Our ultimate Angkor Wat with kids travel guide

Angkor Wat Cambodia is number one on anyone’s list if they are visiting Siem Reap. They imagine temple hopping in a Lara Croft-type way. Enjoying the moments in silence as they marvel at the Angkor Wat architecture in complete awe. But what do you do when you have 2 kids in tow, a billion other Lara Crofts and the weather is straight out of some apocalypse movie?

We had this dilemma when we were visiting Siem Reap with kids in May. The weather was beyond all comprehension and I think I never knew I could sweat as much as I did there.

There are so many blogs out there that will give you the beauty you are looking for and I can assure you do see it when you are visiting Angkor Wat but here I will give you the horrible, the best and the downright wrong to make your Angkor Wat trip the best. So hang on! Here are our top tips for visiting Angkor Wat with kids.

Know before you go! Our top Angkor Wat travel tips

When you are visiting Angkor Wat with kids the best place to stay is Siem Reap. The Angkor Temple sites are located just outside of the city and are easy to get to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap.

Family accommodation in Siem Reap?

You will find family accommodation in Siem Reap for all budgets and all types of travellers from singles to families. You will find Siem Reap accommodation very affordable. The average price for a 3-star hotel in Siem Reap is $34 USD, while a 4-star hotel average of $52 USD and the average luxury price for a 5-star hotel in Siem Reap is 112 USD. Jaya House River Park, Shintani Saya Residence, and Viroth’s Hotel all received great reviews from families travelling in Siem Reap

• Luxury Accommodation – Located in the centre of Siem Reap close to the markets and restaurants is the 104-room Park Hyatt Siem Reap hotel. Rooms from $170 USD a night will have you relaxing in one of the 2 pools onsite or getting a massage at the day spa
• Mid-range Accommodation – This comfortable 32-room property is a short ride to the famous temples. The Central Suite Residence is an oasis of calm and tranquillity in busy Siem Reap. Rooms from $70 USD a night
• Budget Accommodation – In a great location with a supermarket straight across the road. You will find the King Boutique provides great value for money with comfortable air-conditioned rooms and a swimming pool onsite. Prices from $25USD a night
• Hostels – With private and dorm rooms available, the Siem Reap Pub Hostel is the place to stay. With a rating of 4.5 stars, it provides great value for your budget stays in Siem Reap. Rooms from $10 per night.

Money in Siem Reap, Cambodia

The official National Currency in Cambodia is the Riel. The Cambodian Riel comes in 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 banknotes as well as 50, 100, 200, 500 coins which are rarely used.

We were told by plenty of people that you could widely use the local currency when we were there but we found that most people at shops and stalls thought we were American. They would straight away give us the amount in American Dollars. It was frustrating for us but we ended up paying for most things in US dollars.

You will find it easy to withdraw either Riel or American dollars from ATMs as you are given an option but we do recommend you pick withdrawing in USD.

Related post: Use our ultimate travel guide to Siem Reap to find all the best activities in Siem Reap for kids that aren’t temples!

What is Angkor Wat?

Ok, first some Angkor Wat facts. Angkor Wat is a temple complex located just out of Siem Reap Cambodia. It is one of the largest temple compounds in the world measuring about 162.6 hectares.

The Temple of Angkor Wat was originally a Hindu temple built to worship the God Vishnu but gradually became a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. It was an extremely important worship site to the Khmer Empire.

How do I get to Angkor Wat?

There are many ways you can get from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat with kids. We took a local tuk-tuk driver on a daily tour where he took us to all the big sites and waited for us. We booked him over two days to make sure we had enough time and we were not rushed.

We then had an extra day to see the temples and we used a tuk-tuk driver recommended by our hotel which was a similar price and experience.

For 2 days we paid $55USD. This included a 4.30 am pick up on the first day for sunrise and transport to buy tickets before Sok guided us to the entry gate at Angkor Wat. We then had breakfast before seeing sites until around 12.30. This was our choice to stop for the day.

