Beng Mealea at a glance
Beng Mealea is the temple that visitors picture when they think of ruins in the jungle. Galleries have fallen in, trees grow through the walls and moss covers the stone. Most visitors reach it on a day trip from Siem Reap, either on a Beng Mealea tour or with a hired driver.
It has its own ticket and sits outside the usual Angkor circuits. Plan about half a day on site and on the road, or a full day if you combine it with another stop.
Our picks: Beng Mealea
With Koh Ker on a long day, or privately with an airport transfer as an option.
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.
Private Beng Mealea trip with optional airport transfer
- Private guide
- Private air-conditioned car
- Airport transfer by option
A private guide and car to Beng Mealea, with a transfer to the new airport as an option. All entry fees are extra.
Check availability →
Koh Ker and Beng Mealea temples
- English-speaking guide
- Transport
- Hotel pickup
A long day with a guide to the jungle temple of Beng Mealea and the pyramid of Koh Ker. Entry to both is extra; Koh Ker costs $15.
Check availability →Beng Mealea tours from Siem Reap
Guided trips to Beng Mealea and the outer temples, with live prices and availability.
Beng Mealea ticket and the Angkor Pass
Prices in US dollars, 2026.
The single ticket for Beng Mealea costs $10 and is valid for one day, with hours of 06:00 to 18:30. It is meant for visitors who do not hold an Angkor Pass. If you already have a pass, ask at the ticket check whether it covers this temple. Do not assume you will pay nothing extra, and do not pay twice without asking.
If you book a tour, check whether the entry fee is part of the price. Many tour prices leave tickets out, and the Angkor Pass is a separate purchase. The Angkor Pass page lists the current prices.
| Option | Entry | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| No Angkor Pass | $10 single ticket | Is the ticket in the tour price? |
| With Angkor Pass | Ask at the ticket check | Does my pass cover Beng Mealea today? |
| Private driver | Paid separately | Agreed price for the long drive |
For most visitors without a pass, the simplest way is a tour that states in writing what the fee covers.
What you see at Beng Mealea
Sandstone, collapse and a wooden walkway.
The ruin itself
The temple is built of sandstone and has suffered severe collapse. Vegetation covers much of it. It is thought to date from around the time of Angkor Wat, but no firm completion date is given, so treat any exact year you hear with care.
The walkway
A wooden walkway leads through part of the site and keeps visitors off the fallen blocks. Stay on it. Scrambling over rubble is how people get hurt, and loose stones can shift.
Photography
The light under the trees is uneven, so the early and late hours give softer pictures. Drones need prior written permission. Do not touch or lean on carved stones.
Getting to Beng Mealea from Siem Reap
Beng Mealea lies about 70 km from Siem Reap. A car needs around 1.5 hours one way, measured from the town, and road works or weather can add time. Tuk-tuk drivers charge extra for remote temples, so agree the price before you leave. A tuk-tuk for this distance is slow and tiring, and an air-conditioned car or minibus tour is more comfortable.
Start early. You get cooler hours at the site and time to spare for the return. Bring water, sun protection and shoes with grip, as the stone is uneven and slippery after rain. Rain on stone is a real hazard, so heed warning signs and avoid sheltering under large trees in a storm.
Respect at the temple
Beng Mealea is a religious site. Cover shoulders and knees, do not take stones or move them, and keep to the marked route. Ask before you photograph monks. The US advisory of 15 September 2026 asks for increased caution in Siem Reap province because of unexploded ordnance, so stay on cleared paths and do not walk into the forest on your own.
Planning your day
Leave Siem Reap early, spend one to two hours at the temple and allow the same drive back. A tuk-tuk driver is not a guide: a guide costs around $30 per day, and drivers charge extra for remote temples. Agree both prices in advance and ask what the entry fee covers.
Bring cash in small US dollar notes for drinks and small costs. Carry water, and wear shoes that cope with wet stone.
Beng Mealea: frequently asked questions
How much is the Beng Mealea entry fee?
The single ticket costs $10 for one day in 2026, with hours from 06:00 to 18:30.
Is Beng Mealea included in the Angkor Pass?
The single ticket exists for visitors without a pass. Ask at the ticket check whether a valid pass covers it before you pay.
How long does it take to get there?
About 1.5 hours by car for roughly 70 km from Siem Reap. Allow extra time on the way back.
Can I climb over the ruins?
Use the wooden walkway and the marked route. Climbing over fallen blocks is risky and can damage the stone.
Is this site official?
No. It is an independent guide with no link to the APSARA National Authority or Angkor Enterprise. Confirm tickets and hours on the day.