The Ultimate 3 Day Siem Reap Itinerary

The gateway to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is the second biggest city in Cambodia and the most popular amongst tourists looking to explore the Angkor complex.  After spending 3-weeks traveling through Cambodia and ending in Siem Reap, I must admit – Siem Reap is something special.  With luxury hotels, plenty of bars and restaurants, and a plethora of things to do (not even including Angkor), you could easily spend three days exploring Siem Reap and not get bored.  Here’s my ultimate 3 day Siem Reap itinerary, and everything you need to know about visiting!

 

YOU WILL NEED A VISA TO VISIT CAMBODIA – GET YOURS HERE!

 

How to Get to Siem Reap

 

Flying to Siem Reap

Siem Reap just opened a new, international airport with direct flights from the US and other countries throughout the world.  The airport is called Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (the old airport was called Siem Reap International Airport) and it opened October 16, 2023.  (I’m actually writing this from the new Siem Reap airport on October 21, 2023 and it’s a real treat to be one of the first people in a brand new airport!).

The new airport is located about an hour drive from the city of Siem Reap and you can expect to pay $20+ to get to the city depending on what mode of transportation you take.  (Cars are more expensive than tuk-tuks and a car will run about $30+).  You can have your hotel set you up with a ride beforehand or negotiate with a taxi upon arrival.  You’ll want to make sure that you have cash to pay your driver – Cambodia uses the Riel or USD.  (Your USD cannot be ripped or torn – they are only accepted in perfect condition).

 

BOOK A FLIGHT TO SIEM REAP HERE!

 

Taking a Bus to Siem Reap

If you’re traveling to Siem Reap from another part of Cambodia, the easiest way to arrive is by bus.  The most common routes to take to Siem Reap are from Battambang or from Phnom Penh, although with a little flexibility you can really travel from anywhere in Cambodia.

 

FROM BATTAMBANG TO SIEM REAP

If you’re traveling from Battambang, a bus ride east to Siem Reap will take around three hours, and it’s the cheapest way to get to Siem Reap.  You can book a bus ticket here.

Another way to travel to Siem Reap is by boat.  Although this takes much longer (around six hours), it’s very peaceful and scenic.  You’ll take a ferry across Tonle Sap Lake and through the floating village before reaching Siem Reap.  It is more expensive but it’s a more scenic way to head east.

And lastly, the most convenient way to travel from Battambang to Siem Reap is by private driver.  You can hire a private driver here.

 

If you’re planning to visit Battambang, don’t miss:

• A Complete Battambang Itinerary – Everything You Need to Know About Visiting

 

FROM PHNOM PENH TO SIEM REAP

If you’re traveling from Phnom Penh, a bus ride north to Siem Reap will take around five hours.  This is by far the cheapest way to get to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh.  You can book a bus ticket here.

The most convenient way to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is by private driver.  You can hire a private driver here.

 

If you’re planning to visit Phnom Penh, don’t miss:

• 1 Day Phnom Penh Itinerary

 

BOOK A BUS TICKET TO SIEM REAP HERE!

 

How to Get Around Siem Reap

Siem Reap is pretty easy to get around whether you’re on foot or hailing down a tuk-tuk.  I would recommend downloading the Grab app before arriving (a ride share app), but there are so many tuk-tuks on the streets you can easily waive one down.  Just make sure to negotiate the price before getting in!

If you’re planning to explore the Angkor complex, I would recommend hiring a tuk-tuk for the entire day.  You can either have your hotel set you up with a driver (this will be more expensive as the hotel will charge a fee) or find someone on the street and negotiate your price.  Prices for renting a tuk-tuk for the day range from $20-$35.

 

Where to Stay in Siem Reap

Siem Reap has so many incredible hotels from budget options to luxury options.  My top two recommendations for staying in Siem Reap include…

• Jaya House River Park (read about my stay at Jaya House here!)
• Sabara Angkor Resort

 

For more hotels in Siem Reap, don’t miss:

• 10+ of the Best Hotels in Siem Reap

 

BOOK YOUR STAY IN SIEM REAP HERE!

 

The Best Time to Visit Siem Reap

The most popular time to visit Siem Reap is during the dry season from November-May – with a particular uptick in tourists in January-March.  Rainy season lasts from May-October so if you visit Siem Reap at this time, you might be met with heavy rainfall.  I visited the region in October, at the end of rainy season, and only experienced scattered rainfall.

No matter what time of the year you visit, Cambodia is warm year-round so you won’t be dealing with cold weather.

 

3 Day Siem Reap Itinerary

 

 

BY THE WAY, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING TRAVEL INSURANCE WHEN TRAVELING THROUGH CAMBODIA – GET YOURS HERE!

 

Day 1 in Siem Reap

HIGHLIGHTS:  ANKGOR NATIONAL MUSEUM + APOPO + PUB STREET

When you arrive to Siem Reap, I recommend exploring town first, before heading off to explore the Angkor complex.  By getting a feel for the area and visiting a couple of museums in Siem Reap, you’ll be better able to understand the history and magnificence of Angkor.

Note:  On this day you’ll want to make sure to book your tickets to Angkor so you have them ready for your visit the following day!  I recommend purchasing the 3-day ticket option which you can book online here.

 

MORNING IN SIEM REAP

Start your morning with coffee and breakfast at The Little Red Fox Espresso Cafe.  From here, I suggest visiting the Angkor National Museum where you’ll be able to learn about the history of Khmer civilization and view ancient Angkorian artifacts.  The cost to visit is $12 for adults with the option to pay $5 for an audio guide.  (I don’t personally think the audio guide is necessary).  You can expect to spend around two hours at the museum.

