Cambodia travel: what to arrange first
Many visitors fly to Siem Reap, get a visa and buy an Angkor Pass. Each step has its own rules and fees. This page puts them in order, with prices as of 2026. Rules change, so confirm the details on the day you book.
The Bayon is part of the Angkor park, so you need an Angkor Pass to enter. There is no separate Bayon ticket. The pass covers the temples of the park, and a guided visit is priced separately. To see what is on offer, look at our Angkor Wat tours with the Bayon.
Visa, e-visa and arrival card
Two different things: the visa lets you in, the arrival card is a declaration.
| Item | What to know (2026) |
|---|---|
| Tourist e-visa | 30 USD. One entry, to be used within 3 months, stay of one month, processing 3 working days. |
| Visa on arrival | Possible at airports and at usable land crossings, with a photo and payment in US dollars. The tourist fee is 30 USD. |
| Arrival card | Free electronic declaration for air arrivals, submitted within 7 days before you land. It does not replace the visa. |
| Passport | German citizens need a visa and a passport valid for at least 6 months on entry. Other nationalities should check their own rules. |
The e-visa fee was lowered from 36 to 30 USD on 1 January 2025. Do not add an old online fee on top. Processing takes 3 working days, but the advice from governments is to apply well before departure: at least 4 days (UK) or 2 weeks (Germany).
Our pick: a tour with hotel pickup
A day tour with pickup at your hotel in Siem Reap, so the transfer to Angkor is sorted from the first morning.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Bayon tours and Angkor day trips
Guided visits that include the Bayon, from small groups to private tuk-tuk and car tours, with live prices and availability.
Angkor Pass and where to buy it
- 1 day: 37 USD, no photo needed.
- 3 days: 62 USD, 3 visiting days within 7 days, with a photo.
- 7 days: 72 USD, 7 visiting days within 30 days, with a photo.
- Children: under 12 enter free. Bring a passport as proof of age.
You can buy online on the Angkor ticket website, or at the main counter on Apsara Road at the corner of Road 60, about 4 km from the town centre. The counter is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and takes US dollars in cash or the main credit cards. If you buy in the afternoon for the next day, the cut-off hour is around 16:30 to 17:00. Arrive before 16:30 to be safe. More on passes is on the Angkor tickets page.
Money in Cambodia
The riel (KHR) is the national currency, but US dollars are widely used for cash payments. You may get change in both currencies. Damaged US dollar notes are often refused, so keep your notes clean and unfolded. Check the current exchange rate when you change money.
Taxi and transfer from Siem Reap Angkor Airport (SAI)
The new airport opened to flights on 16 October 2023 and is far from the town.
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) is about 50 km east of the town centre, and a road transfer takes around 1 hour 15 minutes. These are rough figures, not a fixed travel time.
| Option | Price (2026) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Shuttle bus | 8 USD per person and direction | Counter to the left outside the arrivals hall. The bus runs to the bus station at 7 Makara Road. |
| Private taxi, up to 7 people | About 35 USD per vehicle | Rough price for a private car. |
| Minivan, 8 to 15 people | About 40 USD per vehicle | Rough price for a larger group. |
Shuttle departures from the airport: 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 17:30, 19:00, 20:00 and 22:00. From the town to the airport: 5:30, 7:00, 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:00, 17:30 and 19:00. The timetable does not vary by weekday, but do not treat it as guaranteed. A ride on to your hotel may cost around 2 USD, or be free within a radius of 2 to 3 km. Confirm the terms when you book. For the last stretch to the Bayon, use a taxi, tuk-tuk or tour, and agree the price before you set off. For the road from town to the park, see the Angkor getting there guide.
If you want to rent a scooter, the park rules allow visitors to rent and ride one to the temples. That does not tell you whether your licence is valid or whether you are insured, so settle both before you ride.
Rules, safety and health in 2026
Calm, practical notes, with dates.
Dress and behaviour
Cover your shoulders and knees at the temples. Shorts or skirts ending above the knee and bare shoulders are not allowed at sacred places. Do not touch the reliefs, move stones or climb on fragile structures. Smoking and littering are not allowed, and you should stay quiet and respectful.
Thailand border
As of October 2026, all border crossings with Thailand are closed, and the German foreign office warns against travel within 20 km of the border. The UK advises against all but essential travel within 20 km. US advice rates the country at Level 2 overall, and Level 4 within 50 km of the border. Plan to arrive by air. This is a warning about the border area, not about the Bayon itself.
Off the main paths
Stay on the main routes. Unexploded ordnance can still be found away from them, including around rural temple sites. Avoid contact with animals, including monkeys.
Drones and health
Drones are banned at historic temple sites, apart from some exceptions that need approval. Dengue cases rose strongly in 2026, so use mosquito protection during the day.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the travel tips fit.
Cambodia travel tips: frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Cambodia?
Most visitors do. German citizens need a visa and a passport valid for at least 6 months on entry. The tourist e-visa costs 30 USD in 2026, and a visa on arrival is possible at airports. Check the rules for your own nationality.
How much is the Angkor Pass?
In 2026 a 1 day pass costs 37 USD, a 3 day pass 62 USD and a 7 day pass 72 USD. Children under 12 enter free. There is no separate Bayon ticket.
How do I get from Siem Reap airport to the town?
The airport is about 50 km from the town centre, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by road. A shuttle bus costs 8 USD per person and direction, and a private taxi is quoted at about 35 USD per vehicle for up to 7 people.
Can I pay in US dollars?
Yes. Dollars and riel are both used for cash payments. Carry clean notes in small denominations, because damaged dollar notes are often refused.
Is it safe to visit the Bayon in 2026?
The advisories for Cambodia centre on the border with Thailand, which is closed to crossings. Stay on the main paths, use mosquito protection in the daytime and check the current advice for your country before you go.
What is the arrival card?
A free electronic declaration for air arrivals, submitted within 7 days before you land. It does not replace the visa.