Your Ultimate Siem Reap 2-5 Day Itinerary – Culture Beyond the Basics
From walking with elephants to exploring ancient temples, lounging by the pool to partying on Pub Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia is an incredible cultural getaway. Read on for the ultimate 2-5 day itinerary of what to do in Siem Reap.
Siem Reap is an up-and-coming tourist hotspot famous for the world-famous Angkor Wat, an ancient Khmer Empire temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site recently crowned the new 8th Wonder of the World. But don’t be fooled into thinking this city is a one-hit wonder to be easily be accomplished in a day or two! The list of what to do in Siem Reap extends far beyond Angkor Wat. In this post, we’ll lay out our ideal Siem Reap 5 day itinerary to experience all the incredible sites, food, and hospitality on offer. We’ve also got a condensed 2 day Siem Reap itinerary for those short on time, and some helpful tips on visas, transportation, and currencies to set you up for success. Look out for bolded items in the itinerary below as the can’t miss priorities!
Flying through Bangkok on your way to Cambodia? Make sure to check out our post Your Complete Bangkok Itinerary for 3 Epic Days.
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Your 2-5 Day Siem Reap Itinerary: At A Glance
(Click each Day to jump down for more information)
Siem Reap 5 Day Itinerary
- Stroll through the Old Market
- Visit Angkor National Museum
- Take a City Tour or Street Food Tour
- Join a Pub Street Pub Crawl
- Visit Siem Reap’s Best Elephant Sanctuary at Kulen Elephant Forest
- Take in a show at Apsara Dinner Theater
- Visit Siem Reap’s Temples at Angkor Archaeological Park
- Enjoy Phare, The Cambodian Circus
- Try a Khmer Cooking Class, take a Cambodian Pottery Lesson, or visit a Lotus Silk Farm
- See Kampong Phluk “Floating Village” and Tonle Sap Lake at Sunset
- Dine at Embassy Khmer Gastronomy
- Lounge at the pool or visit a spa
Siem Reap 2 Day Itinerary
*Day 1 - Elephants and Fine Dining:
- Visit Siem Reap’s Best Elephant Sanctuary at Kulen Elephant Forest
- Dinner at Embassy Khmer Gastronomy
- Pub Street Pub Crawl
Day 2 - Discover Angkor Wat:
- Visit Siem Reap’s Temples at Angkor Archaeological Park
- Explore Old Market
- Kulen Mountain
- Beng Mealea Temple
Why Visit Siem Reap?
For anyone over the age of 35, you may remember Cambodia as a war-torn nation plagued by brutal regimes and guerilla warfare. From the 1960s to 1991, when the Paris Peace Agreements paved the way for the restoration of the monarchy in 1993, Cambodia endured extreme hardship, including forced evacuations, mass executions, and widespread famine that killed millions of people – nearly a quarter of their population. However, since peace was reestablished in the country in the early 1990s, they have been hard at work rebuilding culturally and economically, and are now one of Southeast Asia’s fastest growing economies. While there is still a long road ahead for Cambodia and its people, this peace and growth has allowed for a burgeoning tourism industry to develop, building the needed infrastructure and spreading global awareness about all of the amazing things Cambodia has to offer.
So, why visit Siem Reap now? Well, while tourism has grown rapidly as a pillar of Cambodia’s economy, it’s still early days. This means that you can experience incredible sites like the floating village of Kampong Phluk and ancient temples like Angkor Wat before they get overrun with crowds. Even though it’s a popular tourist destination, Siem Reap is still a small city, offering an authentic experience and warm and welcoming people. Prices are still very affordable, and the city and its sites don’t feel burdened by scammers or crime. Plus, Siem Reap offers a surprisingly wide range of experiences, making it possible to curate the perfect 2 or 5 day itinerary for any type of tourist. From hostels to luxury resorts, exploring ancient temples to getting pampered at the spa, quiet museums to midnight raves – you can do it all in Siem Reap.
Where To Stay in Siem Reap?
