J
Awsome the museum was...
Awsome the museum was amazing and the killing fields were even better because we got to see where it really took place. We liked how the bus took us to the places and gave us plenty of time at each place
Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour
+12 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Price from
- $15 / person
- Location
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Rating
- 4.1 / 5 · 208 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 18
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Phnom Penh Hop on Hop off Bus Tours
Description
Hop aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned tour bus and embark on a journey through Cambodia's haunting past. Begin your exploration at the Security Prison S21, established during the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979. Discover the chilling transformation of a former school into a notorious interrogation and torture facility, where thousands endured unimaginable horrors. Next, venture to the Killing Fields, situated 11 kilometers south of Phnom Penh. Here, witness the somber landscapes where mass executions and burials unfolded. Enrich your understanding of Cambodia's recent history with a documentary screening onboard, offering invaluable insights into the nation's turbulent past.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Visit the notorious prison under Khmer Rouge regime. A school was turned into a security prison by Khmer Rouge in the middle of Phnom Penh city.
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center
You will visit the execution site and mass grave where victims of Prison S21 run by Khmer Rouge. Now the site is a memorial centre of the victims killed by Khmer Rouge regime.
What's included
Included
Documentary film played on-board on the way to Killing Fields
Free WiFi on board (please ask tour assistant when you need it)
1 x bottle of drinking water
Half day transportation on an air-conditioned tour bus
English speaking tour assistant on hand to help
Not included
Entry fees (Prison S21 $5, ; Killing Fields $3)
Audio guides (Prison S21 $5; Killing Fields $3, optional)
In-House live guide services (Prison S21 $3-$5, Optional)
Pickup Locations & Times
We will come to your hotel to pick you up if your hotel is near Central Market, Riverside, Royal Palace, BKK. if your hotel is out of these areas, please come to a meeting point at Riverside.
Traveller Ratings
4.1
208 reviews
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please provide your WhatsApp number when you make the booking as we will contact you via WhatsApp for pick up time, or you can ask your hotel reception to call our local number 015745880 to confirm pick up time and location the night before the tour, or you can send us an email 1 day in advance to confirm hotel pick up time and location. Please provide hotel name & address (as some hotels have similar names), and room number for pick up.
- The Killing Fields tour is a shared bus tour, please be on time for pickup. If your hotel is located near Riverside, Central Market (not including Russian BLVD), Wat Phnom, Royal Palace, Independence monument, Aeon Mall, Kirirom, BKK, we will offer free hotel pick up. But some hotels are not in our pick up zone due to traffic problem. Guests who stay in those hotels are advised to come to Night Market at Riverside (bus station) for pick up at 8am or 1:30pm, or to arrange your own transportation such as tuktuk ($2-$5 depending on your hotel location) to go to a meeting point for pick up. If you stay at a residential address within our pick up zone, you will be advised to go to a hotel suggested by our office for pick up. Please check the location of your hotel before you book this tour.
- Pick up times: Morning tour pick up starts from 8am. If your hotel is near riverfront, pick up time will be between 8am - 8:15am. If your hotel is a bit far away from riverside, pick up time will be between 8:15am - 9:00am. Afternoon tour pick up starts from 1:30pm, if your hotel is near riverfront, pick up time will be between 1:30pm - 1:45pm, if your hotel is a bit far away from riverside, pick up time will be between 1:45pm - 2:30pm. Please come down to the reception area at lease 10 minutes in advance for pick up and inform the reception that you are waiting for pick up, because our tour assistant will go to ask the reception first. Please do not stay in your room or in the hotel restaurant. Pick up might be delayed due to traffic condition and special events. The duration of transfers is approximate.
- Experience Phnom Penh’s profound history with a distinctive approach that caters to a diverse audience. Unlike conventional tours that rely on English-speaking guides, our tour offers a unique advantage: the freedom to explore the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields at your own pace, using multi-language audio guides. This ensures that every participant, regardless of their native language, receives an insightful and personalized experience for a minimal fee—often less than the cost of a cup of coffee. Our join tour accommodates a vibrant mix of cultures, allowing you to engage deeply with the historical sites while enjoying the flexibility and inclusivity of our self-guided approach. Discover the stories and significance of these pivotal landmarks in a way that’s tailored to you, enhancing both accessibility and understanding for all.
