Siem Reap—pronounced seem rrip—is a capital city located in the province of Siem Reap in the northwestern Kingdom of Cambodia. Its name is derived from the words Siam Defeated, which points to a period in its history where it defeated the people of Siam—present day Thailand.

It is the gateway to the Angkor Archeological Site, a series of 9th to 15th century Khmer temple architecture that’s inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, including the famous Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

The area is a favorite backpacking destination for tourists around the world due to its number of historic temples and thriving night life. The fact that a stay in the area is inexpensive is a bonus.

This Siem Reap travel guide is for both new and returning travelers to the city. The area has so much to offer, that unless one is staying for weeks on end, you probably won’t be able to cover all the temples in the province. A travel itinerary is also provided for on the last part, flexible for both short and long stays.

SIEM REAP TRAVEL GUIDE WHAT’S INSIDE? • How To Get To Siem Reap • Getting Around Siem Reap • Siem Reap Tours • Siem Reap Money • Speak Siem Reap • Where To Stay In Siem Reap • Where To Eat In Siem Reap • What To See & Do In Siem Reap • What To Buy In Siem Reap • Siem Reap Tourist Spot Map • Siem Reap Sample Itinerary

HOW TO GET TO SIEM REAP

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From the Philippines, Cebu Pacific Air has the only direct flight available to Siem Reap. For this reason, flights are quite expensive. An alternative way to travel to Siem Reap is through the Kuala Lumpur hub. Three airlines fly to KL from Manila, where you can save a bit especially during seat sales.

►CHECK FOR THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT TO SIEM REAP

METRO MANILA TO SIEM REAP BY PLANE ○ 2:45 HOURS ○ FARE
● CEBU PACIFIC AIR - (02) 7020-888 
Flies directly, three times weekly, to Siem Reap, Cambodia


METRO MANILA TO SIEM REAP VIA KUALA LUMPUR BY PLANE ○ 6 HOURS +/- ○ FARE
● AIRASIA - (02) 742-2742
Flies daily to Kuala Lumpur (3 hours, 45 minutes) > Daily flights from KL to Siem Reap (2 hours)
● CEBU PACIFIC - (02) 7020-888 
Flies daily to Kuala Lumpur (3 hours, 45 minutes)
● MALAYSIA AIRLINES - (02) 887-3215 | (02) 889-2347 | (02) 843-6674
Flies daily to Kuala Lumpur (3 hours, 45 minutes) > Daily flights from KL to Siem Reap (2 hours)

GETTING AROUND SIEM REAP

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The most common mode of transportation in Siem Reap is the tuk-tuk. It’s a bit like the Philippine calesa, but instead of a horse pulling the carriage out back, it’s a motorcycle. It can comfortably seat four individuals.

Most tourists, especially those on a tight budget prefer renting a bicycle for about 1.00 to 5.00 USD. Renting motorbikes or motorcycles to foreigners are prohibited. The Angkor Archeological Site is near enough that cycling to it can be a pretty good and enjoyable alternative.
►BOOK A SIEM REAP BUS, FERRY, PRIVATE TRANSFER, FLIGHT ONLINE

SIEM REAP TOURS

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Most lodgings in Siem Reap offer tuk-tuk tours around the Angkor Area. During my first and second visit to Siem Reap, I availed of tours from Happy Guesthouse (40.00 USD for three days), which included the tuk-tuk, driver and gas. I’ve also tried a tour from Angkor Travelplus using a van for far off temples, and it was also good. Most drivers has a basic grasp of the English language, so communication isn’t really much of a problem.

►BOOK TOURS IN SIEM REAP ONLINE

SIEM REAP MONEY

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Riel is Cambodia’s official denomination, although it is interesting how most people in Siem Reap uses US dollars as much as riel. One of the reasons may be due to the weak value of the local currency—with 1.00 USD amounting to about 4,000.00 KHR. It’s not uncommon to use both currencies when transacting, dollars for the larger amount and riel for the change. ATM’s in Siem Reap dispenses both riels and dollars.
PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA

SPEAK SIEM REAP

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Khmer is the national language of the Cambodian people—which are also called Khmer, by the way. Most young locals I met have a basic understanding of the English language compared to the older generations. The language barrier is quite thick in the region, especially on the non-touristy areas.

 

Thank You – Aw-koon
Good Morning – Arunn Sous-dey
Good Afternoon – Tiveah Sous-dey
Good Evening – Sayoan Sous-dey
How Much? – Tlay Bonmaan?
Cheers! – Choul Mouy!

