How to Get to Angkor Wat in 2025
Angkor Wat is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, a bucket-list destination for travelers in Southeast Asia. If you’re wondering how to get to this ancient wonder, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll show you how to reach Angkor Wat from key cities including Phnom Penh, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as how to easily (and without breaking the bank!) get from Siem Reap Airport to the city center.
Where is Angkor Wat?
Angkor Wat is located just outside the city of Siem Reap, in northwestern Cambodia. It sits at the center of the vast Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans over 400 square kilometers and includes dozens of ancient temples, including Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Thom.
The temple itself is approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from downtown Siem Reap, making it easily accessible by tuk-tuk, taxi, or bicycle. Most travelers use Siem Reap as their base to explore Angkor Wat and the surrounding ruins.
In 2023, Siem Reap began welcoming visitors through the brand-new Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), a significant upgrade from the old airport. Located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of the city, the new airport is Cambodia’s largest and is designed to handle millions of international passengers per year. It connects Siem Reap to major regional hubs like Bangkok, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh City, making it easier than ever to reach Angkor Wat from abroad.
More travel tips & guides you can find here.
How to Get from Siem Reap Airport to City Centre
We flew in from Bangkok, and the flight to Siem Reap took just one hour. Siem Reap now has a brand-new international airport (built to handle the growing number of tourists), but it’s worth noting that it’s quite far from the city center — nearly 50 kilometers. So unless you’re coming from Phnom Penh, chances are you’ll be arriving in Siem Reap by plane.
Once you land at the Siem Reap airport, there are several options to get to city centre, and your accommodation.. The most popular are taxi (using the Grab app, similar to Uber), minivans, official shuttle buses, and tuk-tuks – which I wouldn’t personally recommend for this distance.
A taxi is the fastest option, but it’ll cost you at least $30 or more.
Minivans are slightly cheaper, with rides starting at around $8 per person, but the catch is whether one will be there when you land. This can be a problem if you arrive after 8–9 PM. These vans typically leave as soon as they fill up.
The official airport shuttle bus (which looks more like a van) is the most affordable option. With a price of $8 per person, it turned out to be the best option for us.
You can find the current schedule (updated for 2025) here:
Siem Reap Airport Bus Schedule
You can try book it prior by contacting them on WhatsApp (number is in the photo above), or scan the barcode that is there. Either way I don’t think this reservation will mean much to you because nobody asked us anything when we got onto the bus.
The bus will drop you off in downtown Siem Reap, where you’ll likely find tuk-tuk drivers waiting to take you to your accommodation for $1–2. So, no need to fear tuk-tuks for short distances – I just wouldn’t recommend them for a 50-kilometer journey, due to safety and comfort. But who knows, it might be a good story to tell one day 😊 .
Also, you can check with your hotel to see if they can arrange a transfer for you – prices will likely be similar to taxi prices (30USD) or slightly higher.
If you need an accommodation in Sieam Reap, where you can relax after a long day visiting the temples, I can recommend Bayon Modern Residence. Close to city centre, great breakfast and one of the best hotel pools I’ve ever swam in.
How to Get to Angkor Wat from Phnom Penh
If you’re traveling to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh, the best option is to go by bus. The journey takes around 5 to 6 hours, and we highly recommend booking with Giant Ibis Bus.
Their buses are spacious, you can practically lie back in the seats and they offer Wi-Fi, bottled water, and a croissant during the ride. When we traveled, the price was $17 per person.
There are several departures daily, and buses usually arrive in the center of Siem Reap, from where you can easily reach your accommodation by tuk-tuk or taxi. For comfort, reliability, and safety, Giant Ibis is a top choice among travelers in Cambodia.
If you need a place to stay in Phnom Penh that is close to the bus station (5 minutes on foot) and city center, you can find it here.
How to Get to Angkor Wat from Bangkok
Traveling from Bangkok to Angkor Wat is a popular route, and you have two main options: by plane or overland via bus/minivan and border crossing.
By plane to Angkor Wat from Bangkok
The quickest and most convenient way is to fly from Bangkok to Siem Reap. The flight takes about 1 hour, and several airlines offer daily direct flights – including Bangkok Airways, AirAsia, and Cambodia Angkor Air.
Flights depart from both Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) airports. Usually it will be cheaper to fly from Don Mueang.
Ticket prices range from $50 to $150 USD, depending on the season and how early you book.
We flew from Don Mueang by AirAsia, so I can recommend this airline as we used them extensively on our travels in SEA.
Once you land in Siem Reap, follow one of the transfer options mentioned earlier to get to the city center and then to Angkor Wat.
By bus to Angkor Wat from Bangkok
If you’re on a tight budget or enjoy overland travel, you can go by bus or minivan from Bangkok to Siem Reap.
The total journey takes 7 to 10 hours, depending on traffic and the border-crossing process.
Most buses leave early in the morning and take you through the Poipet border between Thailand and Cambodia.
If you use this option, I can also recommend Giant Ibis Bus. The ticket currently (2025) costs around 44 USD.
How to Get to Angkor Wat from Ho Chi Minh City
Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Angkor Wat is another common route for Southeast Asia travelers. You can get to Siem Reap by plane or by bus with a stopover in Phnom Penh.
By plane to Angkor Wat from Ho Chi Minh
The most efficient option is to fly directly from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. The flight takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Several airlines offer direct flights, including Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, and Lanmei Airlines.
Expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $150 USD, depending on the season and how far in advance you book. This option saves you a full day of travel and border-crossing hassle.
By bus to Angkor Wat from Ho Chi Minh
You can take a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, but note that this journey will take at least 13 to 15 hours and usually includes a stop or transfer in Phnom Penh. This is ideal id you’d like to visit Cambodia’s capital as well.
Typical route:
HCMC → Phnom Penh: 6–7 hours by bus.
Phnom Penh → Siem Reap: another 6 hours by bus.
Again I recommend Giant Ibis (reliable, tourist-friendly, includes visa assistance).
If you go this way, consider spending a night in Phnom Penh before continuing to Siem Reap.
If you need a reliable accommodation to spend the night in Phnom Penh, this hotel is cheap and pretty close to the bus station (5 minutes on foot) and city center. Perfect for a night or two in Phnom Penh, you can find it below:
Getting to Angkor Wat might sound tricky at first, but as you’ve seen, there are plenty of convenient ways to reach this incredible site – whether you’re flying in from Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City, or taking a scenic bus ride from Phnom Penh. With the new Siem Reap airport and reliable transport options, visiting Angkor Wat is more accessible than ever.
No matter how you get there, the journey is absolutely worth it. Angkor Wat is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left – from its massive stone towers to the quiet corners lost in jungle vines.
FAQ: Visiting Angkor Wat in 2025
How much is the Angkor Wat entrance fee in 2025?
The Angkor Pass costs $37 for 1 day, $62 for 3 days, and $72 for 7 days. It's valid for the entire Angkor Archaeological Park, including Bayon and Ta Prohm.
What are the opening hours of Angkor Wat?
Angkor Wat is open daily from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Sunrise visits are popular, so go early if you want a quieter experience.
Do I need a visa to enter Cambodia?
Yes — most travelers need a Cambodian tourist visa. You can apply online for an e-Visa or get one on arrival at land borders and airports. Check visa rules based on your nationality.