The thing people get wrong
Kep and Kampot are reached by different roads from Phnom Penh. You do not pass through one on the way to the other. Kampot is on Route 3; Kep turns off onto Route 33 through Kampong Trach. If you book a Kampot ticket expecting to be dropped in Kep, you won't be.
From Phnom Penh
Three to four hours either way.
| How | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minivan | 3–4 hrs | ~$10 | The usual choice and the quickest |
| Bus | ~3¼ hrs | from $8 | Giant Ibis is comfier, Vireak Buntham cheaper |
| Private transfer | 3–4 hrs | varies | Through agencies and guesthouses |
| Train | varies | varies | Limited schedule — check it's running |
Book through BookMeBus or Camboticket, or simply at any guesthouse — they take a small cut and save you the trouble.
Between Kep and Kampot
Twenty-five kilometres, 30–40 minutes, on a decent road.
| How | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared minivan | $4–6 | The sensible default |
| Private tuk-tuk | $10–18 one way | $15–25 return with waiting |
| Train | ~$4.60 | Cheapest, limited schedule |
Fares rise in the busy months, roughly November to February, and after dark. Agree the price before you set off; negotiating is normal, and starting at about 70–80% of the first quote is neither rude nor unusual.
From Sihanoukville and the islands
Around three to four hours to Kampot by minivan or bus. If you're coming off the islands, you'll usually change in Sihanoukville.
From Vietnam
The Ha Tien border crossing is close to Kep — this is the practical way in and out if you're combining Cambodia with the Mekong Delta or Phu Quoc.
Getting around once you're here
- Tuk-tuks are everywhere in both towns. A short hop in Kep is a couple of dollars — agree it first
- PassApp is the local ride-hailing app and is usually cheaper, but needs a Cambodian SIM. Grab works best in the big cities and is patchier here
- Rented motorbikes are easy to find in Kampot and are how most people do Bokor
- Bicycles work in Kep, which is small and flat along the coast road
Before you land
- Cambodia e-Arrival — the arrival form, filled in online before you fly
- Bakong Tourists — the national QR payment app. Most small places here take KHQR codes and very few take cards
- An offline map — download the area in Google Maps, or use Organic Maps. Signal thins out on the Kep park loop and up Bokor
Fares and schedules here are what's currently reported rather than a promise. Confirm with the operator when you book.
Once you arrive
Kampot or Kep covers which to base yourself in, and a week on the south coast sets out a route. If you're staying with us, tell us when you're arriving and we'll help with the last leg.