15 Best Things to Do in Nong Khiaw, Laos (2024)
April 28, 2024
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Once you’re done exploring the bustling streets of Phnom Penh, it’s time to escape to the quaint town of Kampot. This beautiful riverside town, located only 148 kilometers from Phnom Penh, is worth seeing. Wondering how to get there? This travel guide will make it easier for you to travel on this famous Cambodian route! There are four common ways to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot: bus, mini-bus/van, train, or taxi/private car. Here, I’ll share everything you need to know about these transportation modes, including travel duration, ticket costs, ticket booking, and what to do after arriving in Kampot. So, without any further ado, let’s begin!
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is located in the central part of the country where the three rivers, Bassac, Tonle Sap, and Mekong, meet. There are lots of popular things to see, like old French-style mansions and big Angkorian buildings. The riverfront area is great for walking and is lined with parks, restaurants, and bars. You’ll also find the iconic Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace here.
As one of the main tourist spots, Phnom Penh is a good starting point for heading to other Cambodian cities, such as Siem Reap, Kampot, Koh Rong, Sihanoukville, or Vietnamese border crossings. To take a break from this bustling and chaotic capital, many travelers decide to travel from Phnom Penh to Kampot and I did the same.
Before we get into the exact details of how to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot, let’s first see why Kampot is worth visiting.
Bokor Mountain Garden Center, Krong Kampot, Cambodia
Kampot is located halfway between Phnom Penh and the southern coast of Cambodia. The city center sits along the slow-moving Tuek Chhu River, setting a laid-back pace of life. It is famous for its amazing pepper plantations, salt fields, and beautiful riverside views.
Kampot is a slow city, but in recent years, more international restaurants and bars have opened, and tourists are growing step by step. There are plenty of things to do, from strolling along the riverside promenade to visiting the nearby Bokor National Park. The river’s pathway is lined with shops, restaurants, hotels, and bars. If you go a bit farther from the river, you’ll find the main part of Kampot, with French colonial buildings and wide streets. This clean and green city, with its local vibe and riverside setting, is perfect for conscious travelers like me.
You can explore the city on foot or by bike. But if you’re staying in one of the hotels outside the town, you can take a tuk-tuk or rent a scooter to get around.
Now that you’re convinced to visit Kampot, let’s learn how to travel from Phnom Penh to Kampot.
Local boat, Kampot , Cambodia
The distance from Phnom Penh to Kampot is approximately 148 kilometers (92 miles). The drive is easy and smooth, taking only 2.5 to 4 hours.
The traveling time can vary depending on the transportation mode you choose. The bus journey from Phnom Penh to Kampot takes around 2.5 to 3 hours. You can also book vans/mini-buses for this route, which takes only 3 hours. If you want to travel by train, there is only one train in a day from Phnom Penh to Kampot, which takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes. A taxi option is also available and that takes about 3 hours to get from Phnom Penh and Kampot.
Make sure to consider your budget and time frame when choosing how to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot.
Salt fields in Kampot, Cambodia
Here are the four best ways to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot!
Estimated Duration: 3-4 hours
Estimated Cost: $10
If you’re looking for a sustainable and super-affordable way to travel from Phnom Penh to Kampot, take the bus. The trip takes about 3-4 hours, and the ticket prices start from $10.
The Cambodian bus network is the most cost-effective and easiest option for travel. Many companies, like Giant Ibis and Virak Buntham Express, operate on this route. Giant Ibis is the most popular service and my first go-to choice. Buses leave every four hours, with limited departures.
The earliest bus leaves around 5 am, and the last departure is before 6 pm. You can book your bus tickets online or at the bus station. I recommend booking this journey online with 12Go.
Here is a quick overview of the bus service operating on this Cambodian route.
Giant Ibis is a popular bus company that provides bus services in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. It is the traveler’s first choice. They run two trips daily from Phnom Penh to Kampot at 8 am and 2:45 pm.
Their Universe luxury buses are comfortable and equipped with WiFi and electrical outlets onboard. They will pick you up from the company bus station in Phnom Penh and drop you off at the Durian roundabout near the petrol station. Their ticket prices start from $10.
Virak Buntham Express is a popular bus service from Phnom Penh to Kampot. It runs sleeper buses, like Hotel Bus, VIP buses, and minivans. However, they offer only one daily trip from Phnom Penh to Kampot at 5 am. Their ticket prices start from $10.
Click the below button to book your bus seat from Phnom Penh to Kampot!
Estimated Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Estimated Cost: $9
Another budget-friendly option to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot is by a minibus or van. They travel faster than buses, and you’ll reach Kampot in 2.5 – 3 hours. It is the perfect choice for backpackers who want to save money and don’t carry much luggage.
