How to Buy Angkor Wat Tickets & Skip the Line

Updated Angkor Pass prices plus the best way to buy Angkor Wat tickets in 2023, either in person in Siem Reap or online from home.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit the temples of Angkor four times over the past few years. When I was living in Phnom Penh, I visited Siem Reap regularly and always made a point of spending at least a day in the Archaeological Park.

It’s one of those places that knocks you off your feet every single time.

Most travellers’ number one priority when they arrive in Siem Reap is to pick up their Angkor Pass, the official ticket required to visit Angkor Archaeological Park including the famous Angkor Wat and dozens of other temples, palaces and ruins.

Guide to buying Angkor Wat tickets online or in Siem Reap.
The one and only Angkor Wat.

In this detailed guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about buying tickets for Angkor Wat online or in person.

I’ll also share my top hacks for getting the most bang for your buck, money saving tips, and lots of other insider advice for visiting Angkor!


Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.


Update: Is Angkor Wat open?

Yes, Angkor Archaeological Park is open to tourists. Cambodia is fully open to international tourists as of November 2021.

There has never been a better time to visit Angkor. The temples are still quiet, and by visiting now, you’ll be helping local tourism businesses get back on their feet.

In 2022, fewer than 300,000 Angkor tickets were sold – a big change from 2019 when 2.2 million people visited the temples.

A woman stands inside Angkor temple in Cambodia.
Me visiting Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat entrance fee for 2023

There are currently three types of standard Angkor Pass available:

TypePrice (direct)Price (agent)
1 Day Angkor Pass37 USD59.89 USD
3 Day Angkor Pass62 USD91.35 USD
7 Day Angkor Pass72 USD103.85 USD

Note that the special ‘bonus days’ ticket deal for 2022 expired on December 31.

Children under 12 years old enter Angkor for free. Foreigners holding a 2-year Cambodian residence visa are eligible for special pricing.

Remember to carry your Angkor Pass with you at all times – and for kids under 12, they’ll need a passport to prove their age.

Most temples are patrolled (even the smaller ones) and you will likely have your tickets checked multiple times every day. There are hefty penalties if you get caught without a ticket.

Top tip: To make things a lot easier, bring your own lanyard ID holder from home so you can safely wear your pass around your neck. The holder needs to be 7.5x10cm (3×4”) to fit the pass inside. This one from Amazon is suitable.

Important note: Most Angkor tours do not include tickets to the park – you need to buy your own tickets before joining the tour. It’s very important to remember this for sunrise tours especially!


How long is the Angkor Pass valid for?

It’s important to understand that different tickets have different validity periods. You do not have to use a multi-day ticket on consecutive days.

  • The 1-day Pass is valid for 5 days – meaning you can use it for one full day within a 5-day period, starting from the time of purchase.
  • The 3-day Pass is valid for 10 non-consecutive days – meaning you can use it up to three times within a 10-day period.
  • The 7-day Pass is valid for 30 non-consecutive days – meaning you can use it up to seven times within a one-month period.

Every time you enter the park, the guard will punch a hole in your ticket at the corresponding checkpoint.

Entry date vs expiry date

All Angkor Passes have two dates: A date of entry, and a date of expiry.

Date of entry is the earliest date you can redeem your pass and enter the park for the first time. Date of expiry is the day your pass expires. The countdown starts from the time you purchase your ticket (or if you’re buying online, from the entry date you indicate at the time of purchase).

  • 1 day pass – valid for 5 days from date of entry to date of expiry
  • 3 day pass – valid for 10 days from date of entry to date of expiry
  • 7 day pass – valid for 30 days from date of entry to date of expiry

If you have a multi-day pass, you must make all your entrances to the park before the expiry date. For the 3 and 7 day passes, your entrances do not have to be on consecutive days.

An Apsara dancer engraved on a temple at Angkor Archaeological Complex in Cambodia.
Make sure you give yourself enough time at Angkor to soak up all the little details, including these beautiful Apsara engravings.

Which Angkor Pass is best?

The ticket type you choose very much depends on your travel style and how many temples you can handle.

