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3 Days in Siem Reap: Itinerary 2026
Start by arranging your Angkor pass and transport. For 2026, a 3-day Angkor pass costs $62 and must be purchased online or at the Angkor Enterprise office on Street 7 Makara. Booβ¦ πΊοΈ Plan Your Trip
Start by arranging your Angkor pass and transport. For 2026, a 3-day Angkor pass costs $62 and must be purchased online or at the Angkor Enterprise office on Street 7 Makara. Book a remork (tuk-tuk) driver for the three days, typically $15 to $20 per day, to avoid haggling each morning. Base yourself in central Siem Reap, near Pub Street or Wat Bo, so you can walk to restaurants and markets.
π Day 1: Angkor Highlights
Begin at 5:00 AM to catch sunrise at Angkor Wat, entering via the west causeway. After exploring the main temple for two hours, head to Angkor Thom and the Bayon, where the smiling faces are best lit before 9:00 AM. Continue to Ta Prohm, the 'Tomb Raider' temple, by 10:30 AM before the crowds peak. Break for lunch at one of the simple eateries near Srah Srang, then visit Banteay Kdei and Pre Rup for sunset around 5:30 PM. Return to town by 6:30 PM; the drive from Angkor Wat to Pub Street takes about 20 minutes by remork.
ποΈ Day 2: Outer Temples
Dedicate Day 2 to the outer circuit, starting at 7:00 AM with a 45-minute drive to Banteay Srei, the intricately carved 'Citadel of Women'. On the way back, stop at the Landmine Museum (entry $5, open 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM) and the butterfly center. After lunch, visit Beng Mealea, a jungle-covered temple about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Siem Reap, where you can climb over rubble. Finish at the Roluos Group (Preah Ko, Bakong, Lolei) for a quieter sunset, returning to town by 6:00 PM.
π€ Day 3: Tonle Sap
Spend the morning on a half-day tour to Tonle Sap Lake, choosing between Kompong Khleang (1.5 hours away) or Kompong Phluk (45 minutes). Boat tours cost around $25 per person and depart between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM; they include a visit to stilted villages and flooded forests. Return to Siem Reap by 1:00 PM for lunch at a local spot like Haven (open 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, mains $5 to $8). In the afternoon, explore the Angkor National Museum ($12 entry, open 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM) or take a cooking class at Le Tigre de Papier ($20 for a half-day).
π Where to Eat
For breakfast, try the num banh chok at Psar Chas (Old Market) for about $1.50, served from 6:00 AM. Lunch near the temples is limited to simple noodle shops, but in town, Chanrey Tree (open 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM) offers refined Khmer cuisine with mains around $6 to $10. Dinner options include Pub Street for grilled skewers and $0.50 draft beers, or the quieter Wat Bo area for spots like Mahob Khmer (mains $5 to $9). Vegetarians will find plenty of amok and fresh spring rolls at most restaurants.
πΊ Getting Around
Remorks (tuk-tuks) are the main way to reach the temples; a full day costs $15 to $20, and drivers wait at each site. For shorter hops in town, a moto-taxi costs $1 to $2, while a remork is $2 to $3. Walking is feasible in the central grid, but use the Grab app for fixed prices if you prefer not to negotiate. Bicycles can be rented for $2 to $5 per day, though the heat makes them best for short distances.
π° Costs and Tips
Budget around $30 to $50 per day for transport, food, and activities, excluding accommodation. Carry small US dollar bills and riel for small purchases; most places accept dollars but give change in riel. Dress modestly at temples: cover shoulders and knees, and avoid bright colors at Angkor Wat. Stay hydrated and start early to avoid the midday heat, especially from March to May.
π Evening Activities
After a day of temples, unwind at Phare, the Cambodian Circus, with shows at 8:00 PM (tickets from $18). For a cultural show with dinner, book a buffet and Apsara dance performance at Koulen II or Amazon Angkor, both around $12 to $15. Night markets along Sivatha Boulevard open from 5:00 PM to midnight, selling souvenirs and street food. If you want a quieter evening, head to a rooftop bar like Miss Wong for cocktails in a relaxed setting.
solid writeup, covers the main stuff well. one thing i'd add is the pass office on street 7 makara now closes for lunch, roughly 12 to 1, and the afternoon queue gets long so buy online the night before if u can. also for day 3, kompong khleang is worth the extra drive over phluk if u go in the dry season, way fewer tour buses and the stilt houses are taller. grab works fine in town but out at the temples drivers mostly wont take app bookings so just sort ur remork guy for the full three days like u said
good breakdown, the day 2 outer circuit routing is the part most people get wrong and yours makes sense.
one thing id flag on day 1, the sunrise crowd at Angkor Wat is rough in peak season so if ur not fussed about the postcard shot, do the reverse and hit Ta Prohm at opening instead. you get the place nearly empty which basically never happens later, then loop back to Angkor Wat mid morning when the tour buses have moved on to Bayon. saves you the 4am alarm and u still see everything.
also for the remork, agree on booking 3 days upfront but ask ur driver if he does the Banteay Srei run, some wont go that far without adding fuel money. mine quoted 25 for that day instead of the usual 15 to 20 and it was fair given the distance.