For budget stays, we highly recommend hostel Lub D (or check it out on HostelWorld here). With beds in mixed dorms starting at just $8 a night, Lub D is a great place to save a few bucks without sacrificing on comfort or fun. We stayed in the dorms for 3 of our 5 days in Siem Reap and got surprisingly great sleep – the rooms are dark, quiet, and well air-conditioned, and the pod-like bunks offer privacy and comfortable mattresses, though the bedding could be improved. The location is super convenient, and the hostel sponsors several fun and low-cost activities like pub crawls and city tours (more on these below). Add in an above-average kitchen and pool bar, and you definitely won’t regret your stay here.
If you’re looking for a mid-range stay, we recommend Golden Temple Villa. We stayed here for 2 of our 5 days in Siem Reap, and made great use of their excellently priced spa, buy-one-get-one happy hour deal on drinks at the pool, and delicious (included) breakfast buffet. The room was large and beautifully furnished, and the staff were exceedingly kind and helpful. As an added bonus, they have some of the best shower products I’ve experienced in a hotel. Book this one if you’re looking to enjoy a quiet retreat.
For a more luxe stay, we recommend Viroth’s Hotel or Angkor Village Hotel – both beautiful properties with unique aesthetic touches and highly convenient locations.
- Lub D – 9.7 average rating
- Golden Temple Villa – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.5 average rating
- Viroth’s Hotel – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.9 average rating
- Angkor Village Hotel – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.6 average rating
How To Get To Siem Reap?
Planning ahead for the future of their tourism industry, Cambodia opened a new airport servicing Siem Reap in 2023 – Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI). While its newness means it’s all nice and shiny inside – and getting through security is a breeze – its positioning for growth in the region means one thing: it’s really far away. Located over 50 km (30 miles) from Siem Reap, it will take you at least an hour to reach the city from SAI. As such, planning your transport in advance is important. Without a train or formal bus routes, you’ve got two main options for transit between Siem Reap and SAI – shared shuttles or private rides.
Shared Shuttles
The most cost effective option for transport to Siem Reap is by booking a seat on one of two official shuttle buses – Airport Bus and Cambodia Post. A seat on either of these shuttles will cost you $8-$9 and includes one piece of luggage. The services are very similar, but offer slightly different arrival and departure times to give you more options, so we recommend checking with both to get their current schedules. Note that each of these services will drop you at a central point in town, not your hotel, so you’ll need to walk or tuk tuk to your lodging from there. If you’re worried about this, you should probably plan to reserve a private ride (see below). You can reach Airport Bus on their Facebook page or at +885-70-665-631 on Whatsapp, and you can reach Cambodia Post via email ct.airport.ct@gmail.com or at +855-92-985-007 on Whatsapp.
We used Cambodia Post and had a seamless experience. We booked the shuttle a few days before our arrival via email, and the booking agent communicated with us clearly and consistently over WhatsApp on the day of arrival. As we happened to be the only ones booked on our particular shuttle, we were even thrilled to find that the driver waited for us for over an hour past the original departure time after our flight got delayed. The van was spacious and air conditioned, and we paid with cash, though card is available if you arrive at the post office (the drop-off point) prior to 5:30pm.
Private Rides
If you prefer a little more privacy and your budget allows for it, you can choose to hire a taxi, which will run you around $30-$35, or hire a car using Grab (a popular ride-hailing service in Asia similar to Uber). You also have the option of scheduling a private shuttle in advance on sites like Get Your Guide or Viator, which is especially helpful if you’ve got a large group or lots of luggage. We’ve included some links to these options below.
Whichever mode of transport you pick is up to your personal preferences and budget, but if we can give you one piece of advice it’s this:
Pro tip: Do NOT take a tuk tuk to or from SAI. An hour is a loooong ride, and when a tuk tuk is whipping along at top speeds, you are bound to wind up at your destination with dirt in your eyes, bugs in your mouth, and a rat’s nest on your head that will take you hours to untangle. Do yourself a favor and save the open-air tuk tuk for your travels in town.
Be Prepared - Top Travel Tips
Before we get into your 2 or 5 day itinerary, a few of our top travel tips for visiting Siem Reap:
Visa Required
Unlike many top tourist destinations, Cambodia does not provide a free visa-on-arrival for US tourists. So, you’ll either need to apply for an e-Visa before arrival (recommended), or you can apply for the visa in person on arrival (can include a long wait).