It’s important to understand that Angkor is not just one temple – it’s a massive complex and it’s very spread out. That’s why most people dedicate two or three days to Angkor.

For most travellers, two full days is a perfect amount of time to see the major highlights plus a couple of lesser-known temples. This is the option I usually go with when I visit.

In this case, buying a single 3 Day Angkor Pass is more affordable than buying two 1 Day Passes – and it means you’ll only have to go to the ticket office once. You don’t have to visit on consecutive days, so you can have one day on, one day off, with a rest day in between.

For most travellers, the 3 Day Angkor Pass is the best option for value.

Best ticket option for sunrise at Angkor wat

If you want to see the sunrise at Angkor, you should make sure you have your ticket the day before.

Think about it: The ticket office opens at 5am, and the sun rises some time between 5.30am and 6.30am depending on the time of year. That only gives you an hour on average to buy your ticket, get to the entrance (10-15 minutes by road), and stake out the perfect spot. It’s simply not enough time.

I tried it once and it was a massive fail! I ended up watching the sunrise from the road outside the complex.

If you’re serious about seeing the sunrise, you need to arrive as early as possible to beat the crowds and get a good view. If you already have your pass in hand, you can skip the ticket office and go straight to Angkor Wat when gates open at 5am.

Remember: The single day pass is valid for a 5-day window, meaning you can buy your pass any time on the day prior (or even a few days in advance) and use it to enter the park for sunrise.

Top tip: If you want to see the sunrise on your first day but your flight/bus gets into Siem Reap after the ticket desk closes at 5.30pm, then you should buy your ticket online. See the next section for more details.

The sun rises over Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia.
Sunrise at Angkor Wat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

How to buy Angkor tickets – online or in person?

You can either buy your Angkor Pass in person at the ticket desk in Siem Reap or purchase it online before you arrive. In this section, I’ll run through the pros and cons in detail.


Option 1: Buying tickets in person from the Angkor Wat Ticket Office

If you’re staying in Siem Reap for multiple days and you’re not in a huge rush, it’s a very easy process to buy your tickets in person. This is the most affordable option.

PROS

  • Lowest price – no extra fees

CONS

  • Need to travel to the ticket office
  • Need to wait in line
  • Not enough time to get to the park for sunrise

Angkor Wat Ticket Office location & opening hours

The official Angkor Wat ticket office is located on Apsara Road, 5km (15 mins by tuk-tuk) north of the centre of Siem Reap and 5.5km (10 mins by tuk-tuk) from the main entrance to Angkor Wat.

On Google Maps, it’s called ‘Angkor Park Pass Ticket Counters’. See the exact location here.

Opening hours are from 5am until 5.30pm every day. In high season (November through January), it’s common for there to be long queues, especially before 5am and after 4.30pm. Make sure you give yourself enough time.

I recommend using Pass App to order a tuk-tuk to the ticket counter.

Process for buying tickets

When you arrive, you’ll see there are 48 counters organised by ticket type. Most sell the 1 and 3 Day Passes – look for the signs on the windows and make sure you choose the right one.

Join the line. When it’s your turn, the attendant will snap a digital photo with a webcam to print out on your ticket. For this reason, all members of your group need to be physically present when buying tickets.

You do not need your passport. Kids under 12 years old do need their passport as proof of age for free entry.

Prices are clearly displayed on the desk. Payment can be made by credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Union Pay, JCB, Diners Club) or in cash. The office accepts USD, Cambodian riel, Thai baht and Euro – but note that change is only given in Cambodian riel. There is an ATM inside the office if you need to get money out.

All up, this process takes anywhere from 5-30 minutes depending on how crowded it is.

Update: As of August 2022, it is now possible to buy tickets online through the Angkor Enterprise portal.

A pond of lilly flowers in front of Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia.
Buy your Angkor Wat tickets online to beat the crowds.

Option 2: Buying Angkor Wat tickets online

There are currently two ways to buy Angkor tickets online: Direct through the Angkor Enterprise portal, or through a local agent called Green Era Travel.

If you buy directly through the portal, you won’t have to pay any additional fees. The online price is the same as the walk-in price.

