4 ways to get from Siem Reap to Kampot
There are four ways to travel the distance of 460 km (286 miles) from Siem Reap to Kampot: by bus (11h-15h), taxi (9 hours), flight + taxi (3 hours) and bus via Phnom Penh (9 hours 15 minutes). The journey takes between 3h - 15h and the quickest way is by flight + taxi. The lowest priced tickets start from 61,000 KHR ($15) for the bus.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
From Siem Reap, the bus takes 11h-15h to reach Kampot. Given the long journey, it is worth to consider taking a night bus. This option saves you a lot of time and a night on accommodation. However, keep in mind that the streets in Cambodia are not well-lit and accidents happen more often during the night.
Unfortunately, none of the bus companies operating on this direct route rate well on safety and customer service, so taking the bus can be risky! Common complaints include dirty buses, long delays, and unprofessional staff. If you want a safer option, see the next section where we split the route in two legs with well-reputed bus companies.
However, it is worth noting that there have been some passengers who were quite satisfied with their journey. Still want to take a direct bus? You can see their schedules below.
Bus schedules from Siem Reap to Kampot
Virak Buntham
- Departs from Virak Buntham Express Travel Office, next to Nakpeoun Old Market roundabout
- Arrives at Virak Buntham Express Kampot stop, near the Durian Roundabout in the city centre
Olongpich Transport
- Departs from Taphul Road, Siem Reap (near Angkor Pearl)
- Arrives near the Durian Roundabout in the city centre
Phnom Penh Sorya
- Departs from the Phnom Penh Sorya Office along BBU Road, next to the Royal American International School
- Arrives at Phnom Penh Sorya Office near National Road 33
Phnom Penh Sorya uses a sleeping bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and then changes into a seating bus from the capital to Kampot.
Siem Reap to Kampot by Bus via Phnom Penh
If you want to travel via more reputable bus companies, you can also consider to book a bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh first and then continue with another bus from Phnom Penh to Kampot.
Step 1: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by Bus
There are 3 reputable companies operating on this route: Giant Ibis, Mey Hong Transport, and Mekong Express. You can get a bus ticket for 41,000 KHR ($10) and the journey takes about 6 hours.
If you take a night bus, you will arrive in Phnom Penh about 05:00 in the morning. This gives you enough time to have breakfast and stretch your legs before transferring to a bus bound for Kampot.
There are also vans offering day trips for this route. For more info, check out our page on Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Or you can go straight to booking your tickets through the link below.
Step 2: Phnom Penh to Kampot by Bus
The most well-known bus company from Phnom Penh to Kampot is Giant Ibis. It has departures at 08:00 and 14:45 daily. This means you can transfer to these buses if you take a night bus or an early morning bus or van from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.
From Phnom Penh to Kampot, travel time is about 3 hours 15 minutes and a ticket costs 45,000 KHR ($11). See below a sample itinerary.
Siem Reap to Kampot by Flight + Taxi
If you don’t want to take the night bus or sit in a bus or taxi all day, you can also travel the most part by plane. You can choose to fly to Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh but we recommend the first city since it is quite easy to get a taxi from the airport straight to Kampot.
From Siem Reap to Sihanoukville, a one-way air ticket will range from 122,000 KHR ($30) to 648,000 KHR ($160). Flight time is just around 1 hour.
Once you arrive at Sihanoukville Airport, you can take a taxi to Kampot. You either arrange a taxi from the taxi counter near the arrival exit or let your hotel arrange a pick-up service in advance. Expect to pay around 162,000 KHR ($40) for the 2-hour ride to Kampot.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Siem Reap to Kampot by Taxi
The travel from Siem Reap to Kampot by taxi takes about 9 hours, depending on how many stops you make. The cost of this journey is around 608,000 KHR ($150) but some negotiating skills might help you talk down the price to 527,000 KHR ($130).
You can order a taxi from your hotel, a local taxi service company or book one directly online for 527,000 KHR ($130). Booking online offers the advantage that fares are fixed.
Our favourite 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.
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 km (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 3 hours.
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 with ticket costs starting from 61,000 KHR ($15).
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!
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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.
do not book CM Chan Moly!!!
First, the departure was an hour late. then your driver threw all the passengers west of the airport in Phnom Penh (13 km from the actual destination). he didn’t want to go any further.
all driving gestures have resulted in additional costs and difficulties.
Hi Andreas,
I’m very sorry to hear about your experience. You are not the first person who complains about this company. However, let’s set a few things straight: We didn’t recommend this company anywhere in the article, neither is it our driver.
The companies we suggested in this article are different companies operating on the route from Siem Reap to Kampot.
Anyhow, thanks to sharing your experience, other travellers are now double warned to not use this company.
Safe travels.
I do not recommend the night bus between Siem Reap and Kampot. Our hotel recommended CM Chan Moly and it was a nightmare. The bus broke down in the middle of the road an hour after we left. It was around 10 p.m. As the road was very busy, especially with trucks passing at very high speed, we got off the bus. No staff member advised the other passengers. There, by the side of the road, the wait started with our two children 11 and 13 years old. No explanation from the staff of CM Chan Moly. 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours to wait while the driver tries in vain to repair the irreparable. No answer to our questions, no solution proposed. No one on the staff spoke English. I let you imagine the nightmare. Our salute came from a bus from another company that picked us up when it was full. We got a 4 berth for $ 20 but the bus stopped in Phnom-Penh. So the adventure was not over. Once in Phnom-Penh we had to buy tickets for Kampot. The rest of the trip was still full of twists and turns that I spare you. Finally arrived in Kampot we came across the office of CM Chan Moly. It took us over an hour of hard negotiation to get the tickets refunded, but only those of Cm Chan Moly the rest of the costs incurred were lost. So that’s our sad experience with the dismal company CM Chan Moly. Flee it!
Hi Sebastien, I’m so sorry that happened to you and your family. Travelling by bus, and at night, in Cambodia is indeed not the safest option. Which is why it is very important to check reviews before booking with any company. In your case, it was a hotel recommendation, and I’m sorry they did not suggest a better bus operator. But thanks to your comment, we just updated our route to include more reputable companies. Hopefully, we can help our readers escape this kind of experience. I hope you still have a great trip outside that terrible bus ride! Safe travels to you and your family!