To obtain the e-Visa, you’ll need to complete a two-step process. First, you’ll apply for the e-Visa on Cambodia’s official site, which you can do up to 3 months before your visit. The visa costs $30 and is valid for a single entry stay of up to 30 days. The processing time is listed as 3 business days, but we received our approval in just 15 minutes. You’ll receive an email with the approved visa attached in pdf form, which includes a QR code you can present at customs without needing to print anything.
Once your arrival is within 7 days, you’ll then submit your approved visa for no additional cost. After it’s accepted, you’ll receive a second email with attachment and QR code that you will also present to the customs agent, along with your passport. We recommend screen-shotting each of these QR codes in advance of arrival to avoid any issues with the airport wifi.
Cash is King
While many hotels, restaurants, and activities accept card in Siem Reap, there are still lots of vendors that only accept cash, or accept card with an added fee. Plus, all it takes is a temporary internet outage for even a card-friendly vendor to become cash-only. So, be prepared and have plenty of cash on hand.
Cambodia uses both USD and KHR (Cambodian Riel), but most tourist activities will be priced in USD. Typically, you’ll pay for things in USD and receive change in KHR, which you can then spend on smaller purchases like food or souvenirs. Make sure that any USD you bring are crisp, undamaged bills, or vendors will NOT accept them. To guide you, KHR trades to USD at approximately 4,000:1 as of September 2025.
If you need to withdraw any cash from an ATM while you’re visiting, remember our number one tip!
Pro tip: When offered an exchange rate by an ATM, you can – and should – always decline the rate displayed. This rate often includes a heavy markup on top of the market exchange rate. Declining the rate will not stop your transaction, but rather allow your personal bank to set the rate instead.
Feel Free to Wing It
Siem Reap is a growing tourism destination, but not so busy yet that you’ll need to book things weeks or months in advance. Outside of Siem Reap’s elephant sanctuary (see Day 2), we were able to book everything the day of or a couple of days prior, including limited seating activities like the Apsara Dinner Theater (Day 2) and Phare Cambodian Circus (Day 3). Even booking a tuk tuk for Angkor Wat Park (Day 3) can be easily booked the day before. So relax! Feel free to show up in Siem Reap and see where the day takes you.
Day 1 - Exploring the City
- 12:00-3:00 – After dropping your bags at your hotel, start your Siem Reap 2-5 day itinerary by heading to the Old Market to wander and pick up your souvenirs. If you get hungry, drop by delightful taco spot Chubby Gonzo’s for their “Half Chub” deal – two tacos and a margarita for just $6.
- 3:30-5:00 – Head to Angkor National Museum to learn about Angkor Wat and the Khmer Empire in advance of your visit to the park. Tickets are $12 and audio guides are an additional $5. Heads up – this museum leans heavily into religious symbolism and art history versus Khmer civilization history, so if that’s not your thing, you can feel free to pass – you’ll still enjoy the park without it.
- 6:00-8:00 – Take a city tour or street food tour to further explore Siem Reap and enjoy some exotic bites for dinner.
- 10:00-LATE – You’re on vacation – time to let loose! Drink your way through Pub Street, Siem Reap’s bar district, on an organized pub crawl. Don’t worry – you can sleep in tomorrow.
Day 1 Itinerary Details
Day 1 of your 2-5 day Siem Reap itinerary is all about getting familiar. You’ll hit some of the main tourist areas in the city, such as Old Market and Pub Street, as well as experience some local foods and do some shopping.
Old Market
Starting with Old Market, this is a great place to get your feet wet as well as do some shopping for your more traditional souvenirs – postcards, fridge magnets, etc. Prices here will be a bit higher – and quality a bit lower – than you could find in more off-the-beaten-path markets, as they capitalize on their central location and high tourist volume, but wandering the stalls is still a fun way to spend a couple of hours and mingle with the locals. If you see something you like, don’t hesitate to try to negotiate! Vendors are often open to a bargain if you’re likely to make a purchase.
City or Street Food Tour
In the evening, we recommend an organized city or street food tour. We went on a $9 city tour run by our hostel, Lub D, which included a stop at a local pagoda and temple, some street food on Route 60 (including bugs and balut, a fertilized duck egg!), and shopping at Made in Cambodia Market (highly recommended for higher quality souvenirs that are handmade by local artisans). If you’d prefer a bigger emphasis on food, or these tour stops don’t sound too exciting to you, we recommend checking out these other options on Get Your Guide:
Bar Crawl on Pub Street
To finish your first day, join an organized pub crawl along Pub Street. Pub Street is a blast and a can’t-miss night out in Siem Reap. We attended a crawl hosted by Lub D for $10, which included shots at four bars and a fun group to party with. If crawls aren’t your thing, Pub Street is easy to explore on your own, as it’s a pretty small area – just follow your ears to the best music! Don’t miss out on getting a fish pedicure while you’re in the area – a ticklish experience that is as unique as it is entertaining.
