Getting to Cambodia’s ancient temples of Angkor is simple from Bangkok — and once you’re there, a couple of days is all you need to see the highlights. Here’s every way to make the journey.
Getting To Angkor Wat From Bangkok: Your Options At A Glance
- Fly direct — fastest and easiest, about 1 hour in the air. Check Bangkok to Siem Reap flights on 12go.
- Fly Bangkok to Phnom Penh, bus to Siem Reap — good if you want to see the capital too. Check Bangkok to Phnom Penh flights on 12go.
- Overland bus — cheapest option, longer journey. Check Bangkok to Siem Reap bus times and prices on 12go.
✈️ Flying To Angkor Wat
By far the easiest way to get to Angkor Wat from Bangkok is to fly. The new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (airport code: SAI) opened in October 2023, replacing the old airport (REP, now closed). Check Bangkok to Siem Reap flights on 12go to find the best prices for your dates.
Bangkok’s main airport code is BKK (Suvarnabhumi) or DMK (Don Mueang). The flight takes around 1 hour 10 minutes. Note that the new airport is about 45–50 km from Siem Reap town, so budget roughly an hour for the transfer to your hotel.
🛫 Airlines Flying Bangkok To Siem Reap
There are now more options than ever on this route. Thai AirAsia is generally the cheapest, flying from Don Mueang (DMK). Bangkok Airways flies from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and tends to be a little pricier but slicker. Thai Airways and Emirates (as part of a Dubai–Bangkok–Siem Reap routing) have also joined the route. Compare prices for your dates and book online here.
There are also direct international flights to Siem Reap from many other countries — check Skyscanner for details.
🚖 Getting From The Airport To Siem Reap Town
With the airport sitting around 45–50 km out, you’ll want to sort your transfer in advance. The easiest option is to pre-book a taxi from Siem Reap Angkor International Airport to your hotel — private taxis start from around $35 USD. There’s also a shuttle bus service for around $8 per person if you’re on a budget, dropping you near the Old Market area in town.
🛂 Cambodia eVisa
You’ll need to apply for a Cambodian eVisa before you fly. See the official government website for details and current fees.
🛫 Bangkok To Phnom Penh, Then Bus To Siem Reap
Worth considering if you want to see the capital as well as the temples. Check Bangkok to Phnom Penh flights on 12go — spend a couple of days in the city, then take the bus north to Siem Reap. I wrote about my own weekend in Phnom Penh if you want ideas on what to see.
🚌 Overland: Bus From Bangkok To Siem Reap
The budget option. Buses cross into Cambodia at the border town of Poipet, and the roads on the Cambodian side have improved significantly in recent years, making the journey far more bearable than it used to be. Check Bangkok to Siem Reap bus departure times, prices and book tickets online here.
🏛️ What To See At Angkor
Once you’re there, you’ll want to make every hour count. Have a read of my Brief Guide to Angkor Wat, Cambodia — it’s in three parts and covers the best temples to see, a bit of history, and all the practical details. For a quicker reference, my Angkor: Essential Temples To See page gives you the highlights fast, and if you want something truly off the beaten track, don’t miss Beng Mealea — The Lost Temple Of Angkor.
While you’re planning, it’s also worth a look at Angkor Thailand — Khmer-period temples right inside Thailand that are stunning and far less crowded.
FCC Angkor hotel and garden, Siem Reap, Cambodia © chris @travelhappy.info
🏨 Where To Stay In Siem Reap
Siem Reap has accommodation at every price point, from rock-bottom guesthouses to a glut of big international five-stars. Booking.com has a solid range of Siem Reap hotels you can book online.
A personal favourite is the FCC Angkor — now part of the Avani chain after a change of ownership. Not the priciest of Siem Reap’s luxury options, but one of the classiest. You can book the FCC Angkor at Booking.com or via Agoda.com. Even if you don’t stay there, it’s worth stopping by the FCC to enjoy the garden and terrace bar.
📖 More On Temples In Thailand, Cambodia & Burma
- Angkor, Bagan, Sukhothai — The Legacy: Part 1 – Sukhothai — Part 2: Angkor — Part 3: Bagan
- The Temple Of A Million Beer Bottles — Wat Lan Khaud
- Sukhothai: Thailand’s Own Angkor Wat
- Essential Temples Of Sukhothai
- Essential Temples of Angkor
- Essential Temples of Bagan
- Angkor Wat — A Brief Guide
- Angkor Wat To Bangkok
- Beng Mealea — The Lost Temple Of Angkor
