How to explore Angkor Wat for less than 5,000 baht

Are you hungry for travel but on a tight budget? Worry no more! For less than 5000 baht, you can satisfy your travel craving and fill your soul with memories from another country. Delight your senses as you prepare to taste what Siem Reap, Cambodia has to offer!

Getting There

Siem Reap, Cambodia is home of the famous Angkor Wat which is considered to be the biggest temple in the world. From Bangkok, taking a direct single bus to Siem Reap is advisable to avoid changing busses and scams from locals at the border. There are daily direct trips to Siem Reap in Mochit bus station, one at 8:00am and 9:00am. It takes about 4 hours to travel from the bus station to the Aranyaprathet-Poipet border. While in the bus, you will be asked to prepare your departure card and fill in the arrival form for Cambodia. Snacks and lunch are served in the bus so you don’t have to worry about getting out and looking for a place to eat.

Once you reach the border, you will be asked to walk straight to the departure gate. Have your passport stamped and walk for about 5 minutes more until you reach the Cambodia arrival gate. Provide your arrival form to the immigration officer and have your passport stamped again. Congratulations! You are officially in Cambodia! You may now return to your bus waiting in front of the casino near the arrival gate.

Traveling from the border to Siem Reap is about 3 hours. The bus stops at Nattakan bus station. You can buy your ticket to Bangkok in advance at the bus station to avoid hassles in booking for a trip back when you reach your hotel. There are tuktuks waiting outside to bring you to your accommodation. Hostels can be as cheap as 150 baht per night (or even lower!) 

Getting Around

There are various tour packages offered by your hotel/hostel. If you are more adventurous, you can rent a motorbike and ride around the city. For 20 USD, you can buy a one day entrance ticket to Angkor Wat and three other temples – Angkor Thom, Ta Keo, and Ta Prohm.

Don’t miss the chance to view the mesmerizing sunrise at Angkor Wat! This temple is so massive so you have to wear your most comfortable shoes and bring your bottled water as it could be sweltering hot especially in the afternoon. Another striking site includes the Bayon where you can see faces sharply sculpted on the temples. Ta Prohm is different. You will be left wondering how huge trees grew on the rustic temples.

Budget Breakdown

Bangkok to Siem Reap bus fare – 750 baht

Siem Reap to Bangkok bus fare – 28 USD or roughly 1000 baht

Hostel – 400 baht/2 nights

One day ticket (Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Keo, Ta Prohm) – 20 USD or 714 baht

Tour package/tuktuk – 15-20 USD or 535-714 baht

Food and other miscellaneous fees – 1000 baht

TOTAL PRICE: 4,578 baht