Getting to/from Kep Cambodia

Kep may be approached by road directly from Phnom Penh, Kampot and from Sihanoukville via Kampot. The nearest and most convenient international border crossing is the Prek Chak with Vietnam, less than an hour away by road. All major roads into Kep are in very condition, except for a short stretch of Road 33A between Kampot and Kep. Kampot and Kep are very close together, only 30-40 minutes by road, employing local transport like tuk-tuk, taxi of motodup (see below.) Regularly scheduled buses run to/from Phnom Penh. Some local tour operators and guesthouses run vans and buses to other destinations as well - Sihanoukville, Koh Kong, and several points in Vietnam including Phu Quoc Island, Chau Doc, Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau. There is no air service to/from Kep.

Buy bus tickets, book taxis, rent motos through your guesthouse or a tour operator. In Kep, several travel agents and tour operators are clustered on both sided of the Kep Beach intersection. The bus stop is also located on the intersection.

KAMPOT to/from KEP

Kampot is comparatively near, only 30-45 away. Motodups from Kampot start at about $5 one way and $8-$10 round trip. Tuk-tuks run about $8-$12 one-way and $12-$18 for a round trip depending how long you spend in Kep and number of passengers.

The road from Kampot to Kep is a 25km trip though scenic countryside - villages and rice paddies. From Kampot, follow the Road 33 east 14km to the White Horse Monument. Bear right onto Road 33A and follow it 8km to the Kep Beach area. Many ethnic Cham people live along this stretch of road. Unlike the Buddhist Khmer, the Cham are generally Muslims. You may notice Cham women wearing the hijab and Arabic script on some signs.

Boat The Crab Shuttle offers a daily 2.5 hour boat shuttle between Kampot and Kep via Rabbit Island, running both directions: departing Kampot at 9:30AM and departing Kep at 3:30PM, stopping at Rabbit Island in both directions. Kampot-Kep tickets are $9.50 one way and $13.50 return. Tickets are available at guesthouses and tour operators in Kampot and Kep.
Tel: 088-8296644

PHNOM PENH to/from KEP

As there are more buses to Kampot, many people travel to Kampot first and then on to Kep by other means. Currently only Phnom Penh Sorya offers regularly scheduled buses to Kep from Phnom Penh - the same bus looping though both cities - Kep first on the way from Phnom Penh and Kep second on the way to Phnom Penh. More popular for direct travel to Kep, a couple of companies offer vans, including Anny Travel and Kampot Express. Bus Schedule page .

Phnom Penh Sorya Transport Bus
PP to Kep (direct) : 7:00, 9:45, 12:30, 14:45 ($6.50-$8/pax)
Kep to PP : 7:00, 9:45, 12:30, 14:45 ($6.50-$8/pax)
Full-size a/c buses
Phnom Penh Station: Next to the Central Market

Cambodia Post VIP Van
PP to Kep (direct) : 7:45 ($7-$8/pax)
Kep to PP : 13:45 ($7-$8/pax)
a/c Van
Corner Streets 13 & 102, Phnom Penh

Rith Travel
PP to Kep (direct) : 7:30, 13:00, 15:00 ($9/pax)
Kep to PP : 7:30, 13:00, 15:00 ($9/pax)
a/c Van
Near night market (behind Caminco Insurance)

Champa Mekong
PP to Kep (direct) : 7:30, 12:30, 15:00 ($8/pax)
Kep to PP : 7:30, 14:30 ($8/pax)
a/c Van
#37, Street 90 (behind Kantha Bopha Hospital 4), Phnom Penh

Taxis Private taxis run about $45-$55.

Road There are two primary routes:

1) Follow National Route #3 (NR3) to Kampot and then take Road 33 to Kep,

2) To bypass Kampot. Follow NR3 to the fork at Road 31, 80km south of Phnom Penh. A prominent sign (and Vishnu statue) marks the turnoff. Bear left. Road 31 is scenic and in excellent condition. Take it south to Kampong Trach city and turn right onto Road 33. Proceed to Road 33A and turn left to Kep.

VIETNAM to/from KEP

Regularly scheduled multi-daily vans travel from Kampot and Kep, through the nearby border crossing at Prek Chak, and on the popular tourist island of Phu Quoc and other destinations in Vietnam.

To/from Ho Chi Minh City There are three possible overland routes to Kampot: 1) Moc Bai/Bavet crossing via Phnom Penh; 2) Prek Chak crossing, which is the most popular and convenient; 3) Phnom Den crossing. Get bus tickets from a local tour operator.

To/from Phu Quoc Island and deep south Vietnam The crossing at Prek Chak/Xaxia (sometimes called the ‘Ha Tien crossing’) is the nearest, most easily accessed border crossing with Vietnam from either Kampot or Kep. The crossing is quite near the Vietnamese town of Ha Tien, which is the primary jump off point to Phu Quoc Island, a popular beach destination.

Regularly scheduled multi-daily vans travel from Kampot and Kep, through the border crossing and all the way to Ha Tien, in time for the ferry to Phu Quoc. Price: $8-$11. Arrange a ticket through your guesthouse or a tour operator in Kampot or Kep.

DIY to the border from Kampot: A motodup runs about $8; tuk-tuks $15-$20 and a taxi for $20-$25. Some motorcycle taxis are also able to cross the border and take you as far as Ha Tien for an additional $2-$3

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Getting AROUND Kep
Moto-remorques (‘tuk-tuks’) await passengers at the bus station (Kep Beach intersection), Crab Market, beachfront and other tourist locations. Most hotels can arrange motorcycle and bicycle rental. There are also a several tour operators and other businesses at the Kep Beach intersection that rent motorcycles and bicycles as well as offer other services.