If you want extra peace of mind, you can use the third-party website Viator to manage the process. Just remember that this does incur an extra fee.

PROS

  • Easy online payment
  • Delivery to your hotel the night before
  • No need to travel to the ticket office or wait in line
  • Add on minivan transport & hotel pick-up at the time of booking if you use an agent

CONS

  • Extra fees if you use an agent

Angkor Pass online ticket prices (via Green Era)

Green Era Travel has a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor. You can read 120+ reviews from other travellers for their Angkor Pass ticket service here.

This agent is authorised to purchase tickets on your behalf, so you don’t have to be there in person. After reserving and making payment online with your credit/debit card, you need to email them a photo. Do not forget this important step!

You can order your pass as far in advance as you want – up to a year ahead of time.

Green Era will deliver your physical ticket to your hotel in Siem Reap by 6pm on the night before your visit. This means you won’t have to go to the ticket office in the morning, so you can get a head-start on your day.

Green Era charges an extra fee to cover the costs of online processing and delivery. Tickets are currently priced as follows:

TypePriceTickets
1 Day Angkor Pass59.89 USDCheck availability
3 Day Angkor Pass91.35 USDCheck availability
7 Day Angkor Pass103.85 USDCheck availability

How to use the Angkor Enterprises Online Portal

The Angkor portal is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. All prompts and instructions are in English. With this platform, you can buy your tickets up to 30 days in advance.

Here is a quick walk-through plus a couple of troubleshooting tips.

Step 1: Register a new account. Head over to the website and click ‘Buy tickets’ on the top left. This will take you to the ticket portal. Hit ‘Register here’ to set up a new account. Enter your name, gender, email address, and set a password. You will then be prompted to confirm your registration using the link sent to your inbox.

Step 2: Log into the platform. Once you’re in, select your pass: Angkor World Heritage or Koh Ker Temple (see below for a full list of temples included under the first pass). On the next screen, you will choose your pass type (1, 3 or 7 days) and your desired entry date. Note that you can only select a date within the next 30 calendar days.

Angkor Wat different passes to buy online, screenshot of the ticket website.
Choose your pass. Screenshot via Angkor Enterprise.

Step 3: Enter your details. These are the details that will be printed on your physical pass. Indicate your gender, age group (adolescent, adult or elderly), and your nationality.

Step 4: Upload a photo. On this screen, you also need to upload a headshot. The photo must be full colour and good resolution, with your face clearly visible. After you hit upload, you will have an opportunity to crop it to size (1:1 ratio). If the photo is no good, you will get the error message ‘No face detected’. The platform is a bit finicky, so you might have to try a few different photos. Don’t try to upload a very large file size – I used a 6 KB jpeg.

Screenshot buying tickets online for Angkor Wat.
Details page. (I used a stock image from Unsplash for this step). Screenshot via Angkor Enterprise.

Step 5: Add extra tickets (optional). If you’re buying multiple tickets, you can add an extra person using the green + sign. Repeat the process described above for each additional person. There is nowhere to input the ticket holder’s name, so I assume this data gets added later.

Step 6: Confirm your details and pay. Once you confirm all your details you will prompted to make online payment via the ABA Bank Cambodia payway. Visa, Mastercard, JBC and UnionPay are all accepted.

Screenshot of online tickets for Angkor.
Final confirmation. Screenshot via Angkor Enterprise.

Step 7: Print or save your pass. On the day you visit, you will need to show your pass (digital or hard copy) to enter the park. Note that you do not need to go to the ticket desk, you can proceed directly to any checkpoint entrance. Be sure to read all the instructions and terms of service printed on your ticket so you know exactly how to redeem your pass.

Should you buy your Angkor Pass online?

Not everyone will need to buy their ticket online. But in some cases, it’s worth it to have your pass in hand and ready to go.

If you only have limited time to see Angkor and you’re concerned about wasting time waiting in line, it eliminates the need to visit the ticket office.

If you’re hiring a bicycle to explore Angkor on your own, you can avoid having to make a big detour to the ticket office (I did this once – it adds on a lot of unnecessary cycling).

