How to Get to Kampot. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Main Airports & Routes

Two major international airports serve as gateways to Cambodia.

Gateways to Kampot

Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH): Main international gateway, 3-4 hours drive to Kampot.
Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS): Closer at 2-3 hours drive, with fewer international connections.
No direct international flights to Kampot. Connections often happen through major Asian hubs.

Seasonal Prices & Airport Services

Flight prices vary by season, and airport facilities cater to travelers.

Seasonal Tips

Prices are higher during dry season (Nov-Feb) and major holidays.
Lower prices are common during the wet season (Jun-Oct).
PNH features ATMs, currency exchange, duty-free, restaurants, and SIM card vendors.

Bus Transfers

Reputable bus companies offer routes from Phnom Penh city to Kampot.

Shared & Private Taxis

Shared taxis/vans (USD $10-15/person) or private taxis (USD $60-80) are available for direct transfers from PNH.

Sihanoukville Options

From KOS, taxis to Kampot are around USD $30-50. Limited direct bus services exist from KOS airport.

Airline Connections

Major Airlines to PNH

Qatar Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines.
EVA Air, Korean Air, China Southern, Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways.
AirAsia and other regional carriers.
Consider Dollar Flight Club for deals or Skyscanner for comparisons.

Direct Flights to PNH

Direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Seoul.
Also from Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Doha.
Travelers from Europe, N. America, Oceania typically have one layover.
Flight prices generally reflect tourist seasons.

Airport Facilities

Phnom Penh PNH

Offers a range of facilities including ATMs, currency exchange, duty-free shops, restaurants, cafes, SIM card vendors, car rental desks, and taxi stands.

Sihanoukville KOS

More limited facilities, with basic shops, cafes, and taxi services.

Transfer Considerations

From PNH, take a taxi or tuk-tuk to the bus station (USD $10-15) for bus services to Kampot (USD $8-12, 3.5-4 hours).

Land Transportation

Train Services

Cambodia's Royal Railway operates passenger services, mainly on weekends.

Royal Railway Routes

Phnom Penh to Kampot: 4-5 hours, fares USD $5-10.
Sihanoukville to Kampot: 1.5-2 hours.
Train station is a few kilometers outside Kampot town, requiring a tuk-tuk ride.

Long-Distance Buses

Regular bus services link Kampot with major Cambodian cities.

Bus Companies & Fares

Major companies: Giant Ibis, Sorya, Capitol Tours, Virak Buntham, Mekong Express.
Phnom Penh - Kampot: USD $8-12.
Sihanoukville - Kampot: USD $5-8.

Self-Driving & Motorbike Rentals

Legally driving in Cambodia requires specific documentation and caution.

Driving Information

International Driving Permit (IDP) and home country license are legally needed.
Motorbike rentals are widely available (USD $5-8/day), check DiscoverCars.com for car rental.
Main roads are paved; rural roads can be unpaved, dusty, or muddy.

Border Crossings

Land travel from neighboring countries is common.

Crossings

Ha Tien (Vietnam) to Prek Chak (Cambodia): Popular for direct entry to Kep/Kampot.
Moc Bai (Vietnam) to Bavet (Cambodia): Main route from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh.
Hat Lek (Thailand) to Koh Kong (Cambodia): Connects southern Thailand to the Cambodian coast.

Road Safety Warnings

Driving can be chaotic; traffic rules are often disregarded.
Motorbikes are prevalent; large trucks and buses are common.
Animals on roads are common in rural areas.

Night driving is not advised due to poor lighting and hidden road hazards.
Helmets are legally required for motorbike riders and passengers.
Driving without an IDP can invalidate travel insurance.

Sea & River Travel

Ferry & Cruise Ports

Kampot is not a major international seaport. Any sea arrivals happen via Sihanoukville.

Sea Travel Overview

No major ferry services or cruise ports directly serve Kampot for international arrivals.
Main sea immigration is Sihanoukville, used for ferries to southern islands.
Travelers arriving by ferry to Sihanoukville proceed by land to Kampot.

River Transportation

River travel within Kampot is mainly for leisure and sightseeing.

Local River Experiences

River transportation is limited to tourist boat tours on the Kampot River.
Popular tours include scenic cruises, sunset trips, and firefly viewing.
These tours are for leisure, not for point-to-point transportation within the town.

Cruise Enjoyment

Relax and enjoy the scenic river views.

Firefly Tours

Night boat tours offer magical sightings of fireflies.

Sunset Spectacles

Witness stunning sunsets over the river and mountains.

Departure Information

Departure Procedures

Plan your departure with sufficient time for a smooth process.

Timing Your Departure

Airport (PNH/KOS): Arrive 2-3 hours before international flight departure.
Bus Station: Arrive at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure.
Train Station: Arrive 15-20 minutes before departure.

Fees & Facilities

No specific exit fees are typically imposed for tourists.

Airport & Station Amenities

Exit Fees: No separate exit fees or taxes for tourists by air or land.
Departure tax is usually included in your airfare.
PNH departures hall: cafes, restaurants, duty-free shopping, lounges.

Departure Points

Phnom Penh Airport

Main international departure point with full services.

Kampot Bus Station

Basic facilities for bus departures to other cities.

Kampot Train Station

Offers basic waiting areas for train services.

Departure Reminder

Bus stations and train stations in Kampot are basic. You will find amenities in town before heading to the station for departure.

How to Get to Kampot