Angkor Thom tour options in 2026
An Angkor Thom tour is usually part of a longer day in the temple park. You can join a guided tour, hire a tuk-tuk and driver, or ride a bike through the gates and along the wall. The Angkor Small Circuit is the classic route. It takes in Angkor Wat, the Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei and Srah Srang. Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Ta Som belong to the Grand Circuit, which adds distance.
Whatever format you pick, you need the Angkor Pass. Unless a tour listing says the pass is included, you pay it separately. A tuk-tuk or bike day never includes it. The three most common passes cost $37 for one day, $62 for three visiting days and $72 for seven in 2026.
Our picks: Angkor Thom tours by minibus and tuk-tuk
The five minibus days all go through the south gate to the Bayon, and the full-day tour with lunch adds the Baphuon and both terraces. Take the tuk-tuk if you want to set the pace yourself, but only its long routes reach Angkor Thom.
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.
Full-day Angkor tour with Angkor Thom, the terraces and sunset
- Lunch with vegetarian option
- English-speaking guide
- Hotel transfer
It starts at the south gate of Angkor Thom with the Bayon, the Baphuon, both terraces and the former palace area, then continues to Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat and sunset at Phnom Bakheng. The Angkor Pass is extra.
Check availability →
Small-group Angkor day with the south gate and the Bayon
- English-speaking guide
- Hotel transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, plus Angkor Thom entered through the south gate with its rows of gods and demons, and the Bayon. 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 →
Full-day Angkor tour with the south gate, the Bayon and sunset
- Hotel transfer
- English-speaking guide
- Air-conditioned minibus
Angkor Thom is entered through the south gate on the way to the Bayon, and the day ends at Phnom Bakheng at sunset. The Angkor Pass is extra.
Check availability →
Sunrise small-group tour with Angkor Thom and the Bayon
- Hotel transfer
- English-speaking guide
- Five sites visited
Sunrise at Angkor Wat comes first, followed by Ta Prohm, Ta Keo and Angkor Thom with the Bayon and the south gate. The Angkor Pass is extra.
Check availability →
Private tuk-tuk day with an English-speaking driver
- Private tuk-tuk
- English-speaking driver
- Park fees and fuel
Only the longer sunrise and sunset routes reach Angkor Thom and the Bayon; the short options stay at Angkor Wat. You ride with a driver rather than a temple guide, and 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.
Angkor bike tour: gates, wall and quiet roads
A bike is a good way to explore stretches of the city wall.
A bike suits the stretches between the gates, where the road is flat and the sights are spaced out. You stop where you like and can reach the wall sections that a bus tour skips. Stay on marked paths. A bike ride does not let you into closed stairs or work areas, and the wall is not a continuous walkway.
Start early and carry water. Rain can make the stone slippery, and during a storm you should not stand or park under large trees. If you ride alone, plan the loop first and keep the pass with you for ticket checks.
Siem Reap tuk-tuk for Angkor Thom
The usual choice for a flexible day without a group.
A tuk-tuk from Siem Reap carries you and a driver through the park for the day. You set the stops, so you can build Angkor Thom around the heat: gates and terraces first, the Baphuon later. The Angkor Pass is not included. Agree the route, the waiting time and the fare before you set off, and ask whether the driver knows which temples you want to see.
A tuk-tuk does not replace a guide. If you want the story behind the Churning of the Ocean of Milk or the reliefs on the terraces, add a guide or read the pages on this site before you go.
Guided tours of Angkor Thom
What a guide adds and what to check in a listing.
Group size and start time
Smaller groups are easier to manage at narrow stairs and gates. Early starts beat the heat, but remember that the Baphuon and the Bayon are open from 07:30 to 17:30.
Pass and pickup
Check whether the Angkor Pass is included and where the pickup is. If it is not included, buy the pass online, in the app or at a self-service machine before the tour.
Language and route
Look for the languages offered and for the sights named in the route. Some tours cover Angkor Thom in a short stop. Others give it a full morning.
Walking and steps
Expect steps and uneven stone at the Baphuon, the terraces and the palace area. Wear shoes with grip and cover your shoulders and knees.
Which format fits your day
A comparison of the three main ways to see the city.
| Format | Best for | Pass included | Check before you go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided day tour | First visit with background | Depends on the listing | Group size, start time, pickup |
| Tuk-tuk with driver | A flexible day on your own timing | No | Route, waiting time and fare agreed first |
| Bike or bike tour | Wall sections and quiet roads | No | Heat, water, marked paths only |
For most first visits, a tuk-tuk or a small-group guided day is the simplest way to cover Angkor Thom. Choose the bike if you like to ride and have a full morning.
A route through the city
A walk that links the main sights, in this order.
Start at the palace area
The route begins around Phimeanakas in the royal palace area, a walk through wooded ground.
The two ponds
Continue to Sras Srey and Sras Pros, the ponds usually called the women's and men's ponds.
The two terraces
Next come the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Preah Palilay and Tep Pranam
End at Preah Palilay and Tep Pranam, a pagoda that is still in religious use. Use it quietly and respectfully.
From Angkor Wat the South Gate is about 2 km away. Add the Baphuon as a separate stop. For the Bayon and its stone faces, see the Bayon guide.
Rules and safety on a tour day
Short and practical.
Elephant rides
Rides on elephants in the temple park were announced to end at the start of 2020. Choose walking, a bike or a tuk-tuk instead.
Monkeys
Do not feed or touch the monkeys. Keep food in your bag.
Marked paths
Stay on marked paths in the temple area. Do not take shortcuts through the forest.
Rainy season
Wear shoes with grip. In storms, do not stand under large trees or park beneath them.
Setting out from Siem Reap? Getting there covers the airport, the visa and transfers. Pick the day with the season in mind on the best time to visit page.
Angkor Thom tours: frequently asked questions
Is the Angkor Pass included in an Angkor Thom tour?
It depends on the listing. Many tours do not include it, and tuk-tuk and bike days never do. Check each offer. The pass costs $37 for one day, $62 for three visiting days and $72 for seven in 2026.
What is the Small Circuit?
A classic route through the park. It includes Angkor Wat, the Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei and Srah Srang. It is a route suggestion, not a separate ticket.
Can I visit Angkor Thom by bike?
Yes. A bike suits the stretches between the gates and along parts of the wall. Stay on marked paths, carry water and avoid riding in storms.
How long should I plan for Angkor Thom?
Two to three hours is a good starting point for the city alone. Add time for the Baphuon, the palace area and the terraces.
Are elephant rides possible at Angkor Thom?
Rides in the temple park were announced to end at the start of 2020, so do not plan on one. Walking, a bike or a tuk-tuk are the usual ways to get around. The elephants you will see are the carvings on the terrace wall.