We just finished our temple run in Siem Reap and its time to proceed with our IndoChina adventure. Instead directly heading to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), we decided to have a stop over and take a day trip in the capital of Cambodia – Phnom Penh.

From Siem Reap, you can book a night bus going to Phnom Penh. Giant Ibis, Virak Buntham and Mekong express are some bus company choices. We chose Virak Buntham as it has a “hotel type bus” – the bus has sleeping beds which is completely flat not just reclined. As most of the night bus in Siem Reap, they have wifi access, blanket, curtain for your privacy and a power outlet to charge your electronics. Though this company has some negative reviews, luckily we had a good night travel.

Bus fare from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is 10USD (Php450.00). Travel time is around 6-7hours.

If you choose to leave Siem Reap by midnight, you will reach Phnom Penh by 7am – enough time to explore the city’s history.

If you have big luggage like us, you can book some room for a day to keep it or even to freshen up. You can get Php150-300 room for a night.

To get around the city, tuk tuk are always available. We were offered 15USD (Php675.00) for a roundtrip from our hotel to the killing fields and genocide museum. Half day is enough to visit these places,

Places we visited in Phnom Penh

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center

Also known as the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, is the extermination site during the Khmer rouge regime. This is where around 8000 remains of men, women, children and infants were exhumed. These people are the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime – those who are suspected of having connections with the former government or with foreign governments. (to know more about this genocidal site click here Khmer Rouge Killing Field)

Entrance fee to here is 6USD (Php275.00) and already include a very informative audio guide.

Toul Sleng S21 Genocide Museum

This is used to be a prison during the Khmer Rouge regime – a place of interrogation, torture and extermination.

Entrance fee is 2USD (Php 90.00)

Here are other street snaps we got around the city.

 

 

 

Visiting these memorial gave us a heavey heart after leaving. The audio guide in the killing fields will bring you back in time and gives more of the feeling how painful it was during those years.

 

Expense report:

1 day hostel	Php 200.00
Tuk Tuk	Php 675.00
Entrance Fee	Php 360.00
Food	Php 300.00

Total = Php 1535.00

You can save Php 200.00 if you are traveling light. No need to look for luggage storage. And if you can share tuk tuk ride with other guest, Php 375.00 savings again on that.

Basically, Php 1000.00 for a stop ever in Phnom Penh. 

Next stop: Ho Chi Minh