First time · Siem Reap

First time in Siem Reapក្រុងសៀមរាប

Siem Reap is a sunrise-and-siesta town: Angkor Wat before 08:00, back to the hotel for the middle of the day, Bayon and the town in the late afternoon — and the airport is about 40 km away, so a late landing is the trap.

Everything here is a short version of the Siem Reap guide. Prices and hours are estimates: check before you rely on them.

The honest verdict

The town is small and flat, but the temples are 6–10 km out and the heat is heavy from about 10:00. The trips that go wrong are the ones that fight the sun: noon walks at Angkor, a one-day pass spent on the wrong temple, or a 21:00 landing at an airport that is far from any bed. Four clusters cover a first visit — two in the temples, two in town — with one kept bed.

From the airport

Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI)

Fastest and cheapest: Licensed taxi or hotel car to the door · about 50 min · about KHR 130,000

Typical ride times and fares, 2026 desk estimates (check). Last services and night options are on the gateway page.

Airport-to-bed timings →

How long to stay

2 days: Angkor Wat at sunrise, Bayon and Angkor Thom the next morning
3 days: Four clusters, mornings and late afternoons only
4 days: Four clusters + one farther temple by car + one slow day

Itineraries by length →

Three mistakes to avoid

Angkor temples: shoulders and knees covered, no climbing on fenced structures, no touching carvings.(Survive · red lines)
Heat: water, hat and an AC stop every 60–90 minutes; do not walk Angkor between 11:00 and 15:00 in the hot season.(Survive · safety)
Monks: women do not touch or hand things directly to monks.(Survive · red lines)

Scams and safety →

Money and SIM

Budget day: ៛60,000–120,000 excl. bed (about US$15–30)
Cash: Keep ៛80,000 (about US$20) in small clean notes; withdraw at bank ATMs in daylight and expect a fee.

Money, SIMs and apps →