Cambodia in a Week – Day 1
Siem Reap is a major tourist destination because it acts as the base for the nearby famous temples of Angkor. It has managed to retain much of its laid-back, pleasant, small-town charm. It has also managed to balance the modern life including all modern amenities, services, and entertainment and the original Cambodian style of life well. Expect it to be pricier than other parts of Cambodia. Do not afford to miss the sunset in Siem Reap when you are here.
Highlights of the Day
- Get in and Check in at Siem Reap
- 1-Day Pass for Angkor Archaelogical Park
- Sunset at Phnom Bakheng
- Dinner at Banlle
Siem Reap Welcomes Us
Exploring a foreign land with your bestie is an amazing experience by itself. I and Sayantika, my best friend from India arrived at Bangkok last night. Then we boarded the flight to Siem Reap from Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand.
It takes only an hour to fly from Siem Reap to Bangkok.
There are many non-stop flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap in a day. We flew with AirAsia that departs at 1.30 PM and arrives Siem Reap International Airport at 2.30 PM.
Please print out 2 copies of this e-Visa certificate. Pass one copy to immigration as your travel Visa at entry and one copy upon departure.
Getting e-visa for Cambodia was hassle-free for us – we both own Indian passports. Visa on arrival was another option but we preferred e-visa. It saves time and also gives the peace of mind that you already have an approved visa to enter the country beforehand. It costs 37 $ for single entry for a single person. Their official site is https://www.evisa.gov.kh/.
Siem Reap International Airport is the busiest airport of Cambodia, yet it is the most beautiful airport I have ever seen.
We booked our stay with Onederz Hostel Siem Reap, who arranged a tuk tuk to pick us up from the airport. Our driver’s name was Ban. He will take us to Phnom Bakheng temple for sunset today. Tomorrow, he will take us to Angkor Wat for sunrise, along with other temples like Bayon, Ta Keo, Ta Prohm, including Banteay Srei.
1-Day Pass to Angkor Archaeological Park
We dumped our luggage at the hostel reception as we reached. Soon we went to the Angkor Conservation Area ticket booth. We got the 1-day pass of the Angkor Archaeological Park.
Make sure you keep your pass safely with you and also keep in handy.
There are 3 types of passes – 1-day pass per person cost 20 $, 2-day pass for 40 $, and 3-day pass for 60 $. You will get a privilege if you buy the ticket after 5 PM. You can access the temples for free on that evening. Hence you can enjoy an extra sunset from one of the temples that day. Note that day will not be counted in the pass. You will have full access to the temples the next day or for the next days as per your pass. The temples are open from 5 AM to 6 PM every day. We got 1-day pass.
Note (updated on March, 2017): From February 1, 2017, the entrance fee has almost doubled. 1-day pass now costs 37 $, 3-day pass 62 $ (valid for 10 days), and 7-day pass costs 72 $ (valid for 1 month).
Sunset at Phnom Bakheng
There are few options for sunset like Angkor Wat and Phnom Bakheng, we had decided to experience sunrise at Angkor Wat, so enjoy the sunset from the other temple. To many people, sunset at Phnom Bakheng is overrated as it gets packed up and the view is so-so as the sun sets over a vast field instead of over the temple complex, but to us, it was a great experience overall.
Dinner at Banlle Vegetarian Restaurant
The food is amazing. Also, we got to know that most of the vegetables are grown naturally in the farm surrounding the restaurant. What more you could ask for!
Our driver Ban knew that we prefer eating vegan food. He was ready to take us to the restaurant of our preference. We decided to go for delicious vegan cuisine at Banlle Vegetarian Restaurant. The place was within 2 km of distance from our hostel. We ordered a lot of dishes and the total bill was not more than 20 $.
Ban was a kind driver who actually waited for us while we were dining, and then dropped us at our hostel with a small stop at the art center night market.
Onederz Hostel Siem Reap
Note that the hostel has no lift, so make sure you have to climb the stairs if you get your room at the top floors – no other options, but the staff at the reception is more than happy to help you with luggage.
