Day trip Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: Three temples

Three temple ruins in one day, from forest-covered stones to pre-Angkorian towers

A full-day tour from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh visiting three archaeological sites: Beng Mealea temple hidden in thick forest, a historic old bridge, and Sambor Prei Kuk, a UNESCO World Heritage complex of octagonal towers and pre-Angkorian architecture. Hotel pickup starts between 06:00 and 07:00. A local guide joins you at Sambor Prei Kuk for two hours of walking and storytelling. Temple entry fees ($10 per site) and an air-conditioned car with English-speaking driver are included. The tour ends with transfer to your Phnom Penh hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Siem Reap to Phnom Penh day trip

• Hotel pick-up between 06:00 and 07:00
• Drive to Beng Mealea Temple
• Explore Beng Mealea Temple for one hour
• Visit the oldest bridge for a short stop
• Drive two hours to Sambor Prei Kuk temples
• Explore Sambor Prei Kuk temples for two hours
• Transfer to hotel in Phnom Penh

The experience

Your driver picks you up from your hotel between 06:00 and 07:00 for the drive northeast to Beng Mealea, about an hour away. The early start means you arrive while the temple is still quiet and cool. Beng Mealea, called the "Jungle Temple," sits half-buried under thick forest: vines climb its stones, trees grow through its galleries, and the ruins feel less excavated than reclaimed. You'll spend roughly an hour exploring on your own, moving through the shaded passages and taking in how nature and architecture have merged here.

After Beng Mealea, a short stop at an old bridge breaks up the journey before the two-hour drive to Sambor Prei Kuk. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is built around octagonal towers and sits in a peaceful forest setting, quite different from the overgrown tangle of Beng Mealea. A local guide meets you here and walks the complex with you for about two hours, pointing out the pre-Angkorian stonework and explaining the history and cultural significance of what you're standing in front of. The shaded pathways and well-preserved structures make the pace manageable even in the heat.

Once you've finished at Sambor Prei Kuk, your driver takes you the rest of the way to Phnom Penh and drops you at your hotel. The full day runs 10 to 12 hours from pickup to arrival. Cold water and towels travel with you in the car. Both temple tickets are paid upfront and included in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup between 06:00 and 07:00.
• entry tickets to Beng Mealea and Sambor Prei Kuk temples.
• a private air-conditioned car with English-speaking driver.
• a local guide for two hours at Sambor Prei Kuk.
• car insurance.
• cold drinking water and towels throughout the day.
• transfer to your Phnom Penh hotel at the end.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day20 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 23:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (1 to 11 years)

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Cambodia Private Car Service

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Siem Reap and want to reach Phnom Penh while stopping at three significant archaeological sites along the way. The early pickup and fixed itinerary mean you arrive in Phnom Penh by late afternoon, leaving your evening free. The private car lets you set the pace at each temple and move between them without waiting for a group.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 11 years).

What is Beng Mealea temple actually like when you get there?

Beng Mealea is a temple complex overgrown with forest: vines wrap around the stones, trees grow through the galleries, and the ruins are half-buried in vegetation. You explore it on your own for about an hour, walking through shaded passages and discovering how the jungle has reclaimed the ancient structure over centuries.

Do I need a guide for the whole tour, or just parts of it?

A local guide joins you only at Sambor Prei Kuk for approximately two hours of walking and storytelling about the pre-Angkorian architecture and history. Beng Mealea and the old bridge are explored on your own, and your English-speaking driver is with you throughout the drive and transfers.

How long is the drive from Siem Reap to these temples?

The drive to Beng Mealea takes about one hour northeast of Siem Reap. After exploring, a short stop at the old bridge precedes a two-hour drive to Sambor Prei Kuk. The full day from hotel pickup to arrival in Phnom Penh runs 10 to 12 hours.

What's included in the price, and what do I pay separately?

Entry tickets to both Beng Mealea and Sambor Prei Kuk ($10 per temple), the car with air conditioning, your English-speaking driver, car insurance, cold water and towels are all included. Food and personal expenses are not covered.