How much is a tuk-tuk to Angkor Wat?

If you are going from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat by tuk-tuk the prices will vary on the driver you have chosen. It is best to actually book a driver for your complete stay and organise with them the times you will need them to be your Angkor Wat tour guide. We believed this was the best way to visit Angkor Wat.

*Be aware some of the drivers will only be able to take you to Angkor Wat and not be able to be your Angkor Wat tour guide inside the Angkor temple site but they will give you tips as well before you enter.

Family travel tips: 9 dark tourism destinations to visit with teenagers

What to know before you visit Angkor Wat with kids

There are so many things to think of before you visit Angkor Wat with kids. It is crazy. Here is a couple that we think are the most important for travelling families and making the most of your day at Angkor Wat with kids.

Purchasing your Angkor Wat ticket

You really need to purchase your tickets to Angkor Wat early if you have young kids in Siem Reap. It took us an extra 30 minutes to get our tickets before we got to Angkor Wat and this was even hard on our older kids with a 4.30 am start.

Tips for buying your Angkor Wat pass

• you will need your passport to purchase your Angkor Wat ticket

• if you have children under 12 you will need to prove their age at most checkpoints and entries

• if you have time get an Angkor Wat 3 day pass. It gives you time to see it all and relax if it is too much for the kids

If you purchase your tickets after 5.00 pm the day before you plan to use your tickets you can use them then before your official time starts the next day.

Not sure what your teens need on vacation? Read our guide on all the best travel essentials for teens

How much do tickets to Angkor Wat cost?

An Angkor Wat pass with your name and picture will be given to you to use for the amount of time you have agreed to. They are not transferable to anyone else unless they look exactly like you!

Ticket to Angkor Wat	Cost of Angkor Wat Pass
1-day pass	$37 USD
3-day pass	$62 USD
7-day pass	$72 USD

*Children under 12 do not need a ticket but they do need a passport to prove their ages at all checkpoints and on entry to the temples.

• The Angkor Wat 3-day pass is valid for 10 days from the day you purchase it.

• The Angkor Wat 7-day pass is valid for 1 month from the day you purchase it.

With both of the above Angkor Wat passes it’s not necessary for you to plan your visit to the Angkor Temples on consecutive days. Rest days are important in the Cambodian heat.

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Related Posts

• We have some great tips for visiting Siem Reap with kids
• Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia, Go on a food tour to taste the culture
• We made a great video about catching a bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap

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When is Angkor Wat open to the public?

Angkor Wat is open from 5 am to 5.30 pm daily.

What to wear to Angkor Wat

You still need to cover up when you are visiting Angkor Wat. There were plenty of women who thought at sunrise it would be ok to sneak in but I can assure you they were sent to buy a sarong and cover-up.

You need to cover your shoulders and your knees. This will not apply to younger children visiting Angkor Wat but take some spare clothes just in case. Marley was 10 at the time and she was ok with leggings on. Willow who was 13 had to wear a sarong to cover up.

Epic family holiday destinations: 8 countries for the best family vacations in Asia

What to take in your backpack when you visit Angkor Wat with kids

I probably over-packed in my backpack but I took:

• an extra sarong

• toilet paper

• wipes

• bottled water

• snacks

• sunscreen

Our Angkor Wat driver had cold wipes in an esky in the tuk-tuk and cold bottles of water as well. They were a lifesaver in the heat of Cambodia. He was more than happy for us to leave any non-valuable things in the tuk-tuk as well so we weren’t overloaded while walking around the Angkor Wat temple complex.

Taking young kids to Angkor Wat

There weren’t too many families at our Angkor Wat sunrise with young kids when we went but they did start to come in as we were leaving.

