Contents
TL;DR
- Best order: Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) first, followed by Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (the Killing Fields).
- What to bring: Water, comfortable walking shoes, and headphones if you plan to use an audio guide.
- What to wear: Choose clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, and dress respectfully at both memorial sites.
- Guided tour: The Mad Monkey S-21 and Killing Fields Tour combines both visits with tuk-tuk transport, entrance fees, an audio guide, water, and lunch. Check the tour page for the current price and schedule.
Phnom Penh’s history extends beyond its riverside cafés, markets, and busy streets. At Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, Cambodia preserves two connected parts of the Khmer Rouge’s history, documenting the violence and its impact on individuals, families, and communities between 1975 and 1979.
Together, the sites offer a deeper understanding of the atrocities committed during this period and the lives forever changed by them. Take time to read the accounts, reflect on the people whose stories are remembered here, and approach both sites with care and respect.
Why Visit Both S-21 and the Killing Fields?
Understanding Cambodia’s history helps travelers connect with the country beyond what they see on the surface. For backpackers passing through Phnom Penh, these visits offer a chance to approach the destination with greater awareness, empathy, and respect.
| Site | Historical significance | What you’ll encounter |
|---|---|---|
| Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) | A former school transformed into a detention and interrogation center | Former prison cells, photographs, documents, and preserved evidence |
| Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (the Killing Fields) | An execution site associated with prisoners taken from S-21 and other locations | Memorial grounds, areas associated with mass graves and a memorial stupa |
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum sits in central Phnom Penh, while Choeung Ek Genocidal Center lies on the city’s outskirts. Though different in setting, the two sites preserve connected chapters of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge history. In July 2025, UNESCO inscribed the Cambodian Memorial Sites, including both locations, on the World Heritage List.
What Should You Wear to S-21 and the Killing Fields?
Both sites are memorials, so dress respectfully and come prepared for Phnom Penh’s heat. A few things are worth keeping in mind before your visit:
- Clothing: Choose outfits that cover your shoulders and knees.
- Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes, especially for walking around Choeung Ek’s outdoor grounds.
- Water: Bring a bottle if you’re visiting during the hotter hours.
- Photography: Tuol Sleng permits personal, non-commercial photography, but commercial photography requires permission. Follow posted restrictions at both sites.
- Visitor etiquette: Keep your phone on silent, speak quietly, and follow staff guidance around memorial areas.
Should You Join a Guided Tour of S-21 and the Killing Fields?
Two sites, two sides of Cambodia’s history, and a lot to take in. Visiting Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center in one day means navigating the city as well as understanding the history behind each place. A guided tour takes care of the logistics, leaving you to focus on the stories, exhibits, and memorials.
The Mad Monkey S-21 and Killing Fields Tour brings both visits together, with tuk-tuk transport, entrance fees, an audio guide, water, and a Khmer-style lunch included for ៛128,000 KHR ($32 USD) per person.
Visiting both sites offers a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s past and how it continues to shape the country today.
Can You Visit S-21 and the Killing Fields Independently?
Absolutely! Going solo gives you more time to take in the exhibits at Tuol Sleng and explore Choeung Ek at your own pace. You’ll need to arrange your own transport, but you can linger where you want and move on when you’re ready.
If you’re planning your own visit, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum’s official visitor information is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission for international adults costs ៛20,000 KHR (around $5 USD), while the audio guide costs another ៛20,000 KHR (around $5 USD). The museum accepts cash in both Cambodian riel and US dollars. Check the official visitor information before setting out, and confirm Choeung Ek’s opening hours and admission fees separately.
The biggest difference is how you want to experience the day. A tour takes care of the journey between the sites; going independently gives you more freedom to explore at your own pace. Either way, start at Tuol Sleng. Understanding what happened there gives the visit to Choeung Ek a deeper historical context.
How to Get to S-21 and the Killing Fields?
Whether you’re taking a quick ride through central Phnom Penh or heading south to Choeung Ek, here’s what to expect for transport and fares.
| Destination | Transport Option | Estimated Cost | Travel Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) | Grab or PassApp | ៛8,000–16,000 ($2–$4 USD) | A short ride from many central Phnom Penh locations |
| Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (Killing Fields) | Tuk-tuk, round trip with waiting time | ៛60,000–80,000 ($15–$20 USD) | Around 15 km south of the city center |
| Both sites in one day | Private tuk-tuk or guided tour | Varies | Agree on fares in advance or check the tour price and inclusions |
*Treat the transport costs as estimates rather than fixed fares, and check Grab or PassApp prices on the day of your visit.
If you’re visiting both sites in one day, start at Tuol Sleng before continuing to Choeung Ek. This follows the historical connection between the two sites and avoids crossing the city twice.
Is S-21 and the Killing Fields Worth Visiting?
Beyond Phnom Penh’s markets, riverside cafés, and nightlife lies a chapter of Cambodian history that still shapes the country today. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center offer a closer look at that past through preserved sites, personal accounts, and memorials.
These visits add meaningful context to your journey through Cambodia, connecting the places you explore with the people, stories, and history that shaped the country. Take your time at each site, reflect on what you learn, and carry a deeper appreciation of Cambodia with you as you continue your travels.
FAQs: About S-21 and the Killing Fields
Yes. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center can both be visited in one day. Start at S-21, then travel south to the Killing Fields. Allow several hours for both visits, including transport and time to explore each site.
Admission fees are separate from transport unless you book a tour that includes them. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum charges ៛20,000 KHR ($5 USD) for international visitors, with an optional audio guide for another ៛20,000 KHR ($5 USD). Check the official Tuol Sleng visitor information and Mad Monkey’s S-21 and Killing Fields Tour page for current prices and inclusions, as fees may change.
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center is approximately 15 km south of central Phnom Penh. You can travel by tuk-tuk or a ride-hailing app, such as Grab or PassApp. Agree on the fare and any waiting charges before setting off, or book a guided tour that arranges transport between both sites.
A guided tour takes the guesswork out of getting between the two sites. The Mad Monkey S-21 and Killing Fields Tour combines both visits with tuk-tuk transport, entrance fees, an audio guide, water, and lunch for $32 USD per person (around ៛128,000 KHR). If you’d rather set your own pace and spend longer at certain exhibits, you can visit both sites independently.
Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, along with comfortable shoes for walking around the museum and memorial grounds. These are sites of remembrance, so choose respectful clothing and behavior throughout your visit.
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