Travelers have heard of the ancient wonder of Cambodia, but where exactly is Angkor Wat? What do you need to visit?
Fortunately, visiting Angkor Wat no longer requires a machete with machete blows, although there are still some temples to recover from the jungle. Instead, modern travelers can enjoy some good food and nightlife in Siem Reap before setting out on expeditions.
In addition to travelers in Southeast Asia and archeology enthusiasts, it is surprising how many people do not know the location of Angkor Wat. The impressive ruins that make up the world’s largest religious monument don’t get as much global attention as they should.
Angkor Wat wasn’t even on the list of the 7 New Wonders of the World as voted on by the internet in 2007. The temples clearly deserved a spot on the list and can stand their ground against the likes of Machu Picchu and others.
The ancient ruins of the Khmer empire are the main reason travelers visit Cambodia – more than two million people crawl across the UNESCO World Heritage site each year. Angkor Wat even appears on the Cambodian flag.
The location of Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is located in Cambodia, just 3.7 miles (six kilometers) north of Siem Reap, a popular resort town and the usual base for visiting Angkor Wat.
The main Angkor Wat site is spread over 402 acres, but Khmer ruins are scattered across Cambodia. Every year new sites are discovered under the jungle foliage.
How to get to Angkor Wat
To get to Angkor Wat, you will need to arrive in Siem Reap (by bus, train, or plane), find accommodation, and make an early start to the ruins the next day.
The main site of Angkor Wat is close enough to Siem Reap to be reached by bike. For those less enthusiastic about cycling in the sticky Cambodian heat, take a tuk-tuk or hire an experienced driver to help you between the temples.
Experienced scooter travelers can grab a map, rent a motorcycle, and brave Cambodian roads between temple sites. Obviously this option offers the most flexibility, but you will have to drive with some tenacity.
Volando a Angkor Wat
Siem Reap International Airport (airport code: REP) is connected to South Korea, China, and major hubs throughout Southeast Asia, including Bangkok. AirAsia operates flights to and from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For the short distance covered, flights to Siem Reap tend to be expensive. Anyway, flying allows you to avoid some rough roads and a bunch of scams that plague overland travelers.
The airport is located approximately 7 km from the center of Siem Reap. Exclusive hotels offer free airport transportation, or you can take a flat-rate taxi for around US $ 7. Siem Reap has a busy tourist infrastructure – getting around isn’t a problem, but you’ll need to constantly be on the lookout for scams.
Go overland from Bangkok to Angkor Wat
Although the geographical distance from Bangkok to Siem Reap is not far, the overland journey is more exhausting than it should be.
Dishonest bus companies, taxi scams, and even the possibility of corrupt immigration officials overcharging for your visa add challenges to the otherwise easy journey. Fortunately, the legendary road between Bangkok and Siem Reap has resurfaced and offers a much smoother ride than before.
The bus from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet on the Thai side of the border takes around five hours, depending on traffic. Bangkok traffic can slow you down, depending on the departure time.
In Aranyaprathet, you will need to take a taxi or tuk-tuk a short distance from the actual border with Cambodia. Clearing immigration at the border could take a while, depending on how busy they are. At all costs, avoid getting stuck in the area and being forced into a nearby guesthouse when the border closes at 10 p.m. These guesthouses obviously cater to desperate travelers and are made worse by wear and tear.
After crossing into Poipet, the border town on the Cambodian side, you will have to take a bus or taxi to Siem Reap; There are many variable cost transportation options.
Siem Reap bus scams
Most of the direct buses and minibuses offered to backpackers from Khao San Road to Siem Reap are riddled with scams. In reality, the entire border crossing experience is an elaborate multi-part scam involving transportation, exchange fees, and the Cambodian visa.
Some buses are even known to conveniently “break down”, forcing you to spend a night in an expensive guesthouse until the border reopens in the morning. The options for resorting are quite slim when you are next to a jungle path.
Many bus companies stop before the actual border at an office or restaurant. They then force travelers to pay for a visa application (free at the actual border). If you find yourself in this situation, firmly establish that you will wait until the border to apply for a visa yourself.
Entrance fees to Angkor Wat
Being a UNESCO World Heritage site and being run by a private for-profit company significantly increases the cost of entry to Angkor Wat. Unfortunately, much of the money is not returned to Cambodia. Most of the restoration of the temple is funded by international organizations.
With so many remote temples away from the main tourist site and ruins to see, chances are you’ll want at least a three-day pass to fully appreciate the monument without rushing too much.
Entrance fees for Angkor Wat increased dramatically in 2017. Ticket counters now accept all major credit cards other than American Express.
- Day pass: US $ 37
- Three-day pass: US $ 62
- Seven-day pass: US $ 72
Tip: You must dress conservatively when purchasing your ticket; cover shoulders and knees. Whatever you do, don’t lose your pass! The penalties for not being able to show it when asked are high.
Hire a guide for Angkor Wat
As always, there are pros and cons to exploring Angkor Wat with a guide or on a tour. Although you will probably learn more on an organized tour, finding the magic of the place in a group setting is not that easy. You may want to stay longer in some places.
The ideal scenario is to have enough days at Angkor Wat so that you can hire a freelance guide for a day (guide fees are relatively cheap) and then return to your favorite spots to enjoy them without someone rushing you.
Technically, the guides are supposed to be officially licensed, but there are plenty of rogue guides to intercept business. To be safe, hire someone recommended by your accommodation or through a travel agency.
Obtain a visa for Cambodia
Visitors to Cambodia must obtain a travel visa prior to entering (an online e-visa is available) or upon arrival at Siem Reap airport. If you are traveling by land, you can obtain a visa upon arrival when crossing the border.
A fee of US $ 30 is charged; Prices are in US dollars. Paying for the Cambodian visa in US dollars works best in your favor. Corrupt officials will ask for more money through simulated exchange rates if you try to pay with Thai baht or euros. Try to pay exactly; the change will be provided on the Cambodian rails also at a low rate of return.
Tip: Immigration officials look at US dollars. Only new, crisp bills are accepted. Any invoice with breakages or defects can be rejected.
You will need one or two passport size photos (different entry points have different policies) for the visa application. A tourist visa is generally valid for 30 days and can be extended once.
You can get an e-visa for Cambodia electronically before arrival, however, there is an additional US $6 processing charge and you will need a digital passport-sized photo for the online application. Processing time is three days, then you are emailed the e-visa in a PDF file to print.
If you thought the scams in Thailand were annoying, wait until you get closer to Cambodia! The border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia are rife with petty scams that target new arrivals. Many scams center around the visa process and which currency you use to pay. But don’t become jaded: traveling Cambodia becomes far more enjoyable once you distance yourself from the border!
The Best Time to Visit Angkor Wat
The climate in Cambodia quite well follows the usual climate in Southeast Asia: hot and dry or hot and humid. Moisture is often thick – plan to sweat and rehydrate frequently.
The best months to visit Angkor Wat are from December to February. After that, the heat and humidity builds until the rainy season begins sometime in May. You can definitely visit and travel during the monsoon season, although walking in the rain to see outdoor temples is not that pleasant.
