Siem Reap Cambodia travel was the third place we visited on our Southeast Asia trip. Our first stop was Bangkok Thailand, which we loved and wished we would have spent more time in. Bangkok was followed by Phuket Thailand, a destination that I still about to this day.
After we finished up our Cambodia travel itinerary, we made our way to Ho Chi Minh Vietnam, and then to Singapore. Ho Chi Minh continues to be one of my favorite places we visited. Singapore is also incredible and is an Asian city that you could live in as it feels like an easy transition for a US citizen.
For more Points With Q articles delivered to your inbox, sign up for my travel newsletter.
Best Credit Cards to Use in Siem Reap
American Express, Chase, and Citi are the credit cards we use when traveling internationally. In particular, the Amex Gold, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Citi Premier.
Amex Gold cardmembers earn 4x points on restaurants and US supermarkets. You earn 3x points on dining and travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Citi Premier cardmembers earn 3x points on restaurants, airfare, hotels, supermarkets, and gas stations.
How to Fly to Siem Reap
We flew Air Asia into Cambodia from Bangkok and Cambodia Air out of the city to Ho Chi Minh. Both of these are low-cost carriers that can make sense to fly if you’re goal is to save money.
Travelers flying into Siem Reap to experience Cambodia travel have several options. China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Korean Air are one-stop flights between the US and Siem Reap International Airport (REP).
Where to Stay When Visiting Siem Reap
The Golden Mango Inn is where we stayed during our Cambodia travel. This hotel was exactly what we needed and is close to the night market near Pub Street. Rooms by the pool are newer and slightly nicer. We paid $35/night, which included complimentary breakfast and in-room wifi.
Best Siem Reap Hotels: Top 5 Hotels to Book With Points is a guide to use for our next trip. The Park Hyatt Siem Reap gets the nod for me because we can leverage my Hyatt Globalist status.
Things to do in Siem Reap
Siem Reap Temples
Our trip started with a late-night flight into Siem Reap. The Golden Mango Inn, our hotel, arranged for a tuk-tuk to pick us up at the airport. Riding on a tuk-tuk at night was a great way to get a feel for life in Siem Reap. If you’re not familiar, a tuk-tuk is essentially a cart hooked to the back of a motorcycle.
Cambodia travel for many travelers is likely to start with seeing the ancient temples. Most famous among the temples is Angkor Wat. Trav over at Extra Pack of Peanuts recommended booking Bunthy (our driver) to drive us around for the day. In short, Bunthy was amazing! He picked us up at 4:50 AM to explore Angkor Wat at sunrise, which is the best way to see the temple. The experience was off-the-charts and simply incredible!
One of the good things about visiting Angkor Wat that early is that there are plenty of coffee/breakfast carts outside the temple. Another good thing about going early is that it’s less crowded. This means you can take pictures without battling a ton of people. For more on our experience, check out Ashlee’s post.
Bunthy, our driver, picked us up in his car which had air conditioning. He knew the best temples to see, where to drop us off, and where to pick us up. This made the planning process less stressful and more enjoyable.
We followed Angkor Wat with the 12th-13th century Bayon Temple, known for its many faces. Ta Prohm, the temple in Tomb Raider, was the next stop. As you might imagine, Angelina Jolie (Laura Croft) is insanely popular in the city. Ta Prohm is recognizable because of the massive trees that intertwine their way through the temple walls and have grown on top of the ancient stone structures.
After a couple of days of temple seeing, we threw in the towel. The temples started to blend together, which is when we knew it was time to call it a day and move on.
Downtown Siem Reap
When you finish seeing temples during the day, the night market is a great place to relax. Cheap massages (we got five massages over our 3-day stay) are one of the more common things people do according to our friends who were with us and who live in Singapore. You can even get a fish foot massage like did if you’re so inclined. 😉
Common Cambodia Travel Questions
Is Cambodia safe for travel?
The US Secretary of State lists Cambodia as Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Check out the Department of State’s COVID-19 page as you’re planning travel. CDC has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for Cambodia due to COVID-19. All in all, we safe in Cambodia.
Can US citizens travel to Cambodia?
This Cambodia Travel COVID Regulations Map shows the current Cambodia travel restrictions. Separately, you can find the Cambodia Travel Restrictions and Cambodia travel requirements on the Secretary of State website.
Is Cambodia expensive to travel?
Cambodia is inexpensive to travel in. Ashlee’s Cambodia post gives a rundown of the costs we incurred. The current exchange rate gives you an idea of the value of the dollar in Cambodia.
What is the best time of year to visit Cambodia?
When’s The Best Time of Year To Visit Cambodia? offers a rundown of the best time to visit. We visited in February and thought it was a great time of year to see the city.
Conclusion on Cambodia Travel
Siem Reap doesn’t have a ton of one-stop flights from the US and the points hotel options are limited. However, Korean Air flights and the Park Hyatt are flights and a hotel to book. The temples and downtown are fun places to see during your visit. All in all, Siem Reap Cambodia gives you a flavor of what Southeast Asia has to offer.
What do you think of this Cambodia travel guide? What places to go in Cambodia make your list? Please let me know in the comments below or by sending me an email on my contact page.
Disclaimer: If you click and/or sign up for a credit card through certain links on this site or any of my related social media platforms, I may make a commission from that click-through. The editorial content on this page and the user comments are not provided by any of the companies mentioned and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are mine alone.
