Road from Kampot to Sihanoukville

Road from Kampot to Sihanoukville: Travel route and stories by mr.hotsia

For me, mr.hotsia, the journey from Kampot (Koh Kong) to Sihanoukville is one of the experiences I want to share uniquely. Besides being a beautiful route full of Khmer lifestyle, it also connects two important coastal cities in Cambodia that many might overlook. But for me, it is a route full of charm and many stories.

Starting from Trat Province, Thailand, I chose the air-conditioned bus service by Cherdchai Tour Company, traveling from Bangna to the Ban Hat Lek border crossing, Khlong Yai District, Trat Province. It took about 4 hours. The bus passed winding roads and changing landscapes until reaching the checkpoint where crossing to the Koh Kong side, or what Cambodians call Kampot, is easy. This border crossing is convenient and a key gateway for Thai travelers heading to Cambodia.

I stayed overnight in Trat city to prepare for the onward journey to Sihanoukville, a famous coastal city praised as Cambodia's top seaside resort.Traveling from Trat to Sihanoukvilleis quite convenient because you can buy a single ticket connecting the bus from Trat all the way to Sihanoukville. The price is affordable and buses run throughout the day.

Route from Kampot to Sihanoukville: Lifestyle and roadside atmosphere

After crossing from Kampot onto the main road heading to Sihanoukville, the charm of this road is not just the physical connection between two cities but the life scenes I saw along both sides. People selling goods balanced on their heads, a sight rarely seen in Thailand, and villagers making a simple living by the roadside. At some points, small eateries sell local food with enticing aromas, tempting me to stop the tuk-tuk to taste local snacks and sip cold drinks before continuing.

This road also allowed me to experience diverse nature, from lush green rice fields to small lakes reflecting beautiful skies. Closer to Sihanoukville, the atmosphere changes to a quiet seaside town full of warmth from the community.

Sihanoukville: A seaside city full of life and flavor

Upon arriving in Sihanoukville, I chose to stay at Sihanouk Timeshare Hotel, located on the second beach road. It’s not directly on the beach but within easy walking distance. This accommodation is affordable and suitable for travelers like me who want to spend extended time in the city. Although there were occasional power outages, it was part of the experience I enjoyed because it made me feel connected to the real life of Sihanoukville locals.

The beaches in Sihanoukville are not as white as Koh Samet but are clean with clear sea water. I liked the image of tuna sellers balancing goods on their heads along the beach, a true unique feature here. These small colors make the beach lively and different from typical tourist beaches.

If you want to know Sihanoukville more deeply, I recommend reading further atSihanoukville (Kampong Som) travel informationthat I have written, includingSihanoukville beacheswhich will help provide a more complete picture of this city.

Markets and food: Lifestyle and culture not to be missed

Markets in Sihanoukville impressed me a lot, especially the morning and night markets near where I stayed, just a few minutes’ walk away. I enjoyed walking through fresh markets that still retain a strong local character. Fresh and dried goods, clothes, and various items sold here clearly reflect the lifestyle of the locals.

I had the chance to see children going to school with teachers waiting at the school gate in the morning. It reminded me of my own childhood atmosphere. Although this city is not a major tourist destination, it has warmth and simplicity, which is rare for a traveler like me.

The food here is another charm I didn’t want to miss. I tried grilled pork rice, a popular breakfast, and chicken rice porridge at a restaurant beside my hotel, as well as noodles and grilled stingray, fresh seafood dishes of this city. Eating street food or market food made me feel like tasting the true flavors of Sihanoukville.Read more about food and restaurants in Sihanoukville here

Accommodation in Sihanoukville: How to choose according to your travel style

For accommodation, Sihanoukville offers various options. I chose to stay in the city center because it’s close to markets and restaurants, convenient for travel, and reasonably priced starting around 15 USD per night. There are also beachfront accommodations with similar prices, suitable for those who want to wake up to sea views every morning.

If you want detailed accommodation information, I recommend visitingHotels and accommodations in Sihanoukvillethat I have written, which describe the pros and cons of each area and recommend how to choose accommodation to suit each traveler’s style.

Summary of the road from Kampot to Sihanoukville experience with mr.hotsia

The road from Kampot to Sihanoukville is not just a route connecting two cities but a path telling stories of Khmer lifestyle, culture, food, and beautiful nature for travelers like me. This journey showed me interesting differences of Cambodia from a lesser-known perspective and made me love Sihanoukville even more because it is not just an ordinary seaside city but a city full of life, flavor, and genuine people.

For anyone interested in this route, mr.hotsia recommends planning ahead and trying the bus service from Trat through Ban Hat Lek border to Koh Kong, then continuing comfortably to Sihanoukville. You will definitely find a different experience than ever before.

Don’t forget to follow my stories further atTraveling from Trat to SihanoukvilleandSihanoukville marketto prepare well before your trip.