How to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot

Why visit Kampot?

Kampot is a laid-back riverside town with touches of French influence. It’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Spend your days relaxing by the river (there are some really cool riverside accommodations), kayaking, exploring the countryside by bike and learning about how pepper is made. Visiting a pepper plantation is one of the top things to do, Kampot pepper is world-renowned and a must-try!

There are 4 ways to travel the 154 kilometres (96 miles) from Phnom Penh to Kampot. You can choose between the bus, minivan, taxi and train. The journey takes 2 hours to 4 hours 40 minutes and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by minivan with tickets starting at $8 (32,000 KHR).

A minivan ride from Phnom Penh to Kampot costs around $8 (32,000 KHR). The minivan journey takes about 2 hours 25 minutes to 3 hours, depending on traffic. Note that minivans often don’t offer a lot of legroom. Although, vans are sometimes faster than the bus.

There are five companies operating on this route: Vibol Express, Ekareach Express, Virak Buntham Express, Pacific Express and Kim Seng Express.

Since Phnom Penh is a transport hub for all destinations across Cambodia, it’s easy to arrange transport from here.

Booking with Giant Ibis is highly recommended as they are the best transport company in Cambodia.

Taking the train is a good option for travellers who are not on a strict itinerary. The views offered along this trip that lasts for 4 hours 40 minutes allows you to see a different side of the Cambodian rural life.

However, trains take longer than the bus and only operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Train schedule from Phnom Penh to Kampot

A train ticket costs $11.50 (46,000 KHR) per person, one-way.

You can also transport your car, motorbike or bicycle for $14 (56,000 KHR), $5 (20,000 KHR) and $2 (8,000 KHR). You can buy these additional tickets at the railway station.

Trains depart from the Royal Railway Station in Phnom Penh and arrive at the Kampot Train Station.

Both railway stations are a 5-10min taxi or tuk-tuk ride to/from the centre.

The train makes one 10-minute stop in Takeo before reaching Kampot. The trip looks like this:

Royal Railway Station (Phnom Penh) – Takeo Train Station – Kampot Train Station

Taxis offer transport through this route for $61 (243,000 KHR). If you want a cheaper rate, you can try to negotiate to $40 (161,000 KHR) – $45 (181,000 KHR) but it usually takes persistence to agree on these rates.

Always make sure to agree on the rate before you get in the taxi, so you won’t end up paying more.

You can hail a taxi on the street, arrange a taxi through your hotel or book one online.

Phnom Penh to Kampot by Shared Taxi

If you are on a budget and you don’t want to wait on a bus, you can also travel by shared taxi. They charge $5 (20,000 KHR) per person and passengers can be dropped off and picked up anywhere along the way.

Bear in mind that drivers pack people like sardines to fit in the van and these vans are not operated by an official transport company.

You can find shared taxis along Psar Dang Kor.