Kampot's centre is small and flat enough to walk, and a tuk-tuk across town costs around $1–3. For the countryside, Kep or Bokor, you either hire a tuk-tuk and driver or rent a scooter from about $5 a day. Before you rent a scooter, read the section on licences and insurance. PassApp works in Kampot; Grab, as far as we can tell, still doesn't. Here's how each option works in 2026, with fair prices and the honest downsides.
On this page
Kampot transport at a glance
| Option | Typical cost (2026) | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Riverside, old market, the old bridge, cafés | Midday heat, uneven pavements |
| Tuk-tuk, short hop | $1–3 | Bus offices, restaurants, evenings | Agree the fare first |
| Tuk-tuk, half or full day | Roughly $15–50 per tuk-tuk | Countryside, Kep, Bokor | Check what's included |
| Scooter rental | From about $5 a day | Independent riders with experience | Licence, insurance, traffic |
| Bicycle | From about $1–2 a day | Town and nearby river roads | Heat, distances to the sights |
| River boat | About $5 per person for a sunset trip | Sunset, fireflies | Fireflies aren't guaranteed |
Walking
The old town is compact: the riverside promenade, the old French bridge, the old market, the Durian Roundabout and most cafés and guesthouses are within about a 15-minute walk of each other. Walk early in the morning or after about 4pm; between 11am and 2pm it's hot all year, with daytime highs of 30–33 °C, and hottest in April and May. Pavements are often taken up by parked motorbikes and shop fronts, so you'll end up walking at the edge of the road. Outside the centre, streets are dark at night. Use your phone torch, or take a tuk-tuk back.
Tuk-tuks: flagging one down vs booking a driver
For short rides, just flag one down. Drivers wait around the Durian Roundabout, the riverside and the markets. Expect around $1–3 within town, a bit more after dark or out to the riverside guesthouses upriver. Agree the price before you set off; it's normal and nobody minds. Carry small notes, because change comes back in riel (about 4,000 to the dollar).
PassApp is the ride-hailing app that works in Kampot, for tuk-tuks, small auto-rickshaws and cars. You see the fare before you book and pay the driver in cash. A local SIM card makes it easier to set up and use. Even if you end up flagging rides down, the app is a useful check on what a fair fare looks like.
Grab is widely used in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, but Kampot drivers weren't using it as of 2023, and we couldn't confirm that has changed in 2026. Don't count on it here; install PassApp.
For half or full days, book a driver rather than hopping between rides. Prices are per tuk-tuk, not per person: roughly $15–25 for a countryside half day plus entry fees, $30–50 for a full Kampot and Kep day, and $30–45 for Bokor. A tuk-tuk to Kep costs around $8–12 one way. Our Kampot tuk-tuk prices guide breaks these down, with tips on agreeing a price. For a day trip, a driver who knows the area also knows when the salt workers come out, which pepper farm to visit, and where to have lunch.
Scooters: the honest version
Renting a scooter is how many travellers explore Kampot, and on a quiet morning on the river road it's a joy. Rentals start at about $5 a day for a basic 100–125 cc automatic, from shops near the Durian Roundabout and from guesthouses. Before you hand over the cash, here's what the rental shop won't mention.
Licences and insurance
- Licence: Cambodian law expects you to hold a licence for what you ride. The UK government's advice, for example, says you may need a 1949 International Driving Permit plus your home licence for cars and motorbikes over 125 cc. Many tourists ride without either, and police do sometimes fine riders on the spot, for example for not wearing a helmet.
- Insurance: the bigger issue. Most travel insurance policies won't pay for a scooter accident if you weren't licensed to ride that bike at home, or weren't wearing a helmet. Hospital bills and medical evacuation are expensive. Read your policy before you ride, not after.
- Helmet: wear one, and make sure your passenger does too. Riding without one can get you an on-the-spot fine and may void your insurance.
- Deposit: don't leave your passport as a deposit. Offer a cash deposit or a photocopy instead.
Before you ride off
- Photograph the bike all round, including existing scratches, with the owner watching.
- Test the brakes, horn, lights and tyres. Ask for a phone number to call if it breaks down.
- Fuel is sold at petrol stations and, in villages, in glass bottles at roadside stalls.
Road safety
Cambodia has one of the highest road accident rates in South-East Asia. Traffic drives on the right, but in practice it flows in every direction: motorbikes come at you on the wrong side, trucks overtake on bends, and dogs and cows wander into the road. National Road 3 and the road to Kep carry fast trucks. Avoid riding after dark, when many motorbikes have no lights; after rain, when red dirt roads turn slick; and after a drink. The Bokor mountain road is well paved but has steep hairpins and no street lights, and underpowered scooters struggle on the climb, especially with two people. If you've never ridden a motorbike, Cambodia isn't the place to learn.
Bicycles
Many guesthouses rent bicycles, from about $1–2 a day. Kampot is flat, and cycling is lovely in town, across the bridge and along the quiet river roads early in the morning. The countryside sights are further than they look on a map, though: the salt fields are about 5 km out, the Phnom Chhngok cave temple about 8 km, and the pepper farms and Secret Lake further still, all in strong sun. For a full countryside loop, most people are happier on a scooter or in a tuk-tuk.
River boats and kayaks
The river is part of the fun. Sunset boat trips leave from the riverside in the late afternoon (boarding around 5–5:30pm), last about two hours and cost around $5 per person, often with a drink included. After dark, boats may stop to look for fireflies along the banks, though they're not guaranteed. A private boat for your group costs roughly $40–70. Some riverside guesthouses rent kayaks or run guided paddles upriver; see our river sunset cruise and kayaking guide. Wear the life jacket, and don't paddle far after heavy rain, when the current is strong.
Getting further: Kep, Bokor and beyond
- Kep: about 25 km, 35–45 minutes by tuk-tuk. See Kampot to Kep by tuk-tuk.
- Bokor: about 37–40 km to the plateau, with no entrance fee. See Bokor by tuk-tuk.
- Phnom Penh, the airport, Sihanoukville, Vietnam: see our guides to Phnom Penh, Techo Airport, Sihanoukville and the Ha Tien border.
Ride with Seth
Seth was born in Kampot and has been driving and guiding visitors from his tuk-tuk for 12 years; he's rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor. He'll pick you up from your bus drop-off or your hotel, and he's the easy alternative to a scooter for the countryside: no licence worries, no getting lost, and someone to explain what you're seeing. Have a look at the countryside tour, then message Seth on WhatsApp for a fixed quote.
FAQ
Is Grab available in Kampot?
As far as we can tell, not in any useful way. Kampot drivers weren't on Grab as of 2023, and we couldn't confirm a change in 2026. Use PassApp, which works in Kampot, or flag down a tuk-tuk.
How much is a tuk-tuk ride in Kampot town?
Around $1–3 for a short ride within town. Agree the price before you set off.
Do I need a licence to rent a scooter in Kampot?
Rental shops rarely ask for one, but the law and your travel insurance both expect you to be properly licensed. Without one, you risk fines, and, more seriously, an uninsured accident.
Is Kampot walkable?
The town centre is, especially in the morning and evening. For the countryside, Kep or Bokor, you'll need wheels.
