Phnom Penh: Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour

The Phnom Penh Bus Tour offers visitors a poignant exploration of Cambodia’s dark history. With a focus on the Killing Fields and Prison S21, the tour provides an informative and emotional journey through the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. Priced at $15 per person, the 4.5-hour tour includes comfortable transportation, entry fees, and optional audio guides in 14 languages to enhance the experience. While the subject matter is heavy, the tour has received positive feedback for its ability to provide a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s past.

Key Points

• The Phnom Penh Bus Tour explores Cambodia’s dark history at the Killing Fields and Prison S21, offering a 4.5-hour educational experience.
• The tour includes transportation, entry fees, and optional audio guides, providing a convenient and enriching way to learn about the Khmer Rouge regime.
• Visitors can enjoy the sobering history of the Genocide Museum at Prison S21 and the Cheung Ek Killing Fields.
• The tour offers complimentary hotel/hostel pickup, air-conditioned transportation, and a documentary screening to enhance understanding of Cambodia’s past.
• With a 4.4/5 rating based on 703 reviews, the tour is praised for its ease, value, and the moving, yet important, historical experience it provides.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Phnom Penh Bus Tour offers visitors the opportunity to explore Cambodia’s dark history at two of the country’s most somber sites – the Killing Fields and Prison S21.

Priced from $15 per person, the 4.5-hour tour includes transportation, entry fees, and an optional audio guide.

With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, travelers can book their spot and pay later.

The comfortable, air-conditioned bus comes equipped with free Wi-Fi and drinking water, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Whether seeking to learn about the Khmer Rouge regime or honor the victims, this tour provides a compelling and immersive historical experience.

Historical Sites and Experience

As visitors embark on the Phnom Penh Bus Tour, they’ll have the opportunity to explore Cambodia’s past at two of the country’s most poignant historical sites – the Genocide Museum at Prison S21 and the Cheung Ek Killing Fields.

The tour provides a sobering look into the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975-1979.

The Phnom Penh Bus Tour offers a sobering look into the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975-1979.

Visitors will:

1. Learn about the notorious Security Prison S21, a former school transformed into an interrogation facility.

2. Witness the somber landscapes of mass executions at the Killing Fields, located 11 km south of Phnom Penh.

3. Enhance their understanding of Cambodia’s history through a documentary screening onboard the tour bus.

Tour Logistics and Inclusions

To ensure a seamless experience, the tour includes complimentary pickup from select hotels and hostels in downtown Phnom Penh.

Travelers will be transported in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus equipped with free Wi-Fi and drinking water. A tour assistant is available throughout the tour to provide support.

Entry fees to both the Genocide Museum (Prison S21) and Killing Fields are included in the tour price. Optional audio guides and in-house guides are available for rent at an additional cost, catering to a personalized experience.

The tour logistics are designed for convenience and enrichment.

Audio Guides and Language Options

Complementing the tour’s convenience, audio guides are available in 14 languages, ensuring a personalized experience for all participants.

With options ranging from English to Malay, the multi-language audio guides cater to the diverse needs of travelers:

1. Explore the sites at your own pace with the self-guided audio tour, available for rent at both the Prison S21 and Killing Fields.

2. Deepen your understanding of Cambodia’s history through the insightful commentary provided in your preferred language.

3. Enhance the overall experience by enjoying the narratives tailored to your linguistic preferences.

More Great Tours Nearby

Customer Feedback and Ratings

The Phnom Penh Bus Tour has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from travelers, as evidenced by its impressive 4.4/5 rating based on 703 reviews.

Highlights from travelers include Bijesh from India who praised the tour as "easy, hassle-free and value for money."

Alan from the UK noted the "comfortable transport and good guides," while Jan from the UK described it as a "moving experience" and recommended the audio guides.

The general sentiment from visitors is that this is an important historical tour, though an emotional one, but ultimately a worthwhile experience.

Understanding Cambodia’s Tragic History

While the Phnom Penh Bus Tour provides a somber yet informative experience, it ultimately aims to educate visitors about Cambodia’s tragic history under the Khmer Rouge regime.

The tour visits two significant sites:

1. Prison S21, a former school converted into a notorious interrogation facility during the Khmer Rouge rule.

2. The Killing Fields, where mass executions occurred, leaving a haunting landscape of mass graves and memorials.

Through these visits and accompanying documentaries, the tour provides a powerful opportunity to understand the horrors of the past and the resilience of the Cambodian people.

Preparing for an Emotional Journey

Visiting the sites of Cambodia’s tragic past can be an emotional and thought-provoking experience.

Travelers should prepare themselves mentally and emotionally before embarking on this tour. It’s important to be aware that the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum contain graphic and disturbing content.

The audio guides, while informative, can be deeply affecting. Visitors may find the experience overwhelming, so it’s advisable to take breaks if needed.

Significance of Visiting These Sites

Though deeply somber, visiting the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum offers travelers a profound opportunity to engage with Cambodia’s complex and tragic history.

This powerful experience:

This powerful experience fosters a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s resilience and ongoing efforts to heal from its tragic past.

1. Provides a sobering window into the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime and the systematic genocide that claimed the lives of over 1.7 million Cambodians.

2. Fosters a deeper understanding of the country’s resilience and ongoing efforts to heal from this traumatic past.

3. Encourages reflection on the importance of human rights, the fragility of peace, and the need for vigilance against the rise of authoritarianism and intolerance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Photography Allowed at the Killing Fields?

Photography is generally allowed at the Killing Fields site, but visitors are advised to be respectful and avoid taking photographs that could be seen as disrespectful or disruptive to the solemn atmosphere of the memorial.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

Yes, travelers can bring their own food and drinks on the tour. The tour bus provides free drinking water, but outside food and beverages are permitted for the convenience and comfort of participants.

How Much Time Do We Spend at Each Site?

The tour spends approximately 2 hours at the Killing Fields and 1.5 hours at the Prison S21 site. This allows ample time to explore both historical locations and engage with the audio guides or optional in-house guides at each site.

Are the Tour Guides Licensed and Trained?

The tour guides are trained professionals who hold licenses to lead visitors through the historical sites. They provide valuable insights and ensure a meaningful experience throughout the tour.

Is the Tour Suitable for Children?

The tour may not be suitable for young children due to the sensitive and somber nature of the historical sites visited. However, older children can participate if accompanied by responsible adults.

The Sum Up

The Phnom Penh Bus Tour offers a deeply moving exploration of Cambodia’s dark history. It provides a poignant opportunity to understand the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime and their lasting impact. Though an emotional journey, this tour is an essential experience for visitors seeking to learn about and reflect on this pivotal chapter in Cambodia’s past.

You can check availability for your dates here: