Question: Where is Angkor Wat?

Answer:

Angkor Wat is located in Cambodia, just 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) north of Siem Reap, a popular tourist town.

You'll need to arrive into Siem Reap, find accommodation, and get an early start on Angkor Wat the following day. You can rent a bicycle to ride to the temple yourself, catch a tuk-tuk, or hire a knowledgeable driver for the day. Guides must be official and licensed, so hire someone recommended through your accommodation or a travel agency.

• See 20 interesting Angkor Wat facts before you go!
• Read all about visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
• Learn the best times to visit Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat Entrance Fees

Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as managed by a private company adds to the entrance cost at Angkor Wat. With so many remote temples away from the main tourist site and ruins to see, you'll most likely want at least a three-day pass to fully appreciate the monument without rushing around too much.

• One-day pass: US $20
• Three-day pass: US $40
• Seven-day pass: US $60

Visa for Cambodia

Visitors to Cambodia need to get a travel visa either before they enter or upon arrival at the airport in Siem Reap, or if traveling overland, at the border crossing. A fee of US $20 is charged; paying for the Cambodian visa in US dollars is best. An old scam, authorities ask for more money when you attempt to pay with Thai baht.

Tip: US dollars are highly scrutinized by immigration officials and only crisp, new banknotes are accepted. Any bills with tears or defects may be rejected.

You will need one or two passport-sized photos (different entry points have different policies) for the visa application. A tourist visa is typically good for 30 days and can be extended one time.

You can get an E-visa for Cambodia electronically before arrival, however, there is an additional processing charge and you will need a digital passport-sized photo for the online application.

The border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia are rife with petty scams that target new arrivals. Be mindful, don't talk to touts no matter how friendly they appear, and the quicker you get away from the border the better! See more about avoiding scams in Asia.

Getting There

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.

The airport is around 4.3 miles from the center of Siem Reap. Nicer hotels offer free airport shuttles or you can take a fixed-rate taxi for US $7.

• See more about what to expect after arriving in Asia.

From Bangkok to Angkor Wat

While the quick flight between Bangkok and Siem Reap is overpriced for the short distance, it does allow you to avoid running a gauntlet of scams between Bangkok and Angkor Wat. Overpriced buses, taxis, and even the potential to be overcharged for your visa by corrupt immigration officials make the otherwise-easy trip more difficult than it should be. Fortunately, the legendary, spine-rattling road between Bangkok and Siem Reap was resurfaced in 2006 and offers a much smoother ride.

Tip: A majority of the direct buses and minibuses offered to backpackers from Khao San Road to Siem Reap are scams. Some have even been known to conveniently 'break down' so that you are forced to spend a night in an expensive guesthouse until the border reopens in the morning.

The bus from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet on the Thai side of the border takes around five hours, depending on traffic.

In Aranyaphet, you will need to take a taxi or tuk-tuk a short distance to the actual border with Cambodia. Clearing immigration at the border could take a while, depending upon how busy they are. At all costs avoid being 'stuck' in the area and forced to an overpriced guesthouse when the border closes at 8 p.m.

After crossing into Poipet, the border town on the Cambodian side, you'll have to get a bus or taxi onward to Siem Reap; there are many transportation options of varying cost.