How to Get to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap — All Transport Options
Angkor Wat is approximately 5.5 kilometres north of Siem Reap city centre and is reached in 15–20 minutes by tuk-tuk, 10–15 minutes by private car, or 30–40 minutes by bicycle. A tuk-tuk is the most popular and practical option for most visitors — expect to pay $20–25 for a full-day hire covering the Small Circuit, which includes Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm. Private cars cost $40–70 per day. Bicycles can be rented from guesthouses and shops in Siem Reap for $3–6 per day.
Getting to Angkor Wat is straightforward — Siem Reap exists almost entirely to serve visitors to the temples, and transport options are abundant, well-organised, and priced for all budgets. The key decision is not whether you can get there, but which mode of transport suits your itinerary, group size, and physical stamina.
Distance and Journey Time from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat
| Transport | Distance | Journey Time | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuk-tuk | 5.5 km | 15–20 min | $20–25/day (full day hire) |
| Private car | 5.5 km | 10–15 min | $40–70/day |
| Bicycle | 5.5 km | 30–40 min | $3–6/day rental |
| Motorbike taxi (moto) | 5.5 km | 15 min | $8–12/day |
| Guided tour | Varies | Varies by operator | From $25/person |
Note: All distances are from the Siem Reap city centre. From the Angkor Ticket Office (on the road to the temples, 4 km from the centre), the main gate of Angkor Wat is approximately 1.5 km further.
Option 1: Tuk-Tuk (Most Popular)
A tuk-tuk is the most popular, most practical, and most atmospheric way to get to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap. A full-day hire costs $20–25 for the Small Circuit (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm) or $25–35 for the Grand Circuit. The driver waits at each temple while you explore and moves you between sites on request. Book through your guesthouse the night before, negotiate at your hotel entrance, or use the Grab app.
A Cambodian tuk-tuk is a covered trailer pulled by a motorbike. It seats 2–4 passengers comfortably, offers an unobstructed view of the surroundings, and provides enough shade to make the inter-temple journeys pleasant. Your driver will wait at each temple while you explore — typically in the shade with other drivers — and will be available whenever you are ready to move on.
Standard tuk-tuk rates (negotiate before you depart):
- Small Circuit (Angkor Wat + Bayon + Ta Prohm + Banteay Kdei): $20–25/day
- Grand Circuit (smaller outer temples): $25–35/day
- Banteay Srei (30 km north, requires a separate trip): $35–45
- Beng Mealea (40 km east): $45–60
How to hire a tuk-tuk:
Most guesthouses and hotels in Siem Reap can arrange a tuk-tuk for you the night before your visit. Alternatively, drivers congregate outside most hotels and along Pub Street in the evenings — agree the itinerary and price clearly before departing. The Grab app (Southeast Asia’s equivalent of Uber) now operates tuk-tuk services in Siem Reap and offers a convenient, fixed-price alternative to negotiating on the street.
Tips for a tuk-tuk hire:
- Agree the full day rate and which temples are included before you leave
- A good tuk-tuk driver knows the park well and can suggest optimal routing to beat crowds
- Drivers typically provide cold water — a welcome touch
- Tip your driver at the end of a good day ($2–5 is appropriate)
Option 2: Private Car
A private air-conditioned car with a driver costs $40–70 per day from Siem Reap. It is the most comfortable option, particularly in the hot season (March–May) or for visitors with mobility limitations. Cars can travel to outlying temples such as Beng Mealea and Koh Ker — where the extra distance on rougher roads makes air conditioning and a comfortable seat significantly more valuable. Not recommended for the sunrise visit, as the experience benefits from the open-air atmosphere of a tuk-tuk.
For groups of 3–5 people, the per-person cost of a private car can be competitive with tuk-tuks, while offering air conditioning and more comfort. For visitors with mobility challenges, a private car is the recommended option — it provides a stable, level boarding point and can pull up closer to temple entrances than a tuk-tuk. See our accessibility guide for more detail.
Option 3: Bicycle
Cycling to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap is a popular and rewarding option for fit, heat-tolerant visitors. The route follows a dedicated cycle path from Pub Street towards the temples — approximately 5.5 km each way on a largely flat road. Bicycles can be rented from guesthouses and bicycle shops in Siem Reap for $3–6 per day. The ride takes 30–40 minutes from the city centre. Cycling within the Angkor Archaeological Park between temples is also permitted and enjoyable on quieter sections of the circuit.
Cycling to Angkor Wat is best suited to visitors visiting in the cooler months (November to February) who are comfortable with significant physical exertion in a warm climate. The 30–40 minute ride to the temple is manageable, but combined with 6–10 km of walking inside the temples and the return journey, it makes for a demanding day. In the hot season (March–May), cycling is not recommended for most visitors.
