One of the greatest ways to see Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia is by cycling around the area. The reason is that cycling will give you a completely new view than if you rode in a car or even in a Tuk-tuk.

Cycling around the Angkor Was Temple complexes is a great way to see some amazing ancient Cambodian temples. When you cycle around Angkor Wat, you will have the freedom to see Angkor Wat at your own pace and see things that you could never see in a car, bus, or even a tuk-tuk. Every cyclist should have cycled around Angkor Way on their bucket list.  

Angkor Wat is a place everyone should try to see at once in their lifetime. It has spiritual magic – almost reverence about it.

Table of Contents

• Why visit Angkor Wat, Cambodia?
• Reasons to Visit Angkor Wat, Cambodia
• Why cycle around Angkor Wat?
• Where to rent a bicycle or take a bike tour in Siem Reap?
• Angkor Wat Cycling Tips
• Angkor Wat Bike-4-Kids Bike Race
• More Ways to Get Around Angkor Wat, Cambodia.
  • Can I go by scooter instead of a bicycle when touring Angkor Wat?
  • How long does it take to walk around the Angkor Wat temple complexes?
• Related Contents
  • Vietnam Travel Visa, What You Need to Know Before You Go
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Why visit Angkor Wat, Cambodia?

Angkor Wat means the city temple. It is in the town of Siem Reap, Cambodia, which is over 200 miles north of the Cambodian capital city of Phnom Penh.

Angkor Wat is one of those places where, when you visit it, you stand in awe as to the people in the 12th century who had the fortitude and imagination to build so many magnificent temple structures and buildings in one place. Even if you are not into old Buddhist temples, you still have to be impressed by the craftsmanship and work that went into all the Angkor Wat temple complexes.

Angkor Wat, Is a series of Buddhist temple complexes built in the 12th Century AD. The temples are spread over 400 acres, which makes it the largest religious monument in the world.

What makes these temple complexes so unique is that even though the area was active in the 12th and 13th centuries and beyond, eventually the temples were grown over by jungles and largely hidden from the rest of the world. Henri Mouhot, a French explorer, is credited with having rediscovered the temple complexes in the 1840s.

Visiting Angkor Wat is not free, you must have a ticket to enter Angkor Wat. Tickets can only be purchased

Here is some information on how to purchase your tickets for Angkor Wat Tickets:

• Opened from 4:30 am to 5:30 pm daily – Any tickets purchased from third parties like hotels, tour companies, or other parties are not valid. So before you purchase any tickets, make sure they are valid.
• Can purchase in cash or credit card – Tickets can be purchased in cash (they accept USD, Euro, Cambodian Riel, and Thai Baht). Or Credit cards (they accept Discover, Visa, Mastercard, Union Pay, JCB, and Diners Club). There is an on-site ATM to withdraw cash.
• Daily tickets cannot be purchased upfront – You cannot purchase your daily tickets upfront so the day you want to go, you need to purchase your ticket. Tickets purchased after 5 pm are valid for the next day.
• You can purchase 3 days or 7 days passes – Besides the daily tickets, you can also purchase a 3-day pass (valid from any 3 days out of 10 days) or a 7-day pass (valid for 7 days of 30 days). Check this when you get your tickets, as policies can also tend to change.
• The address is Road 60 – The Angkor Wat ticket office is located on Road 60, 4 kilometers away from Siem Reap’s town center. Like many things in Cambodia, there are no exact addresses, but all hotels, taxis, or other drivers should know how to get there.

Reasons to Visit Angkor Wat, Cambodia

There are many reasons why you visit Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Here are some of our top reasons. This is by no means a complete list as there are so many reasons why a trip to Angkor Wat is worth the money, time, and effort.

• 400 Acres of ancient temple complexes to explore – Even if you do not want to see all the Temples that Angkor Wat offers, you can explore plenty of temples around the Angkor Wat area.
• An ancient architectural wonder – If you like old buildings and old structures, this should be a must-visit place. These temples were originally built for the Hindu God Vishnu but later became Buddhist Temples. The temples were designed for immortal Gods, so the architects only used the finest and most long-lasting materials they could find.
• A UNESCO world heritage site – In 1992, the Angkor area became a world heritage site.
• Magnificent sunrise and sunsets – looking for a magnificent sunrise and sunset? It truly does not get much better than some sunrises and sunsets you see over the Angkor Wat temple complexes. You can climb a small hill, watch the sunrise, or set over the magnificent temple ruins.
• Some amazing art and carvings – The temple structures have some amazing art and carvings that you could see anywhere else in the world.
• It is the center of the Khmer empire and the jewel of Cambodia – There is no doubt that Angkor Wat is the center of the Khmer empire and is also the jewel of Cambodia. I once heard that many Thais were very jealous of Angkor Wat and wanted it to be part of Thailand. I am not sure how true that is, but I know that Thailand has nothing of this scale anywhere. That makes this a truly wonderful place to visit.

