Major city · Cambodia
Banteay Chhmarបន្ទាយឆ្មារ
Go only if you want a whole Angkorian temple complex nearly to yourself: 1 night, US$5 entry, no ATMs, electricity 18:00–23:00.Go only if you want a whole Angkorian temple complex nearly to yourself: 1 night, US$5 entry, no ATMs, electricity 6:00 PM–11:00 PM.
Banteay Chhmar is a late-12th-century Jayavarman VII complex with Bayon-style face towers and bas-reliefs, plus nine satellite temples, in a village with no ATMs and no buses. It is reached by taxi from Sisophon, 65 km south. Fewer than a thousand visitors a year: you will likely have the temple to yourself. One night is enough; the temple fee covers multi-day entry to the satellites.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Mar (dry season, road from Sisophon firm)
- avoid Jun–Oct (rain slows the dirt road; some satellites hard to reach)
- Airport
- REP
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Cambodia ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra. Some nationalities can also get a visa on arrival.
- Cambodia ↗Angkor Wat and other active temples enforce a dress code: shoulders and knees covered, or you are turned away at the gate.
- Cambodia ↗US dollars are used for most tourist prices; carry clean, undamaged small notes and some riel for change under one dollar.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Banteay Chhmar117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Banteay Chhmar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?US dollars for hotels, tours and restaurants; riel (KHR, about 4,000 to the dollar) for change and small street purchases.Cambodia-wide
- SIM or eSIMSmart, Cellcard and Metfone sell tourist SIMs at the airports with passport registration; a week of data costs a few dollars.Cambodia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Cambodia-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Round up or leave US$1–2 where no service charge is added.Cambodia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/G. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Cambodia-wide
- SafetyThe village is quiet and the main risk is practical: no ATM, no mains power by day, no English among homestay owners.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, restaurants and at the Angkor ticket office and main temples; squat toilets with a hose or scoop on the road.Cambodia-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire · 119 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany shops close for Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben; government offices close all public holidays; Angkor temples open every day.Cambodia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckREP Siem Reap–Angkor International (No direct transfer; most travellers reach Banteay Chhmar via Sisophon by road, about 3–4 h (check)).
- Getting aroundThe village, the main temple and the homestays are close enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealCBT restaurant lunch or dinnerUS$4
- Street or quick mealCBT restaurant breakfastUS$2
- Beercan from a shopUS$0.50
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk, per dayHired in Sisophon; checkUS$30
- Budget bedCBT homestay room, a night, per roomUS$8
- Mid-range bedCBT homestay room, a night, per roomUS$12
- High-end bedCBT homestay room, a night, per roomUS$16
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$20 · Mid US$35 · High US$60
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- REP Siem Reap–Angkor International (No direct transfer; most travellers reach Banteay Chhmar via Sisophon by road, about 3–4 h (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Aug (19 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Banteay Chhmar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village, the main temple and the homestays are close enough to walk. Most satellite temples are also walkable; the CBT rents bicycles (US$1.50/day). Mebon Baray is 600 m from the CBT office. Pol Pot Baray, 3 km north, is best by moto. There are no buses to Banteay Chhmar.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Banteay Torp Temple
goDoor to door: Half a day
9 km (5.6 mi) south off Hwy 56; by motorbike or taxi, or a kuyon arranged by the CBT for groups5.6 mi (9 km) south off Hwy 56; by motorbike or taxi, or a kuyon arranged by the CBT for groups
Three leaning towers and wall paintings in the nearby pagoda. Bicycles are a poor idea, especially in the rainy season.
Mebon Baray
goDoor to door: 1–2 h
Walk or cycle 600 m from the CBT office
Angkorian reservoir, about 1,000 x 1,500 m, with a temple on the island reachable in the dry season.
Pol Pot Baray (Boeung Cheung Kru)
cautionDoor to door: 1–2 h
3 km (1.9 mi) north; best by moto, possible by bike in the dry season1.9 mi (3 km) north; best by moto, possible by bike in the dry season
Built under the Pol Pot regime; still the villagers' water source. Hard to reach in the rainy season.
Sisophon
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Shared taxi from the taxi stand on Hwy 56, about 1 h in the dry season
Transit hub for Siem Reap, Battambang, Phnom Penh and Poipet; nearest ATM.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
CBT homestays, Banteay Chhmar village
The only sleeping option in the village: 8 homestays, 19 rooms, one double bed each, mosquito nets, no air conditioning. Booked through the CBT; owners do not speak English.