Day 2 - Elephants and Elegance
- 12:00-6:00 – After getting plenty of beauty rest, grab breakfast at your hotel and then head to Siem Reap’s best elephant sanctuary – Kulen Elephant Forest. Meet at KEF’s office to begin your journey, and get excited! This was the highlight of our trip (learn about our visit to Siem Reap’s elephant sanctuary here!).
- 7:30-9:30 – Get cleaned up and head to Apsara Theater for dinner and a show. Here, you’ll enjoy traditional Khmer cuisine, followed by a performance of ancient Apsara dance and music by the theater’s talented troupe of 30 artists. The show is a true cultural experience to enhance your Siem Reap 2-5 day itinerary and lasts about 1 hour after the conclusion of the meal. Tickets cost $33-$36 (depending on your menu choice) and can be purchased by contacting Apsara Theater here. We recommend booking this experience at least 2 days in advance. Or, you can make things easy and book through Get Your Guide:
Day 2 Itinerary Details
Picturing your trip to Cambodia and imagining yourself riding an elephant around Angkor Wat? Well, unfortunately for you – and fortunately for the elephants – the practice of riding elephants was banned in 2020. But fear not! You can still have an amazing experience with elephants at Kulen Elephant Forest – one of the highlights of our 5 days in Siem Reap. We’ll give you a brief overview below, but make sure to check out our post Your Guide to Visiting Siem Reap’s Elephant Sanctuary to learn more!
Kulen Elephant Forest (KEF) is an elephant sanctuary and conservation project that was launched in 2018. In an 1100 acre lot of protected forest, they house 10 former elephants of Angkor. During your experience at KEF, you’ll learn all about the elephants and their handlers (mahouts), including their former work at Angkor and their current life and conservation efforts at KEF. You’ll get to interact with the elephants throughout the preserve and enjoy a light picnic by the pond. It’s a highly educational and awe-inspiring experience that was our favorite moment from Cambodia.
Pro tip: KEF is very popular and we recommend you book at least one week in advance. But, if your desired date is sold out, don’t panic! Send them an email, as they frequently experience cancellations – in fact, this is how Colby and I got our tickets. Tickets cost $100 and can be purchased directly from KEF here. We do not recommend booking through Get Your Guide or Viator in this instance, as one of these “small group tours” was present alongside us and had the exact same experience – just with a $20 markup.
Day 3 - Discover Angkor Wat
- 11:00-6:00 – Time for the activity in your Siem Reap 2-5 day itinerary you’ve all been waiting for! Take a private tuk tuk through Angkor Archaeological Park. If, like me, you aren’t a morning person, skip the sunrise tour and aim for concluding at sunset instead (learn everything you need to know in our post How to Visit Siem Reap’s Temples).
- 7:00-9:30 – For tonight’s entertainment, head to Phare, The Cambodian Circus, for dinner and a show. Both highly entertaining and supporting a good cause, this hour-long show is time well spent. Prior to the show, a varied food and beverage market is hosted on the grounds, and after the show, you can chat and take pictures with the cast. Tickets on Phare’s site start at $18 and we recommend booking at least 2-3 days in advance, or you can reserve your seats through Get Your Guide.
Pro tip: A fair amount of seats in Section C have obstructed views, and it’s disappointing to miss some of the action. Since each Section is open seating, we recommend entering the theater on the early side to secure the best seats, or upgrading to Sections B or A.
Day 3 Itinerary Details
No Siem Reap itinerary would be complete without a visit to Angkor Archaeological Park. Spanning over 400 sq km (154 sq miles), Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, welcoming over 2 million visitors a year. The park is home to over 70 major temples, with the most significant being Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm. In fact, Angkor Wat – which, by the way, is the largest religious monument in the world – is so significant, it was recently named the new 8th Wonder of the World, bumping Pompeii. Visiting Angkor is a big day and the cornerstone of most trips, so we’ve got a whole post detailing our experience to help guide you – check out How to Visit Siem Reap’s Temples here. If you’re short on time, we’ve included some of the key details for you below.