If you’re arriving in Siem Reap late (after 5.30pm when the ticket office closes) and you want to go to Angkor for sunrise the next morning, your only option is to pre-buy a ticket online.

If you just prefer to have things organised before you arrive, then it’s worth it to pre-buy your pass and have your ducks all in a row.

Remember you can buy your online tickets one of two ways: Through Viator or directly from the Angkor Enterprise Portal.


Angkor opening hours

Angkor Archaeological Park is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year – including on national holidays.

It does get very busy during major religious holidays such as Pchum Ben (September/October). I once visited during Bon Om Touk (the Water Festival) in October and it was very crowded. Check the dates for national holidays in 2023 here.

Most of the temples in the park are open from 7.30am until 5.30pm. The only exceptions are:

  • Angkor Wat & Srah Srang – open earlier from 5am until 5.30pm
  • Pre Rup & Phnom Bakheng – open earlier and later from 5am until 7pm

These are the popular sunrise and sunset temples – and as you can imagine, they are always the busiest spots!


Angkor Wat tickets FAQ

How much does it cost to visit Angkor Wat?

Entrance to Angkor costs 37-104 USD depending on the type of pass and whether you purchase it online or in person.

Which temples can you visit with the Angkor Pass?

The Angkor Pass covers two dozen or so temples, gates, palaces and terraces including Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei, Pre Rup, Ta Prohm, Bayon, Angkor Thom – and many more.

In January 2020, Beng Melea Temple (60km / 75 mins from Siem Reap) was also added to the Angkor Pass, meaning you no longer require a separate ticket to visit.

The only sites near Siem Reap that are not included in the Angkor Pass are:

  • Phnom Kulen Mountain (60km / 2 hrs from Siem Reap) – costs 20 USD
  • Koh Ker Archaeological Site (115km / 2.5 hrs from Siem Reap) – costs 15 USD

Temples further afield including Preah Vihear and Banteay Chhmar are not included either and require separate tickets.

Do I have to visit on consecutive days?

No, you do not have to visit on consecutive days. If you buy a 3-day pass, you can use it over 3 days within a 10-day period. If you buy a 7-day pass, you can use it over 7 days within a 30-day period.

Just be sure to check your pass expiry date – all your entrances must be made before this date.

Can you use the same Angkor Pass twice in one day?

Yes, your pass is valid for the whole day – so you can enter the park for sunrise, go back to your hotel for a while, then come back again later. It’s a very good idea to take a break during the middle of the day when it’s very hot.

The same rule applies to all passes.

Are Angkor Wat tickets refundable?

No, Angkor Passes are non-refundable. Passes bought online through the official portal or through an agent are non-refundable. If you use an agent, it might be possible to adjust the dates. Email them directly with any questions.

Are tickets transferable?

No, tickets to Angkor are non-transferrable. Your pass includes your full name and photo, so you can’t give it to someone else or re-sell it.

Do I need my passport to buy a ticket?

No, you don’t need your passport to buy a ticket. The only exception is children under 12 years old, who need to show ID to prove their age.

You do not need to carry your passport with you when visiting Angkor. Your ticket will be checked regularly, but because it’s essentially a photo ID, you will not be asked to show your passport.

How far in advance can I buy tickets online?

If you use the Angkor Enterprise portal, you can buy tickets up to 30 days in advance. If you use an agent, you can buy tickets up to one year in advance. Check availability for your dates here on Viator.

Where does the money go?

Angkor Wat ticket sales are administered by Angkor Enterprise. 2 USD from every ticket sale is donated to Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital in Siem Reap.

If you use Green Era or another agent, the extra fees are used for processing the ticket and delivering it to your hotel.

What happens if I lose my ticket?

You need a ticket to visit any temple in the Angkor precinct. In addition to the main entry checkpoints, there are guards patrolling the temples and asking to see tickets, so be sure to carry yours with you at all times.

If you lose your ticket, you will need to buy a new one. If you get caught without a ticket or with an expired ticket, the penalty ranges from 100-600 USD.

Does my Angkor tour guide need a ticket?