WHERE TO STAY IN SIEM REAP

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Siem Reap has a multitude of lodgings for all type of travelers. Along the National Road 6 are the huge, high end hotels; while the backpacker district can be found along Wat Bo and the Old Market Area. An overnight stay can be as low as 6.00 USD and can be as high as hundreds of dollars—everything depends on your budget and taste.

ANGKOR TROPICAL RESORT

Address: National Highway 6, Phsa Leu Road, Siem Reap
Contact Number: (+855) 12-453-723
Email: booking@angkortropicalresort.com
GPS Coordinates: 13.361472, 103.877889
BOU SAVY GUESTHOUSE

Address: Rd. 6, Salakanseng Vill., Svay Dangkum Commune
Contact Number: (855) 12-898-627
Email: services@bousavyguesthouse.com
GPS Coordinates: 13.365306, 103.854306
PHOTO BY SOLOFLIGHTED
HAPPY ANGKOR GUESTHOUSE

Address: Wat Bo Village, Salakamroeuk Commune
Contact Number: (855) 12-960-879 | (855) 63-963-815
Email: info@happyangkorguesthouse.com
GPS Coordinates: 13.359722, 103.862139
VICTORY GUESTHOUSE

Address: Road 6 Taphoul Village, Svaydungkom Commune
Contact Number: (855) 12-516-566
Email: info@victoryguesthouse.com
GPS Coordinates: 13.363917, 103.853083
PHOTO FROM AGODA

1920 HOTEL (HOTEL ATELIER)

Address: Street 9, Phum Mondul 1, Sangkat Svay Dungkum
Contact Number: (855) 11-448-838  
GPS Coordinates: 13.354456, 103.856256
ANGKOR PANORAMIC BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Address: Phum Wat Bo, Sala Kamreuok, Central Area
Contact Number: (855) 63-900-023
Email: info@claremontangkorhotel.com
GPS Coordinates: 13.357361, 103.859333
PHOTO FROM AGODA
REE HOTEL

Address: National Highway 6, Phum Krous Sangkat Svay Dangkom
Contact Number: (855) 63-766-888
Email: online@reehotel.com
GPS Coordinates: 13.375647, 103.837107
THE PRIVELEGE BOUTIQUE

Address: National Road 6, Banteay Chas, Siem Reap
Contact Number: (855) 63-969-300
Email: info@privilegefloor.com
GPS Coordinates:13.359639, 103.866639
PHOTO FROM AGODA

AMATAO TROPICAL RESIDENCE

Address: Svay Prey Village Rd, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Contact Number: (855) 12-590-645
Email: gm@amatao.com
GPS Coordinates: 13.336583, 103.829944
PHOTO FROM AGODA
RAFFLES GRAND HOTEL D'ANGKOR

Address: 1 Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Khum Svay Dang Kum
Contact Number: (855) 63-963-888
Email: siemreap@raffles.com
GPS Coordinates: 13.364778, 103.859917
PHOTO FROM AGODA
SOKHA ANGKOR RESORT

Address: National Road 6 & Sivatha Street Junction
Contact Number: (855) 63-969-999
Email: reservations.sr@sokhahotels.com
GPS Coordinates: 13.364222, 103.856194
VICTORIA ANGKOR RESORT & SPA

Address: Sivatha Road, Siem Reap
Contact Number: (855) 63-760-428
Email: resa@victoriaangkorhotel.com
GPS Coordinates: 13.363593, 103.857431

• COMPLETE LIST OF LODGINGS IN SIEM REAP •

WHERE TO EAT IN SIEM REAP

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Khmer cuisine can be found everywhere in Siem Reap and they’re quite easy on the wallet too. Unlike its neighboring countries, local Cambodian dishes are generally not spicy. And since most Cambodians are Buddhist, pork can be found on most restaurants. Pub Street along the Old Market Area has a good variety of restaurants serving both Khmer and western dishes. Just don’t expect any McDonald’s or Starbucks Coffee here, the only western fast food joints in Siem Reap are KFC and Burger King.