What you need to take to Angkor Wat with young kids

• good shoes

• a hat

• plenty of water

• an umbrella for shade

• a torch

• some glowing the dark markers on their clothing so you can see them while it is dark

What not to take for young kids at Angkor Wat

• a pram. If you can take a carrier as there were some places that you will not be able to get to with a stroller at Angkor Wat

• noisy devices or toys

Discover More: Read our article on keeping your kids safe while travelling

Angkor Wat with teenagers

There were so many on the day we went to Angkor Wat. So many were standing with their parents waiting patiently for the sun to rise over the temple.

It was a lovely moment for many of us and the best way to see Angkor Wat come to life. It is a brilliant way for them to learn about the Angkor Wat history as well as an ancient civilization and see one of the 7 wonders of the world.

What you need to take to Angkor Wat with teenagers

• a camera, see it through your travelling teens eyes

• good sturdy shoes

• lightweight clothing so they don’t get too hot

• make sure their clothing is identifiable as it is dark when you first arrive

What not to take for older kids at Angkor Wat

• noisy devices

• heavy clothes that make them hot

Expert travel with kids advice: Things to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids

When is the best time to visit Angkor Wat?

We have heard many people say that the temple changes through the day but the best time to visit Angkor Wat with kids would be before the heat of the midday Cambodian sun gets there.

If you are visiting Siem Reap with teens and they know what they are doing you may be able to spend more time during the warmer parts of the day here but remember it takes a lot of water to replenish what you are losing all day in the heat of Cambodia.

Top tips for sunrise at Angkor Wat with kids

We had our Angkor Wat sunrise experience on a Sunday morning. It also happened to be Mother’s Day in Australia so it was a great way to spend the morning.

It is an extremely early morning with a 4.30 am wake up call to be out at the Angkor Wat temple by 5.30.

Pre-purchase your Angkor Wat ticket or your Angkor Wat pass if you can as this will save you a visit to the Angkor Wat ticket booth and a rush for tickets at 5 am

You will need your passport as a form of identification to purchase tickets for Angkor Wat

Have your Angkor Wat tickets handy at all places. You will be asked for them at checkpoints and at stages in some of the sections of the Angkor Temple.

If you lose your Angkor Wat 3 day pass or your Angkor Wat 7 day pass you are in trouble. All the Angkor Wat tickets are not refundable or transferable so you need to look after them

The best of Angkor Wat with kids

• I had a memorable day there as it was Mother’s Day in Australia so I think I got a good day no matter what.

• that moment when everyone gasps as the sun comes up

• getting a blessing from a monk

• being alone in a small section for even just a few moments

• the sheer size of it

• the history that surrounds it

• the look on the kid’s faces when they see it

The horror of Angkor Wat with kids

There are only a few things that were an issue for us. We had been warned previously about the crowds and the scrambling for the best sunrise picture so we were prepared

• the scrambling for pictures….everyone is mad

• the heat. One minute it is lovely the next it’s like a sauna

• some of the paths are uneven making it hard for some kids

• there is a mad rush at times to get to places and little ones are not considered by some people

The downright wrong of Angkor Wat with kids

There were a few things there that even though I love them they were out of my hands to control, unfortunately.

• adults’ attitudes towards kids. Yep, Marley actually got told to move for a picture because she ‘wouldn’t remember it anyway’ She’s 11

• the monkeys….why do they have to be so mean?

• people getting angry because the paths are uneven and asking why it is not safer (Yes it happened)

Read more: Are you worried about keeping your kids social while travelling? Use the ultimate tips that saved us during our 13-month trip!

Are there other temples around Angkor Wat?

Angkor Wat is only one temple at the Angkor Archaeological site. There are roughly another 5 well-maintained temples that you can see. We chose to focus mainly on Angkor Wat in this post as you can use all of these tips throughout your day visiting more temples in the Angkor complex.

Some other temples close to Angkor Wat are:

• The Bayon

• Pre Rup

• Ta Phrom

If you have a driver for the day you will be able to plan what ones you should see and ones that you may have to miss if our children are unable to get to them easily.