No, Cambodian citizens can enter Angkor Archaeological Park for free. Cambodian guides and drivers do not need to buy a ticket.

Is Angkor Wat free?

Angkor Wat is free for children under 12 years old and for all Cambodian nationals. Everyone else needs to buy a pass.

A man on a motorbike riding through a temple gate in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Tuk tuk is a popular way to visit Angkor.

Angkor Wat FAQ

What is the best time to visit Angkor Wat?

Angkor is very busy during peak tourist season (November through January) and on national holidays when Cambodian families visit the park. If you want to beat the crowds, I suggest visiting during shoulder season.

Rainy season – or as I prefer to call it, green season – is actually a very nice time to visit. June through to September is cooler and quieter, and although it does rain, downpours are normally short, sharp and limited to the late afternoons. Another huge plus is that the landscape is green and lush.

Avoid March and April, which are the hottest months of the year.

Is one day enough for Angkor Wat?

One day is not a lot of time, but it’s better than nothing. In one day, you can see Angkor Wat, Bayon, Angkor Thom, and a couple of other sites in between. If you only have one day for Angkor, I highly recommend buying your ticket online to save time and energy.

If you want to visit some of the smaller temples and explore at a better pace, then you need at least two days at Angkor. This is why I recommend buying the 3 Day Angkor Pass.

Is Angkor Wat open every day?

Yes, Angkor Archaeological Park is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Most temples are open from 7.30am until 5.30pm.

What is the best way to get around Angkor?

Most people hire a tuk-tuk and driver to take them around Angkor Park. There are a number of set ‘loop’ itineraries you can choose from. If you do your research in advance, you can design your own route.

Driver Srey: The Women Drivers of Siem Reap is a group of all-female drivers who offer single-day and multi-day tours of Angkor.

Should I join an Angkor tour?

If you want to learn more about the history of Angkor, you should consider joining a private or small group tour from Siem Reap. There are some truly brilliant local guides working at Angkor who will make your experience much more fun and enriching.

What is the best way to see the sunrise at Angkor?

In Siem Reap, the sun rises between 5.30am and 6.30am depending on the time of year. Since the ticket office only opens at 5am, you likely won’t have enough time to buy your ticket and get to the park. For this reason, you should buy your pass the day before.

What is the best way to see the sunset at Angkor?

The sun sets between 5.30pm and 6.30pm depending on the season. Entry to most temples closes at 5.30pm (with the exception of Pre Rup and Phnom Bakheng). At 5.30pm, security staff will start asking people who are already inside to start leaving.

Some of the best sunset spots are actually outside the temple walls, though!

Do I need a permit to take my camera into Angkor?

DSLR cameras are allowed inside the park, but professional equipment is not. If you’re taking photos or filming video for commercial purposes, you need to obtain a written permit from the APSARA National Authority first.

Can I fly my drone at Angkor?

Not without a permit from the APSARA National Authority – which can be difficult to obtain. Do not try to fly a drone without a permit.


6 essentials to pack for Angkor

  • A plastic lanyard holder to keep your Angkor Pass safe. This one from Amazon is suitable.
  • A reusable water bottle. S’well water bottles are perfect because they don’t sweat in hot weather. Plastic pollution is a huge issue in Cambodia. Avoid single-use plastics whenever you can.
  • An anti-theft backpack. Petty crime is unfortunately still a big issue in Cambodia. Invest in an anti-theft day pack and remember to be extra careful with your belongings when you’re in a tuk tuk or walking down the street.
  • Your favourite sunscreen. Most face creams sold locally in Cambodia contain skin whiteners, while international sun care brands such as Banana Boat can be prohibitively expensive. I highly recommend bringing a tube (or two) of your favourite sunscreen from home. I recently started using this brand and I absolutely love it. I use this one on my face.
  • A lightweight cotton scarf. This is my number one travel item for Southeast Asia. A light cotton scarf has a thousand uses: Use it to cover your shoulders when you go inside a pagoda, or cover your mouth when you’re tuk-tuking down a dusty road. If you don’t have a favourite, you can always pick one up when you arrive from one of the many ethical souvenir shops in Phnom Penh.
  • A pumice stone. After a few hours taking your shoes on and off continuously to go in and out of temples, your tootsies are going to get filthy (trust me!). A pumice stone comes in handy for cleansing your feet at the end of the day.

