How to Plan a Temple Itinerary at Angkor
With over 100 temples spread across 400 km², planning your Angkor itinerary can be overwhelming. The key is choosing the right temples for your time, avoiding the worst crowds, and sequencing your visits for the best light.
How do I Plan a Temple Itinerary at Angkor?
1 day: Angkor Wat (sunrise), Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei. 2 days: add Beng Mealea, Preah Khan, Pre Rup (sunset). 3 days: add floating village, Phare Circus, and deeper exploration. Start every day at sunrise for fewer crowds and better light.
Choose your pass duration
1-day ($37): see the Big Three only. 3-day ($62): comfortable pace, add outlying temples. 7-day ($72): deep exploration. The 3-day pass is the best value for most visitors — valid for any 3 days within 10 days.
💡 Buy your pass after 5 PM for a free sunset at Phnom Bakheng. Your pass activates the next morning.
Plan the Small Circuit (Day 1)
Sunrise at Angkor Wat → explore Angkor Wat (2 hours) → Angkor Thom/Bayon (1.5 hours) → Ta Prohm (1 hour) → lunch break → Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda (45 min) → Pre Rup sunset.
Plan the Grand Circuit (Day 2)
Sunrise at Srah Srang lake → Banteay Srei (1.5 hours) → Kbal Spean river carvings (2 hours round-trip hike) → afternoon: Preah Khan (1 hour) → Neak Pean (30 min) → sunset at Phnom Bakheng.
Plan outlying temples (Day 3)
Beng Mealea (day trip, 68km east, $5 separate ticket) — the most atmospheric jungle temple. Or Koh Ker (pyramid temple, 120km). Both are separate from the Angkor Pass.
💡 Beng Mealea + countryside lunch + floating village makes a perfect Day 3 away from the main complex.
Hire the right transport
Tuk-tuk: $15–$20/day for the main circuits. Private car with AC: $30–$40/day (essential for outlying temples). Bicycle: $3–$5/day if fit (25–30km per day). E-bike: $10–$15/day (best of both worlds).
💡 An e-bike (electric bicycle) gives you freedom of a bike with zero fatigue. Rent from shops near Old Market.
💰 Costs
| 1-day Angkor Pass | $37 |
| 3-day Angkor Pass | $62 |
| 7-day Angkor Pass | $72 |
| Tuk-tuk (per day) | $15–$20 |
| Private car with AC (per day) | $30–$40 |
💡 Tips
- • Visit Angkor Wat at sunrise (spectacular) or 2–4 PM (crowds thin, warm light).
- • Avoid 10 AM–2 PM at any temple — peak heat and peak crowds.
- • Dress code enforced: knees and shoulders covered. Bring a scarf for quick cover-ups.
- • Carry 2L of water minimum — temple walking is exhausting in 35°C heat.
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