Bicycle rental: Available from most guesthouses, rental shops on Pub Street and the Old Market area, and specialist cycling tour operators. Standard bicycles rent for $3–5/day; mountain bikes or hybrid bikes for $5–8/day. Check the condition of the brakes and tyres before setting off.
Our dedicated guide to transport inside the park covers cycling routes and in-park transport in more detail.
Option 4: Motorbike Taxi (Moto)
A motorbike taxi — locally called a moto or motodop — is the cheapest way to get to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap, costing $8–12 for a full day. The driver carries you on the back of their motorbike. It is faster than a tuk-tuk and cheaper than a car, but offers no protection from rain, no shade, and is not suitable for groups. Most tourists prefer tuk-tuks for the comfort and conversation, but experienced budget travellers use motos effectively.
Note: tourists are not permitted to ride their own motorbikes or scooters inside the Angkor Archaeological Park.
Option 5: Guided Tour (Recommended for First-Timers)
A guided tour from Siem Reap is the most enriching way to experience Angkor Wat for a first-time visitor. Tours include transport, an expert local guide, and typically cover Angkor Wat plus Bayon and Ta Prohm in a single full day. Prices start from around $25 per person for small group tours and $60–120 for private guided tours. The knowledge a good guide brings to the bas-reliefs, the historical context, and the route optimisation alone is worth the cost premium over a self-guided tuk-tuk visit.
A skilled Cambodian guide does not just translate the carvings — they bring the Khmer Empire to life, explain the cosmological significance of the temple’s design, and know exactly which positions give the best photographs, which sections are currently closed, and how to time your route to avoid peak crowd concentrations.
Available guided tour options include:
Getting to Angkor Wat for Sunrise: Logistics
If you are attending sunrise, the logistics differ slightly from a standard daytime visit.
Timing: Aim to arrive at the north or south reflecting pool by 5:00–5:15 AM. Allow 20 minutes travel time from central Siem Reap, plus time to pass through the ticket checkpoint.
Ticket: Buy your Angkor Pass the afternoon before — the ticket office opens at 4:30 AM, but queues before sunrise can be significant in peak season.
Transport for sunrise: A tuk-tuk is the recommended option. Agree with your driver the night before that you will depart at 4:30–4:45 AM. Most tuk-tuk drivers who serve the temples are very accustomed to this routine. A guided sunrise tour handles all of this automatically.
Darkness: The ride to the temple before sunrise is in darkness. Your tuk-tuk driver will navigate without issue — this is their daily routine. Bring a small torch or use your phone’s flashlight for walking from the car park to the reflecting pool.
How Far is Angkor Wat from Siem Reap International Airport?
Siem Reap International Airport (SAI) is located approximately 7 km from the main Angkor Wat entrance — slightly further than the city centre. From the airport, the journey to the temple takes 20–25 minutes by tuk-tuk or 15–20 minutes by private car. Most visitors arriving at Siem Reap airport proceed to their hotel first before visiting the temples.
For full guidance on getting to Siem Reap by air, bus, or road from across Cambodia and neighbouring countries, see our guide to getting to Siem Reap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Angkor Wat from Siem Reap?
Angkor Wat is approximately 5.5 kilometres north of Siem Reap city centre. The journey by tuk-tuk takes 15–20 minutes. The ticket office, located on Apsara Road between the city and the temple, is 4 km from the city centre and is where you purchase your Angkor Pass before proceeding to the temple.
How much does a tuk-tuk to Angkor Wat cost?
A full-day tuk-tuk hire for the Small Circuit (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm) costs $20–25. The Grand Circuit costs $25–35. For outlying temples further from the main park, prices increase accordingly. Always agree on the price and itinerary before departing.
Can I walk to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. The 5.5 km walk in Cambodia’s heat is taxing before you even begin a full day of temple exploration. Tuk-tuks and bicycles are the practical options for independent visitors.
Is Grab available in Siem Reap?
Yes. Grab operates in Siem Reap and offers a convenient way to book tuk-tuks and cars at fixed prices through the app — useful for avoiding negotiation. PassApp is another local ride-hailing app commonly used in Cambodia.
Can I drive myself to Angkor Wat?
Tourists are not permitted to drive their own motorbikes or vehicles inside the Angkor Archaeological Park. You can drive a car to the park boundary, but once inside you must use the hired transport options available — tuk-tuks, private cars with drivers, or bicycles.
What is the best transport for a group of four?
For groups of four, a tuk-tuk (which comfortably seats four) or a private car are the best options. A tuk-tuk is more atmospheric and nearly as comfortable; a private car offers air conditioning. For a group seeking a guided experience, a private guided tour in an air-conditioned vehicle is the premium option.
