Angkor Wat Tickets: How to Purchase & Bypass the Line in 2024

Angkor Wat Tickets

Angkor Wat Tickets: I’ve had the privilege of visiting the Angkor temples four times over the years. Living in Phnom Penh allowed me to frequently visit Siem Reap, where I always made it a priority to spend at least one day in the Archaeological Park.

Each visit leaves me in awe, no matter how many times I’ve been before.

For most travelers, getting their Angkor Pass is the top priority when arriving in Siem Reap. This official ticket grants access to Angkor Archaeological Park, home to the iconic Angkor Wat and countless other temples, palaces, and ruins.

Your Guide to Buying Angkor Wat Tickets Online or in Siem Reap

This guide covers everything you need to know about purchasing tickets for Angkor Wat, whether online or in person. I’ll also share tips on how to maximize your experience, save money, and get the most out of your visit to Angkor.

Table of Contents

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. As of November 2021, Cambodia has fully reopened to international visitors.

Now is an excellent time to visit Angkor. The temples remain relatively quiet, and your visit will contribute to the revival of local tourism businesses.

In 2022, less than 300,000 Angkor tickets were sold, a stark contrast to the 2.2 million visitors in 2019.

Angkor Wat Entrance Fee for 2023

There are currently three types of standard Angkor Passes 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

The special ‘bonus days’ ticket deal for 2022 expired on December 31.

Children under 12 can enter Angkor for free, and foreigners holding a 2-year Cambodian residence visa qualify for special pricing.

Always carry your Angkor Pass with you. Kids under 12 will need a passport to prove their age. Most temples, including the smaller ones, are patrolled, and you’ll likely have your ticket checked several times each day. Fines are steep if you’re caught without a ticket.

Top Tip: To simplify things, bring your own lanyard ID holder to securely wear your pass around your neck. The holder should be 7.5x10cm (3×4”) to fit the pass. You can find suitable options on Amazon.

Important Note: Most Angkor tours do not include park tickets, so you’ll need to buy your own before joining the tour. This is particularly crucial for sunrise tours!

Validity of the Angkor Pass

Understanding the validity period of different tickets is essential. You don’t need to use a multi-day ticket on consecutive days.

  • 1-Day Pass: Valid for 5 days from the date of entry, allowing one full day within that period.
  • 3-Day Pass: Valid for 10 non-consecutive days, allowing up to three visits within that period.
  • 7-Day Pass: Valid for 30 non-consecutive days, allowing up to seven visits within a month.

Each time you enter the park, the guard will punch a hole in your ticket.

Entry Date vs. Expiry Date

All Angkor Passes have two dates: an entry date and an expiry date.

  • Entry Date: The earliest date you can redeem your pass and enter the park.
  • Expiry Date: The last day your pass is valid. The countdown starts when you purchase your ticket or when you select the entry date if buying online.

If you have a multi-day pass, ensure you make all your entrances before the expiry date. For the 3 and 7-day passes, your visits don’t need to be on consecutive days.

Which Angkor Pass is Best?

The choice of ticket depends on your travel style and how many temples you want to explore.

Angkor is more than just one temple—it’s an expansive complex spread over a vast area. Most people dedicate two or three days to exploring Angkor.

For many travelers, two full days are ideal for seeing the main highlights plus a few lesser-known temples. In this case, a single 3-Day Angkor Pass is more cost-effective than buying two 1-Day Passes, and it means you only need to visit the ticket office once. You don’t have to visit on consecutive days, so you can take a break in between.

For most travelers, the 3-Day Angkor Pass offers the best value.

Best Ticket Option for Sunrise at Angkor Wat

If you’re planning to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat, it’s best to get your ticket the day before.

Consider this: The ticket office opens at 5am, and the sun rises between 5.30am and 6.30am, depending on the time of year. This gives you only about an hour to buy your ticket, reach the entrance (a 10-15 minute drive), and find a good spot—often not enough time.

I tried this once and missed the sunrise entirely, watching it from the road outside the complex.

If you’re serious about seeing the sunrise, arrive as early as possible to beat the crowds. With your pass in hand, you can skip the ticket office and head straight to Angkor Wat when the gates open at 5am.

Remember: The 1-Day Pass is valid for a 5-day window, so you can buy your pass the day before (or even a few days in advance) and use it for sunrise entry.

Top Tip: If your flight or bus arrives in Siem Reap after the ticket desk closes at 5.30pm, but you want to see the sunrise the next day, consider buying your ticket online. See the next section for more details.