great writeup, the cost breakdown is the part most people leave out so thats genuinely useful. one thing id add on the eating side, the guide points u to the old market for num banh chok but the better move is the morning stalls along the riverside near wat bo bridge, same price, way less tourist markup. also if ur there on a sunday the night market by the royal gardens does a bunch of bbq and its mostly locals not pub street prices. and yeah carry small bills, some of the smaller places get weird about breaking a 20 for a 2 dollar
Things to Do in Siem Reap (2026)
Angkor Wat is the crown jewel of Siem Reap and a must-see for any visitor. Arrive early to catch the sunrise over the temple, but be prepared for crowds. Tickets for a one-daβ¦ ποΈ Explore Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the crown jewel of Siem Reap and a must-see for any visitor. Arrive early to catch the sunrise over the temple, but be prepared for crowds. Tickets for a one-day pass cost $37, and you can purchase them at the Angkor Enterprise office on Street 7. For a quieter experience, visit in the late afternoon when the tour buses have left.
π Discover Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm, famously featured in the Tomb Raider movies, is known for the massive trees growing out of its ruins. It's located about 12 kilometers from Siem Reap town and is included in the Angkor pass. Go early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds. The site closes at 5:30 PM, so plan your visit accordingly.
π€ Cruise Tonle Sap
The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and home to floating villages like Kompong Khleang and Kompong Phluk. A boat tour typically costs between $20 and $30 per person and lasts about two hours. The best time to visit is during the wet season (June to October) when the water level is high. Book through a reputable tour operator to ensure safety and avoid scams.
π Taste Local Cuisine
Siem Reap's food scene is vibrant, with everything from street stalls to fine dining. Try fish amok, a creamy coconut curry, at the popular restaurant Haven on Chocolate Road. For a budget-friendly option, head to the Pub Street area where you can find $1 drafts and $2 noodle soups. Don't miss the night market on Sivatha Road for fresh spring rolls and grilled skewers.
ποΈ Shop at Markets
The Angkor Night Market and the Old Market (Psar Chas) are great places to pick up souvenirs like silk scarves, handicrafts, and spices. Bargaining is expected, so start at about half the asking price. The night market opens daily from 4 PM to midnight, while the Old Market operates from early morning until late afternoon. Remember to bring cash, as most stalls do not accept credit cards.
π Watch Apsara Dance
Apsara dance is a traditional Khmer performance that tells stories from Hindu epics. Many restaurants, such as Koulen II on Sivatha Road, offer dinner shows for around $25 per person. The performances usually start at 7:30 PM and last about an hour. For a more authentic experience, check out the smaller venues like the Apsara Theatre near the Royal Residence.
π² Cycle the Countryside
Renting a bicycle for $2 to $5 per day is a fantastic way to explore the rural areas around Siem Reap. Ride through rice paddies and small villages, and stop at local schools or temples along the way. The roads are mostly flat, but be cautious of traffic in town. Guided cycling tours are also available for those who prefer a structured itinerary.
π Relax with a Massage
After a day of temple exploring, treat yourself to a traditional Khmer massage. Places like Bodia Spa on Sivatha Road offer a one-hour massage for about $20. For a more budget-friendly option, many local parlors charge as little as $5 per hour. Most spas are open from 10 AM to 10 PM, and it's wise to book ahead during peak season.
Solid list, covers the essentials well. One thing I'd add: the Angkor pass has changed, they now sell it online through the Angkor Enterprise website and you can pay by card, which saves the queue at the Street 7 office. Also worth knowing the one-day pass is now $37 but the three-day is $62 and you can spread those days over a week, which suits a slower pace.
On the temples, most people fixate on sunrise at Angkor Wat but I actually prefer Preah Khan or Banteay Samre in the late afternoon, hardly anyone there and the light on the stone is lovely. If you're doing Ta Prohm, go right at opening, the Tomb Raider crowds arrive by 9.
For food, Haven is fine but it's a social enterprise and books out days ahead in high season. I'd point people to the Khmer grill spots along Wat Bo Road instead, cheaper and you eat with locals.
Good writeup, covers the main bases. One practical thing nobody mentions: the temples get genuinely hot by 10 AM, so I'd flip the usual advice and do Ta Prohm or Bayon first at opening, then save Angkor Wat for late afternoon. The light hits the west facade around 4:30 and the tour groups have thinned out by then.
On the lake, skip the Chong Kneas boats if anyone tries to sell you that, it's the closest port to town but the most touristy and scammy. Kompong Khleang is a longer drive, about an hour, but worth it if you want to actually see a working floating village rather than a floating market set up for cameras.
For Apsara, Koulen II is fine for a big group but the buffet is mediocre. I'd rather pay a bit more at Sala Bai or catch a shorter performance at the National Museum, the dancing is sharper and you're not eating cold spring rolls.
the bicycle tip is the one i'd underline. rented from a shop near Wat Bo for $3 a day and rode out toward the rice fields past Banteay Samre, barely saw another tourist for hours. one thing though, the red dirt roads get sketchy after rain so check the sky before you commit.
on massage, Bodia is nice but honestly overpriced for what it is. the blind massage place on Sivatha, run by the association for the blind, does a proper hour for $8 and the pressure is way firmer. book in the afternoon, they fill up evenings.
one thing the guide skips entirely, the landmine museum about 30 min north of town by the Banteay Srei road. small, sobering, run by a former child soldier. worth half a day if you want context for the country beyond temples.