Itinerary · Cambodia
How Many Days in Siem Reap? A 4-Day Route
Siem Reap in 4 days: Angkor Wat sunrise, the Bayon and Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean, a Tonle Sap village, plus where to stay and getting around.
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The big picture: two temple days and a morning on the lake
Siem Reap suits 4 to 5 days. This route uses 4 days (3 nights): arrival, a full day at the core Angkor temples, a day out to the far temples in the north-east, and a final morning at a Tonle Sap village before you leave.
The trick is to give each day a different shape. Day 2 runs from dawn to sunset, Day 3 is a long ride out and back, and Day 4 uses only the morning before the airport. That is why a midday rest at your accommodation is built into the plan.
Passes, dress code and etiquette for Angkor Wat itself are covered in the first-visit post, and the sunrise morning has its own post, so this one focuses on the route and transport across all four days.
Day 1: choose your area, sort your pass, dinner in town
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) lies outside town in Sotr Nikum district. The Airport Bus counter is on the left as you exit arrivals; check the official airport information for times and fares. With luggage or a late arrival, a taxi or a car pre-booked through your accommodation takes you door to door. Confirm the fare before you get in.
Once checked in, sort your Angkor pass at the official ticket counter or on the official website/app (angkorenterprise.gov.kh). Check pass types and prices there; a 3-day pass can be used within 7 days, and a 7-day pass within 30 days.
Start with Khmer food around Pub Street, which closes to traffic at night and fills with restaurants and stalls. For a first try, fish amok, fish steamed with coconut milk and spices, is mild, and lok lak, stir-fried marinated beef, is another good pick.
- Pub Street and town centre: first visit, restaurants, nightlife. It can be noisy late.
- Along the Siem Reap River: walk to the main streets while staying a little away from the Pub Street noise.
- North of town (towards Angkor): Angkor Wat is about 6 km from town, so pre-dawn rides are shorter. You'll need a tuk-tuk into town for dinner.
Day 2: Angkor Wat sunrise, Angkor Thom and the Bayon, Ta Prohm, Phnom Bakheng sunset
This is the longest day. Entry to Angkor Wat opens before dawn, so watch sunrise by the moat, explore inside, then head to the Bayon at the heart of the walled royal city of Angkor Thom. The Bayon, crowded with carved stone faces, has fewer crowds and less heat early in the day.
After lunch, go back to your accommodation for a rest. In the afternoon see Ta Prohm, wrapped in massive tree roots, then catch sunset from the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng, looking towards Angkor Wat. Many structures at Ta Prohm are fragile, so follow the signs; Phnom Bakheng involves an uphill walk, so wear good shoes and leave in good time.
Tuk-tuks (remork-moto) are the usual way around today; agree the route and fare before setting off. On a hot day or with family, an air-conditioned taxi hired for the day is easier. Shorts and skirts above the knee and bare shoulders are prohibited in sacred places, so bring light long clothing or a scarf.
Day 3: Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean, then a riverside walk
Banteay Srei, a 10th-century temple about 25 km north-east of the main Angkor group, is famed for its fine carving. Pair it with Kbal Spean, where lingas are carved into the riverbed, as a half- or full-day trip.
Because of the distance, hire a car for this day. An air-conditioned taxi can be hired for a day or more and is easiest for far-flung temples and hot days. Remember not to touch carvings or lean or sit on temple structures.
Back in town by late afternoon, take a walk along the Siem Reap River and finish with a massage. The town centre around the river and Pub Street is easy to cover on foot.
Day 4: a Tonle Sap village in the morning, then the airport
Have a light breakfast of num banh chok (Khmer noodles) or kuy teav, a clear-broth rice noodle soup, at a market or stall, then head to a Tonle Sap village to tour the lake's floating villages by boat.
At Chong Kneas you buy boat tickets at the official office at the pier. Kampong Khleang is about 45 km from town, so allow more time for the round trip. Check fares officially.
Have lunch back in town, then leave plenty of time to reach the airport. Since the airport is outside town, check the shuttle timetable or your pre-booked car time in advance.
One more day: stretching it to 5 days
The guide recommends 4 to 5 days. With a fifth day, the best move is to split the packed Day 2 across two days and take a longer break in the midday heat.
You could also spend the extra day cycling to the quieter corners of the park. Start early to avoid the midday heat and carry plenty of water; the temples are far apart, so walking between them isn't practical.
A longer stay may change which pass suits you. A 3-day pass can be used within 7 days and a 7-day pass within 30 days, so pick on the official site according to how many temple days you plan.
Getting around, budget, when to go and pre-trip checks
For town and evening trips, booking a tuk-tuk or car in a ride-hailing app fixes the fare in advance, so there's no haggling. The riel is Cambodia's currency, but US dollars are also commonly used in towns and tourist areas, so carry small notes for markets and tuk-tuks.
According to the guide, the rainy season usually starts around May and brings frequent rain into the autumn, followed by a dry season that lasts until the next spring, and the turn of the year is relatively cool within the dry season, good for temple walking. Season start dates vary each year, so check the local forecast before you go.
Check your government's current travel advice for Cambodia. Scams, including too-good-to-be-true overseas job offers, have been reported, so turn down offers from strangers. Entry and visa rules can change; check the official e-visa site (evisa.gov.kh) before you travel.
- Budget: about US$30-45 per day (guesthouse, local food, tuk-tuks; Angkor pass extra)
- Mid-range: about US$80-130 per day (mid-range hotel, tuk-tuk hire, restaurants; Angkor pass extra)
- Comfort: about US$250+ per day (resort, car hire, guide; Angkor pass extra)
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FAQ
How many days do I need in Siem Reap?
4 to 5 days works well. In 4 days you can give the core Angkor temples, Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean, and a Tonle Sap village a day each.
How do I get from the airport to town?
The Airport Bus counter is on the left as you exit arrivals. With luggage or a late arrival, a taxi or pre-booked car is easier; check times and fares through official information.
Tuk-tuk or car for the temples?
Tuk-tuks are the usual choice; agree the route and fare before setting off. For far temples like Banteay Srei, hot days or family trips, an air-conditioned taxi hire is easier.
Which Angkor pass should I buy?
Check pass types and prices at the official ticket counter or website/app (angkorenterprise.gov.kh). A 3-day pass can be used within 7 days, and a 7-day pass within 30 days.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Angkor Wat · LBM1948 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Airport taxi rank (Hong Kong International Airport) · Nicolas1981 / CC BY-SA 3.0