Why cycle around Angkor Wat?

One of the best ways to see Angkor Wat is to get on a bicycle and cycle around the Temple complexes. There is a loop you can do that is about 25 Kilometers, so it is an easy ride. The ride from the city to the temples is about 10 to 15 kilometers,

Here is why we love to cycle around Angkor Wat:

• See Things from a new level – If you are sitting in a van, car, or even a tuk-tuk, it does not give you the same feel you will have from a cycle. There is just something about cycling around a place like Angkor Wat and seeing it all up close and personal. We cycled around Angkor Wat and saw monkeys by the roadside looking at us as we cycled past. Or we have had locals wave to us and cheer us on. It gives you a point of view that you may not get any other way.
• Easy cycling – Cycling is easy because the roads are relatively flat, so you do not have a lot of hills or climbs. This means that even the most inexperienced cyclists can probably handle the ride.
• No need to bring your bike; you can rent one – shipping a bicycle on a plane can be costly, but the Angkor Wat Area has several places to rent cycles. We have found that their cycles are generally quite good, especially from the better shops. I would find a shop that has decent cycles. This is not a place you should try to save a few dollars on; get a decent brand like a Giant bicycle and go to a shop that knows what they are doing so they can also help fit you to the bike. Getting a proper fit can make all the difference in your comfort level
• Many places also rent helmets, locks, and other things you need. And the people who are renting you the bikes are usually happy to also help fix you to a bike. If I were doing a lot of cycling, sometimes I would bring my seat as I have found that would make a difference in how comfortable I was. The shops we worked with were always happy to help me switch off and on the seats. ]
• Cycling around Angkor Wat gives you a lot of flexibility – one of the best things about cycling, especially if you are doing a self-guided tour, is you can then have the flexibility to stop and go as you want to. Along the way, you will find plenty of public toilets you can stop at, and even fruit or fruit juice stands. This way, if seeing a lot of temples is not really your thing, you can quickly see the temples but then go on to explore more of the culture of Cambodia.
• There are many cycling tour companies – there are many cycling tour companies in Siem Reap, so if you do not want to go on a self-guided tour but want to be on a bike and have a guided tour, you can also take a guided tour.

Where to rent a bicycle or take a bike tour in Siem Reap?

There are many places you are renting a bicycle in Siem Reap. Many hotels can help you to arrange bicycle rentals. So if you do not want to be bothered to have to go around to find a bicycle, you can start first by asking your hotel to help you.

Many of the places that have very good bike brands for rent also offer tours of Siem Reap So if you are not sure if you want to do a self-guided tour, you can always join a bike tour.

Here are some bicycle rental companies in Siem Reap. Many of them also have some very good quality bikes you can rent.

• Cavar Biking Siem Reap – They also offer biking tours or rent a bike for a self-guided tour. You can rent some decent bikes, anything from a Trek to a Giant to a basic city bike with a child’s seat. They have an extensive selection. They are located at ST, Taphul, Svay, Dang Kum, Siem Reap, Cambodia, You can call them at +855 70 24 28 15. You can go to their website by clicking here.
• Blue Sky Tours – Siem Reap – They have bike tours but should also have bikes you can rent. They are located at Phum Wat Domnak, Salakamreuk Commune, Siem Reap. You can call them at+855 88 419 96 96. You can go to their website by clicking here.
• Grasshopper Adventures, Siem Reap – Grasshopper Adventures is a premier travel adventure company in Asia, and they do a lot of bike tours, including tours in Siem Reap. They also have bikes for rent. They are located at 586 Street 26, Krong Siem Reap, 17254. You can call them at+855 12 462 165, You can go to their website by clicking here.

When you rent a bike, it is really best if you can that you go to the shop and pick out your bicycles and also try to ride a few different bikes This is very important, especially if you are particular on how you want your bike to look and feel.

Angkor Wat Cycling Tips

Even though cycling around Angkor Wat is quite easy, there are things that you should be aware of when you are cycling the temple complexes.

Here are some tips about getting to Angkor Wat to start your ride:

• Rent a Tuktuk to help carry your bikes if you do not want to cycle from your hotel to Angkor Wat – There are no hotels right at Angkor Wat as the areas are park so you must pay to see the temple complexes. The hotels are in the city of Siem Reap and depending on how far your hotel is you can rent a Tuk-tuk to take you and your bicycles out to the Angkor Wat Area. We have been able to fit 2 bikes and 2 people in some of the older, larger tuk-tuks. There is now some smaller Tuk-tuk so those may be harder to fit 2 people and 2 bikes in. Most hotels would have suggestions on how you do this or may have a way to help you transport your bike to Angkor Wat. This would be a great option for those who do not cycle a lot and are worried about even doing 25 or 30 miles a day.
• Cycle to Angkor Wat – if you cycle a lot, then you should easily be able to cycle from your hotel to Angkor Wat, it can be anywhere from 10 to 15 kilometers depending on where you are staying. Cycling to Angkor Wat can also be an interesting ride through many of the streets of Siem Reap.