When deciding how to visit Angkor Park, you’ve got a few main options, each with their own pros and cons: 1) small-group tours, 2) private guided tours, or 3) self-guided tuk tuk tours. Note that regardless of which option you pick, most tours will not include the entrance tickets to Angkor Archaeological Park itself, which cost $37 for a one-day pass and $62 for a three-day pass (recommended). You’ll pay for this at the ticket booth before entering the park. With that said, let’s get into the details.
Group Tours
Small-group tours tend to be the most affordable option at $15-$20 (per person), and will provide you with transportation and a knowledgeable guide. They tend to focus on either sunrise or sunset and last 8-10 hours. On the pro side, you get a guide at a low cost, but on the con side, this is a very long day, and you’ll have no control over which temples you visit or when you can go home.
Private Tours
Private guided tours can be considered the luxe experience, as you’ll enjoy the knowledge of a guide, but with a fully customizable schedule. This significant pro obviously comes with one main con – a higher cost ($100+ per group). If budget isn’t an issue for you, this is the most comfortable way to tour Angkor Park.
Self-Guided Tour
Finally, we’ve got the middle ground, and the option Colby and I went with – a self-guided tuk tuk tour. For $20 (per group, as of December 2024), you can hire a tuk tuk driver to pick you up and drive you around the Park, which you can then explore at your leisure. You choose the pick-up time, duration, and which temples to visit, but they’re only a driver, not a guide. If a guide is critical to your experience, there are a bunch available out front of Angkor Wat that will give you an hour-long tour of the site for ~$15, but you’ll be on your own for the other temples. We chose to go guideless and focused on soaking in the temples visually, with some light Googling to supplement.
Pro tip: Finding a tuk tuk driver for a self-guided tour is extremely easy and doesn’t need to be purchased in advance. Nearly every tuk tuk you take in town will offer their continued services during your trip, along with their Whatsapp number for easy communication. The price for a day at Angkor is pretty standard, so if you get quoted something different, try to negotiate or hire another driver.
Day 4 - Unique Cultural Experiences
- 09:00-12:00 – Time to take your Siem Reap 2-5 day itinerary beyond the basics. Choose your own adventure from three highly-recommended unique cultural experiences – a tour of a lotus silk farm, a Khmer cooking class in a local’s home, or a Cambodian pottery lesson.
- 12:00-2:00 – Grab lunch nearby your tour of choice and then head back to your hotel for your afternoon tour pick-up.
- 2:00-8:00 – Take a tour of Kampong Phluk, a “floating village” on Tonle Sap Lake, finishing with a stunning sunset on the water.
- 8:30-10:30 – Treat yourself to some incredible fine dining at Embassy Khmer Gastronomy. At only $66 for nine courses (plus two surprises), it’s an amazing deal to experience the best of Khmer cuisine and one of the best meals we’ve experienced in our travels.
Day 4 Itinerary Details
Choose-Your-Own-Adventure
Sightseeing is great, but an immersive experience really takes your vacation to the next level. Today, pick from one of these three unique cultural experiences to get an opportunity to interact with local Cambodians, learn a new skill, and see a part of Siem Reap that most people miss.
Kampong Phluk & Tonle Sap
In the afternoon, take a tour to Kampong Phluk, a “floating village” on Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Though most of the houses are no longer truly “floating,” the village is still an incredible site to see, as the houses are now built on stilts reaching over 8 meters! (24 feet) above the ground. The village is fascinating and humbling, as you’ll witness a lifestyle completely different from your own – full of hardship in many ways, but also beautiful in its simplicity and sense of community. After visiting the town, your riverboat will continue onto the lake proper, where you’ll enjoy a truly spectacular sunset. We recommend the tour below over a combo tour with Kulen Mountain and Beng Mealea as that becomes a very, VERY long day in an already full 2-5 days in Siem Reap.
