A place filled with wonder and history, Siem Reap is the precious gem of Cambodia, providing it with not only national pride but also history and culture for its future generations.
About Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a province located in the Northwest of Cambodia, bordering Preah Vihear and Kampong Thom to the East, Oddar Meanchey to the North, and Banteay Meanchey and Battambang to the West. In the South lies the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, the Tonle Sap. The province is geographically split in two with the northern part being made up mostly of green forest and the Kulen Mountain while the South is flat wetlands, suitable for rice fields.
Located 30 minutes North of the Tonle Sap, Siem Reap City is the capital of the province, where in it lies Cambodia’s gem, the Angkor Wat. Built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat was once the capital of the Khmer empire where it has now become the national symbol of Cambodia. Close by Angkor Wat is Angkor Thom, a complex of temples known to be the last city of the Khmer empire, that contains the Bayon temple. Besides the temples, Siem Reap also has other attractions such as Kulen Mountain, the floating village in the Tonle Sap, a number of museums, markets, and pub street.
Going to Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a really big destination for tourists, providing people with a lot of alternatives to get to Siem Reap. Unlike a majority of the provinces in Cambodia, Siem Reap happens to have an airport that is actually functional. The airport is relatively small, allowing for only about 25 airlines to operate out of it. These airlines are:
- AirAsia
- Air Busan
- Air Seoul
- Bangkok Airways
- Cambodia Airways
- Cambodia Angkor Airways
- Cebu Pacific Air
- China Eastern Airlines
- China Express Airlines
- China Southern Airlines
- Hong Kong Dragon Express
- Hong Kong Express Airways
- JC International Airlines
- Jetstar Asia Airways
- Lanmei Airlines
- Lao Airlines
- Shandong Airlines
- SilkAir
- Sky Angkor Airlines
- Thai AirAsia
- Thai Lion Mentari
- Thai Smile Airways
- Vietjet
- Vietnam Airlines
- Xiamen Air
Besides airplanes, there are multiple bus companies that goes to Siem Reap from a variety of locations. Some of these buses are:
- Phnom Penh Sorya Transport
- Capitol Tours
- Giant Ibis
- GST Express
- Mekong Express
Disclaimer: Bus tickets purchased through the links in this post generate some affiliate sales for us at no additional cost to you.
There are also local vans and taxis that you can get for very low prices, if your haggling skills are good enough. Trips can be very quick but safety are not guaranteed and you will be squeezed in with other passengers. Alternatively, there is a ferry that operates from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap if you want slower but more scenic journey. The ferry can only take you as far the lake goes and from there, you will need to find a tuk-tuk or taxi to get you to the city.
Getting around
Besides your own vehicle, there are a number of ways to get around the city. Compared to Phnom Penh, the city is a relatively walk-friendly city meaning that walking can be a viable option. Motorcycles and bicycles can be rented out if you want to get around faster. There are many places to rent one and many will have both for rent at the same place. E-bikes can also be found around the city. You will need to register to rent one out but once you do, there are plenty of locations to get them charged especially around Angkor. PassApp and Grab operates in the area but you can also find private tuk-tuk and taxis that you can rent to take you around the city and the Angkor City.
Relevant links:
- Check out some of the top temples in Siem Reap; or,
- Review the entrance fees for the Angkor Wat Complex.
Book bus tickets to Siem Reap
Disclaimer: Bus tickets purchased through the links in this post generate some affiliate sales for us at no additional cost to you.