Siem Reap and Angkor Wat: travel guide from the Netherlands
More than 200 Khmer temples, the most famous sunrise in the world and a vibrant food scene. Siem Reap is reachable via Bangkok or Singapore, with a total journey of around 14 hours.
✈️ Plan your trip to Siem Reap →
Satdeep Gill / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated on 4 September 2026
| Flight route | AMS → Bangkok → Siem Reap (REP) |
| Flight time | approx. 11h15 AMS-BKK + 1h BKK-REP |
| Return from | approx. EUR 850 |
| Best months | November, December, January, February |
| Summer temp. | 32-38 degrees |
| Winter temp. | 28-32 degrees |
| Ideal stay | 7 to 10 days |
| Language | Khmer; English widely spoken |
| Currency | Cambodian riel + USD |
| Visa | E-visa or on arrival (30 days, USD 30) |
When is the best time to visit Siem Reap?
The dry season from November to February is ideal: temperatures of 28 to 32 degrees, little rain and clear mornings for the famous Angkor Wat sunrise. March and April are the hottest months (up to 38 degrees), but the temples are less crowded. The rainy season from May to October brings green rice fields and low prices, but also daily downpours and sometimes thick mist at the temples.
Flights are cheapest during the Asian low season (May-July). For the most popular periods (December/January), book 3 to 4 months in advance.
Best neighbourhoods in Siem Reap
- Pub Street area (centre) The tourist heart with restaurants, bars and massage parlours. Walking distance from the night market. Hotels here are convenient but noisy.
- Old French Quarter (Phsar Chas) The historic centre with colonial architecture, local market and authentic eateries. Quieter than Pub Street, 10 minutes' walk away.
- Sala Kamreuk The upscale neighbourhood north of the centre with boutique hotels, spas and quiet streets. Ideal for those wanting peace without being far from the sights.
- Angkor Village Close to the temples, popular for early Angkor visitors (no traffic at sunrise). Higher hotel prices, fewer restaurants.
- Wat Damnak area Local neighbourhood to the southeast with authentic restaurants and a growing expat food scene around local NGOs.
Top sights in Siem Reap with real prices
Angkor Wat and the temple complex
The world's largest religious monument (162 hectares) is unmissable. A day pass (Angkor Pass) costs USD 37, a 3-day pass USD 62 and a week pass USD 72. The pass gives access to more than 50 temples including Bayon and Ta Prohm.
Arrive before 5:30 for the sunrise, avoid 9:00-14:00 (busiest hours). A tuk-tuk round trip from the centre costs approximately USD 15-25 per day for the full temple circuit.
Bayon Temple (included in Angkor Pass)
The temple with 216 smiling Buddha faces, located in Angkor Thom. Included in the Angkor Pass. Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the best light on the stone faces. Combine with the Baphuon temple and Phimeanakas in the same Angkor Thom complex.
Ta Prohm: the Tomb Raider jungle temple
The famous temple being swallowed by the jungle, intertwined with giant tree roots. Included in the Angkor Pass. Visit in the afternoon when there are fewer day-tour groups. Come on weekdays for a quieter experience.
Angkor National Museum
The modern museum about Khmer civilisation with a thousand Buddha statues and interactive displays. Admission: USD 12, audio guide (multiple languages) USD 5 extra. Open daily 8:30-18:00. Ideal for rainy afternoons or as a cultural introduction before the temples.
Phare, The Cambodian Circus
A unique circus performance by Cambodian youth combining circus arts with dance, music and theatre. Tickets: USD 18-38 (children 5-11 years USD 10-18). Every evening at 20:00, approximately 1 hour. Revenue goes to the social organisation behind the circus. Book in advance via the website.
Kampong Phluk Floating Village
A floating fishing village on the Tonle Sap lake, 16 km south of Siem Reap. Boat tour: USD 25 per person. Visit in the rainy season (Jun-Nov) when the lake is at high water for the most impressive view of houses on tall stilts. In the dry season, the lake level is lower.