- There are three options for visiting Prison S21: 1.Audio Guide ($5): Rent an audio guide with interviews, detailed explanations, and availability in 12 languages (English, Français, Deutsch, Nederlands, Italiano, Español, Pусский, 中文, แบบไทย, 한국인, 日本語, Tiếng, Việt ). It provides comprehensive insights into the exhibits and the history of the Khmer Rouge regime. 2.Live Guide ($3-$5): Hire an in-house live guide for a more interactive experience. A live guide offers detailed knowledge, answers questions, and shares personal stories to enhance your visit. Live guide service is only in English. 3.Self-Guided: Explore the museum on your own with plenty of written information, including placards and signage. This option allows you to move at your own pace and focus on areas of interest. Regarding the audio guide at the prison, there are two versions available: the Highlight version and the Long version. The Highlight version, marked in red on the guide map, lasts approximately 60 minutes. We recommend this version for those participating in our tour. The Long version, which lasts about 120 minutes, is more suitable for private tours. If you wish to delve deeper into the history of the Khmer Rouge and spend more time at the museum, a private tour is recommended. When renting the audio guide, please begin your tour promptly and maintain a steady pace between stops. Avoid spending excessive time at any one stop to ensure you complete the tour within the allocated time. Return to the bus at the time specified by the bus attendant. You will have approximately 80 minutes to visit the museum, which most visitors find sufficient. If you feel you need more time, we suggest opting for a private tour instead.
- There are two options for visiting the Killing Fields: 1.Audio Guide ($3): Rent an audio guide with interviews, detailed explanations, and availability in 14 languages (English, Français, Deutsch, Nederlands, Italiano, Español, Pусский, Svenska, 中文, แบบไทย, 한국인, 日本語, Melayu, Tiếng, Việt ). 2.Self-Guided: Explore the Killing Fields on your own with maps and informational signs to help guide you through the various areas, including the memorial stupa, mass graves, and excavation sites. Audio guides at Prison S21 and Killing Fields are optional.
- Our visit time assigned at the Prison is about 1 hour and 15 minutes. So you are suggested to take the highlight tour if you purchase the audio guide. Highlight Audio Tour is about 50 minutes. Please follow the numbers printed in RED on the guide map. Extensive audio guide is about 2 hours long and is not suitable for half day tour.
- Entry fees not included, please prepare small money notes for entrance fees and audio tours.
- Please choose the option that best suits your preferences and budget for a richer experience. Please note that our bus tour is distinct from a tuktuk tour. Our tour is designed with Western tourists in mind, focusing on comfort, safety, and a richer experience compared to a tuk-tuk, with an English-speaking bus attendant who provides general assistance. Our service includes air-conditioned transportation, audio commentary and documentaries on board, as well as Wi-Fi and drinking water. We understand that our tour may be more expensive than a tuk-tuk ride, but we aim to provide a more comfortable, comprehensive, informative, and safe experience.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour take?
Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour lasts about 5 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour cost?
Prices start at $15 per person for this Phnom Penh experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We will come to your hotel to pick you up if your hotel is near Central Market, Riverside, Royal Palace, BKK. if your hotel is out of these areas, please come to a meeting point at Riverside. Pickup points include Phuminh Hotel Riverside, Min Hotel 2.
What languages is Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 18 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Experience Phnom Penh’s profound history with a distinctive approach that caters to a diverse audience. Unlike conventional tours that rely on English-speaking guides, our tour offers a unique advantage: the freedom to explore the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields at your own pace, using multi-language audio guides. This ensures that every participant, regardless of their native language, receives an insightful and personalized experience for a minimal fee—often less than the cost of a cup of coffee. Our join tour accommodates a vibrant mix of cultures, allowing you to engage deeply with the historical sites while enjoying the flexibility and inclusivity of our self-guided approach. Discover the stories and significance of these pivotal landmarks in a way that’s tailored to you, enhancing both accessibility and understanding for all.
Reviews(208)
C
Good way to see S21 and Killing Fields
Convenient way to see S21 and Killing Fields. Can easily be done more cheaply by Tuktuk but I thought it was worth paying extra for the support and the interesting video.
R
Good way to see these places.
Myself and my partner did this tour - it was OK - nothing to complain about - You don't have unlimited time at the places but it takes you to 2 places - Prison 21 and Killing Fields - and you have a decent amount at time at both. a really good video was played also on the bus which was really informative.
F
Hassle free way of getting to S21 and Killing Fields
We booked this tour through Klook the night before. Communication was prompt, and all information needed regarding pick up and making sure that we understood it was transport only between the sites was relayed to us. The bus has air conditioning, and the guide handed out water. When we got to the sites, the guide helped us pay for our entrance fees and made sure to tell us the time to be back by. The time allowed was 1.5 hours per site, which we found to be more than enough to soak in all the horrific history. We found this bus tour to be great, with friendly, professional service and would highly recommend it as a hassle-free way to get around with hotel pick up and drop off.
T
Bye bye the bus but without us
Usually on this kind of excuse, the guide takes your name, counts people. But here none of that, we booked through the hotel. The morning of departure the bus was late. We're on vacation so there's no rush, no worries about it. Then before making the first killing fields site we made a stop at S21. We waited 30 minutes for the guide to find and pick up more tourists. Arrived at killing fields the bus guide tells us that we have only 1 hour to visit while on the resa, it is 1h30 per site and indeed the audio guide alone takes more than an hour. In short we overflowed time which was shortened to 1h00 and the bus was already gone. Anyway, we paid for nothing. Frankly if you want to enjoy the visits go there by grab it is 3 times cheaper and you can enjoy as much as you want. Their thing is totally unorganized. He commutes right to left without really knowing who they're bringing.