►BOOK FOOD TOURS IN SIEM REAP

ANGKOR WHAT? BAR
Type: Bar
Address: Pub Street, Old Market Area, Siem Reap, Cambodia
GPS Coordinates: 13.354778, 103.854889

KHMER KITCHEN RESTAURANT
Type: Khmer Food
Address: Old Market Area, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Contact Number: (855) 77-688-677
GPS Coordinates: 13.354000, 103.854389
KOULEN RESTAURANT
Type: Khmer Food
Address: Street 02, Sivatha Rd, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Contact Number: (855) 92-630-090
GPS Coordinates: 13.362056, 103.856389
PHOTO BY MARK JULIUS ESTUR
LUCKY SHABU HOUSE
Type: Shabu Shabu, Buffet
Address: 3rd Floor, Lucky Mall, Sivatha Road, Siem Reap, Cambodia  
GPS Coordinates: 13.362083, 103.855472
PHOTO BY DOI DOMASIAN
PHSAR LEU MARKET SIEM REAP
Type: Khmer Food
Address: National Highway 6, Phsa Leu Road, Siem Reap, Cambodia
GPS Coordinates: 13.359972, 103.874611
THE YELLOW SUB
Type: Bar, Burgers, Salads, Khmer Food
Address: 9A The Lane, Siem Reap, Siemreab-Otdar Meanchey, Cambodia
Contact Number: (855) 88-665-5335
GPS Coordinates: 13.355194, 103.854583
PHOTO BY KARA SANTOS

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN SIEM REAP

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There are over a thousand temples in and around the Angkor area in Siem Reap. You can just imagine how overwhelming it is to see everything—probably near impossible in my estimation. The tours in Siem Reap are generally categorized into three parts; the Angkor Tour, the Little Circuit Tour, the Big Circuit Tour, the Roluos Group Tour, and the Tonle Sap Lake Tour. The Angkor and the Little Circuit can be combined in a day, so are the Roluos Group and the Tonle Sap Lake tour.

Besides those, there are still other temples on the outskirts and outside the city that one can visit. The most notable of these are the Beng Mealea and the Koh Ker temples. North of the city, one can find the Phnom Kulen National Park. It has two waterfalls and a number of small Angkorian temples in various states of ruin.

Before going on a tour, make sure to drop by the APSARA (Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap) office. Your tuk-tuk driver will take you there, en route to your first tour, to get a Temple Pass. Without this, you wouldn’t be able to enter any temple in the area. They have three kinds of passes, a one-day pass (37.00 USD), three-day pass (62.00 USD) and a seven-day pass (72.00 USD).

►BOOK TOURS IN SIEM REAP

ANGKOR WAT
Address: Angkor Wat, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.412472, 103.866083

BAPHUON
Address: Angkor Thom, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.443750, 103.856194
BAYON
Address: Angkor Thom, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.441306, 103.859000
ELEPHANT TERRACE
Address: Angkor Thom, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.446111, 103.858778
PHOTO BY FROM WIKI
PHIMEANAKAS
Address: Angkor Thom, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.412500, 103.866667
PHNOM BAKHENG
Address: Angkor Thom, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.424194, 103.856000
PHOTO BY FROM WIKI
TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING
Address: Angkor Thom, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.447556, 103.858944

BANTEAY SAMRE
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.446667, 103.920000
PHOTO FROM WIKI
EAST MEBON
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.446667, 103.920000
PHOTO FROM WIKI
NEAK PEAN
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.463528, 103.894778
PREAH KHAN
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.461944, 103.871583
PRE RUP
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.435028, 103.920500
TA SOM
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.464444, 103.912778

BANTEAY KDEI
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.429722, 103.898333
PRASAT KRAVAN
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.419722, 103.899722
PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA
SRAH SRANG
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 13.431000, 103.906708
TA KEO
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.444694, 103.882000
PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA
TA PROHM
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.434917, 103.889361

BAKONG
Address: Roluos, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.335972, 103.974556
LOLEI
Address: Roluos, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.352750, 103.973917
PREAH KO
Address: Roluos, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.344056, 103.973139

KOMPONG PHLUK FLOATING VILLAGE
Address: Stoeng Tahas, Tonle Sap Lake, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: 25.00 USD 
Lolei GPS Coordinates Map: 13.209806, 103.973611
FLOODED FOREST
Address: Stoeng Tahas, Tonle Sap Lake, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: 5.00 USD
GPS Coordinates: 13.203417, 103.974028
PHNOM KROM
Address: Tonle Sap Lake, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.285472, 103.812333
PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA
TONLE SAP LAKE
Address: Tonle Sap Lake, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 13.184582, 103.833317

BANTEAY SREI
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.598917, 103.963278
BENG MEALEA
Address: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.476389, 104.238333
KBAL SPEAN
Address: Kulen Hills, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: Temple Pass
GPS Coordinates: 13.708361, 104.025583
PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA
KOH KER
Address: Srayong Cheung Village, Srayong Commune, Kulen District
Entrance Fee: 10.00 USD
GPS Coordinates: 13.783167, 104.537722

