There's no direct bus from Techo International Airport (KTI) to Kampot. Most travellers take a pre-booked private car: roughly two and a half to three hours and about $45–85 for the vehicle, depending on who you book with and what you're driven in. The budget route through central Phnom Penh costs under $20 per person but takes five hours or more. If you land late at night, there's a good case for sleeping in Phnom Penh and travelling down in daylight.
On this page
First, the airport: KTI, not PNH
Techo International Airport opened on 9 September 2025, about 20 km south of central Phnom Penh, and replaced the old Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) for commercial flights. Some transfer websites, and some drivers, still say "Phnom Penh Airport" when they mean either. When you book a car, write "Techo International Airport (KTI)" in the booking and confirm it with the driver.
In the arrivals hall you'll find ATMs that dispense US dollars, currency exchange counters, SIM card desks for Cellcard, Smart and Metfone, and free Wi-Fi. Buy a local SIM or eSIM before you leave the airport: it makes it much easier to reach your driver or use a ride-hailing app.
Your options at a glance (2026)
| Option | Rough cost | Time to Kampot | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private car, pre-booked | About $45–85 per car | 2½–3 h | Door to door; the easiest choice for most people |
| Grab/PassApp or airport taxi to Phnom Penh, then minivan | $10–40 per car, then about $8–10 per person | 5–7 h | Only works if you land early enough to catch a van |
| Airport Express Bus to the city, then minivan | Under $1, then about $8–10 per person | 6 h or more | Cheapest; riel cash for the bus |
Private car: what it costs and what to check
Prices for KTI to Kampot vary more than you'd expect. In 2026 we've seen Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide listings starting from about $45–49, a travel agency charging $70 for an SUV that seats three with luggage, and taxi and transfer companies quoting $79–85. Bigger vans for five to nine people run to $115–125 and more. Booking-site quotes in euros or with "from" prices often end up higher once you enter your date and group size.
Whichever company you use, check these before you pay:
- Per car, not per person. Some listings show a price "per adult" that changes with group size.
- Tolls, parking and waiting time. Ask whether they're included, and how long the driver will wait if your flight is late.
- Night or early surcharges. One agency adds $5 for departures before 6:00 or after 17:00, and more on public holidays. Others may do the same.
- The meeting point. A driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall is normal. Get the driver's WhatsApp number in advance.
- The drop-off. Make sure the price covers your hotel door, not a bus office in town, especially if you're staying upriver or out towards Kep.
The drive itself takes roughly two and a half to three hours, depending on traffic, roadworks and rain. Transfer companies quote anything from two and a half to three and a half hours. Most drivers will stop for a toilet break or a drink if you ask.
The budget route via Phnom Penh
If you're travelling light and land in the morning, you can do it cheaply in two stages.
- Airport to the city. The Airport Express Bus costs about 1,500–2,000 riel (under 50 cents), paid in riel cash. It runs roughly 5:30 to 23:30 and takes 1½–2 hours with all its stops. Grab, PassApp or WowNow cost about $10–20 for a car and take 45–60 minutes. The official taxi counter in arrivals charges around $30–40. Go to the van company's office directly, not to your hotel.
- City to Kampot. Minivans leave from each company's own office: Kim Seng Express from the Olympic Market area, Giant Ibis from Street 106 by the Night Market, and others. They take three to four hours and cost about $8–10. The last vans leave around 20:30–20:45. See our Phnom Penh to Kampot guide for operators and times.
Door to door, that's five to seven hours, against two and a half to three in a car. For two or more people, the gap in price narrows quickly. If you land after mid-afternoon, the connection gets tight.
Arriving at night
If your flight lands late in the evening or after midnight, you have two sensible choices.
Go straight through by pre-booked car. This is fine if the booking is confirmed and the driver is tracking your flight. Bear in mind that it means two and a half to three hours on dark roads with trucks, and motorbikes without lights. Cambodia has one of the highest road accident rates in South-East Asia, and the UK government's travel advice notes that travelling after dark significantly increases the risk. If you go, wear your seatbelt and don't be shy about asking the driver to slow down.
Sleep in Phnom Penh and travel in the morning. The city is 45–60 minutes from the airport by Grab or taxi. A morning van, or the 7:00 train, gets you to Kampot by lunchtime, rested and with a view of the countryside. If you land after about 21:00, this is what we'd do.
A few more night-arrival tips:
- The Airport Express Bus stops around 23:30. After that, it's the taxi counter, a ride-hailing app or your pre-booked car.
- Ignore drivers who approach you inside or just outside the terminal. Use the official taxi counter, the app pickup point, or your named driver.
- Tell your Kampot guesthouse your arrival time. Small places often lock up late at night, and Kampot is very quiet after midnight.
- Carry some small US dollar notes. Drivers often can't change a $50 or $100.
Entry paperwork (check official sources)
If you fly in, you need to fill in Cambodia's free e-Arrival card online (arrival.gov.kh) within the seven days before you land. Many nationalities can get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival for about $30 in cash, and some guides advise bringing a passport photo. Alternatively, apply for an e-visa online before you travel. Rules and fees change, so check your government's travel advice and Cambodia's official visa and e-Arrival sites before you fly.
Going the other way: Kampot to KTI
For an international flight, leave Kampot about six hours before departure: roughly three hours on the road plus the usual check-in time, with a buffer for rain or a slow truck on a two-lane road. For an early-morning flight, consider spending your last night in Phnom Penh instead of setting off from Kampot in the dark. There's still no direct bus from Kampot to the airport, so book a car, or take a van into the city and a Grab out to KTI.
Ride with Seth
Seth's tuk-tuk doesn't do the airport run (it's far too long a drive for a tuk-tuk), but once you're in Kampot, he's your man. He was born here, has guided for 12 years and is rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor. If you came down by van, send him your arrival time and ask whether he can meet you at the drop-off; either way he can collect you from your hotel for a first afternoon or a full day built around what you want to see. Message Seth on WhatsApp with your dates for a fixed quote.
FAQ
Is there a bus from Techo Airport to Kampot?
Not a direct one, as of October 2026. You can take the Airport Express Bus or a Grab into Phnom Penh and change to a Kampot minivan there, which adds two to three hours compared with a car.
How much is a taxi from Techo Airport to Kampot?
Expect about $45–85 for a private car, depending on the company and the vehicle. Larger vans cost more. Check whether tolls and night surcharges are included.
How long is the drive from KTI to Kampot?
Roughly two and a half to three hours, longer in heavy rain or holiday traffic.
Can I take a tuk-tuk from the airport to Kampot?
No. It's well over 100 km, which is far too far for a tuk-tuk. Use a tuk-tuk once you're in Kampot; our tuk-tuk prices guide shows what local rides cost.
