Angkor Wat Opening Hours — Every Temple, Every Day

One of the most practical questions every Angkor Wat visitor asks is simply: what time does it open? The answer depends on which temple you are visiting — and knowing the differences can significantly shape how you structure your day. This guide gives you the definitive opening and closing times for every major temple in the Angkor Archaeological Park, plus the ticket office, and tips on how to use those hours to your advantage.

Angkor Wat Opening Hours

The early 5:00 AM opening of Angkor Wat is one of the defining features of any visit to the complex. Sunrise over Angkor Wat — when the towers emerge from the morning mist and their reflections appear in the north and south reflecting pools — is among the most celebrated travel experiences in Southeast Asia. To witness it from a good position, arrive by 5:00–5:15 AM during most of the year, and no later than 4:45 AM during peak months (December and January).

After the sunrise crowd disperses around 7:00–7:30 AM, the temple remains open and is excellent for exploration throughout the morning. The best time for photography inside the galleries is between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM, when the light is bright and relatively soft. For a full guide to timing your sunrise visit, see our Angkor Wat sunrise guide.

Opening Hours for Every Major Temple

Note: Hours listed are standard operating hours and may be subject to seasonal adjustment. As of 2026, these hours are current, but always confirm with the official Angkor Enterprise website before your visit if timing is critical.

Ticket Office Opening Hours

If you plan to attend sunrise at Angkor Wat, buying your Angkor Pass the afternoon or evening before is strongly recommended. The ticket office opens at 4:30 AM, but queues before the sunrise rush can stretch to 20–30 minutes during peak season. A pass purchased after 5:00 PM on the previous day is valid from that moment and through the following day — effectively giving you the remainder of the evening plus your full sunrise day.

Tickets are checked at the entrance to each individual temple, not at the park boundary. Your pass includes your photograph (printed on the ticket or embedded in the QR code for digital tickets) and is strictly non-transferable.

For a complete guide to buying tickets — including online purchase, self-service kiosks, and what each pass type covers — see our Angkor Pass guide.

What Time Does Angkor Wat Close?

The late afternoon (3:30 PM to 5:45 PM) is one of the best and most underused windows to visit Angkor Wat. Most tour groups have departed by mid-afternoon, and the low western sun illuminates the main (west-facing) façade in warm amber light — ideal for photographs of the causeway and towers. If you have a multi-day pass, consider splitting your visits: sunrise on one day, late afternoon on another.

Is Angkor Wat Open Every Day?

Yes. The Angkor Archaeological Park and all temples within it are open every day of the year, including Cambodian public holidays, Khmer New Year (typically April), and international holidays. There are no weekly closure days. The only circumstance under which a specific temple might be temporarily closed is ongoing restoration or conservation work — which is managed by APSARA Authority and announced in advance.

Rain does not cause closures. Even during the wet season (May to October), when afternoon rainstorms are frequent, the temples remain open and accessible. Most rain at Angkor falls in concentrated afternoon showers lasting 1–3 hours; mornings are typically clear. See our best time to visit Angkor Wat guide for full seasonal guidance.

Sunrise and Sunset Times at Key Temples

Understanding which temples are best at which time of day helps you plan a more satisfying itinerary.

Best temples for sunrise:

• Angkor Wat (opens 5:00 AM) — the iconic sunrise experience; reflecting pools face east, towers face west, creating the classic silhouette shot
• Srah Srang (opens 5:00 AM) — a sacred lake near Banteay Kdei with a beautiful, less-crowded sunrise reflection
• Pre Rup (opens 6:00 AM) — elevated position gives good views over the surrounding jungle at first light

Best temples for sunset:

• Phnom Bakheng (closes 7:00 PM) — the most popular sunset spot; a hilltop temple with panoramic views over the Angkor plain and a distant view of Angkor Wat; strictly capped at 300 visitors, arrive by 4:00 PM
• Pre Rup (closes 7:00 PM) — a pyramid-style temple with elevated terraces offering excellent sunset views over the jungle, with significantly fewer crowds than Phnom Bakheng
• Phnom Krom (closes 7:00 PM) — a hilltop temple 12 km south of Siem Reap with spectacular views over Tonle Sap Lake at sunset

Best temples for midday visits:

When the overhead light is harsh and temperatures are at their peak (11:00 AM–2:00 PM), prioritise temples with shaded interior galleries:

• Bayon Temple — the shaded face towers and inner galleries are interesting regardless of light
• Ta Prohm — the jungle canopy provides natural shade throughout
• Preah Khan — long corridors and covered walkways make it comfortable in strong sun

How to Make the Most of Angkor’s Opening Hours

Strategy for a 1-day visit:
Start at Angkor Wat for sunrise (5:00 AM), explore the temple until 10:00 AM, then visit Bayon and the Angkor Thom complex (open from 7:30 AM), Ta Prohm in the early afternoon, and finish at Phnom Bakheng for sunset. This uses the full span of hours efficiently. For a detailed minute-by-minute plan, see our Angkor Wat itinerary guide.

Strategy for a 2–3 day visit:
Use your extra days to explore at a relaxed pace — late mornings at outlying temples, rest during the midday heat, and return to your favourite temples in the golden hour. The 3-day pass validity of 10 days gives you excellent scheduling flexibility.

Key timing rule: If you want both a sunrise visit and a Phnom Bakheng sunset, plan those on separate days — or be prepared for an extremely long and tiring day.