Your driver should have plenty of experience in this area and help you make the right choices. Talk to them thoroughly before you actually set a date and time. If they don’t seem to know what they are talking about please go with someone else or ask your hotel for a better recommendation.

Extra tips for visiting Angkor Wat with kids

• there are monks inside the Angkor Temple that would bless anyone who would like it. It cost $1 USD and it is fantastic for the kids

• children under 12 are not allowed to climb to the top of the tower. Please be aware of this before you like up for a long time

• if you can, wander slowly. It is the best way to explore Angkor Wat The site starts to become less crowded at around 8 am until about 10 when the tour buses arrive

• at the time we visited Angkor with kids the bridge to the temple was being restored so you had to walk down a steep slippery bridge and over a floating bridge which would spit up water through the cracks every now and then

• because women have to cover up I highly suggest taking a sarong with you to put over your clothes. It got so hot being covered up that it was nice to take the sarong off to cool down

Frequently asked questions about Angkor Wat

We get so many of the same questions so I hope these are the ones I have not answered in the post.

Was Angkor Wat worth the money?

If you were to only see Angkor Wat and not go to any other temple I would say no but if you get a three-day pass to the temples then yes it is worth it.

Can I get drinks and food at Angkor Wat easily?

You will find stall holders inside the compound happy to guide you to their shop for a morning coffee or drink to cool off.

Look out for the 007 License to brew. He was hilarious with his yell…Angkor WATTT.

Are the food and drinks expensive in the Angkor Wat temple complex?

I found them to only be slightly more than what you would pay for in the tourist areas. It wasn’t overly crazy and I was ok with the prices.

Did your kids actually like the sunrise at Angkor Wat?

It was our first temple in Cambodia and they enjoyed it as a Mother’s Day surprise for me. If it had been three days later and many other temples then it may have been a different story for them. We also warned them about the number of people that would be there too.

It is a long day for them and this was more of an issue, to be honest. By about lunchtime, they had had enough and it was the pool at the hotel time for them.

Klook.com

Was it hot at Angkor Wat?

Hot is just not the word for the level of heat that place can produce. It was an inferno by about 6.30 and it just got hotter and hotter, especially having to be covered up all the time

Is getting a tuk-tuk to Angkor Wat the best option?

I honestly think it would be the best way and the cheapest way to see it but there other options for you to use as well;

• You can ride bikes

• You can take a fully guided tour to Angkor Wat in air-conditioned comfort

*If the heat is a problem for you, you may want to consider a small group tour with a bus that has air conditioning for your comfort.

Are there toilets at the Angkor Wat Temple and are they clean?

There are toilets on site and Willow said they were quite clean.

See more of Asia: All the best things to do in Langkawi with kids

How to get to Siem Reap

Siem Reap Airport is Cambodia’s second busiest hub for both domestic and international flights, with over a million annual visitors touching down in the city. Its full name is Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport. The airport is located 8 km from Siem Reap city centre, and 6 km from Angkor Wat temple. On average it takes 20 minutes to reach the city.

You can transfer to the city and your hotel by Tuk Tul, Taxi and private transfer which will be waiting for you at the arrival gate. 

You can hire a car at any of the International Airports when arriving in Cambodia. Be aware the roads are some of the worst we have seen anywhere and the drivers are crazy

Buses arrive from within Cambodia daily from Phnom Penh, Battambang and more. Internationally closest place to enter is from Bangkok via the Poi Pet border. Entry from Laos is also possible.

Booking.com

We hope this gives you the outline of what to expect when you visit Angkor Wat with kids and for you to be prepared for an amazing experience there. Visiting Angkor was one thing I can tick off my list and it was a brilliant experience for our family.

We hope this article from us here at Wyld Family Travel has you inspired to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia with kids. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Cambodia click through to our Cambodia Destination Guide page for more brilliant inspiration.

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