Angkor Wat is one of Cambodia's most iconic sites, but it is not located in Phnom Penh. To understand how to go to Angkor Wat from Phnom Penh, you first need to reach Siem Reap, the city located near the Angkor Archaeological Park, and then continue to the temples. Several options are available depending on your budget, time, and preferred level of comfort: bus, minivan, private car, or plane. For a first visit, it is generally preferable to plan a few nights in Siem Reap rather than attempting a round trip in the same day. The Cambodia travel company - Autour Asia can also help you design a suitable itinerary, especially if Angkor Wat is part of a wider trip in Cambodia.
The first thing to remember is that how to get to Angkor Wat from Phnom Penh actually involves two stages: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Angkor Wat. To organize this journey under the best possible conditions, the Cambodia travel company - Autour Asia can help travelers choose the right transportation and organize the different stages.
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are approximately 230 to 320 km apart, depending on the route and mode of transport. By road, the journey generally takes between 5 hours 30 minutes and 7 hours 30 minutes. Siem Reap is the main gateway to the temples of Angkor and should therefore be considered a genuine stop on your trip.
Once in Siem Reap, you will still need to arrange a transfer to the archaeological park. To make the most of your visit, we recommend staying at least two nights in the city. This allows you to arrive without rushing, visit Angkor early the following day, and avoid an overly tiring schedule.
The bus is the simplest solution for how to go to Angkor Wat from Phnom Penh when budget is a priority. Several daily departures connect Phnom Penh with Siem Reap, with a journey of approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes depending on the service and traffic conditions. Fares start at around $9 and vary depending on the company and level of comfort.
The minivan is slightly faster in some cases, with a journey generally taking between 5 hours 30 minutes and 6 hours. Tickets start at around $9 to $10, but legroom and luggage space may be more limited than on a standard bus.
This option is particularly suitable for solo travelers, couples, and budget-conscious travelers. For families with young children, however, it may be more comfortable to choose a private car.
For families or groups, a private car is often the most comfortable solution for how to get to Angkor Wat. The journey between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap generally takes around 5 to 6 hours, depending on traffic and stops. Indicative fares are around $60 to $80 per vehicle for certain services, but may vary depending on the type of car and services included.
The main advantage is flexibility. You can choose your departure time, request a break if necessary, and travel directly with your luggage. For families, this flexibility is particularly valuable, as it allows the journey to be adapted to the children's pace.
A private car is also an interesting option when several people are traveling together: since the price is calculated per vehicle, the cost per person can become more affordable than it initially appears.
Taking a plane is the fastest solution for how to go to Angkor Wat from Phnom Penh, but you need to calculate the total travel time carefully. The flight between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap takes less than an hour, but you also need to add transfers to the airports, check-in time, and the journey to central Siem Reap.
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is approximately 50 km from Angkor Wat, which means that you will then need a road transfer.
Flying is therefore mainly interesting for travelers who have very little time or want to avoid several hours on the road. For a trip of several days in Cambodia, the bus or private car may offer a better balance between time, cost, and comfort.
The best way to get to Angkor Wat mainly depends on your traveler profile.
Mode of transport | Travel time to Siem Reap | Indicative budget | Ideal for |
Bus | 5h30 - 7h30 | From $9 | Budget travelers |
Minivan | 5h30 - 6h | From $9 | Couples and small groups |
Private car | Approximately 5 - 6 h | Approximately $60 - $80 / vehicle | Families |
Plane | Less than 1 hour flight | Variable | Travelers in a hurry |
Prices are indicative and may vary depending on the date, company, type of vehicle, and booking conditions. In 2026, buses and minivans remain the least expensive options, while private cars offer greater comfort and flexibility.
Our advice: choose the bus or minivan to keep expenses under control, a private car for comfortable family travel, and a plane if your absolute priority is to save time.
After traveling to Angkor Wat from Phnom Penh via Siem Reap, the final part of the journey is much easier. From the city center, visitors can reach the temples by tuk-tuk, car with a driver, or as part of an organized excursion.
The tuk-tuk is particularly popular for visiting Angkor. It makes it easy to travel between the different temples while enjoying the open air. For families with young children or travelers looking for greater comfort, an air-conditioned car with a driver may be preferable.
For a first visit, it is also worth booking a local guide. They can explain the history of the temples, their architecture, and the different periods of Khmer civilization.
If you want to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat, plan to leave Siem Reap very early. Staying overnight in the city makes this much easier to organize.
Wanting to get to Angkor Wat from Phnom Penh without allowing enough time in Siem Reap would be a shame. The archaeological park is vast and includes much more than the famous Angkor Wat.
For a first visit, two to three nights in Siem Reap is a comfortable length of stay. One day can be dedicated to the main highlights: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, and Ta Prohm. A second day can then be used to discover other temples at a more relaxed pace.
This organization also avoids cramming too many visits into the same day. Temperatures can be high, and traveling between the temples takes time. With an additional day, you can personalize your itinerary further and include more distant sites.
It is therefore preferable to consider Siem Reap as a destination in its own right rather than simply a stopover between Phnom Penh and Angkor.
From a practical point of view, it is possible to organize a very fast trip, particularly by plane. However, we do not recommend trying to travel Phnom Penh → Angkor Wat → Phnom Penh in the same day.
By road, the journey to Siem Reap alone already takes approximately 5 to 7 hours. You would then have to reach the temples, visit them, and make the same journey back in the opposite direction.
Even by plane, transfers between the cities and airports considerably reduce the time actually available to visit Angkor. This option therefore risks turning an exceptional discovery into an exhausting day.
For how to go to Angkor Wat from Phnom Penh in good conditions, our advice is simple: plan at least one night in Siem Reap, and ideally two or three nights to truly enjoy the site.
The budget mainly depends on the transport option you choose. For a solo traveler, the bus or minivan remains the most economical solution. For a family or group, the cost of a private car can be divided among several travelers.
You should also take into account the costs associated with visiting Angkor Archaeological Park. Entrance tickets are sold separately from transportation and should therefore be included in the overall trip budget.
If your trip continues to Vietnam afterward, you can also consult our guide on the Vietnam travel budget to better anticipate the expenses of your entire Southeast Asian trip. This guide presents the main spending categories, including accommodation, transportation, meals, and activities, as well as estimates for different travel styles.
The key is therefore not to compare ticket prices alone: travel time, comfort, and the number of travelers should also be taken into consideration.
To make your itinerary successful, we recommend leaving Phnom Penh in the morning and reaching Siem Reap during the day. This allows you to check into your hotel and begin your visit to Angkor the following morning.
For a limited budget, the bus or minivan remains the most logical choice. For a family, a private car offers greater flexibility, especially with young children. For a very short trip, flying can be considered to save time.
In all cases, avoid filling every day with sightseeing. Angkor is a site best discovered when you take the time to observe the architectural details and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the temples.
For how to go to Angkor Wat from Phnom Penh, the principle is simple: first reach Siem Reap, then continue to Angkor Archaeological Park. The bus and minivan are the most economical options, a private car is particularly suitable for families and groups, while flying is better suited to travelers with limited time. Whatever option you choose, we recommend staying at least two nights in Siem Reap so that you can visit Angkor at a comfortable pace. This organization also allows you to add other temples and local experiences without turning your trip into a succession of long journeys. To design a coherent itinerary, choose suitable transportation, and organize your visit to Angkor according to your preferences, the Cambodia travel company - Autour Asia can help you create a personalized trip.
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