Cambodia, Asia

Angkor Wat in September

Heaviest rain and some local flooding. Pchum Ben, a major Khmer holiday, often falls in September or October.

TradeoffsWettest stretch, highs near 89F (32C)

Angkor Wat at sunrise, Cambodia — Angkor WatPhoto: Reinhard Onasch, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

September is a month of real tradeoffs in Angkor Wat. Heaviest rain and some local flooding. Pchum Ben, a major Khmer holiday, often falls in September or October.

Weather: Wettest stretch, highs near 89F (32C)
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What September is like in Angkor Wat

September is the wettest stretch, with highs near 89F (32C). Heavy rain can cause some local flooding, and paths can be muddy. Crowds and prices are at their lowest. Pchum Ben, a major Khmer holiday honoring ancestors, often falls this month or next.

This month suits only flexible, budget travelers. Families should wait for drier months. For the best weather, choose November to February. If you do come, stick to the main temples near Siem Reap, where roads are paved, and keep a spare day in case storms wash out a plan. Pagodas are busy at dawn during Pchum Ben, and some local restaurants and shops close as families return home.

Make the most of September

What is especially good about Angkor Wat this month.

Pchum Ben

A 15-day festival honoring ancestors, with pagodas busy at dawn with offerings.

Lowest prices

Hotels and guides are at their cheapest.

Quiet temples

Few other visitors, even at Angkor Wat.

What to pack for September

A good rain jacket
Waterproof sandals
Quick-dry clothes
A dry bag

Our timing tip

Keep your plans flexible and ask your driver about road conditions before heading to remote temples.

Book Angkor Wat for September.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Angkor Wat
Opens a hotel search for Angkor Wat in September, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for September
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Vacation rentals in Angkor Wat
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in Angkor Wat
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Angkor Wat for September. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in September

Pchum Ben

September or October, set by the lunar calendar

A 15-day festival honoring ancestors, with the final days a national holiday. Pagodas are busy at dawn with offerings.

Things to do in Angkor Wat

Full guide

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Arrive before 5:30am to find a spot by the lotus ponds. For a quieter view, walk to the back of the temple after sunrise while everyone else leaves for breakfast.

Tickets and tours →

The Bayon and Angkor Thom

The face towers are best in soft morning or late afternoon light. The Terrace of the Elephants is right next door.

Tickets and tours →

Ta Prohm

The tree-root temple. Go right at opening or in the last hour to avoid the tour groups.

Tickets and tours →

Banteay Srei

Small pink sandstone temple with the finest carvings in Angkor, about 45 minutes out. Go early before it heats up.

Tickets and tours →

Beng Mealea

A collapsed jungle temple about 90 minutes from Siem Reap. Uncrowded and atmospheric, especially in the green season.

Tickets and tours →

Tonle Sap floating villages

Water levels change dramatically by season. Visit in the wet season when the lake swells, and choose community-run tours.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Buy a multi-day pass and spread the temples out. Do the big three (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm) at off-hours instead of cramming them into one crowded day.
Most tour groups follow the same loop. Reverse it: do Ta Prohm at opening, Angkor Wat at midday when the sunrise crowd is gone, and the Bayon in late afternoon.
Go to Banteay Srei and Beng Mealea early to beat the heat and the tour buses.
Consider the green season from June to August: morning temple visits are quiet, the landscape is lush, and hotel prices drop.

Know before you go

Angkor passes are sold for one, three, or seven days at the official ticket center and online through Angkor Enterprise. You need a photo pass to enter any temple.
Angkor Wat and some temples open early for sunrise; most others open around 7:30am and close in the late afternoon. Check current hours.
Upper levels of some temples, including Angkor Wat's central tower (Bakan), close on certain Buddhist holy days and have dress-code checks (shoulders and knees covered).
During Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben, some local restaurants and shops close as families return to their home provinces.

Angkor Wat in September, quick answers

Is September a good time to visit Angkor Wat?

September is a month of real tradeoffs in Angkor Wat. Heaviest rain and some local flooding. Pchum Ben, a major Khmer holiday, often falls in September or October.

What is the weather like in Angkor Wat in September?

Wettest stretch, highs near 89F (32C).

Is Angkor Wat crowded in September?

September is one of the quieter months in Angkor Wat; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Angkor Wat in September?

Pchum Ben (september or october, set by the lunar calendar).