How to get from Siem Reap 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!
What are the 4 ways to travel from Siem Reap to Kampot?
There are 4 ways to travel the 460 kilometre (286 miles) distance from Siem Reap to Kampot. You can choose between the bus, taxi, flight + taxi and bus via Phnom Penh. The journey takes 4 hours 25 minutes to 11 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight + taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus via Phnom Penh with tickets starting at 77,000 KHR ($19.10).
Where to stay in Kampot?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Kampot at the bottom of this page.
Siem Reap to Kampot by Bus
A direct bus from Siem Reap takes about 9 hours to 11 hours 30 minutes to reach Kampot, and a ticket costs 87,000 KHR ($21.50). Because it’s a long journey, taking the night bus is a common option to save time and skip a night of accommodation.
Overnight buses in Cambodia used to have a poor reputation, mainly because roads weren’t well-lit and night driving came with higher risks. But road conditions have improved over the years, and travellers now report more positive experiences with night buses on long routes.
Giant Ibis is one of the more well-known operators on this route and generally receives good reviews. Just note that sleeper buses can feel cramped if you’re tall.
There are also day buses running from Siem Reap to Kampot. With four companies operating on this route, there are plenty of departure times to fit your schedule.
Bus schedules from Siem Reap to Kampot
Siem Reap to Kampot by Bus via Phnom Penh
To avoid a long stretch on the road, you can break the journey from Siem Reap to Kampot into two parts.
First, take a bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, then continue with another bus from Phnom Penh to Kampot. You can use the stopover to grab a meal, stretch your legs or explore a bit of the capital.
Total costs for this indirect bus ride start at 77,000 KHR ($19.10), and travel time takes between 8 hours 30 minutes to 11 hours, excluding your breaks in between.
Step 1: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by Bus
Several bus companies are running from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. You can get a bus ticket for 38,000 KHR ($9.50), and the travel time is between5h 30m - 7h.
If you take a late-night sleeper bus, you’ll arrive in Phnom Penh at around 05:00, giving you enough time to have breakfast and stretch your legs before transferring to a bus heading to Kampot.
But you can also take a day bus and spend a night in Phnom Penh. You’ll have some time to explore the city before continuing your journey the next day.
There are also vans operating on this route. For more info, check out our page on Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.
Step 2: Phnom Penh to Kampot by Bus
From Phnom Penh to Kampot, travel time is about 3-4h and a bus ticket costs 39,000 KHR ($9.60).
Phnom Penh is a major transport hub, so it’s easy to find buses with departure times that fit your itinerary.
Siem Reap to Kampot by Taxi
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Siem Reap to Kampot. The journey takes 8 hours, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at 678,000 KHR ($170) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 170,000 KHR ($42.50) each.
Since this is a long journey, one advantage of having a private car is the flexibility. You can ask to stop for breaks whenever you want. It can be expensive if you’re travelling solo, but it becomes more reasonable when shared with a group.
Private Transport options from Siem Reap to Kampot
Siem Reap to Kampot by Flight + Taxi
Flying allows you to skip most of the long road journey from Siem Reap to Kampot.
You can fly from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville and continue to Kampot by taxi from the airport.
Total travel time takes about 4 hours 25 minutes to 5 hours 25 minutes, and the journey costs 538,000 KHR ($135).
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Siem Reap city centre to Siem Reap Airport
The new Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) is about 45 kilometres away from the city centre. Depending on traffic and your choice of transport, the trip can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
The cheapest option is the airport shuttle bus, with ticket fares starting from 32,000 KHR ($8). Buses leave from 7 Makara Street, around two kilometres from the main tourist area.
If you want to travel more comfortably and save time, a private transfer is a good choice. You can hail a taxi, use a ride-hailing app, or pre-book a car through services like BookAway. Prices usually range from 100,000 KHR ($25) to 181,000 KHR ($45).
There are also tuk-tuks and shared minivans to the airport, but they’re slower and not ideal in bad weather. You can read more about all the transport options on our Siem Reap airport page.
Step 2: Siem Reap to Sihanoukville by Flight
From Siem Reap to Sihanoukville, a one-way plane ticket fare starts from 345,000 KHR ($86). The flight takes around 1h 10m.
Step 3: Sihanoukville Airport to Kampot
Once you arrive at Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS), you can take a taxi to Kampot.
You can either arrange one at the taxi counter near the arrivals exit or ask your hotel to organise a pick-up in advance. Expect to pay at least 161,000 KHR ($40), though quotes can go as high as 261,000 KHR ($65) for the roughly 2-hour drive to Kampot.
If you’d rather arrange everything yourself, you can pre-book a ride with BookAway. Prices start from 193,000 KHR ($48), and you get trusted drivers and excellent customer service.
Best places to stay in Kampot
Kampot is a relatively small town, but there are still a number of areas you can choose to stay in. Here’s a quick run down of the different areas:
- The town centre is where you’ll find a lot of the best Western and Khmer restaurants, bars, pubs and general nightlife. The streets are also dotted with remnants of the French colonial period.
- Thvi is on the opposite side of the Entanou Bridge and has everything that the town centre has, just on a slightly smaller scale and with less noise.
- North of Kampot is all about nature. You’ll discover a number of cool accommodations here that are surrounded by nature or are directly on the river.
Check out our favourite places to stay in Kampot:
The Magic Sponge - Budget Friendly
If you want to stay in the city centre, The Magic Sponge is perfect. Plus there are tons to keep you entertained here, including a mini golf course, pool tables, and a pub with live entertainment. It’s almost impossible to get bored here.
The owner, William, really knows how to create a welcoming ambience and ensure that everyone has a memorable stay. The onsite restaurant also serves some delicious food. There’s nothing bad to say about this place!
- Central location
- Mini gold, pool table and pub
- Amazing owner
- Delicious onsite restaurant
Double rooms start from $20 per night.
Kampot Riverfront Boutique - Mid Range
If you love unique accommodations, then you’ll want to stay at Kampot Riverfront Boutique. Every room comes has its own balcony, with some of them directly on the waterfront. Can you think of a better place to sit and relax?
Completely surrounded by nature here, you’re in no way compromising on comfort. The rooms are spacious and luxurious with air conditioning for those hot Cambodian days.
- Private balcony with river views
- Surrounded by nature
- Luxurious rooms
- Air conditioning
Private rooms start from $32 per night.
Kampot Sweet Boutique - Treating Yourself
With its outdoor swimming pool and beautifully designed rooms, Kampot Sweet Boutique feels like an intimate luxury resort. They even have a villa for up to 8 people with its own private pool! This place is special.
The beds are incredibly comfortable and the complimentary breakfast is delicious. The hotel is located slightly north of Kampot, but don’t worry they have a free shuttle to take you into town. Without a doubt, this is one of the best places to stay in Kampot.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Private villa available
- Free shuttle to town
- Delicious free breakfast
Double rooms with a pool view start from $75 per night.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Siem Reap to Kampot. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Siem Reap to Kampot
What is the distance from Siem Reap to Kampot?
The distance from Siem Reap to Kampot is 460 kilometre (286 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Siem Reap to Kampot?
The fastest way to get from Siem Reap to Kampot is by flight + taxi and takes 4 hours 25 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Siem Reap to Kampot?
The cheapest way to get from Siem Reap to Kampot is by bus via Phnom Penh with ticket costs starting from 77,000 KHR ($19.10).
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