Finally we reached our hostel at around 9 PM, and we checked in. This is one of the best hostels in Cambodia. Its location is great – it is just 4 min away from the popular Pub Street and 6 min away from the Old Market. The hostel has both dorm and private rooms. We got dorm room for us.
We have to wake up really early tomorrow morning, so goodnight!
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN USD)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 1 in Cambodia – Siem Reap.
- Bangkok to Siem Reap: 70
- Hostel in Siem Reap for single bed (1 night): 10
- Getting around: 5
- Entrance fee to Angkor Archaeological Park: 20
- Food: 12
- Miscellaneous: 38
Total expense (roughly): 155 USD
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Cambodia in a Week – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
You are giving GrEaT TraVel GoaLs … keep it up 🙂
Thank you so much! Keep following!
Good one……keep writing
Thanks a lot Bijumon. Keep reading!
Thanks for the information. The prices for entry do seem to be high but it is worth it to see the Angkor Complex. Great tips about purchasing the ticket after 5pm. We did the same when we went to Tikal National Park – there it is 3pm. I am a vegetarian so dinner at Banlle would be perfect, the food looked amazing.
I found the ticket price to be worth, and yes, for a vegetarian, Balle would be great. However, there are more options as well.
Siem Reap is one of my favorite destinations. I remember my first time to see Angkor and I was really amazed. I also agree that the sunset was really beautiful as if you just took a trip some place so ancient. Away from the modern, techie world. It’s a must-visit place for everyone.
It is, indeed.
As usual a veyr detailed travel itinerary. Siem reap looks spectacular. Would love to do this exact trip
Oh you must, Sinjana.
Angkor Wat is on my bucket list. I really appreciate that you are showing how much it will actually cost . The accomodations , the food , tickets to Angkor Wat – how you got there – these are definitely important for first time-visitors. Thank you for that!
I am glad you found it useful.
Angkor Wat is at the top of my bucket list!! I am so glad you shared your itinerary is such detail, really appreciate that!! I know the entry fee to Angkor seems exorbitant, but maintaining this beautiful heritage site and keeping it is such good condition despite the footfall it sees, I think it is totally worth it.
Yes, I also find the price to be worth.
I wonder how far it is from the airport to your hostel, then from the hostel to Angkor Wat and other places you visited. Since you could go there just by a tuk tuk. The hostel looks nice and the food at Banlle look delicious. The entrance fee to the park seems a bit high, but maybe it’s a price for foreigners.
The hostel was 30 min ride by tuktuk from airport and the Angkor Wat was 20-30 ride from the hostel.
I missed Cambodia when my friends planned to visit there, due to some other commitments. Since then, I’m still not able to visit the gorgeous country.
Looking forward to see the rest of your posts in this Cambodia series…. As usual vegan/vegetarian food sounds yummmm.
You will surely love visiting the country.
Cambodia is on my list due to Angkor Wat temple and it is great that you have listed all the useful details in your post. It is great that your hostel arranged a tuk tuk to pick you up from airport and you must have got a nice authentic type of ride in this city. I would also prefer to purchase pass after 5:00P.M. so that I get benefit of seeing sunset with those beautiful ancient temples and also not counting that day in 1 day pass. I am vegetarian and therefore eating at Banlle restaurant would my choice too.
Banlle serves amazing food, that would be a great option for you.
I have been so waiting to get to Cambodia. Your post just made me realise that it is quite an easy and fairly affordable option. Good suggestion on buying tickets after 5pm. Somehow, I see that a one day might not be enough. Gotta plan for 3 days
Yes, it is totally doable, Amy.
Riding a tuk tuk is enjoyable for me since it provides a real vacation experience throughout the country. Phnom Bakheng is worth the hike, despite the gravel mountainous road, because of the ancient temple and of course, the sunset! Onederz Hostel is probably a terrific place to stay as well – it’s great that they provide free computer usage, have a lounge area where you can watch TV, and a rooftop pool where you can relax.
It was all very amazing experience.