Best time to visit Angkor Wat - Cambodia’s City of Temples

Cambodia’s crown jewel, the ruins of Angkor Wat and the surrounding Khmer temples, lure more than two million foreign visitors per year. Sometimes you'll feel as though at least a million chose the same day as you to visit!

While rain can detract from the experience during the monsoon season, heavy crowds—also a nuisance—descend on the ruins during the peak of the dry season. Although Angkor Wat is open all year, getting good photos of the vine-strangled temples without scores of tourists clamoring around on them requires a bit of good timing. Even arriving very early in the morning is no guarantee you will enjoy tranquility at the primary temple sites.

December and January are the best-weather months, but they are also the busiest as hordes of visitors and tour buses flock to see the monuments. Peak season runs roughly from December to the end of February.

April and May are unbearably hot months in Cambodia. Avoid them unless you can handle heat and suffocating humidity as you explore the ancient temples. During these peak-heat months, you can enjoy more personal space at temples—assuming you don't mind a heat stroke or three.

To really get the most out of your three-day-pass to Angkor Wat, consider timing your visit to coincide with one of the shoulder months between the monsoon season and dry season. November and March are often good compromise months for Angkor Wat. With a little luck, you'll still have sunny days that aren't scorching hot but fewer crowds with which to contend for photos.

Monsoon rains move in around late May or June and persist until the end of October. September and October are typically the wettest months, with more than 15 inches of rainfall, while January receives the most sunshine.

December through February are dry but are among the busiest months with tourists clamoring for photos.

ANGKOR WAT WEATHER

The Lunar New Year festival (which includes Chinese New Year and Tet in nearby Vietnam) causes nearly every popular place in Southeast Asia to become extremely busy for a couple of weeks as millions of people travel during days off. Accommodation prices go up, and negotiating a better deal at hotels becomes difficult. Dates change annually, but the Lunar New Year holiday hits in January or February.

Angkor Wat is open 365 days a year, from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m. (closing time is only loosely enforced, so you can exit at your leisure until darkness falls).

Although the Angkor complex is open 365 days a year, it may be busier than usual on Cambodian public holidays. Many holidays are based on the lunar-solar calendar; dates change from year to year.

The Khmer New Year (coincides with Songkran in Thailand; always April 13-15 or so) may not be the best time to visit Angkor Wat. Instead, enjoy the unique festivities.

More backpackers traveling along the Banana Pancake Trail in Southeast Asia tend to visit during the summer months while taking a break from school. You may not notice; Siem Reap is often in perpetual party mode.

Visiting during Cambodia's monsoon season presents several new challenges. Aside from the distinct disadvantage of having to explore the many outdoor temples in the drenching rain, roads can become rutted, muddy, and impassable during heavy downpours.

Remote temple sites may become difficult, if not impossible, to reach. Low areas turn into muddy pits, eliminating options such as biking leisurely around the area. Despite best efforts, getting photos of the memorable temples will be more difficult during torrential rains.

On the plus side, visiting Angkor Wat during the monsoon season means less competition for stairs and photos. You can still luck out with spurts of sunshine, sometimes consecutive days at a time, even during the monsoon season. Intense showers may only pop up in the afternoons, leaving you with plenty of time to explore each morning.

Additionally, mosquitoes are more of a problem during the wet season. Know how to avoid mosquito bites while traveling. Dengue fever is a problem in the area.

Crowds/Busy Times

The weather can certainly put a dampener on your travel plans; however, they are also the quietest time to visit. While the Angkor Wat temple itself can still be sort of busy in the wet season, you will have much more space to enjoy the intricate beauty of it and the other temples.

Events to check out

• The Khmer New Year, also called Chaul Chnam Thmey, spans three days in mid-April. This is the most popular and festive holiday across Cambodia; celebrations include parades, festivals, fireworks, and more.
• October 15 is a national holiday commemorating the memory of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk. He was the ruler of Cambodia immediately after the country gained its independence from France.

The rain usually arrives fairly suddenly in Cambodia, meaning the shoulder season is relatively short. Nonetheless, it does present a great opportunity to enjoy good weather before (or just after) the heavy crowds arrive.

April (after the dry season)

The months of April and early May are usually still dry, and very hot, with average temperatures hovering around the mid-30s Celsius (85 - 95°F). April is the hottest month overall. As a result, you’ll probably want to plan your day so that you are exploring early before the sun gets too intense.

November (after the wet season)

Already drier than wet season and not as hot as in the dry season. However, visitors report Maximum temperatures are in the low 30s (85 – 90°F). On the other hand, it can rain of course, but it’s usually clearing. Therefore, as long as you don’t mind bringing a rain jacket or umbrella just in case, November can be a great time to travel to Angkor Wat.

