Key hubs
Kampot airport and railway station
- Airport
- No commercial airline service at Kampot; fly to Phnom Penh (about 148 km by road) or Sihanoukville (SHV), then drive about 2 to 3 hours
- Railway station
- Kampot Railway Station is on the Southern Line (Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville); passenger services resumed in 2016, but check the current timetable before relying on it
- Getting around
- Walk or cycle in town; tuk-tuks, hired cars and drivers for Bokor, the pepper farms and Kep
How to reach Kampot by air
Kampot has no commercial airline service. Fly into Phnom Penh (check whether your flight uses Techo International, KTI, or the older Phnom Penh International, PNH), about 148 km and 2.5 to 3 hours by road, or Sihanoukville (SHV), about 2 hours. Direct flights from Indian cities were not verified for this guide; most travellers connect through a regional hub.
How to reach Kampot by train
Kampot Railway Station is on the Southern Line between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, and passenger services resumed in April 2016. Timetables and frequencies change, so check Royal Railway Cambodia before relying on the train.
How to reach Kampot by road
Buses, minibuses, shared taxis and private cars run between Phnom Penh and Kampot, taking about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic. Roads from Sihanoukville and Kep are similar. A private car and driver is the most comfortable choice for older travellers.
Getting around Kampot
The town is compact enough to walk or cycle. For Bokor, the pepper farms, the salt fields and Kep, use a hired car with driver or tuk-tuk arranged by your hotel. Boats on the river are arranged through guesthouses and the riverfront.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Kampot
- Do the Bokor drive and farm visits early in the day. Heat and humidity build quickly, and the afternoon is best spent resting.
- Arrange a car and driver for Bokor, the pepper farms and Kep rather than a motorbike or open tuk-tuk, especially in the rains.
- Take travel insurance with medical cover. Basic care is available in Kampot, but serious problems usually mean transfer to Phnom Penh, about 148 km away.
- Carry drinking water everywhere, eat at busy places and be cautious with ice and raw salads.
- If you plan the Bokor mountain road, check conditions on the day: cloud and rain can cut visibility.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.