Tips on what to look out for when cycling around Angkor Wat:

• Do not make any sudden moves when cycling – Cars, busses, and motorcycles can pass at a very close distance, probably much closer than what most cyclists are used to – do not make a sudden move to change lanes without looking or letting others know, If you are on a straight course then stay on that course.
• Do not swerve all over the road – When I cycle I try to stay as close to the right-hand side of the road as I can. Do not swerve all over the road, even if you joking or having some fun on the road, this kind of behavior is extremely dangerous.
• Stay to the right side of the road – Stay to the right-hand side of the road. Even if you have to go on to the side path a bit.
• Ride single file – It can be tempting to ride down the road side-by-side, but unless the roads are extremely empty, it is always safest to ride single file and not try to pass each other all the time, but to allow a rider to set the pace and you keep on that pace.
• If passing, let others know – If you are passing someone, even a motorbike or someone walking on the road, let them know. I often shout out, “passing you on your left.” Even if they do not know what you are saying, they know you are coming, and they can hear you.

Angkor Wat Bike-4-Kids Bike Race

One of the best ways to cycle Angkor Wat is to consider doing the Angkor Wat Bike4Kids bike race that is part of the Village Focus Group that takes place annually – usually during the first weekend of December.

This race is for a very worthy cause as the Humanity for Children and Women Organization and Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia. Both organizations are the sponsors for the race, and the money is being raised to help further their charitable work. The Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia is about helping to train Cambodian youth to have a brighter future.

Another great cause that the Angkor Wat Bike4Kids also support is the El Nodo Organisation. This organization also focuses on helping children to be able to have a dignified life, and in particular, they have a program that helps children whose parents are in prison.

Angkor Wat is an amazing place to visit, and it is worth the time and effort to get there and this amazing series of Buddhist temples. One of the best ways to see the Angkor Wat temple complexes is to cycle around each temple. You can do this as a self-guided tour, use one of the many reputable tour companies, or join the Angkor Wat Bike4Kids race each December.

At A Bus On A Dusty Road, we talk about travel, life, and ex-pat living. We are all about “Living Life As A Global Citizen.” We explore social, cultural, and economic issues and travel.

We would love to have you be part of our community. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up-to-date by clicking here. If you have any questions, you can contact me, Anita, by clicking here.

Listen to our Podcast called Dusty Roads. You can find it on all major podcast platforms. Try out listening to one of our podcasts by clicking here.

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More Ways to Get Around Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

Angkor Wat is a stunning example of ancient architecture and archaeology, with an incredibly varied landscape that can appeal to anyone interested in exploring the world. It’s no surprise then that it has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cambodia. With numerous temples, ruins, and ancient cities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.

But how do you get around? Here are some of our other suggestions if you do not want t cycle around Angkor Wat.

Can I go by scooter instead of a bicycle when touring Angkor Wat?

There are also many places where will rent an electric scooter or an e-bike. So if you do not want to cycle around Angkor Wat, renting an electric scooter or an e-bike could also be an option.

Some companies have tours with Vespas, scooters, and mopeds.

How long does it take to walk around the Angkor Wat temple complexes?

Most people take the main route to see the various temples is about 25 kilometers. But you should be aware that the roads do not have sidewalks or paths, and there can be a lot of traffic on the roads, especially in the peak visiting hours of some of the temple complexes.

You will see everything on the roads around the temple grounds of Angkor Wat, from elephants walking for some elephant tours to bikes to cars, tour buses, and motorcycles. So if you choose to walk from one temple complex to another, you must be cautious when walking on the road.

Cycling around Angkor Wat is a great way to see the temple complexes. You will get a view and experience of Angkor Wat amazingly. We highly recommend that you visit Angkor Wat.

At A Bus On A Dusty Road, we talk about travel, life, and ex-pat living. We are all about “Living Life As A Global Citizen.” We explore social, cultural, and economic issues and travel.

We would love to have you be part of our community. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up-to-date by clicking here. If you have any questions, you can contact me, Anita, by clicking here.

Listen to our Podcast called Dusty Roads. You can find it on all major podcast platforms. Try out listening to one of our podcasts by clicking here.

Subscribe to our A Bus On A Dusty Road YouTube Channel filled with great videos and information by clicking here.

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