Contents
Leaving the temples of Angkor for the Gulf of Thailand takes you from Cambodia's ancient heart to its most relaxed coast. Kep is known for its crab market and its crumbling French colonial villas.[1] The trip south is a long one, so plan for a full day.
The simplest way is a private transfer straight from Siem Reap to Kep. If you prefer public transport, you change in Kampot or Phnom Penh. You can book private transfers on GoAsia.cc.
Siem Reap to Kep by Private Transfer
A private transfer takes you door to door, with no bus terminals and no tuk-tuk hunting at either end. The drive takes from about 9 hours, up to 11 hours. On booking platforms prices start at about $163 for an SUV for up to 4 passengers and go up to about $407 for the top-end vans (October 2026).[2]
SUV, Minivan and Premium Van
The options are an SUV for up to 4 passengers, a minivan for up to 7 and a premium van for 5 passengers with more space and plusher seats.[2] Pick the vehicle by the number of people and bags: an SUV works for four people, but if everyone has a large suitcase, take the minivan.
Siem Reap to Kep by Bus and Train
Giant Ibis runs a night bus from Siem Reap to Kampot with bunk beds and an onboard toilet; it takes 11 hours.[3] Kep lies beyond Kampot on the same road: the Giant Ibis bus from Phnom Penh to Kep passes through Kampot before it reaches Kep.[4] Another option is the bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, which takes about 6 hours,[5] followed by the southern line train from Phnom Penh to Kep. In October 2026 that train left Phnom Penh at 07:00 and reached Kep at 10:40, and a Normal seat cost $9 and a First Class seat $17.[6] Giant Ibis also runs buses from Phnom Penh to Kep, which take about 4 hours.[4]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (SUV, minivan or premium van, per vehicle) | $163 - $407 | 9h - 11h[2] |
Tips for Traveling from Siem Reap to Kep
- Start early: Leave Siem Reap in the morning. That gets you to Kep in time for dinner at the crab market, and the road is easier to enjoy in daylight.
- Snacks and water: Carry plenty of water and light snacks for the long stretches of highway, and keep small notes for roadside stops.
- Pepper farms: Kampot pepper, grown in Kampot and Kep, is protected as a geographical indication.[7] With a private driver you can arrange a stop at a pepper farm if you have time.
- Luggage: Choose the vehicle size by your luggage count, not only by the number of people.
Timetable
| Taxi Siem Reap - Kep $ 161.90–405.27 9h – 11h | |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Siem Reap to Kep, including current prices and schedules.
Public transport costs less than a private transfer, for example the bus to Phnom Penh followed by the train to Kep, where a Normal seat costs $9 (October 2026). A private SUV for up to 4 passengers starts at about $163 on booking platforms and is good value when you share it.
A private transfer, which takes from about 9 hours, up to 11 hours.
By private car it takes from about 9 to 11 hours, depending on the vehicle, your stops and the traffic around Phnom Penh. The night bus to Kampot alone takes 11 hours.
Giant Ibis runs a night bus from Siem Reap to Kampot with sleeper bunks and an onboard toilet. Kep is a short way beyond Kampot.
Yes, with a private transfer you can ask your driver to make a stop at a pepper farm. Kampot pepper is grown in Kampot and Kep.
A few days ahead is a good idea, especially in the peak tourist season, so that you get the vehicle you want.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Cambodia Coastal Master Plan, MPSEZ (Preah Sihanouk Provincial Special Economic Zone): Kep Tourism. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: Siem Reap to Kep timetable. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- [3] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Siem Reap to Kampot. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [4] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Phnom Penh to Kep. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [5] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [6] Royal Railway Cambodia: Train Phnom Penh to Kep (Royal Railway online booking). Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [7] World Intellectual Property Organization: Kampot Pepper first GI registered under the Geneva Act. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.