Crowds/Busy Times

Unfortunately, shoulder seasons in April or November at Angkor Archaeological Park don’t mean there are no crowds. But still, it’s at least a little less busy - especially at the lesser-known temple complexes - making both shoulder months a great time to visit.  Just keep in mind, that April is the hottest month.

The most popular time to visit Angkor Wat is during the dry season, which typically runs from November through March. These days are cool and dry, but this is also the most popular time to visit, which means crowds.

Even though these months are technically "winter," temperatures are still quite warm. January, which is the coldest month in Cambodia, only sees lows of 70 F (21 C)! However, despite the more mild temperatures, weather during this season can still be somewhat unpredictable. You should be prepared for unexpected rain showers or the occasional heatwave to roll through.

If you're planning a visit during the dry season, book your hotels and restaurants early. If you don't plan ahead, you might set yourself up for disappointment.

Crowds/Busy Times

Aside from the heat, the main drawback of visiting Angkor Wat in the dry season is the crowds. The promise of round-the-clock sunshine certainly brings plenty of tourists, and you certainly won’t be lonely at Angkor Wat and the other temples. Avoiding the crowds in the dry season?

You can manage the crowds by visiting the popular temples (such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom or Ta Prohm) late in the afternoon when the crowds are at their thinnest. Angkor Wat itself, in particular, is the busiest temple of all in general. While visiting in the late afternoon is great to avoid the crowds, you should still see the sunrise (see our tips below) at Angkor Wat at least on one day, regardless of the crowds

Special Heat Tip

In the middle of the day in summer, you might actually prefer to head back to your guesthouse to escape the searing midday heat. However, if you’re not scared off by the temperature then it’s a good time to visit the less famous temples (such as Ta Som). Here, you’ll get a much more relaxing – and no less beautiful – experience of the Angkor temples.

Events to check out

• Cambodia celebrates its Independence Day on November 9. This holiday was established to celebrate the country's independence from France in 1953.
• January 7 is another important day in Cambodian history. This day, Victory Day commemorates the end of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979.

The popular temples (Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm) are very busy throughout the day, even more in high season (dry season). However, it thins out slightly in the late evening. Keep in mind, that Angkor Wat is also extremely busy in the early morning because everybody wants to experience the stunning sunrise. 

But still, we recommend being there at least once during sunrise, regardless of the crowds (check our itinerary as well as our sunrise tips below in the main text). Later in the day always means (at least slightly) fewer crowds. The less popular temples are even less crowded in the late evening as well as in the early morning (when everyone watches the sunrise at Angkor Wat Temple).

While the temples can only be accessed until 5:30 pm, you can still visit many of them after that time. However, you can’t explore the interior after ‘official closing’ time.

The right hours to visit

Angkor Wat

• the most visited temple
• best time to visit: sunset, after 4:30 pm, lunchtime
• worst time to visit: sunrise time, 9-11 am
• tip: from the west Angkor Wat looks golden in late afternoon and sunset light

Angkor Thom

• best time to visit: first thing in the morning or 12 - 2pm
• worst time to visit: about 8-11 am
• tip: walk around the walls for some solitude and beautiful views

Ta Prohm

• best time to visit: first thing in the morning, lunchtime (enough shade here compared to other temples of the complex)
• worst time to visit: 10-11 am and early afternoon

Banteay Srei (25 km from the major complex)

• pretty busy all the time (visited by most day tourists)
• best time to visit: lunchtime (less people) or late afternoon (more people, but better photos)
• worst time to visit: early morning
• tip: this small temple looks the best in the setting sun’s light

• Ticket Office: 4:30 am – 5:30 pm (Ticket Office Google Maps Location)
• Angkor Wat (+ Srah Srang): 5:00 am – 5:30 pm
• Pre Rup, Phnom Bakheng: 5:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Other Temples: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm

The ticket office is open from 4:30 am – 5:30 pm every day. Note that if you buy your ticket after 5 pm, then it will count as valid for the next day rather than the day of purchase.

Most of the Angkor temples are open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm every day. However, Angkor Wat itself is one exception! It is open from 5:00 am to 5:30 pm so that guests can watch the sunrise. Srah Srang, Pre Rup and Phnom Bakheng also open at 5:00 am. Special Tip: Even though the temples officially “close” at 5:30 pm, you can still access some of them – and it doesn’t cost you anything!

Angkor Wat is magical at any time, but it’s got that extra WOW factor during sunrise. It’s definitely worth getting up early to experience this, regardless of the ‘sunrise crowds’! Here are a few tips so you get the most out of it.

• The sunrise generally happens between 5am and 6am (depending on the season), so you will want to be up and leaving Siem Reap around 4.30am. If you are not sure what time it is, ask your guesthouse – you definitely don’t want to miss it!
• As it is so early, you will want to buy your ticket the day before. If you forget, the ticket office opens at 5:00am – but you will be cutting it VERY fine for the sunrise.
• Do check the weather forecast before you go, especially in wet season. When it is wet the sky is hazy, and the colours are less impressive.
• Another option is to take a hot air balloon ride for an amazing view as the sun comes up over the temple park.
• One the sun has risen, typically most visitors rush in to start exploring the inside. However, it’s a beautiful time to admire the exterior when it’s baked in a golden light.