Getting around Siem Reap
In the centre of Siem Reap, you get around by tuk-tuk. A ride within the city costs about USD 1. For a day tour around the Angkor temples (Small Circuit), you pay USD 15-25 for a full tuk-tuk, covering all the main temples. Larger groups can save money by splitting a tuk-tuk (USD 5-8 per person).
From Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (opened October 2023, 50 km east of the city), a transfer service or taxi to the centre costs approximately USD 15-25. From the old airport (5 km from centre, now limited flights), a tuk-tuk costs USD 3-5.
Rent a bicycle or e-bike (USD 3-6 per day) for temples within short distance, or a motor scooter (USD 10-15/day). Watch for traffic near the temples during morning peak hours.
Food and drink in Siem Reap
Cambodian cuisine revolves around rice, noodles, coconut milk and fresh herbs. Try Amok (fish or chicken steamed in banana leaf with coconut curry), Loc Lac (stir-fried beef with pepper-lime sauce) and Nom Banh Chok (rice noodles with fish curry, a popular breakfast at local markets). A plate at a local eatery costs 2,000-5,000 riel (USD 0.50-1.25). Restaurant meals on Pub Street: USD 4-10.
Good spots: My Little Cafe (local Khmer dishes, approx. USD 3), Molop Wat Damnak (organic Khmer cuisine, from USD 3), Cuisine Wat Damnak (French-Cambodian fusion, USD 19-26), Peace Cafe (vegetarian, USD 5-8 incl. drink). Cheap beers at Pub Street Beergarden for USD 0.50 a glass.
Insider tips for Siem Reap
Sunrise at Angkor Wat: the most famous in Asia. Wake up at 5:00, arrive at the temple by 5:30. In the dry season (Nov-Feb), you'll see the temple towers reflected in the pond. Come on a weekday for fewer tourists. In the rainy season, expect pink-cloud sunrises above the towers.
APOPO Visitor Centre: one of the most impressive visits in Cambodia. A demining organisation that trains rats to detect landmines. Admission USD 5-10; guided tours every half hour from 8:30-16:30. Revenue goes directly to demining work in Cambodia.
Avoid plastic bag drinks: bring a reusable bottle and refill at water stations (available almost everywhere, USD 0.25 per litre). Cambodia has a significant plastic problem; reducing waste here makes a real difference.
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Frequently asked questions about Siem Reap
When is the best time to visit Siem Reap?
November to February: 28-32 degrees, almost no rain and clear mornings for the Angkor Wat sunrise. March and April are the hottest (up to 38 degrees). The rainy season (May-October) is cheaper but brings daily downpours.
How do I travel from the Netherlands to Siem Reap?
Via Bangkok with KLM (AMS-BKK direct, 11h15) and then a domestic flight to Siem Reap (REP, approx. 1 hour) with Thai AirAsia or Bangkok Airways. Or via Singapore with Singapore Airlines. Total journey time approximately 14-16 hours.
What does Angkor temple entry cost?
An Angkor Pass costs USD 37 for 1 day, USD 62 for 3 days or USD 72 for 7 days. The pass gives access to more than 50 temples including Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm. Children up to age 11 are free.
How do I get around Siem Reap?
By tuk-tuk: approx. USD 1 per ride in the city. For a day around the Angkor temples, pay USD 15-25 for a full tuk-tuk (or USD 5-8 per person with several travellers). Renting a bicycle costs USD 3-6 per day.
What is a realistic daily budget for Siem Reap?
Budget traveller: approx. USD 40-60 per day (hostel, local food, tuk-tuk, no expensive attractions). Mid-range: USD 80-120 (hotel, restaurant dinners, Angkor Pass spread over days). Comfort: USD 150 and above. A full week with flights realistically costs EUR 1,800-2,500 per person.
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