Kampot is one of Southeast Asia\’s most underrated towns — a riverside colonial gem in southern Cambodia that most travelers discover by accident and then stay far longer than planned. Located three hours south of Phnom Penh, Kampot blends historic charm with a relaxed pace. Once Cambodia\’s main port, the town now charms visitors with its restored trading houses, fine restaurants, and atmospheric riverside setting — without the overdevelopment that has blighted other parts of the Cambodian coast. This guide covers how to get there and what to do.
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How to Get to Kampot
From Phnom Penh (Main Route)
From Phnom Penh, you can book a Vireak Buntham Express bus online. The buses are comfortable, the service is excellent, and tickets cost around $8.80 USD. The journey takes 3–4 hours. Giant Ibis also runs this route with similar comfort at ~$10–12 USD. Several departures daily from Phnom Penh\’s central bus stations.
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From Sihanoukville
From Sihanoukville the bus takes around 2.5–3 hours to travel the 100km journey, with around 7 minibus departures to Kampot per day. This makes Kampot a natural stopover between Koh Rong and Phnom Penh. Cost around $5–8 USD.
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From Siem Reap
Giant Ibis runs an overnight sleeper bus from Siem Reap to Kampot with comfortable double bed seats, blanket and pillow. Arrives in time for early morning breakfast. Cost ~$20–25 USD. Alternatively take a day bus via Phnom Penh (~8 hours total, two buses).
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From Vietnam (Ha Tien Border)
Kampot is just 30 km from the Vietnamese border at Ha Tien / Xa Xia. From the border, catch a taxi or tuk-tuk to Kampot for ~$9–15 USD. This makes Kampot a natural entry or exit point when traveling between Vietnam and Cambodia. Minibuses from Ho Chi Minh City to Kampot cover this route (~6 hours, ~$15 USD) via the Ha Tien crossing.
What to Do in Kampot
Sunset River Cruise
The Kampot River at sunset is the defining experience of the town — golden light on the water, Bokor Mountain in the distance, local fishermen setting nets. Boat cruises depart daily around 17:00–17:30 from the riverfront, lasting ~2 hours with drinks included. From ~$8–12 USD per person. Book at any guesthouse or the riverfront tour operators.
Pepper Plantations
Kampot pepper is Cambodia\’s most famous export product — world-renowned among chefs and considered among the finest pepper varieties anywhere. Several plantations offer tours just outside town: La Plantation (~$5 USD, guided tour, tasting) is the most established. The combination of volcanic soil and sea air produces the distinctive flavor. Buy pepper directly from the farms — dramatically cheaper than in Phnom Penh or at the airport.
Bokor National Park and Hill Station
The old French hill station of Bokor sits 1,080m above Kampot in the national park — a haunting, fog-shrouded complex of abandoned colonial buildings, a grand old casino, and a Buddhist pagoda. The views over the Gulf of Thailand on a clear day are extraordinary. Rent a motorbike from town (~$8–10 USD/day) and ride the winding mountain road yourself, or join a tour (~$15–20 USD). The summit is often cloud-covered — morning visits have the best chance of clear views.
Kep Day Trip
Kep is a small seaside town 25 km from Kampot — famous for its crab market and the combination of Kampot pepper and fresh crab that\’s become a Cambodian culinary icon. Take a tuk-tuk from Kampot for ~$8–10 USD round trip, spend 2–3 hours eating crab at the market restaurants, and return. Kep National Park has good coastal walking trails. Rabbit Island (Koh Tunsay) is a 15-minute boat ride from Kep — a quiet sandy island for a half-day.
Kayaking and Secret Lake
Kayaking on the Kampot River is a popular activity — paddle through mangroves, past fishing villages, and under the old French bridge. Several operators rent kayaks from the riverfront (~$5–8 USD/day). Brateak Krola Lake (Secret Lake), 20 km outside town, is a beautiful reservoir in the forest — often combined with a visit to a pepper farm.
Best Time to Visit
- November–May: Dry season — best weather, Bokor views most likely to be clear
- June–October: Rainy season — Bokor is consistently cloud-covered, some activities disrupted. Town is quieter and cheaper.
Where to Stay in Kampot
Some of the nicer options are found a few kilometres out of town, dotted along the banks of the Kampot River. In-town guesthouses near the riverfront work well for first-timers. Budget from ~$10 USD, mid-range from ~$25 USD.
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Related Guides
- Koh Rong: How to Get There and What to Do
- Battambang: Bamboo Train and Travel Guide
- Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
- Bangkok to Phnom Penh
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