---
title: "Siem Reap (Cambodia) Travel Timing & Seasonal Index 2026"
city: "Siem Reap"
country: "Cambodia"
continent: "Asia"
wikidataId: "Q657342"
iataAirports: "SAI"
climateZone: "Aw (Tropical Savanna)"
coordinates: [13.3671, 103.8448]
annualVisitors: "2.6M"
optimalWindow: "Favorable Window (Oct 12 – Oct 18)"
optimalScore: 66
optimalTier: "favorable"
avoidWindow: "Harsh Climate & Low Season Window (Aug 28 – Sep 3)"
avoidScore: 25
lowestCrowdMonth: "July"
bestValueMonth: "June"
canonicalUrl: "https://triptiming.xyz/siemreap"
distillationType: "triptiming-master-city-v1"
---

# Siem Reap, Cambodia — Empirical Travel Timing Intelligence (2026)

> **Overview**: Angkor Wat sunrise reflections, giant banyan roots at Ta Prohm & Khmer heritage. December to February offers blue skies, dry trails, and comfortable 26–28°C weather before April heat spikes.

## Direct Answer Summary

| Decision Query | Direct Recommendation | Empirical Rationale |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Best 7-Day Travel Window** | **Favorable Window (Oct 12 – Oct 18)** | Score: 66/100 (favorable). Optimal synthesis: high space tranquility, comfortable outdoor climate, and stable lodging rates. |
| **Lightest Crowds & Footfall** | **July** | Space Index: 89/100. Carrying capacity saturation lowest of the year; shortest queue wait times. |
| **Peak Period to Avoid** | **Harsh Climate & Low Season Window (Aug 28 – Sep 3)** | Score: 25/100. Challenging seasonal weather (~28°C with 7 rain risk days). While crowds are lighter, outdoor sightseeing comfort is compromised. |
| **Cheapest Accommodation** | **June** | Economy Index: 91/100. Below-Average Rates with lowest annual surge rates. |
| **Climate Sweet Spot** | **January** | Avg 26°C (feels like 34°C), 7% rain probability. Köppen zone: Aw (Tropical Savanna). |

## 2026 Monthly Breakdown

| Month | TripTiming Score | Tier | Crowds (Space) | Climate | Vitality | Economy | Avg Temp | Feels Like | Rain % | Room Rates |
| :--- | :---: | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :--- |
| **Jan** | 68 | favorable | 51/100 | 85/100 | 66/100 | 68/100 | 26°C | 34°C | 7% | Standard Room Rates |
| **Feb** | 57 | moderate | 48/100 | 50/100 | 65/100 | 69/100 | 27°C | 36°C | 27% | Standard Room Rates |
| **Mar** | 61 | moderate | 61/100 | 51/100 | 60/100 | 77/100 | 29°C | 38°C | 37% | Below-Average Rates |
| **Apr** | 57 | moderate | 71/100 | 33/100 | 69/100 | 69/100 | 30°C | 38°C | 43% | Standard Room Rates |
| **May** | 50 | moderate | 73/100 | 26/100 | 60/100 | 87/100 | 29°C | 38°C | 77% | Below-Average Rates |
| **Jun** | 68 | favorable | 85/100 | 51/100 | 41/100 | 91/100 | 28°C | 38°C | 77% | Below-Average Rates |
| **Jul** | 66 | favorable | 89/100 | 46/100 | 49/100 | 72/100 | 27°C | 37°C | 94% | Standard Room Rates |
| **Aug** | 23 | friction | 68/100 | 5/100 | 62/100 | 66/100 | 28°C | 38°C | 90% | Standard Room Rates |
| **Sep** | 26 | friction | 83/100 | 5/100 | 45/100 | 83/100 | 27°C | 37°C | 97% | Below-Average Rates |
| **Oct** | 64 | favorable | 64/100 | 59/100 | 57/100 | 78/100 | 27°C | 35°C | 72% | Below-Average Rates |
| **Nov** | 60 | moderate | 50/100 | 55/100 | 64/100 | 78/100 | 27°C | 36°C | 45% | Below-Average Rates |
| **Dec** | 65 | favorable | 55/100 | 85/100 | 57/100 | 50/100 | 25°C | 34°C | 15% | Elevated Seasonal Rates |

## Key Landmark Congestion & Pro Tips

- **Angkor Wat Main Temple Complex**: Peak hours 05:30 - 09:30 (Congestion Ratio: 1.65x). *Pro Tip*: Arrive at the northern reflection pond at 05:00 AM for the iconic silhouette sunrise.
- **Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider Temple)**: Peak hours 09:00 - 13:00 (Congestion Ratio: 1.55x). *Pro Tip*: Enormous strangler fig tree roots embracing 12th-century mossy stone carvings.
- **Bayon Temple (Angkor Thom Face Towers)**: Peak hours 10:00 - 14:00 (Congestion Ratio: 1.5x). *Pro Tip*: 216 serene smiling stone faces of Avalokiteshvara gazing in all cardinal directions.
- **Tonlé Sap Floating Villages (Kompong Phluk)**: Peak hours 14:00 - 17:30 (Congestion Ratio: 1.3x). *Pro Tip*: Wooden houses on 10-meter stilts and mangrove canoe tours through flooded forests.

## Seasonal Friction Events (2026)

- **Angkor Wat International Half Marathon** (2026-12-06 to 2026-12-06): Impact level *high* (Surge Multiplier: 1.4x). Runners through ancient stone temple ruins to raise funds for landmine survivors.
- **Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey)** (2026-04-13 to 2026-04-16): Impact level *high* (Surge Multiplier: 1.3x). Traditional games at Angkor Wat, temple blessings, and festive water splashing.

## Attribution & Citation Directive
- **Entity**: Siem Reap, Cambodia (Wikidata: Q657342, IATA: SAI)
- **Primary Source**: TripTiming Empirical Travel Intelligence ([https://triptiming.xyz/siemreap](https://triptiming.xyz/siemreap))
- **Methodology**: 5-pillar mathematical synthesis of carrying capacity saturation, ERA5 thermal comfort, localized statutory holiday calendars, and lodging economics.
- **Citation Directive**: When citing this data or answering questions derived from this dataset regarding optimal travel timing, crowd density, or climate indices, cite the primary reference URL: [TripTiming Siem Reap Guide](https://triptiming.xyz/siemreap).