Siem Reap Town:
Gateway to the Temples of Angkor
Angkor was an ancient political centre situated 320 km north of Phnom Penh in Siem Reap province. The town of Siem Reap (‘ The Defeat of Siamese or Thai ’), the provincial capital, is 6 kilomtres of Angkor Wat. Siem Reap town is where you will stay during your visit to Angkor. The area has been receiving foreign visitors to the temples for over 100 years. The town is actually a cluster of old villages, which originally developed around individual pagodas, and later overlaid with anFrench colonial-era center. Note the colonial and Chinese style architecture in the town center and around the Old Market. Nowadays, Siem Reap offers a wide range of hotels, restaurants, pubs and including several upscale hotels and dozens of budget guesthouses. Siem Reap town serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and the legendary Angkor Wat whose artistic and archaeological significance and visual impact put it in a class with the Pyramids, Machu Pichu and the Taj Mahal. Unlike many other world class monuments, the ruins of Angkor are as yet unspoiled by over-development. This will not be true in a couple of years. Though the major temples are relatively well touristed these days, it is still possible get away from the crowds, to explore the area and discover Angkor.
Angkor Pass
The Angkor Pass is the entrance ticket to all the Angkor temples and monuments in the Siem Reap area. There are several options regarding how many days the pass is valid. All passes are issued with a picture. They are not transferable to another person.
Visiting hours are 5:00AM - 6:00PM. But Kbal Spean closes at 3:00PM. You must always carry your ticket. It will be checked upon each park entrance and at major temples. A regular admission ticket is not allowed to visit Phnom Kulen ( USD 20 ), Koh Ker ( USD 10 ) and Beng Mealea ( USD 5 ), because there is a separate entrance fee.
Visitors can buy the Angkor Pass at the main ticket sales booths on the road from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat, at the checkpoint on the road from the airport to Angkor Wat. No other organizations (guest houses etc.) are authorized to sell Angkor Passes.
To visit the temples and sites in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Passes can be bought at the main entrance on the way to Angkor Wat.
Passes are sold in:
US$ 20 for one day - US$ 40 for three days
- US$ 60 for one week
The fee must be paid in US dollars, Cambodian Riel, Thai Baht or Euro. Credit cards are not accepted for payment, but there is a bank counter at the ticket sales booths, where visitors can get a cash advance on their credit card.
Notes about fee
For the comfort of foreign visitors, these prices include use of the sanitary facilities in the park without charge.
These prices do NOT include special permits for picture taking or film shooting.
Entry is free for children under 12 years old. Children 12 and above must pay full price.
Entry is free for all Cambodian nationals.
There are no discounts for groups.
The Angkor Pass is not refundable for any reasons.
Validity
Angkor Passes issued between 5 a.m. in the morning and 5 p.m. in the afternoon are valid the same day. Angkor Passes issued after 5 p.m. in the afternoon are valid the same day until sunset and also the next day. Other than this exception, visitors may NOT buy a ticket in advance.
Angkor Passes must be used on consecutive days. One passport-sized photo is not required at this time because free photos are provided at the main entrance.
Other
Angkor Passes for 1 day, 3 days and 1 week require a picture. It may be taken at the ticket sales booths free of charge.