Angkor Thom at a glance
Angkor Thom means "Great City". It is the walled royal city of the Angkor temples, about 900 hectares inside a lateritic wall of 12 km and a wide moat. Jayavarman VII made it his capital in the late 12th century. Five gates lead in: the South, North and West Gates and two in the east. The Bayon stands at the centre, with the Baphuon, the royal palace area around Phimeanakas and the two long terraces beside it.
The South Gate is about 2 km from Angkor Wat, depending on where you measure. There is no separate Angkor Thom ticket: you enter with the Angkor Pass, which costs $37 for one day, $62 for three visiting days and $72 for seven in 2026. This guide covers the city walls and everything inside them, plus Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Ta Som just outside. For the Bayon and its stone faces, see the Bayon guide. Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Siem Reap itself are covered by the Angkor Park guide.
Our picks: Angkor Thom tours
A small-group day is the simplest way to see Angkor Thom together with Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm. Take the bike day or the cycling tour to ride between the temples and along the wall, the private day if you want a guide to yourself, and the boat if you only have an afternoon.
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.
Cycling tour from Angkor Wat to the Angkor Thom wall
- Local guide
- Tour bikes
Angkor Wat, Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm and Ta Keo, then into Angkor Thom through the east gate and along the city wall to the Bayon. The Angkor Pass is extra.
Check availability →
Private gondola boat ride on the Angkor Thom moat
- Boat ticket included
- Hotel transfer
- Private car or tuk-tuk
From the south gate a boat takes you about 6 km along the city moat to the west gate, with a stop at the wall and Prasat Chrung. The Angkor Pass is extra; one you already hold is enough.
Check availability →
Full-day bike ride through Angkor Thom and the temples
- Bike and helmet
- Cycling guide
- Snacks, fruit and water
About 30 km on two wheels through Angkor Thom, past the Bayon and the Terrace of the Elephants, to Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm. Lunch comes with the lunch option only, and the Angkor Pass is extra.
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Private day tour of Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat
- English-speaking guide
- Return transfer
- Water
From the south gate to the Bayon, the Baphuon, Phimeanakas, both terraces and the Victory Gate, then on to Ta Prohm. The Angkor Pass is extra.
Check availability →
Small-group Angkor day with sunrise or sunset
- Hotel transfer
- English-speaking guide
- Water and cold towels
The route runs through the south gate of Angkor Thom to the Bayon, the Baphuon and the terraces, in an air-conditioned vehicle. The Angkor Pass is extra.
Check availability →Angkor Thom tours and tuk-tuk days
Guided days, tuk-tuk trips and bike tours through Angkor Thom and the Small Circuit, with live prices and availability. Check each listing for whether the Angkor Pass is included.
Plan your visit
The practical pages first: how to see the city, what to pay and how to arrive.
Angkor Thom tours
Bike, tuk-tuk and guided visits compared.
Angkor Pass prices
One-, three- and seven-day passes and where to buy.
The five city gates
South Gate, Victory Gate and the others.
Visa and transfers
Cambodia visa, the airport and the way from Siem Reap.
Weather and best time
Siem Reap weather through the year.
Where to stay
Areas of Siem Reap that suit a stay for Angkor.
Sights and history inside the walls
What stands in the city and why it was built.
The Baphuon
The rebuilt pyramid and the reclining Buddha.
Terrace of the Elephants
The royal terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Phimeanakas
The temple pyramid in the royal palace area.
Churning of the Ocean of Milk
The figures along the gate causeways.
Jayavarman VII
The king behind the city and its dates.
Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som
Temples of the Grand Circuit, outside the walls.
A few things to know before you go
Current facts for 2026 in one place.
One pass covers the city
Angkor Thom is part of the park, so the Angkor Pass is all you need. The one-day pass needs no photo. The three- and seven-day passes carry a photo. Children under 12 enter free. You can buy online, in the official app, at self-service machines or at a ticket counter.
Angkor Pass prices →Opening times differ by monument
The park as a whole is open from 05:00 to 18:30. The Baphuon and the Bayon are open from 07:30 to 17:30, so plan for 07:30 there and check the time at the gate for the others.
Restoration continues at the gates
In 2026 a wall restoration beside the South Gate is under way, and the heads of two deva statues at the Victory Gate were put back in place. Expect work areas, and note that photos of the gates can differ from what you see today.
The gates →Arrive through the new airport
Flights land at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), which opened for commercial flights on 16 October 2023. The old city airport code REP no longer applies. The land crossings between Thailand and Cambodia are closed at present.
Getting there →Visa and e-Arrival
The tourist e-Visa costs $30 in 2026. Arrivals by air also complete the free e-Arrival declaration, which does not replace a visa.
More independent Angkor guides
Separate guides from the same team.
Angkor Thom: frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate ticket for Angkor Thom?
No. Angkor Thom is covered by the Angkor Pass. The pass costs $37 for one day, $62 for three visiting days within 7 days and $72 for seven visiting days within 30 days in 2026.
How long does Angkor Thom take?
Plan 2 to 3 hours for the city. That is a starting point, not a fixed time. The Baphuon, the palace area and the terraces each add to it, and a bike or tuk-tuk day can fill a whole morning.
Is Angkor Thom the same as Angkor Wat?
No. Angkor Wat is a separate temple about 2 km from the South Gate. Angkor Thom is the walled city with the Bayon, Baphuon, terraces and palace area. Both are covered by the same pass.
Is the Bayon part of Angkor Thom?
Yes. The Bayon stands at the centre of the city and was the state temple of Jayavarman VII. A separate guide covers its faces and reliefs.
What should I wear?
Cover your shoulders and knees. Bring grippy shoes, because stone steps are slippery when wet.
Is angkor-thom.org an official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no connection to the APSARA National Authority, Angkor Enterprise, any ministry or any tour operator, tuk-tuk driver or hotel.