Cambodia is one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia, and my four-day Siem Reap travel itinerary will help you to organise your own perfect trip to this unique country.
The main attraction in Siem Reap is undoubtedly the Angkor Archaeological Park, where visitors can see the formidable Angkor Wat – the biggest religious site in the world.
It is also here that visitors will find the famous Siem Reap temples of Bayon and Ta Prohm, brought to the world’s attention after being featured in the Tomb Raider films.
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Useful Information About Siem Reap
Why You Need Four Days in Siem Reap
When planning my Siem Reap travel itinerary, I knew I would be at the end of my 3-month world trip, and I wanted to experience the Angkor temples in Siem Reap without feeling rushed.
For this reason, I decided to stay in Siem Reap for four days to allow me enough time to visit the ancient Angkorian temples at my own pace and also have free time at my hotel to relax. I was shattered and needed a rest after travelling to eight different countries over 90 days!
Spending four days in Siem Reap also allowed me to experience some of the attractions this Cambodian hotspot had to offer besides the Angkorian temples.
In this post, you will find essential information on how to visit Siem Reap and a Siem Reap travel itinerary similar to the one I used during my trip. I hope it will help other travellers plan their trips to Cambodia.
What is Siem Reap Like?
Siem Reap is like nowhere I have ever been before, and that’s a fact! It is a bustling town that is steeped in history, from its famous jungle temples to its turbulent war-torn past.
Siem Reap is a place that opens its heart to visitors and leaves them with a yearning to return.
The main town is busy and noisy, but strangely it all adds to its charm.
You will discover fabulous restaurants cooking authentic Khmer and Western dishes. And luxury hotels allow you to leave the backpacker trail behind and pamper yourself without breaking the bank.
There are many great things to do in Siem Reap besides visiting the incredible Angkor temples.
Visit a museum, discover Cambodia’s past, watch traditional dance shows, or even participate in a cookery class.
Do You Need a Cambodia Visa
Depending on your country, you may need a visa to enter Cambodia.
Flight Routes and Times to Siem Reap
We arrived in Siem Reap from Hanoi after spending two weeks in Vietnam. The flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap is one hour and 45 minutes.
If you are planning a two-centre trip to Cambodia, staying in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the flight time between the two is 55 minutes.
If you fly into Siem Reap from Bangkok in Thailand, the flight time is 60 minutes.
There are no direct flights from the UK to Siem Reap. Travellers would need to book connecting flights in one of the leading flight hubs in Asia.
Transport from Siem Reap Airport to Siem Reap Town
You can take a taxi from the airport for the 20-minute journey to the town centre for around $10.
Or why not pre-book an airport transfer to Siem Reap town so that a car will be waiting for you on arrival?
Getting Around Siem Reap
Siem Reap Town is a walkable city and will allow you to see the city on foot. Tuk-tuks are a cheap and easy way of getting around Siem Reap for tourists and locals and for travelling to the Angkor temples.
You can read more about Travel Advice on How To See The Angkor Temples in Siem Reap.
Where to Stay in Siem Reap
Luxury travellers looking for a property offering pure decadence will love Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor or Angkor Privilege d’Angkor and Spa.
Modest travellers looking for comfortable accommodation at excellent prices will enjoy Memoire d’Angkor Boutique Hotel or d’Angkor Residence and Spa.
Budget travellers will find most hotels offer great value for money. Check out the Blossoming Romduol Boutique or Apsara Centropole Hotel.
Book a hotel with a swimming pool because it will be a godsend in the heat!
Visitors can book alternative Siem Reap Hotels on Booking.com
Currency in Cambodia
American dollars are the preferred currency in Cambodia, although small Cambodian notes are handy for tipping or buying from local stalls.
I used the Caxton app to pre-load currency and local ATMs in Siem Reap to withdraw what I needed during my four days in Siem Reap.
The Perfect 4-Day Siem Reap Travel Itinerary
Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and head to your hotel. You can pre-book an airport transfer to take the hassle out of finding a taxi once you land. Freshen up and head to town for dinner at one of Siem Reap’s community restaurants.
Day One of the Four Days in Siem Reap Itinerary
Morning – Breakfast and a Swim
Wake up to the sights and sounds of Siem Reap!
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, spend your first morning relaxing around your hotel pool, and plan which temple you want to visit on your first afternoon in Cambodia.
Afternoon – Visit Bayon Temple
Around 1 pm – Hail a tuk-tuk from outside your accommodation, negotiate a price and hop aboard.
