Water Festival Long Weekend 2026: Siem Reap, Kampot or Kep
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Five days off, and no boat races in Phnom Penh. The holiday still stands, so this is a great time to get out of the city.
Here is a simple compare of the three easy escapes: Siem Reap, Kampot and Kep. We checked transport, the Angkor pass and festival news on 25 October 2026.
Short version: take Saturday 21 to Wednesday 25 November and pick one or two towns
- The Water Festival holiday runs Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 November 2026.
- Add the weekend and you get five days.
- The big boat races in Phnom Penh are suspended again this year, but provinces may still hold their own.
- Siem Reap is best for the Angkor temples and a lively town, about 6 hours by bus. Kampot is a slow river town, about 4–5 hours by train or 3–4 hours by bus. Kep is a small seaside town known for its crab market, 30–45 minutes past Kampot.
- Book transport and rooms early, because roads and buses get busy.
Research pass 20 October 2026, rechecked 25 October 2026 (Phnom Penh time). Fares are prices sold online for October 2026 and change by date and seat. We re-check this page on 16 and 20 November 2026.
When is the Water Festival long weekend in 2026?
The public holiday is Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 November 2026, according to the Royal Embassy of Cambodia. It joins straight onto the weekend.
| Day | Date | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 21 November | Weekend: travel day out |
| Sunday | 22 November | Weekend |
| Monday | 23 November | Water Festival holiday |
| Tuesday | 24 November | Water Festival holiday |
| Wednesday | 25 November | Water Festival holiday: travel day back |
| Thursday | 26 November | Normal working day |
Holiday dates: Royal Embassy of Cambodia (Berlin), public holidays 2026, and AKP, 30 June 2026.
What is on and what is off this year? Our Water Festival 2026 guide covers the suspended Phnom Penh races and the provinces that may still celebrate.
Siem Reap, Kampot or Kep: which suits you?
All three work for five days. The right one depends on what you want from the break.
| Siem Reap | Kampot | Kep | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Temples, markets, a busy town | River sunsets, slow days, food | Sea air, crab, quiet |
| From Phnom Penh | About 6 h by bus, or a short flight | About 4–5 h by train, 3–4 h by bus | Train to Kampot (about 4–5 h), then 30–45 min by road; bus about 4 h |
| Pace | Busy | Relaxed | Very quiet |
| Festival chance | Preparations announced, programme not out yet | Boat races, concerts and an exhibition planned, 23–25 Nov | No announcement found |
| Pairs well with | A full 4–5 days on its own | Kep (30–45 min away) | Kampot |
A good rule: choose Siem Reap if this is your first big trip in Cambodia. Choose Kampot and Kep together if you live here and just want to switch off.
How do you get there from Phnom Penh?
Here are the main options and what they sold for online in October 2026. Holiday dates can cost more and sell out, so check your exact day.
| Route | How | Time | Fare (sold online, Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| To Siem Reap | Day bus (Giant Ibis) | About 6 h | About $17–19 |
| To Siem Reap | Night sleeper bus | About 6 h, arrives near dawn | About $18–21 |
| To Siem Reap | Flight, Techo (KTI) to Siem Reap Angkor (SAI) | About 55 min in the air | Varies: about $50–90 one way on booking sites in Oct 2026. Check your date |
| To Kampot | Train (Royal Railway), 07:00 | About 4–5 h | About $10 |
| To Kampot | Bus (Giant Ibis) or minivan | About 3–4 h | About $6–12 |
| To Kep | 07:00 train to Kampot, then minivan or tuk-tuk | About 4–5 h, then 30–45 min by road | About $10, plus van from about $5 |
| Kampot to Kep | Minivan or tuk-tuk | 30–45 min | Van from about $5 |
Sources: Giant Ibis route pages; Cambodia Transport Guide (Siem Reap) and Kampot and Kep page, both for October 2026; Travelfish for the Kampot–Kep van; flight fares from Trip.com and Airpaz flight pages, checked 20 October 2026. Royal Railway fares as sold online; prices at the station can differ. Checked 20 October 2026.
The train is the calm choice for Kampot and Kep: no traffic, and you arrive around midday. Flying to Siem Reap saves road time, but the new airport is a long drive from town, so door to door it saves less than you think.
Book the way back first
The crunch is the ride home on Wednesday 25 November, when everyone returns. Book that seat first, or come back a day early on Tuesday.
Need a ride to the bus office or station? Our getting around Phnom Penh guide compares Grab, PassApp and tuk-tuks.
What can you do in Siem Reap over the holiday?
Most people come for the Angkor temples. You need a pass, sold only by Angkor Enterprise: $37 for 1 day, $62 for 3 days (use within 7 days) and $72 for 7 days (use within 30 days). Buy it online or at the ticket office.
Two or three temple mornings is plenty for most people. Spend the rest in town: the markets, the riverside paths, cafés and the evening food stalls. For where to stay and which area suits you, see our Phnom Penh and Siem Reap hotel guide.
What about the festival? Siem Reap has prepared its riverbanks, but as of 9 October 2026 The Map Cambodia had not found a final programme with race times, and we found none when we checked again on 25 October. Treat any boat race as a bonus, not the reason you go.
What can you do in Kampot?
Kampot is about doing less. Sit by the river at sunset, take a slow boat trip, and eat well. It makes a good base, with more rooms and restaurants than Kep.
Kampot nights are quiet. If you want bars and crowds, Siem Reap is the better pick.