ANGKOR NATIONAL MUSEUM
Address: Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Khrum 6, Khom Svaydangum
Entrance Fee: 12.00 USD
Contact Number: (855) 63-966-601
GPS Coordinates: 13.366611, 103.859889
PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA
OLD MARKET
Address: Old Market Street, Siem Reap
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Coordinates: 13.353521, 103.855910
PREAH PROM RATH PAGODA
Address: Pokambor Ave., Siem Reap
Entrance Fee: Free
Contact Number: (855) 12-327-655
GPS Coordinates: 13.354990, 103.856919
PUB STREET
Address: Street 8 (Pub Street), Siem Reap
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Coordinates: 13.354834, 103.854783
SIEM REAP RIVER
Address: Siem Reap
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Coordinates: 13.361909, 103.860250  


PHNOM KULEN NATIONAL PARK
Address: Svay Leu District, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance Fee: 20.00 USD
GPS Coordinates: 13.643667, 104.146667
PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA

WHAT TO BUY IN SIEM REAP

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For souvenirs to bring back home, the best place to shop is at the Old Market Area in Siem Reap. Here you can find all the usual knick knacks tourists just love to buy; fridge magnets, key chains, shirts, carvings, antiques, and what-nots. Be sure to haggle, as most stores expect you to.

►BOOK A SIEM REAP SHOPPING TOUR

KRAMA SCARVES
Where to Buy: Old Market Area
Address: Old Market Area, Siem Reap, Cambodia     
   
KHMER ART
Where to Buy: Temples / Old Market Area
Address: Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
PAPAYA BEST T-SHIRTS
Where to Buy: Papaya Best T-Shirt Clothes and Souvenirs
Address: Between Hard Rock Cafe & Hip Hop Club, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Contact Number: (855) 63-963-812
SOMBAI RICE WINE BOTTLE
Where to Buy: Around Siem Reap
Address: 176 Sombai Road, Salakamreuk Village & Commune, Siem Reap
Contact Number: (855) 95-810-890
TOURIST SOUVENIRS
Where to Buy: Old Market Area, Temples
Address: Old Market Area, Siem Reap, Cambodia

SIEM REAP TOURIST SPOTS MAP

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SIEM REAP SAMPLE ITINERARY

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A two-day weekend tour of Siem Reap is possible, although you’d really barely scratch Angkor’s massive surface. It would be ideal if you can spend at least three full days exploring the area. That way, you get to see the lake, the smaller temples, and the major Angkor temples. If you have more days to spend, you can either visit the far temples outside the city or simply leisurely spread your temple visits, it is easy to get templed-out while exploring Siem Reap, what with the number of temples you visit each day.

If it were up to me, and I have a week or two around Siem Reap, I’d bike around and simply visit one or two temples a day—finishing up at Pub Street every night, of course.

This Siem Reap itinerary is very packed, you’d probably find yourself very tired and sick of temples at the end of each day. I purposely started from the minor temples, building up the major ones. In my experience, once you see Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, you won’t appreciate the other smaller temples as much.

And of course, each tour days can be switched over or omitted, the temples switched between tours (check the map for easier planning) depending on how long you’re staying in Siem Reap.

DAY 1
Depart Manila (or KL) very early in the morning
Morning arrival
Check in at hotel and breakfast
Buy Temple Pass with your tuk-tuk driver
Explore Tonle Sap Lake
   - Kompong Phluk Floating Village
   - Flooded Forest
   - Tonle Sap Lake
   - Lunch at floating restaurant (optional)
Visit Roluos Group of temples
   - Lolei
   - Preah Ko
   - Bakong
Buy souvenirs at the Old Market Area
Dinner & drinks at Pub Street

DAY 2
Breakfast
Big Circuit Tour
   - Pre Rup
   - East Mebon
   - Ta Som
   - Lunch
   - Neak Pean
   - Preah Khan
   - Banteay Samre (optional)
Dinner & drinks at Pub Street

DAY 3
Angkor + Small Circuit Tour
   - Angkor Wat Sunrise
   - Breakfast 
   - Srah Srang
   - Banteay Kdei
   - Ta Prohm
   - Lunch
   - Angkor Thom
        - Terrace of the Leper King
        - Elephant Terrace
        - Phimeanakas
        - Baphuon
        - Bayon
        - Phnom Bakheng Sunset
   - Prasat Kravan (optional)
   - Ta Keo (optional)
Dinner & drinks at Pub Street

DAY 4
Breakfast
Tuk-tuk to Airport  PLANE TO MANILA - END OF 4-DAY ITINERARY

SIEM REAP TRAVEL TRAVEL BLOG, GUIDE, EXPENSES, MAP, & ITINERARY
FEBRUARY 23, 2022