Another option is to visit Angkor Wat at sunset, which is also great and definitely less crowded compared to sunrise. Another big plus of this is, it is free to enter the Archaeological Park after 5:30pm, although you can’t actually explore the interior of the temple. Of course, if you are spending three days then there’s time to do both.

Here are more tips to chase your Angkor Wat Sunrise and Sunset

How to get to Angkor Wat

The nearby town of Siem Reap can be reached via good roads from Phnom Penh and buses and taxis make the trip regularly. Those preferring to travel by boat can also make the trip from Phnom Penh in some five or six hours—about the same travel time as by road. The airport in Siem Reap has service to Phnom Penh and regular flights abroad to Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Laos.

Here is the dedicated article about Where is Angkor Wat and How to Get there

Angkor Wat Tickets and Entrance Fee

In order to visit Angkor Wat, you need to buy a ticket for the entire Angkor Archaeological Park. Within the 400 square kilometer park, there are more than 1000 temples including the famous Angkor Wat, as well as other big names such as the Bayon and Ta Prohm. It is not possible to buy entry tickets to only individual temples; you must buy the park pass. The cost depends on how many days you want to enter the park. The tickets available and their fees are: 

• One day pass ($37 USD) – Valid only for the day that you buy it. 
• Three-day pass ($62 USD) – Valid to be used for three days within ten days of purchase. The days you visit do not need to be consecutive, i.e. you can choose any three days within the ten days from the date of purchase. 
• One-week pass ($72 USD) – Valid for one month from purchase, for a maximum of seven days. As above, these do not need to be consecutive days. 

To buy the ticket, you need to go to the office in downtown Siem Reap (Ticket Center Location Google Maps). They accept cash (USD preferred, although riels are also accepted) and card. You do not need any ID to buy a ticket. 

Pass/Ticket Tips

• The ticket/pass is given to you as a hard-copy ticket. If you lose it, you will need to buy another one – they will not replace it. For this reason, be super careful with your ticket (a waterproof pouch is a good idea). 
• The admission passes (tickets) are non-transferrable. Your name and photo are printed on it. 
• Children under 12 years don't need a ticket, they can enter for free. ID is required to proof their age. 
• Even when you take a tour (recommended for 1 day, see below), the ticket/pass is not included. That means you always need a ticket.

Angkor Wat Map

Check the below map plan of Angkor Wat for your reference. You can either download the high-resolution map of Angkor Wat to have the better vision of what you will visit here.

How Long to Spend at Angkor Wat

To visit Angkor Wat, you’ll have to purchase either a one-day, three-day or week-long pass.

Although travelers with tight itineraries in Southeast Asia try to squeeze in as many sights as they can in a day, remember that the Angkor complex is actually the largest religious monument in the world! It's spread over 250 square miles of jungle. You’re going to need more time than you think to not end up rushing around.

The temples are scattered all over Cambodia. If you're serious about exploring ancient Khmer ruins, plan on purchasing at least the three-day pass. Doing so is less expensive and troublesome than buying two one-day passes; you will end up wanting more than one day there.

Where to stay?

Siem Reap is just 7km from Angkor Wat and is the base for exploring the temples. Check out Siem Reap Travel Guide for more detail

Angkor Wat Dress Code

As the temples of Angkor represent a sacred religious site to the Khmer people, visitors are asked to dress modestly.

Appropriate attire when visiting temples in Angkor Wat is long pants (covering the knee) and shirts that cover shoulders. Skirts, small shorts, tank tops, and other items of revealing clothing are not allowed within temple grounds. Visitors can and are frequently turned away from temples when wearing revealing clothing.

It is not possible to visit the highest level of Angkor Wat without upper arms covered and shorts to the knees. Local authorities have visitor 'code of conduct' guidelines and a video to encourage appropriate dress, as well as reminding tourists not to touch, sit or climb on the ancient structures, to pay attention to restricted areas, and to be respectful of monks.

Angkor Wat Tours

People say that Angkor Wat is the most visited tourist site in the world. I am not sure if that’s true, but the good news is that whether it’s true or not, Angkor Wat is one of the most culturally and historically rich places in the world.

It also happens to be the world’s largest religious site. Its scale, architecture, and history have always conjured images of an exotic and faraway land in the minds of most foreigners, most of who will sadly never get to see this amazing place.

Full of ancient temples, wafting incense and smiling Buddhas, the Angkor Wat complex in all its splendor deserves one of the top spots on your dream itinerary.

If you are looking for a true experience, we have set out the full package of Angkor Discovery for your reference

Here is the list of Best Angkor Wat Tours that you can join for the best Angkor Wat Experience