Many companies, like Eakereach Express, Vibol Express, and Kim Seng Express, run mini-buses/vans on this Cambodian route. Unlike large buses, the mini-buses are available throughout the day.
These vans can accommodate 7 to 15 passengers. If you’re traveling with a big group, you can book a full minivan. Their ticket prices start from $9 per passenger. You can book your tickets online through 12Go.
Fish Island, Kampot, Cambodia
Estimated Duration: 4 hours 40 minutes
Estimated Cost: $9
If you do not adhere to a strict time frame and want to see the Cambodian countryside without any traffic jams, you can choose a train. After many years, Cambodia’s former train lines have been resurrected, and now you can travel from Phnom Penh to Kampot by train. Note that, currently, only one train runs between Phnom Penh and Kampot. The journey takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes, and you’ll see rural Cambodia along the way.
Cambodia Royal Railway runs only one train, #T07, daily. It departs from Royal Railway Station in Phnom Penh at 7 am and arrives at Kampot Railway Station at 11:40 am. The Kampot Train Station is located only 3.9 kilometers from the Durian Roundabout in the heart of Kampot Town. You can take a tuk-tuk or taxi to reach the city center.
Due to the limited train schedule from Phnom Penh to Kampot, tickets get booked quickly. So, make sure to book your tickets in advance. To book your tickets online, I’ll suggest none other than 12Go.
Estimated Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Estimated Cost: $80
If you want privacy and flexibility in terms of stop-overs, you can book a taxi. However, it can be quite costly. If you’re traveling with up to 3 people, a taxi can become more affordable as you can split the cost. It also provides extra space for you and your luggage. The average taxi ride from Phnom Penh to Kampot costs around $62 to $127.
The exact price will depend on whether you choose a standard SUV for four passengers or a minivan for nine passengers. You can book your taxi ride online through 12Go.
This is a convenient option, as you won’t have to worry about negotiating the rate with the driver. Moreover, you can also arrange it from your hotel or find it on the Phnom Penh streets—whichever suits you best!
Below are the best taxi options to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot.
SIMA Car is a popular operator that offers taxi rides on various Cambodian routes from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh to Kampot, and many more. To get from Phnom Penh to Kampot, you can book your ride online through 12Go. You’ll be spoiled with the choice of vehicles, including SUV 4 Pax, Minivan 7 Pax, and Premium Van 9 Pax. Choose the one that suits you best.
Glassflower is another tax operator with more than 500 private transportation routes in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. It is a popular choice among travelers to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot. Whether you’re a solo traveler or traveling with a small or large group, they have vehicles for you. You can book your ride online with 12Go.
Kampot is a small and flat town, so you can easily explore it on foot or rent a bike. Nearly all guesthouses offer motorbike and bicycle rentals, starting from $1.5 to $5 per day. There isn’t much traffic, so riding a bike is a pleasant experience, allowing you to visit the town on your own.
The pepper farms of Kampot, Cambodia
Here are some of my favorite things to do in Kampot!
The main draw of Kampot is its riverside setting and pepper plantations. It might seem strange, but Kampot pepper is famous all over Southeast Asia. One of the best things to do in Kampot is to take a tour of La Plantation Pepper Farm.
La Plantation, located between Kampot and Kep, is a popular farm known for its sustainable practices. During this one-hour tour, you’ll learn about the traditional ways of making pepper and Kampot’s pepper history.
The tour also includes a free guided tour of the farm, a chance to try different peppers and spices, and an organic Khmer Lunch. For lunch, you can try Mango Salad, Eggplant Lok Lak, and many vegan options. Don’t forget to buy some pepper to take home with you!
If you want to spend time peacefully on the water, try kayaking through Green Cathedral. The Green Cathedral, also called the Green Loop, is a 3 km-long stretch of water that branches off from the Tuek Chhu River near Kampot town. This peaceful spot is just a 15-minute tuk-tuk or motorbike ride from downtown Kampot. It is easy to get there and back.
Kayaking through this narrow waterway is an amazing experience, and I suggest you not miss it. Many riverside properties along the banks rent kayaks, like Champa Lodge.
The whole loop, paddling back to where you rented the kayak, takes about 1 to 2 hours. Along the way, you’ll find guest houses with restaurants where you can take a break and make your adventure memorable.
The historical Trouey Koh pagoda on Bokor mountain, Kampot , Cambodia
One of the best things to do in Kampot is visit Bokor National Park, home to an abandoned hill station. The park is a mountain full of green landscapes and wildlife, like sun bears, black bears, gibbons, and pangolins. The main attraction is Bokor Hill Station, built by French colonists in 1921.
The road leading to the Bokor National Park is very curvy, so if you’ve never driven a motorbike before, it can be a bit risky. My advice is to go slow. But even though the road is twisty, it is one of the best roads you’ll find in Cambodia. You can rent a motorbike from your hotel.
