How to Visit Angkor Wat Like a World Traveler

I will be honest with you, there are not that many places on earth that can leave me speechless. But Angkor Wat is one of them for sure. Standing in front of those towering spires as the morning light colours the sky makes you feel like you are not just ticking off a tourist spot from your bucket list. You feel like you are part of something much bigger. Visiting Angkor Wat is not just about seeing an ancient temple, it’s about experiencing the Cambodian culture and spirituality. So let me show you how to visit Angkor Wat like a world traveler.

In order for you to truly take it all in you need more than a rushed day trip. I will tell you about everything that I learned from my own visits, from how to get there, how to get around, what to expect and most importantly how to enjoy it all as a world traveler.

Getting to Angkor Wat

If you are visiting Angkor Wat then you will most likely stay in Siem Reap, the lively gateway city to the Angkor Archaeological Park. Luckily, it’s well-connected.

• By air: Most travelers fly into Siem Reap International Airport (REP). It’s a 50-minute drive from the center of town. Direct flights connect from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and even some long-haul destinations.
• By bus: If you’re already in Cambodia (say, Phnom Penh), you can hop on a bus or minivan to Siem Reap. It’s about 6–7 hours, depending on the company and the roads. Not the most glamorous option, but affordable and a chance to see more of the countryside.

Getting Around Siem Reap

Siem Reap is not that compact but it is easy to navigate. The real question is: how to visit Angkor Wat and how will you get around the dozens of surrounding temples?

• Tuk-tuks: The classic way. A tuk-tuk driver will take you around for the day, usually with a set itinerary. Bargain beforehand and expect to pay around $15–25 per day.
• Bicycles: If you’re active and want to explore at your own pace, renting a bike is affordable and fun. Just remember, the temples are spread out and some rides can be long and hot.
• Guided tours: If history fascinates you, having a guide is worth it. They can tell you stories hidden in the carvings you’d otherwise miss.

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Where to Stay When Visiting Angkor Wat

There are plenty of options to choose from for your stay in Siem Reap. So every kind of traveler can find the perfect place, starting with a shared room in an apartment to more luxurious stays.

Budget-Friendly Options

If you’re traveling light, there are plenty of budget hostels and guesthouses scattered around the city center. You’ll find charming little stays where breakfast is often included, and you’ll meet fellow backpackers ready to swap temple-hopping stories.

My Preferred Way to Stay

But if you know me, you know I love to balance adventure with a touch of indulgence. When I’m in Cambodia, I choose a resort stay. You can choose the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort which is pure elegance with lush gardens and a colonial style design. Or Angkor Village Hotel – Small Luxury Hotels of the World that has a pool that feels like an oasis, being the kind of place where you feel pampered after long days.

And then there’s MY FAVOURITE : TUI Blue Angkor Grace Wellness Resort. This one is a personal love. It’s designed not just as a resort, but as a retreat for your body and soul. The spa here is divine. I always make time for a massage after a full day of exploring, letting my muscles relax while soft Khmer music hums in the background. The gardens are perfect for finding a quiet corner to meditate, breathe, and connect with the slower rhythm of Siem Reap. For me, this calmness is just as much part of the journey as the temples themselves.

Start your morning with breakfast at Grace Café. You are going to have a feast: a generous buffet filled with fresh tropical fruits, local Khmer and international dishes, and options for vegans or vegetarians. You can attend a yoga class or go to the gym (Meru Fitness). It is not only about machines, there’s an authentic Kun Khmer & boxing ring, so you can work out with some martial arts, or choose something gentler when you prefer.

After a long day visiting the temples you can enjoy a magical experience at sunset: sound healing sessions in the Amazing Grace Sound Temple, where crystal singing bowls, gongs and tuning tones wash over you, carrying off the day’s tension. For me, this calmness is just as much part of the journey as the temples themselves.

Best Time to Visit Angkor Wat

Timing is everything when it comes to Angkor.

• Dry season (November–March): This is the sweet spot. Pleasant weather, clear skies, and cooler mornings make exploring more enjoyable. Of course, it’s also the busiest time.
• Hot season (April–May): Prepare for soaring temperatures. If you can handle the heat, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds.
• Wet season (June–October): The temples look stunning against lush greenery, and the moats fill beautifully. Just pack an umbrella and waterproof shoes.

Angkor Wat at a Glance

How to Visit Angkor Wat

Now let’s talk about the heart of it all, the temples themselves.

How Many Days Do You Need in Angkor Wat?

I can tell you something for sure, one day simply doesn’t cut it. At minimum, plan two days to cover the major temples: Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm. Each one deserves time, and you don’t want to rush the experience.

If you have three to four days, you can dive deeper into the smaller, less-visited temples like Banteay Srei or Preah Khan. These places often feel even more magical because they’re quieter.

Tickets & Passes for Angkor

You’ll need to buy an Angkor Pass before entering. Your options are:

• 1-day pass: $37
• 3-day pass: $62
• 7-day pass: $72

You can buy your pass before, and I actually recommend that, because you need to upload some information and a photo. And if you don’t have it, you will need to do that in the morning of your visit and it will take you a couple of minutes to do that at the ticket office and believe me when I say that if you are there for the sunset experience the last thing you want to do is wait in line at 4:30 A.M.

TraveI Tip Customs to Respect

Speak quietly inside the temple areas and don’t forget that the place is still a sacred one, so don’t climb or jump between the ruins.

The Experience of visiting Angkor Wat

Walking through Angkor Wat is like stepping into another world. One moment you’re passing through towering gateways carved with faces, the next you’re lost in the jungle as tree roots wrap around crumbling stone walls.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat is the showstopper, of course. Yes, it’s crowded, but when the sun peeks over the temple and paints the reflection in the lotus pond, you’ll forget everyone around you.

Bayon Temple, with its 200+ carved faces, feels almost alive. Walking among them is surreal. As a bonus there’re plenty of monkeys to see playing around.

But my favorite moments were the quieter ones, like sitting in the shade of an ancient wall, watching monks in saffron robes walk by, or hearing nothing but cicadas while wandering through ruins.

Ta Prohm, often called the “Tomb Raider temple,” is my favorite for wandering. Enormous tree roots twist around crumbling walls, as if nature is reclaiming the stones. It feels wild, untamed, and cinematic.

Don’t Miss Siem Reap

It is important to know how to visit Angkor Wat and the main temples, since they are the ones that steal the spotlight, but don’t rush off without exploring Siem Reap itself.

The city is full of charm: lively markets, hidden cafés, river walks, and local art galleries. By night, Pub Street lights up with music and food stalls, while side streets reveal cozy wine bars and Khmer restaurants. It’s the perfect place to unwind after days of temple hopping.

Final Thoughts

Visiting Angkor Wat is more than just a trip, it’s an experience that stays with you. Take your time, respect the traditions, and allow yourself to feel the magic of Cambodia. Whether you’re biking between temples, meditating in a resort garden, or wandering the colorful streets of Siem Reap, this journey is one of those rare ones that makes you feel like a true world traveler.