How to Buy Angkor Tickets – Online or In-Person?

You can buy your Angkor Pass either in person at the ticket desk in Siem Reap or online before your arrival. Here’s a breakdown of both options.

Option 1: Buying Tickets In Person at the Angkor Wat Ticket Office

If you’re staying in Siem Reap for multiple days and aren’t in a rush, buying tickets in person is straightforward and the most affordable option.

PROS

  • Lowest price with no extra fees.

CONS

  • Requires travel to the ticket office.
  • May involve waiting in line.
  • Limited time to reach the park for sunrise.

Angkor Wat Ticket Office Location & Hours

The official Angkor Wat ticket office is on Apsara Road, 5km (15 minutes by tuk-tuk) north of Siem Reap’s center and 5.5km (10 minutes by tuk-tuk) from Angkor Wat’s main entrance.

On Google Maps, it’s listed as ‘Angkor Park Pass Ticket Counters.’ Here’s the exact location.

The office is open daily from 5am to 5.30pm. During high season (November through January), long queues are common, especially before 5am and after 4.30pm. Allow plenty of time for your visit.

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

Buying Tickets Process

Upon arrival, you’ll find 48 counters organized by ticket type. Most counters sell the 1 and 3-Day Passes—follow the signs to choose the correct one.

Join the line, and when it’s your turn, the attendant will take a digital photo of you for printing on your ticket. Everyone in your group must be present for this step.

You don’t need your passport, but kids under 12 need theirs as proof of age for free entry.

Prices are clearly displayed at the counter. Payments can be made by credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Union Pay, JCB, Diners Club) or cash. The office accepts USD, Cambodian riel, Thai baht, and Euro, but change is only given in Cambodian riel. There’s an ATM inside the office if you need to withdraw cash.

The entire process takes anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy it is.

Update: As of August 2022, you can now buy tickets online through the Angkor Enterprise portal.

Option 2: Buying Angkor Wat Tickets Online

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

If you buy directly through the portal, there are no additional fees—the online price is the same as the walk-in price.

For added convenience, you can use the third-party website Viator to manage the process, but this incurs an extra fee.

PROS

  • Easy online payment.
  • Tickets delivered to your hotel the night before.
  • No need to visit the ticket office or wait in line.
  • Option to add minivan transport and hotel pick-up when booking through an agent.

CONS

  • Additional fees if using an agent.

Angkor Pass Online Ticket Prices (via Green Era)

Green Era Travel has a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor. You can read over 120 reviews from travelers who used their Angkor Pass ticket service here.

This agent is authorized to purchase tickets on your behalf, so you don’t need to be there in person. After reserving and paying online with your credit/debit card, you’ll need to email them a photo

of each traveler’s face and details of your hotel. Tickets are delivered to your hotel the evening before your visit. They also offer transportation, which I’ll cover later.

The only downside is that the 1-Day Angkor Pass costs an extra 23 USD per person if you buy through Green Era Travel—an additional 25 USD for the 3-Day Pass and 30 USD for the 7-Day Pass.

Top Tip: If you plan to visit Phnom Kulen National Park or the Koh Ker temple complex, Green Era Travel offers discounted combo tickets.

Buying Angkor Tickets via Viator

The final option is buying tickets via Viator, a third-party service that adds a small booking fee on top of the ticket price.

Viator is useful if you want to avoid sending photos via email (like with Green Era) or if you prefer to book your ticket and hotel in one go. They offer a combo package with a ticket, hotel pick-up, and minivan transport to Angkor Wat.

Angkor Pass Prices via Viator:

TypePrice (Agent)
1-Day Pass61.54 USD
3-Day Pass85.85 USD
7-Day Pass97.44 USD

Note: You’ll need to select your ticket type and the date you wish to enter the park when you book online. You won’t be able to change the date later.

If booking through Viator, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your visit for a full refund. Viator is also convenient for reserving your Angkor tour and other activities around Siem Reap.

Conclusion

Purchasing your Angkor Pass in person at the ticket office is the most economical option, but it requires time and planning, especially if you want to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat.

If you’re pressed for time or prefer convenience, buying your Angkor tickets online through Green Era Travel or Viator is worth considering. Although these services incur additional fees, they save you the hassle of waiting in line and ensure you’re prepared for a smooth, stress-free start to your Angkor adventure.

Whether you choose to buy your pass in person or online, the experience of exploring the temples of Angkor will be unforgettable. Safe travels!

Leave a Reply