 

AFTERNOON IN SIEM REAP

After learning about the Khmer empire at the Angkor National Museum, make your way to APOPO.  APOPO is a humanitarian de-mining NGO created in Belgium with offices around the world in countries where landmines are still present.  In Siem Reap you can learn about the efforts to de-mine Cambodia and make it safe for children and adults to roam freely around their country.  This is an incredibly eye-opening and informative experience and I highly recommend making a visit.  The cost to enter is $8 and you can expect to spend around an hour.  You will get a tour of the facility and the opportunity to interact with some of the rats who are involved in the de-mining efforts.

Please note, Cambodia is on track to be landmine free by 2025.  At that time, depending on funding, APOPO might shut its doors.

 

EVENING IN SIEM REAP

For dinner, eat at the very delicious Angkor Hand-Pulled Noodles & Dumplings where you can try traditional Cambodian food and dumplings.  (I ate here more than once and loved it every time).

Then make your way towards Pub Street which is an area famous for nightlife.  Even if you don’t plan to stay out all night, you should at least have a walk around to see what Pub Street is all about.

 

Day 2 in Siem Reap

HIGHLIGHTS:  ANGKOR COMPLEX + KHMER COOKING CLASS + PHARE CIRCUS

On your second day in Siem Reap, start your day early and head to Angkor Wat for sunrise.  The temple opens at 5 am and I suggest arriving around that time so you can ensure that you’re getting a good spot for sunrise!  Because you started your day so early, you’ll more than likely be ready to leave the Angkor complex around lunch time.  I suggest participating in a Khmer cooking class and at night, enjoying a show at the Phare Circus!

 

For a complete guide to visiting the Angkor Complex make sure to read:

• What You Need to Know About Visiting Angkor Wat

 

MORNING IN SIEM REAP

Start your day at 4:30 am so that you can arrive to Angkor Wat when it opens at 5 am.  I suggest making sure that you have a tuk-tuk already booked so you’re not wasting time trying to find one in the morning.  (For more information on arriving to Angkor and whether or not you need a guide, read this post).

The Angkor Complex is so much bigger than Angkor Wat (Angkor Wat is just one temple within the complex).  Make sure to visit a few temples in the area.  My recommendation would be…

• Angkor Wat*
• Pass the Tonle Om Gate*
• Bayon Temple*
• Baphoun Temple (walk from Bayon Temple)
• Preah Kahn Temple
• Neak Poan Temple
• Ta Som Temple
• Pre Rup Temple*

(If you’re limited on time, the * indicate the temples that I highly recommend)

 

AFTERNOON IN SIEM REAP

Spend your afternoon learning how to cook traditional Khmer food at a cooking class.  I recommend this class where you’ll be picked up by tuk-tuk and driven out to the Cambodian countryside for a 3-hour cooking class led by a local.  (If the above class doesn’t suite you, check out Cookly for more cooking options with locals).

 

EVENING IN SIEM REAP

One of my favorite things that I did in Siem Reap was attend a one-hour show at The Cambodian Circus.  Phare (the circus), does not utilize animals, instead it features local Khmer people involved in acrobatics and other circus tricks.  There’s a show put on every night and you can purchase tickets ahead of time here.

 

Day 3 in Siem Reap

HIGHLIGHTS:  ANGKOR COMPLEX + CAMBODIAN LANDMINE MUSEUM

On your last day in Siem Reap, head back to the Angkor complex to visit more temples, as well as stop at the Cambodian Landmine Museum to learn more about the impact of landmines in Cambodia.

 

MORNING IN SIEM REAP

On your last day in Siem Reap, make sure to head back to the Angkor complex to visit more of the museums.  I suggest starting around 7 am so that you can enter the first museum when it opens at 7:30 am.  I also recommend adding on the Cambodian Landmine Museum, an NGO opened by a previous child soldier of the Khmer Rouge.  (The Angkor ticket you purchased does not count towards this museum so you will have to pay $5 to visit).

My recommendation for your second day in Angkor would be…

• Ta Prohm Temple
• Banteay Kdei Temple
• Cambodian Landmine Museum
• Banteay Srei Temple

 

AFTERNOON IN SIEM REAP

Once you get back from exploring Angkor grab lunch on Pub Street and end with a sweet treat from Gelato Lab.  The cookie butter gelato from here is to die for!

 

EVENING IN SIEM REAP

On your last night in Siem Reap splurge a bit!  Not only can you find great Cambodian food in Siem Reap, but you can also find delicious foreign restaurants.  Start your night with cocktails at Miss Wong Cocktail Bar.  From their head to Fellini Siem Reap, a truly delicious Italian restaurant.  The wood-fired pizzas here are some of the best pizza I’ve ever had.

 

IF YOU HAVE EXTRA TIME TO SPEND, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A DAY TRIP TO BATTAMBANG – BOOK AN EXCURSION HERE!

 

Essential Cambodia – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Cambodia

 

Visiting Siem Reap was truly a highlight of Cambodia for me.  I hope that this 3 day Siem Reap itinerary helps you get the most of your stay in the north of Cambodia.  If you have any questions about this area, let me know in a comment below!

 

If you’re planning to travel throughout Cambodia, don’t miss:

• The Ultimate 10 Day Cambodia Itinerary
• The Ultimate Cambodia Packing List
• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Cambodia
• 10 of the Best Things to do in Kampot, Cambodia

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Siem Reap, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppincambodia” or under my highlights for “Cambodia”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Cambodia” highlight

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