Finally, finish your day with dinner at Embassy Khmer Gastronomy. Over the years, Colby has introduced me to fine dining establishments all over the world, and when I tell you this was one of the best dining experiences of my life, you may be skeptical. But from the absolutely moan-worthy food to the incredible service, delicious cocktails, and fun little surprises – like a visit to the kitchen and some macarons to-go – this meal was a delight from start to finish. Even the bill will put a smile on your face, as their nine-course menu is priced at an very reasonable $66 per person. If you’ve never had a fine dining experience before, this is the perfect place to start. Embassy updates their menu monthly, so you can be sure to enjoy the freshest ingredients and seasonally inspired dishes. They also offer a wine pairing, beer, and delicious cocktails.
Day 5 - Spa Day
- 10:00-Departure – Enjoy your last day by the pool or at the spa – you’ve earned it! After several days of action-packed touring, put your feet up and make sure you return home rested and recharged – ideally, with a tan and fresh pedicure.
Day 5 Itinerary Details
You’ve walked thousands upon thousands of steps. You’ve spent four days sweating through the Cambodian heat and humidity. And you’ve taken about 18 million photos. Let’s face it – you’re exhausted. It’s your last day, and you deserve a little R&R. Luckily for you, Siem Reap is an excellent place to indulge yourself. Today, choose between lounging by your hotel’s pool and pampering yourself at one of the city’s many affordably-priced spas. At Golden Temple Villa, where we stayed, they have a full-service, in-house spa where Colby and I were able to get manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages. They also offer scrubs, wraps, and some packaged services. We felt like kings and queens and went home so relaxed. And the best part? After discounts provided as guests of the hotel, for seven services over nearly eight hours, we spent only $138 (December 2024). Even our budget was zen.
What to Do in Siem Reap If You Have More Time
During our trip, we visited two other sites that were interesting, but a bit too far away to conveniently add to most Siem Reap itineraries. If either of these excite you, you can find combo tours on Get Your Guide or Viator (see the bottom of this post for suggestions), but you’ll need to carve about 8 hours out of one of the days above or add an extra day to your Siem Reap 2-5 day itinerary.
Kulen Mountain
Kulen Mountain, or Phnom Kulen, is a sacred pilgrimage site for Cambodians located 1h 45min outside of Siem Reap. It’s considered the birthplace of the Khmer Empire, where King Jayavarman II declared independence from Java in 802 AD. Though only 487m (1,598ft) high, it still offers some scenic viewpoints of the jungle below, as well as beautiful waterfalls. Additionally, the mountain has a deeply rooted spiritual importance and houses many important shrines, relics, and carvings, including a massive reclining Buddha carved out of the mountain itself and the “River of a Thousand Lingas,” which features carvings of lingas and Vishnu directly into the riverbed. While far from the city, Kulen Mountain is still a popular attraction for both locals and tourists, so it can be quite busy, but if you’re looking for a unique spiritual experience on your trip to Siem Reap, this is your best bet. Entry costs $20.
Beng Mealea Temple
About an hour’s drive from Kulen Mountain lies the ruins of Beng Mealea, another temple built during the Angkor Wat period. What makes Beng Mealea fascinating to visit is that it has been left largely as it was when it was found, giving you the feeling that you are discovering it for the first time. As opposed to other key temples that have been restored, Beng Mealea suffered certain structural design failures that would be impossible to rectify. So, rather than repair it in an inauthentic way, they added some support structures and walkways and called it a day. A visit to Beng Mealea offers a sense of adventure and exploration – as well as excellent photo ops – without the crowds. It’s a great addition to your Siem Reap 2-5 day itinerary if you’ve got more time. Entry to Beng Mealea is included in your Angkor Archaeological Park pass.
FAQs for Visiting Siem Reap
When is the Best Time to Visit Siem Reap?
The best time to visit Siem Reap is between November and April, when you’ll have the highest chance of sunny, dry days – though there’s no getting around the heat. Peak season is between December and January, and though we typically prefer visiting during shoulder season, it’s not a huge issue yet in Siem Reap’s still-developing tourism economy. We visited in December and had no issue making dinner reservations or booking any of our activities. Outside of the November-April window, rainy season may negatively impact your Siem Reap itinerary.
Can I See Siem Reap in Less Than 2 Days?
Honestly, no, we wouldn’t recommend it. While you could hypothetically go to Siem Reap just for the day to see Angkor Wat, you would be missing out on so many more cultural experiences that you can fit into a 2-day or 5-day Siem Reap itinerary. Activities like visiting the elephant sanctuary or seeing the sunset over Tonle Sap have become core memories for us – we wouldn’t want you to miss them.
