing

👛

Cash in small denominations

🧕

Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees

🪪

Copies of passport and important documents

Universal travel adaptor

Type A/B/C

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-70 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 70% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to KHR) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Safety information overview

General safety

Siem Reap’s Angkor Wat area remains generally safe for tourists, with low crime rates and well‑patrolled temple grounds. Visitors should stay vigilant against petty theft, avoid isolated backstreets after dark and respect local customs to ensure a secure experience.

Accessibility

Angkor Wat offers limited accessibility: paved walkways and ramps exist in main temples, but uneven stone steps and narrow passages hinder mobility aids. Wheelchair users should plan extra time, bring a guide and avoid peak crowds for safer navigation.