Exploring Ankor Watt by Push Bike

Hi,

I am visiting Cambodia in November specifically just to see the Ankor Watt site and am wondering if I will be okay exploring it by push bike. I have three days and am only really interested in seeing the main sites, I have a guide book to follow so will be planning exactly which sites I want to see later.

If I do hire a push bike, is it best to hire in Siam Reap or is it better to go closer to Ankor Watt?

I understand that it is ideal to hire a Tuk Tuk, but I prefer not to as I am alone and don't like the idea of it. I am also worried that I might get ripped off easily this way and / or be rushed around and not taken to see the things I have come for which will spoil it.

I might start out by cycling for the first day to see how it goes, but can I have some advise on this please?

Thanks.

I tried walking between the sights, and found it very tough. Partly because of the distances but even more so due to the heat around mid day. But I have seen quite a few doing it on push bikes.
I think you should rent in Siem Reap, maybe through your guest house.

I have been twice to Angkor and both times I hired a driver with a motorbike. I never felt I was rushed through anything. I have hired the chauffer for the day and I was to decide where we were going and for how long. I don’t remember the price but I found it fairly cheap. So that’s also an option for you.

Have a great time
Anne Marie

But were you alone because I know from experience it can feel a bit wierd being driven around by someone when you are alone?

What are the roads like in Siam Reap and then near Ankor, not sure how I'll find it if the traffic is really bad?

No, you are right, I was not alone. But if I was alone I would still choose this type of transportation around Angkor. The driver will wait outside the tempels you want to explore and you can go in by yourself.

We did it with tuk tuk and told our driver where we wanted to go. Drivers all seem to wait together and you go off and do your thing going back to them when you're ready. Most arent impatient and are more than happy to wait for as long as it takes you. Negotiate everything for the time to want the hire before you set off. and if you wwant confirmation, write down the amount and show the driver.
we just grabbed the first tuk tuk driver off the street who spoke reasonable English and booked him for the following day. On the way back from the temples he even took us to his wat to meet the monks and look around at no extra charge.

You often see tuk tuks with only one passenger, so negotiate a price for the day and use a tuk tuk.
We saw people doing Angkor on bikes yesterday, but I wouldn't do it due to the heat and let's say the rather creative rules of the road here.

if you hire a bike do so in siem reap.
Beware that the road to and from can be very very busy especially in the early morning evening
Note that some distances are long between temples
finally the chances of you finding others to share a Tuk tuk for a day or a few days is very very high

I would hire a tuk tuk driver for 3 days.We used Mr Davong :www.angkorsightseeing.com
Cost about $20 a day for 4 days .(One day on Lake Ton le sap) .Its too hot and too much ground to cover without a driver unless you are super fit.And he knows where to go!
If a driver suggests a sun set viewing I would not bother - we did 2 temples and the view was nothing special.And crowded.Enjoy

We rode around the main sites by push bike and I can recommend it. It does get a bit hot, but there is plenty of shade to cool off at some I of the sites. We also hired a driver to go to the sites further out and also enjoyed that.

I spent a week exploring the sites by bicycle several years back and really enjoyed it. Was on my own doing photography and needed to go at my own chosen pace, sometimes lingering for hours to get the right shot. Bicycle also has the advantage of using the shady forest paths which aren't even on most maps, and allows you to avoid most of the persistent "cold drink kids" ;-)

yeah, go on OP; hire a bike and cycle.

I did this as a solo traveller May 2012 - yes it was hot but I carried a day pack and always had ample water.

This gave me total independence with regard to what I wanted to do; some of the temples I was able to walk through and not have to re-trace my steps.

There are some sites that no bikes are allowed to enter but all of the stall holders I asked to look after my bike were more than helpful. For the purchase of a much needed bottle of iced water from them, I'd secure my bike to their stall or whatever was static nearby - no problems.

SR is the place to hire from for sure; I hired from the travel agent at the central food market - at the time he had Giant mountain bikes and all were very new. A deposit had to be left.

If I returned I'd do this all over again; even if I wasn't solo, I'd talk my fellow traveller(s) into doing the temples by bicycle.