How to get from Battambang to Kep

Why visit Kep?

Kep is the smallest region in Cambodia, yet it offers plenty to spend a few exciting days in this small beach town. At its peak, the French’s enthusiasm for luxury made it one of the most inviting destinations in Cambodia.

See what all the fuss was about and try some of the tastiest and freshest seafood at Kep Crab Market, relax on Kep Beach or spend the day discovering the nearby town of Kampot. 

There are 3 ways to travel the 450 kilometre (280 miles) distance from Battambang to Kep. You can choose between the bus, flight and indirect bus. The journey takes 7 hours 30 minutes to 13 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by indirect bus with tickets starting at $17.80 (72,000 KHR).

The bus is an affordable way to get from Battambang to Kep. Bus fares start from $29 (117,000 KHR), and the journey takes around 12 hours 30 minutes to 13 hours 30 minutes.

Only one company runs direct buses on this route – Saly VIP. It operates three night sleeper buses every day, all arriving around noon. This is great if you want to save on a night’s accommodation and make the most of your day when you arrive.

If you don’t mind taking two buses, you could go to Phnom Penh first before catching another bus to Kep. The journey takes 7 hours 30 minutes to 11 hours, excluding transfers.

This option also gives you the chance to rest in Phnom Penh or even stay a night and do some sightseeing.

Total bus fares start from $17.80 (72,000 KHR).

There are several buses operating between Battambang and Phnom Penh, but we recommend travelling with Giant Ibis or Airbus. They offer morning departures and generally receive better reviews than others.

Cambolink21 Express is also a good company to travel with.

Bus fares start from $8.50 (34,000 KHR), and travel time takes between 4h - 6h 15m.

See all bus options below:

From Phnom Penh to Kep, bus fares start from $9.30 (37,000 KHR) and travel time takes 3h 30m - 4h 30m.

The fastest way to travel from Battambang to Kep is by flight. But keep in mind that Siem Reap International Airport is the closest airport to Battambang. You’ll first need to travel to Siem Reap, then catch a flight to Sihanoukville. From Sihanoukville Airport, you can hire a taxi for the final leg to Kep.

The total journey takes around 7 hours 30 minutes, and prices start from $180 (721,000 KHR).

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

You can hire a taxi for $70 (282,000 KHR) from Battambang to Siem Reap Airport. The ride takes around 3.5 hours.

Booking online costs more — around $125 (508,000 KHR) — but that gets you an SUV, which is ideal if you’re travelling with extra luggage or in a small group.

Air Cambodia operates flights from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville.

One-way flight tickets start at $59 (238,000 KHR), and travel time takes about 1 hour.

From Sihanoukville International Airport, taxi fares to Kep are around $50 (201,000 KHR) if you find one on your own. But note that taxi drivers will likely insist on a higher rate, so be ready to negotiate.

If you’d rather skip the hassle, you can book a taxi online using the button below. Fares start at $66 (266,000 KHR).