Angkor Wat
 

I really want to go to Angkor Wat this August while I'm on a trip that includes Bangkok. How easy is it to get to Siem Reap from Bangkok? If we really are going there only to see Angkor Wat and don't want to spend a ton of time in the area, how much time should be budget? Can we fly there one night, spend the next day at Angkor Wat and then fly back to Bangkok that night? Or the next morning? I know this sounds rushed, but we want to make it there along with a ton of other places (hey, we're only 25, we can always go back!)

The only carrier from BKK to Siem Riep is Bangkok Air. Take a look at their website to see flight times and whether a day trip is possible.

HOWEVER, this is insane. The temples are truly a wonder. To see the major temples takes three days. If you're going there, you should see many temples. Each has its own charms. A mad dash will NOT give you an accurate flavor of the majesty of the temples. Going for a day is just checking Angkor Wat off on a must see list. You and they deserve more.

I infer from the post that you have a lot of destinations planned for your trip. This may be a mistake. Southeast Asia is a wonderful place with unbelievably nice people. It is both fascinating and relaxing. It should be experienced at a much slower pace than Europe. Figure three days at a minimum for each location. Plus each change in location will take a minimum of 1/2 day travel. Don't spend half of your trip switching locations.

There is a single temple called Angkor Wat, but typically, when people talk about visiting Angkor, they are referring to visitng a portion of the Khmer temples near Siem Reap, Cambodia. There are many dozens of accessible temples. As Gpanda says, it takes three full days just to see the major temples.

I'd highly recommend that you do a bit of research on Angkor. Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor, is the best guide I know of to the temples. Also, you are welcoem to vire our Angkor photos at www.marlandc.com

If you are really interested in the temples, you would want more than three days. We spent a week, visited something like 26 temples and would have enjoyed even more time there.

If you aren't interested in the temples, I don't know why you would go there.

By the way, Siem Reap is changing fast. If you are interested in Angkor, I'd highly recommend that you go soon, as the place is changing rapidly because of the huge influx of visitors. This is one place I'd recommend that you not do a cursory look and say you'll come back.

And Gpanda is quite right, Asia lends itself best to slow travel. if you move too fast, you'll spend all of your time in transit and miss it all.

'Going for a day is just checking Angkor Wat off on a must see list.'

But gpanda, that's what they want to do. Once, at a similar age I did equally crazed things. It's O.K. they want exactly what about 80% of the tourists at Siem Reap want. To my shame I must confess that when I first went there I stayed all of a day and a half. I didn't know either.

Now I've been there five times. So, like the O.P. says, 'hey, we're only 25, we can always go back! Maybe they will.

So, to answer the question, best way to go is to fly in from BKK morning one day, see temples in afternoon, stay a night, see temples all the next day and catch the last flight back to BKK [about 6.00 p.m. from memory].

And you know, that itinerary is completely normal. Not for the guys in here, maybe, but packs of dazed Japanese, Koreans, Germans, French... it shouldn't be like this - but it is.

And, I'd venture to suggest that, for most of them, that's quite enough.

Know thyself- some take 3 days to see the temples- some do it in one day. Are you a temple person? I get templed out after a few hours - so know thyself!

Hi, Imschmale!

When I was in Bangkok this past spring, I did notice day tour brochures at my hotel front desk that offered a full day in Angkor Wat or an overnight there.

The price seemed to work out to about US $500. Fairly costly and somewhat fatiguing, but certainly do-able.

Basically, one is put on the first flight of the morning out of BKK into Siem Reap; a guide meets you there and takes you around and about. Lunch is included on location.

You are then put on the last flight back to BKK at the end of the day, or alternatively put up in a local hotel for the night and take the first flight out in the morning.

Whichever you choose, enjoy your travels and let us know how it turns out.

<<Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor, is the best guide I know of to the temples.>>
Kathie, or anyone, is this book available locally in Siem Reap, or in the Bangkok airport? (That might be a laughable question, I don't know.)
I can't get Rooney's book through Amazon in Japan, where I am now, except by special order. Is downloading and printing off the Lonely Planet guide to the temples a worthwhile option?

WillJame-Yes, you can find Dawn Rooney's book in SR.
There will be people (mostly kids) at the temples selling copies, though they will likely be counterfeit (but cheap). There may be a bookstore in town which sells it, or even in your hotel's gift shop if you are staying in a place with one.
And yes, it may also be available in the BKK or SR airports.

Will, I'm not that impressed with the Lonely Planet material on the temples, but it is better than nothing. I have seen the Dawn Rooney book in the airport in Bangkok, and as Kristina says, you'll find counterfeit copies all over Siem Reap.

By the way, as you fly out of the SIem Reap airport, there is an extensive collection of books on Cambodia available. When I was there, the books were in the departure lounge (after you pass though security), but it may now be accessible from outside security. There were wonderful books there available no where else!

It's doable but in my opinion, if you miss the Preah Khan, Bayon and Banteay Srei temples, you paid a lot of money to get very near some very cool things and missed them. Blow off the other places and add at least one more night.

Thank you, K & K. I'll try for Rooney in BKK and pass on the Lonely Planet guide.

Hey Dogster, do you have any photos of your adventures online anywhere? I'd love to see them, especially India.

You could do it. But only a day after spending so much money? Probably does not make sense to spend so much and see just 1-2 temples?

No Mang.

Altho' I'm adding some to my do-it-yourself Blurb book. 'The Dogster Chronicles: India. lol. One day next century, it'll be complete.