CBT guesthouse rooms
Two guesthouses, 12 rooms total, also booked through the CBT. Slightly more comfort than a homestay.
Tent in the temple compound
Overnight tent stay with lunch, dinner, breakfast and a tour included; booked through the CBT. Priciest option.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$15–25 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$25–45 excl. bed
- High
- US$45+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| CBT homestay room1 × 1 night × US$12 | US$12 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$35 | US$70 |
| Temple entrance fee, covers all satellite temples2 × US$5 · Children under 12 free; good for multi-day entry. | US$10 |
| Shared taxi Sisophon → Banteay Chhmar, one way2 × US$5 · Six passengers per car; pay for two seats for legroom. | US$10 |
| Private taxi Sisophon → Banteay Chhmar, one way1 × US$25 | US$25 |
| Bicycle rental, one day2 × US$2 | US$3 |
| English-speaking CBT guide1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| Ox-cart village tour, 1 h1 × US$10 · Up to 4 people. | US$10 |
| Kuyon (powered tractor) trip1 × US$15 · Up to 10 people; to the barays or Banteay Torp. | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$17 |
| Trip total≈ US$94 per person per day, bed included | US$187 |
One double bed, mosquito net, no air conditioning; book through the CBT.
2026 estimate in US dollars, the usual currency here; riel and baht are also accepted. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| CBT restaurant breakfast | US$2 |
| CBT restaurant lunch or dinner | US$4 |
| Chan Rom Restaurant mealNo menu; look in the pots. | US$1.00–2.50 |
| Market stall snack or rice soup | US$0.50–2 |
| Beer, can from a shop | US$0.50 |
| Motorbike with driver (motodop), per dayHired in Sisophon; check | US$10–12 |
| Tuk-tuk, per dayHired in Sisophon; check | US$30 |
| Self-drive motorbike rental in SisophonGolden Crown Guesthouse; check | US$10/day |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM in Banteay Chhmar; the nearest is in Sisophon. Bring US dollars, riel or baht in cash.
- Electricity runs only 18:00–23:00; bring a torch and a power bank.Electricity runs only 6:00 PM–11:00 PM; bring a torch and a power bank.
- No internet facilities; Smart Mobile 4G is spotty (check).
- Market food stalls start closing around 17:00: eat early or arrange a later meal.
- In 2025 there were border skirmishes along the Cambodian–Thai border; check your government's advice before any leg within 50 km (31 mi) of that border.In 2025 there were border skirmishes along the Cambodian–Thai border; check your government's advice before any leg within 31 mi (50 km) of that border.
- The road from Sisophon is rarely closed, but rainy-season travel takes longer.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
- Ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Banteay Chhmarបន្ទាយឆ្មារ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
សូមជូនខ្ញុំទៅអាសយដ្ឋាននេះPlease take me to this address
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies in Banteay Chhmar; the nearest consular help is in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared taxi Sisophon → Banteay Chhmar: US$5 per person, about 1 h in the dry season
- Private taxi Sisophon → Banteay Chhmar: US$25 per car
- Temple entrance: US$5 per person, multi-day, children under 12 free
Say or show
- សួស្តី — Hello (suostei)
- អរគុណ — Thank you (aw kohn)
- ថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន? — How much is it? (thlai ponman)
- បង្គន់នៅឯណា? — Where is the toilet? (bangkun nov ae na)
- ខ្ញុំចង់បានរបស់នេះ — I would like this (khnhom chong ban robsa nih)
- សូមកុំដាក់ហឹរ — No spicy, please (som kom dak her)
No ATM in the village: carry cash. Electricity only 18:00–23:00.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Banteay Chhmar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar (dry season, road from Sisophon firm) · avoid Jun–Oct (rain slows the dirt road; some satellites hard to reach) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Verify CBT homestay, guesthouse and temple-tent rates and the current temple fee before publishing a price table.
- Field-check the Sisophon taxi stand and shared-taxi fares, plus dry- and rainy-season drive times.
- Confirm Smart Mobile 4G coverage and whether the CBT still lends computers or modems.
- Recheck border-safety advice for the Cambodian–Thai border before any Poipet or Samraong routing.