Kampot and Kep in 2 Days: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary
Kampot and Kep are the classic Cambodian weekend: river breeze, pepper farms, crab by the sea, all within four hours of Phnom Penh. Here is a two-day plan that fits a normal weekend.
Getting there
Express vans from Phnom Penh reach Kampot in 3–4 hours for $8–12. Departures run all day; the 6–7am vans get you there by lunch. The train also runs on weekends — slower (about 5 hours) but a beautiful ride for around $8.
Check van & train timesDay 1 — Kampot
Afternoon: check in, lunch in the old town, then visit a pepper farm (La Plantation and others offer free tours — Kampot pepper is world-famous for a reason).
Late afternoon: river cruise at sunset, $5–8 per person, most leave around 4:30–5pm. Firefly tours run after dark.
Evening: dinner by the river. Kampot’s food scene is one of the best outside Phnom Penh.
Day 2 — Kep
Morning: 30–40 minutes by tuk-tuk or moto to Kep ($8–12). Go straight to the crab market and order fried crab with green Kampot pepper.
Midday: either hike the easy Kep National Park loop (1.5–2 hours, great views) or take a boat to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), about $10 return.
Afternoon: van back to Phnom Penh from Kep or via Kampot.
Weekend budget (per person)
| Item | Low | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Transport (return + local) | $25 | $40 |
| Room (1 night) | $12 | $45 |
| Food (incl. crab feast) | $18 | $40 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 |
| Total | ~$65 | ~$150 |
FAQ
Is one night enough for Kampot and Kep?
Yes for the highlights. Add a second night if you want Bokor Mountain — the road trip up takes half a day.
When is crab season in Kep?
Crab is available year-round; it is best and cheapest in the dry season months when the sea is calm.
Prices checked June 2026. Always confirm schedules before you travel.