Make sure your driver knows you need to buy an Angkor Pass, as this is your first day in Siem Reap. Also, make sure he knows which temple you want to see.
Angie’s Tip: Get your hotel receptionist to write down your instructions in Cambodian so you can show them to your tuk-tuk driver.
I chose to visit Bayon Temple on my first day in Siem Reap, and it became one of my favourite temples in Angkor.
You can learn more in my post: Visit Bayon – The Smiling Face Temple in Cambodia.
Evening – Angkor Thom Bridge and Terrace of the Elephants
5.30 pm Head back to your hotel via Angkor Thom Bridge and Terrace of the Elephants and catch the sun setting over the Angkor archaeological park.
If you ask your tuk-tuk driver to stop, he should be happy to let you take a few photographs from this iconic viewpoint.
8.00 pm Head to dinner at either Footprint Cafe or Haven. Both are restaurants supporting the local community.
Day Two of the Four Days in Siem Reap Itinerary
Morning – Breakfast at The Missing Socks Cafe
8.30 am Wake Up
9.30 am Walk into town for breakfast at The Missing Socks Laundry Cafe and then head to Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap town centre to discover the history behind the temples and the Khmer civilisation.
11.30 am Return to the hotel to relax around the pool
Afternoon – Visit Ta Prohm and Ta Nei
1.30 pm After lunch, meet your tuk-tuk driver to explore two popular Angkor temples.
A visit to Ta Prohm, made famous in the Tomb Raider film, is a must-see on your Siem Reap itinerary.
Marvel at the tree roots engulfing the temple structures and, afterwards, continue to Ta Nei, a smaller temple hidden deep in the Cambodian jungle.
You may like to read my Siem Reap temple posts.
Visit Ta Prohm – The Tree Root Temple in Cambodia, and Visit Ta Nei – The Hidden Jungle Temple
5.30 pm Return to the hotel and freshen up for your evening in Siem Reap
Evening – Dinner at a community restaurant
8.00 pm Head to dinner at either Footprint Cafe or Haven or join a private street food tour in Siem Reap.
10.30 pm Wander back past Siem Reap’s night markets and pick up a souvenir. Or head to Pub Street, home to Siem Reap nightlife.
We walked through Pub Street and decided it wasn’t for us. It was loud and brash and not where we wanted to spend our time in Siem Reap.
It is a popular tourist haunt, but it’s not somewhere I would include on my Siem Reap travel itinerary.
Day Three of the Four Days in Siem Reap Itinerary
Morning – Breakfast and a cookery class
8.30 am Wake up
9.30 am Walk into town for breakfast at WILD cafe and afterwards try your hand at a cookery class in the home of a local.
Afternoon – Visit Preah Khan and Angkor Wat
1.30 pm Grab lunch and meet your tuk-tuk driver to explore two more Angkor temples.
Preah Khan is one of the most intact Angkor temples, and Angkor Wat is the most photographed temple in Cambodia, if not the world!
You may like to read my post: Visit Preah Khan – The Sacred Sword Temple
5.30 pm Return to the hotel to freshen up.
Evening – See Phare circus show
8.00 pm Head out to see the circus show Phare. This is one of the best things to do in Siem Reap in the evening. You may also enjoy an Apsara Dance Show if you love the arts.
The dance is performed in various places around town, including the luxurious Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor.
10 pm Return to the hotel and enjoy late-night drinks at the bar.
Last Day of the Four Days in Siem Reap Itinerary
Morning – Say goodbye to Siem Reap
10 am Leave your Siem Reap hotel and wander into town for breakfast at Brother Bong Cafe.
Afterwards, pick up some last-minute Cambodian souvenirs before heading to Siem Reap airport and your next destination. For us, it was Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
Reflections of Cambodia
Cambodia is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most intriguing places to visit and somewhere that is hard to forget. Siem Reap is a must-visit on any Cambodia Travel itinerary.
The feeling of seeing the iconic Bayon face temple and the monumental Angkor Wat will stay with me forever.
However, the ancient Angkorian temples are not the only reason that travellers plan a trip to Cambodia; many other places in Cambodia are also worth visiting.
You could head to Phnom Penh to see and hear the sights and sounds of Cambodia’s capital city or take time out and relax on one of Cambodia’s beautiful golden beaches.
One thing is for sure, time spent in Cambodia will be the trip of a lifetime.
Please PIN this image for future Cambodia Travel Planning.
Bea Adventurous
Friday 1st of July 2022
This is a really gorgeous post, especially the photos! I can't wait to come back to Cambodia! Thanks for posting these helpful tips!