Everything you need to know before you go.
Most visitors need a visa. The easiest option is the e-visa, available online before arrival and valid for 30 days. You can also buy a visa on arrival at Siem Reap airport and major land borders. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
November to February is the dry, cool season and the most popular time. March–May is hot and dusty, while June–October brings lush scenery and fewer crowds, though temple paths can be muddy.
Passes are sold at the official Angkor ticket office and are required for most temples:
Tickets include a photo and must be carried at all times. Some outlying temples charge separately.
The US dollar is the main currency used in Cambodia. Small change under $1 is often given in Cambodian riel. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants, but carry cash for markets, tuk-tuks, and street food.
Tuk-tuks are the classic way to travel between temples and around town. For longer days or remote temples, hire a car with a driver. E-bike and bicycle rentals are great for short explorations.
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Remove hats and shoes when entering sacred spaces. Do not climb on fragile carvings, and ask before photographing monks or worshippers.
Drink bottled or filtered water, use insect repellent, and wear sunscreen. Travel insurance is recommended. Pharmacies in Siem Reap are well stocked, but bring any prescription medications you need.
See our Angkor Temple Passes section above for current 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day pricing. Passes are non-transferable, include a photo taken at the ticket office, and must be shown at every temple entrance.
Arrive at the ticket gate by 4:45–5:00 AM and head straight for the far side of the reflection pools (left of the main causeway) rather than the classic center-pool spot everyone photographs — it's a short walk further but noticeably less crowded. Visiting during the green season (June–October) also thins the crowds, since most tour groups concentrate in the November–February dry season.
Three days covers the highlights comfortably: one day for Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Angkor Thom; one for Ta Prohm and the further-out temples; and one for Siem Reap city, Tonlé Sap, or a rest day. See our 3, 5 & 7-day itineraries for full day-by-day plans.
Yes — sunrise and midday visits feel like different places entirely, and the temple complex is large enough that a single visit only covers a fraction of the carvings and galleries. Many repeat visitors return specifically for a quieter late-afternoon walk once the morning tour groups have left.
Not strictly, but a licensed local guide adds a lot of value for a first visit — the site has very little on-site signage, and the history and symbolism behind the carvings isn't obvious without context. See our tours page for guided options, or explore independently with a good guidebook if you prefer a self-paced visit.
Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the temples — this is enforced, not just a suggestion. Lightweight long trousers or a knee-length skirt, a t-shirt or blouse with sleeves, and closed or sturdy sandals (for uneven stone steps) work well in the heat.
Yes, Siem Reap is generally very safe and welcoming to tourists. Standard precautions apply: watch your belongings in crowded markets, agree on tuk-tuk fares before you set off, and use bottled or filtered water. Petty theft rather than violent crime is the main risk.
Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is about 40–50 minutes from the city center by road. Taxis and hotel pickups are the most common options; many hotels include free airport transfer with a booking. Ride-hailing apps also operate in Siem Reap.
Child-welfare and tourism organizations in Cambodia generally advise against giving cash or gifts directly to children, since it can encourage kids to be pulled out of school and into begging rather than reduce poverty. If you want to help, donating to a reputable local charity or buying from adult-run, community-based businesses (like the ones on our restaurants and hotels pages) puts money into the local economy more sustainably.