Where to stay in Siem Reap

For a full list of hotels, hostels and guesthouses, check out my detailed Siem Reap accommodation guide.

Onederz Hostel in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Onederz Siem Reap. Photo courtesy of the property.

Budget hostel: Onederz Siem Reap (⭐ 9.3). This popular hostel has compact, tidy rooms and a stunning rooftop pool. The location next to Angkor Night Market and buzzing Pub Street is great for street food and nightlife.


Babel Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Babel Siem Reap. Photo courtesy of the property.

Guesthouse: Babel Siem Reap (⭐ 9.0). This sustainable guesthouse puts responsible tourism first. The location close to Wat Bo is perfect for restaurants and sightseeing. A great choice for families with kids.


The Nature hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The Nature. Photo courtesy of the property.

Luxe on a budget: The Nature (⭐ 9.3). This peaceful retreat is a bit further out (8 minutes by tuk-tuk west of the centre) and offers maximum peace and quiet. Some of the self-contained suites have a private kitchen, ideal for families and for longer stays.


Templation Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Templation Hotel. Photo courtesy of the property.

Luxury resort: Templation Hotel (⭐ 9.3). This elegant resort is located north of the centre on the way to Angkor. Rooms are generously proportioned and beautifully designed, with indoor-outdoor bathrooms. The shady pool area here is hard to beat.


More Cambodia travel resources


Cambodia essentials

Planning a trip to Cambodia? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans in the Kingdom.

FLIGHTS: Find the best deals on flights to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap using Skyscanner.

VISAS: Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Cambodia and apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo, my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance.

SIM CARD: Purchase an Airalo eSIM for Cambodia and get instant access to the net when you arrive (prices start from $4.50).

AIRPORT TRANSFER: Pre-book your hotel transfer from Phnom Penh Airport or Siem Reap Airport.

ACCOMMODATION: Find the best hotel deals in Cambodia on Agoda or book a Cambodia hostel.

BUS TICKETS: Buy your Cambodia bus tickets online in advance through Bookaway or organise a private car and driver through BookMeBus.

TUK-TUKS: Download Pass App to book tuk-tuks and taxis on the go.

DAY TRIPS: Find the best city tours and day excursions in Cambodia on Viator.

COOKING CLASSES & MARKET TOURS: Find the best cooking classes and foodie experiences in Cambodia on Cookly.

CAMBODIA GUIDEBOOK: Pick up a copy of the latest Lonely Planet guidebook for Cambodia.

7 Comments

  1. Just a note that the Angkor Enterprise portal has issues processing credit card payments. I’ve been trying to pay every day for the past 10 days or so, and each time payment has failed. My bank is not even seeing an attempted charge, so the problem is not with the bank, and I’ve tried on several browsers and even through a Cambodia VPN. At least one other traveler has reported the same issues on TripAdvisor.

    I emailed Angkor Enterprises about the problem four days ago and have not received a response.

  2. Very helpful article, thanks to your clear instructions we just booked through Angkor enterprise, it was 74USD for two entries. Thanks, Emily!

  3. Noted that this comprehensive and informative article (thank you) was penned on 1 Jan 2023, which is fairly recent but the online prices only reflect those sold by Viator. Unless this is a sponsored article, to which I could not find any attribution, it seems that Angkor Enterprise portal also conducts direct online bookings at the same walk-in prices, which is the most ideal mode of purchase IMHO.

    1. Hi Jane,

      Thanks for your comment. The ticket prices are all up to date for 2023, including the walk-in prices.

      The Angkor Enterprise portal finally came online in August 2022 after this article was first published, and I did make a note of its availability. My apologies if it wasn’t clear enough – I have added some more information about navigating the portal, which I hope you will find helpful.

      This is not a sponsored article, no.

      Thanks again for your feedback and have a fabulous time in Cambodia!

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