This year Kampot also plans its own festival. Visit Kampot, citing the provincial administration, says boat races, concerts and an exhibition run 23–25 November along the Kampong Bay riverside, between the New Bridge and the Rainbow Bridge.
Is Kep worth adding to your trip?
Yes, for a night or a day trip. Kep is small and green, with a sea breeze and almost no traffic. It sits 30–45 minutes from Kampot.
Kep has fewer places to stay than Kampot, so book early if you want a sea view.
Where should you stay?
Pick your area first, then the room. Here is what to look for in each town. The buttons open Trip.com so you can see what is free on your dates. We do not show prices, because they change daily over the holiday.
Stay near the river or Wat Bo
Good for: First trips, temple mornings, walking to dinner
- A short tuk-tuk ride to the Angkor ticket office
- A pool, for hot afternoons
- Free cancellation in case plans change
Stay on the riverside
Good for: Slow days, sunsets, a base for Kep and Bokor
- River views or a garden
- Bikes or tuk-tuk help at reception
- A short ride from the train station or bus office
Stay near the crab market or the hills
Good for: Quiet nights, sea air, an early crab breakfast
- Walking distance to the market or beach
- A van or tuk-tuk to Kampot (30–45 min)
- Book early: Kep has fewer rooms
Partner = paid link. If you book through it, MoveKH may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we make money.
Wherever you stay, bring your passport. Hotels and guesthouses register foreign guests. Our FPCS guide explains why.
How do you plan the 5 days?
| Plan | Days 1–2 | Days 3–4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siem Reap | Travel, then a temple morning | More temples, town, markets | Travel back early |
| Kampot + Kep | Train to Kampot, river evening | Pepper farm, Bokor, then Kep | Crab market, train or bus back |
| Kep, slow | Train to Kampot, road to Kep, park walk | Rabbit Island, crab market | Travel back |
Prefer a proper beach? See our Koh Rong Sanloem ferry and stay guide.
Will there be boat races this year?
Not in Phnom Penh. A government circular, reported by AKP on 30 June 2026, suspended the celebrations on the Tonle Sap in front of the Royal Palace, for the second year in a row. Provinces may still hold their own.
Kampong Thom provincial administration has announced boat races on 7–8 November along the Stung Sen riverside, according to Thmeythmey and Fresh News. Kampot plans boat races, concerts and an exhibition on 23–25 November along the Kampong Bay riverside, according to Visit Kampot, which cites the provincial administration. We found no announcement for Kep. For Siem Reap, check the provincial notices in the week before.
Frequently asked questions
5 answers · tap to expand01Is the Water Festival on in 2026?
Partly. The holiday on 23–25 November 2026 stays. The main boat races in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh are suspended for the second year running, but provinces may still hold their own celebrations.
02How do I get from Phnom Penh to Kampot?
The easiest way is the 07:00 train, about 4–5 hours, for about $10 (sold online, October 2026). Buses and minivans take about 3–4 hours. Book early for the holiday weekend.
03Kampot or Kep: which is better for a long weekend?
Kampot has more places to stay and eat, so it makes the better base. Kep is quieter, with the crab market and the sea. They are 30–45 minutes apart, so many people do both.
04Should I book hotels early for the Water Festival?
Yes. Expect busier roads, buses and hotels over the long weekend. Book a room with free cancellation, and book your ride home first.
05How much is the Angkor pass in 2026?
Angkor Enterprise sells a 1-day pass for $37, a 3-day pass for $62 (use within 7 days) and a 7-day pass for $72 (use within 30 days). Buy only from Angkor Enterprise, online or at its ticket office.
Next steps
Plan the rest of your long weekend
Festival statusCambodia Water Festival 2026: what’s on, what’s offDates, the Phnom Penh suspension and where events may still run.
Getting to the busGetting around Phnom Penh: Grab, PassApp and tuk-tuksThe cheapest way to reach your bus or train.
Staying in Siem ReapSolo traveller hotel guide: Phnom Penh and Siem ReapAreas and what to check before you book.
Hotel check-inFPCS address registration explainedWhy hotels ask for your passport.
Prefer a beach?Koh Rong Sanloem ferry and where to stayWhich boat, which pier and which bay.- Island optionPartnerCompare Koh Rong Sanloem stays on Trip.com (paid link, opens in a new tab)See what is free on your dates before you book the boat.
- Long-weekend dealsPartnerSee the Trip.com weekend sale (paid link, opens in a new tab)Trip.com keeps this page up to date. Check dates and terms there before you book.
Partner = paid link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Sources we checked: Royal Embassy of Cambodia, public holidays 2026 · AKP, 30 June 2026 · Angkor Enterprise tickets · Giant Ibis, Phnom Penh to Siem Reap · Giant Ibis, Phnom Penh to Kampot · Cambodia Transport Guide, Siem Reap · Cambodia Transport Guide, Kampot and Kep · Travelfish, Kep transport · The Map Cambodia · Thmeythmey · Fresh News · Visit Kampot.
By the MoveKH Research Desk. Holiday dates from the Royal Embassy of Cambodia and AKP. Angkor pass prices from Angkor Enterprise. Fares are prices sold online for October 2026, checked 20 October 2026 (Phnom Penh time), and change by date and seat. Trip.com links are partner links; we show no hotel prices. We re-check this page on 16 and 20 November 2026. Last updated: 25 October 2026.
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