Getting there and away

Bus

If coming from Phnom Penh, note that Kep and Kampot, while relatively close, are reached by different roads. For both, Phnom Penh is left via Route 3 (which leads all the way to Kampot), but not long after the turn-off to Takeo, one needs to bear left on Route 31 which runs via Kompong Trach to reach Kep. Kep and Kampot are connected via the sealed Route 33 which runs not far from the coast.

Kep is easily reached from Kampot by both tuk tuk ($4 one way) and motodop ($3 one way), with the trip taking 30-45 minutes. Daily buses run at 07:15 and 12:15, costing $2.50 and taking about an hour. A private taxi should cost around $15 and take 30 minutes. You can also rent a motorbike from most guesthouses for $4 per day, expecting to spend another $2 on gas. This is a nice way to have the freedom to explore some of Kep's back roads or take a day trip to Kampot.

A bus to Phnom Penh costs $5, a taxi around $35 to $40.

Heading east to the Vietnamese border, a moto ride costs $10-$15, and the trip takes about an hour to 90 minutes, depending on road conditions. A ferry from Ha Tien in Vietnam leaves at 10:30 for Phu Quoc island, so if you plan to make the journey in one day, get going early.

Boat

Boats to Ko Tonsay leave from a pier around 1km east of Kep Beach from 09:00 to 17:00. A roundtrip boat rental costs $20, and eight passengers can fit on the boat. If you don't come in a group, expect to pay the full price yourself or to wait for as long as it takes for additional passengers to show up. Sophat (T:(012) 374 736) mans the ticket counter inside Long Villa restaurant.