If you’re not comfortable with riding a motorbike yourself, you can book a guided tour of the park. On this half-day tour, you’ll see various attractions like the Popokvil Waterfall, Lok Yeay Mao Monument, the Catholic Church, Wat Sampov Pram, Bokor Hill Station, and several viewpoints. Make sure to bring your camera to capture the scenic countryside landscapes.
Take a visit to Banteay Srey to contribute to the empowerment of Cambodian women and support their communities. It is the best place for conscious travelers, only for women. The project supports rural Cambodian women by providing them with jobs and training. It has three sections: a spa and homestay, a cafe, and an eco-village.
At the spa, you can treat yourself to Khmer herbal body treatments, body scrubs, facials, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. All the women working there are kind and loving. They also offer yoga classes at 9 am. At their onsite Deva Cafe, you can try vegan Khmer cuisine and fresh juices and support local farmers.
Their eco-village provides eco-friendly riverside bungalows with private balconies. I can recommend this wholeheartedly to any woman who wants to indulge in self-care and connection or to try something new in Kampot.
Head to the Preaek Tuek Chhu River near the old colonial bridge for a relaxing evening. You can have a lot of fun and choose what you like to do.
You can relax by the river and try boating, kayaking, swimming, or stand-up paddle boarding. The river is clean and safe to swim in. Many guesthouses along the river provide safe access to jump in the water. If you want a more relaxed experience, some guesthouses can arrange guided tours on wooden boats along the river.
After the river adventure, you can dine out at one of the riverfront restaurants. Champa Lodge is the best choice because of its open-air restaurant and bar. You can try Cambodian and International cuisine with waterfront views. It is the best way to end your day in Kampot.
Bokor Mountain, Kampot , Cambodia
Kampot is a small, chill place, and there are plenty of places to stay. You will be spoilt for choice. There are cute riverside lodges, budget-friendly hostels, riverside bungalows, and guesthouses. When I would go back to Kampot, I’d stay in one of the eco-friendly bungalows on the riverside.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly stay in Kampot, I would recommend Eden Eco Village. It offers high river views and water’s edge bungalows with private bathrooms, solar lighting, and hammocks. There is a mango garden in the back of the property, and the huts are covered in wild foliage.
Their restaurant serves organic food. You must try their banana flower salad; it’s delicious. Other services include high-speed WiFi, free kayaks, bicycles, and swimming tubes. The best thing about the guesthouse is that its profits support the Banteay Srei Project, a social enterprise.
Sabay Beach offers a peaceful riverside stay in Kampot with stunning views of Bokor National Park. It has nine rooms, seven in the mango garden and two by the river. Rooms feature comfortable king-size beds and private bathrooms.
The hotel restaurant serves a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Veggie lovers must try KFT Kampot Fried Tofu. Their Front Office can arrange swimming and kayaking for guests.
Sabay Beach is a great choice due to its excellent service and commitment to sustainability and charity projects.
If you’re looking for an affordable riverfront stay in Kampot, RiverTree Villa & Resort is the perfect choice. It is located outside of Kampot town in Makbrang Village. The hotel has 19 rooms surrounded by lush gardens and a relaxing riverside.
They also offer spa treatments with hot tubs, saunas, and Khmer and international massages. For dining, the hotel has the Pool Bar, Bamboo Cafe & Restaurant, and Green View Sky Bar & Lounge.
For outdoor adventure, they provide free cycles, kayaks, and a speedboat tour of 15-20 minutes. Overall, the resort offers a pleasant stay.
If you’re looking for a small countryside guesthouse, Village Life is the best option. It is located about 3 km upstream from downtown Kampot. You can stay in one of their four hill-tribe bungalows, which have double beds, private bathrooms, and balconies.
Melanie, the owner, is a wonderful host and cook. You can try Western, Thai, and Khmer cuisine. Bicycles and kayaks are also available for rent to explore Kampot, the pepper farms, and Kep. You’ll love this peaceful and calm place.
Currently, only one train runs a day from Phnom Penh to Kampot. It takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes.
Kampot is absolutely worth visiting. This small riverside town has local charm and a relaxed vibe, making it perfect for conscious travelers. There are many popular things to do, such as taking a tour of pepper farms, enjoying boat rides, strolling along the riverside promenade, and visiting Bokor National Park.
Many travelers like to visit Kampot during their Cambodia itinerary. In my opinion, you need to stay for 2 to 3 nights if you want to see the best of Kampot. As it is located near popular cities like Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, you can also spend a day here before heading to your next destination but I loved it so much I stayed a week.
There you go! Now, you have a complete transport guide to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot with easy and convenient options. Whether you decide to take a bus, van, taxi, or train, you’ll have a pleasant and unforgettable journey. Make sure to book your tickets in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles. Safe travels!
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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