Should I Tip at Bars & Restaurants in Siem Reap?
Tipping isn’t expected or required, but always appreciated. Poverty is still a real issue in this country – a lot of small villages still don’t have electricity. So, if you can spare it, consider leaving a small tip (5-10%) or even just rounding up your bill when paying. Even a couple thousand riel will go a long way with many locals.
Can I Drink the Water in Siem Reap?
The tap water in Siem Reap is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled water to avoid any risk of illness.
What Kind of Outlets are Used in Cambodia?
Most outlets in Siem Reap support both US and EU plug types. If in doubt, bring a converter that supports these and a surge protector for any high voltage devices.
Do I Need to Speak Cambodian to Visit Siem Reap?
Definitely not. We had no issues interacting with people in the service industry in English during our 5 days in Siem Reap, though knowing a few key words will definitely win you some brownie points with the locals. Practice these ones before your trip:
- Hello – jom reap suor – jom REE-up soo-ah
- Goodbye – lia haeuy – lee-ah HOY
- Please – som – sohm
- Thank you – ar kun – aw KUN
Adding a respectful bow with your palms together (called a sampeah) when saying hello or thank you is also appreciated, especially outside touristy areas.
Want to learn more? Check out our post 120+ Cambodian (Khmer) Words for Travel & Tourists.
Where Else Should I Visit in Cambodia?
While we haven’t been ourselves, we’ve heard great things about Phnom Penh! As the capital city of Cambodia, it’s home to the Royal Palace, along with additional temples and historical sites like the Killing Fields. We will definitely be hitting this city the next time we’re in the area!
Are There Helpful Apps I Should Download Before Visiting Cambodia?
Absolutely! These are the top apps we recommend you download before your trip to Cambodia:
- Airalo – having full use of your phone while traveling is incredibly important! ESim apps like Airalo make getting cell service anywhere you travel easy and affordable. If you haven’t used it before, you can use this Airalo code to get a discount on your first purchase.
- Google Translate – we recommend downloading the Khmer/Cambodian language for offline use on Google Translate, so you can always communicate even if you lose cell service.
- Google Maps – for the same reason, we also recommend downloading the offline map of the city you’re visiting on Google Maps.
Which Resources Should I Use to Plan My Trip to Cambodia?
For starters, use our site! Check out all of our Cambodia travel guides to help you decide where to go, what to do, and where to stay.
Once you’re ready to plan your trip, we recommend the following resources:
- Flights – we use Google Flights and Skyscanner to book our flights. These resources help you compare all the airlines at once, plus give you tips on the best times to purchase. I use their price tracking features religiously to make sure we get the best deal.
- Hotels – we always use Booking.com for choosing hotel stays. We think they have the best prices, their star ratings are super reliable, and we love the perks we get with their rewards system.
- Transit – if you’re traveling throughout Cambodia on anything other than planes – like trains, or buses – we recommend 12Go.Asia. This site is the most detailed and reliable to see all your route options within Cambodia.
- Trip Planning – the most frequently opened app on our phone, regardless of our destination, is Wanderlog. This app makes travel planning SO easy. You can import all your flights, hotels, and transit information, add top sites to your itinerary, and even track and split your budget amongst your travel buddies. It also provides recommendations on where to visit and a map of all the attractions you plan to see, with transit time between each.
Do I Need Travel Insurance to Visit Cambodia?
While it’s not required, we highly recommend it. You never know when something might go wrong, and it’s best to be prepared. We use and recommend SafetyWing, which is an especially good option for those traveling for a month or more. For as little as $56, it covers everything from lost luggage to hospital stays – a heck of a deal if you encounter any emergencies while abroad.
Choosing what to do in Siem Reap amongst so many amazing options isn’t always easy, but we hope this post helps you plan your perfect 2 to 5 day Siem Reap itinerary. This is one destination that definitely needs to be on your travel bucket this year! Before you go, make sure to check out our in-depth posts on some of the more significant activities, How to Visit Siem Reap’s Temples and Your Guide to Visiting Siem Reap’s Elephant Sanctuary. Comment below what you loved most about Siem Reap, or where we should go next!
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