Operator response
Dear Lucky, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We take all reviews seriously and would like to clarify some important points for the benefit of future travelers: 1. Time at the Killing Fields Here is the actual timeline of your tour: 9:30 a.m. – Your hotel reception called to confirm pickup. 9:40 a.m. – Bus picked you up after Harmony Hotel (the first pickup). 9:45 a.m. – Third hotel pickup (all hotels nearby). 10:00 a.m. – Arrived at Genocide Museum to collect 8:00 a.m. departure guests. 10:10 a.m. – Departed Museum. (about 30 minutes drive to Killing Fields) 10:40–10:45 a.m. – Arrived at Killing Fields. 12:10 p.m. – Departure time announced by tour assistant. This gave all guests 1 hour 25–30 minutes visit time, exactly as advertised on the hotel tour signage and brochures (1 hour or more / 1 hour 20 minutes). Photos of our brochures and signage at the hotel can be provided if needed. When you did not return at 12:10 p.m., our assistant went back inside twice (including the final showroom and souvenir shop) and our driver also checked nearby cafés, but no sign of you. 12:30 p.m.– our tour assistant contacted your hotel reception to report you missing (screenshot of communication between our tour assistant and your hotel reception can be provided if needed). 12:30 p.m.– The bus had no choice but to leave to avoid further disruption to the group. All other guests returned on time and waited 20 minutes on the bus. 2. Routing & Schedule Our tours combine 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. departures efficiently: 8:00 guests visit the Museum first, then the Killing Fields; 9:30 guests do the reverse. There was no “wasted time looking for tourists.”. 9:30 a.m. departure is designed for guests don't like to get up too early in the morning and enjoy a bit relaxation. 3. Price & Comfort A tuk-tuk/rickshaw ride on the same route costs around $14 without any amenities, rickshaws are small and often uncomfortable for taller or larger travelers, they provide transport only, with no comfort, and exposure to heat, rain, polluted air, noise and hectic traffic. Our $15 per person service includes air-conditioned bus, English-speaking assistant, onboard documentary, free Wi-Fi, cold bottled water, umbrella, and a professional licensed driver. Our buses are safe, spacious, and designed for sightseeing. We respect all opinions, but for fairness, it’s important to note that other guests on the same tour followed the schedule and enjoyed their experience. Sincerely, Phnom Penh Killing Fields Bus Tour
D
The Killing Fields
I paid 5usd Cheap i know. The bus picked me up from my hotel. The drive was around 45 min or so. R.I.P to all the victims, you literally just walk in a big circle looking at maybe 3-4 plot of dirts patches. No need to pay for the audio guide because there are signs displaying what happened and the tour bus plays a video explaining everything but if you insist i believe it was around 3usd. It took me maybe 20 min to walk the area. They give you around a hour but I noticed a lot of people sitting on benches that finished early waiting on their bus as well. Basic snacks on site but there is a food stall and restaurant across the street of all the tours I'd save this for last and prioritize Ankor Wat and a few others first.
P
So sad but so necessary to know about this.
So sad, but so essential to help understand the psyche of the Camboduan people. Many people lived through this tortuous time as it was only just over 40 years ago.
S
A must do!!
A must do tour when visiting Cambodia. Important to see and understand. They have made the Killing fields, a place that was once so harrowing into a beautiful and peaceful memorial to their people. A true reflection of the kindness of Cambodian people and culture. At the S21 museum, we had a live guide who had lost three from her family to the Pol pot regime so the tour was very authentic and detailed.
N
A harrowing experience
Why do we go on a tour like this? I think we go to bear witness and to try to understand how horrors like this happen. And maybe to think about how to stop future ones. Thank-you to our excellent guide Baboon for your information and for sharing your own family’s history.
F
Fantastic Tour at a Great Price
I was a bit nervous to do this tour since I read many reviews before hand and people were complaining about how they had to spend so much time waiting. I guess I was lucky and went in May 2024, possibly a slower season for them, but I only had two other people in our group. Everyone arrived on time. I paid five dollars to enter the prison. And then I paid five dollars to have a live tour guide inside the prison. It was totally worth it! He was very knowledgeable and everything he said was so important and great. We even had an extra 30 minutes to explore on our own after the one hour tour. Then we hopped on the bus and headed over to the killing fields. I paid six dollars to enter and received a free audio tour. I’ve never done an audio tour before, but it was super awesome! Very easy to use and self-explanatory. I felt like I had enough time to go through the entire without feeling rushed. Overall, I had a fantastic time. Everyone was very helpful. It was a great activity for myself as I traveled solo.
Compare similar tours in Phnom Penh
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killing Fields and Prison S21 Bus Tour | 5 hours | 4.1 (208) | $15 | |
 The Killing Field and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) Tour | 4 hours | 4.9 (2,243) | $19 | View |
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from$15
4.1(208) Free cancellation