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Eastern Asia

North KoreaTravel guide

Explore North Korea visa rulesCommon scams in North Korea

North Korea is a tightly controlled country in East Asia. Tourists must join a guided tour and remain under supervision. Breaking rules or showing disrespect can lead to detention and severe punishment. The source says tours were available only to Russian citizens as of September 2026, with limited exceptions for sporting delegations.

Why go

  1. Guided visits to war museums, memorials and political monuments.

  2. Pyongyang sightseeing, with a short metro ride included on many tours.

  3. Visits to Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, the heavily guarded area between North and South Korea.

  4. Bowling, karaoke and skiing where included in your tour.

Getting there

By air

  • All international flights use Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang.
  • As of October 2026, the source lists Air Koryo, Air China and Nordwind Airlines as serving the airport.
  • Air China flies from Beijing, and Nordwind Airlines flies from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.

By land

  • Entry routes run through China or Russia. Many visitors travel from Beijing by train.
  • The Beijing–Pyongyang train runs four times a week and has sleeper accommodation only. Your tour agency usually books it, and tickets should be confirmed well ahead.
  • Some tours cross from Dandong to Sinuiju by minibus, then continue to Pyongyang on a domestic train. The train journey can take much longer than expected, and carriages can be cold in winter.

By sea

  • The cargo-passenger ship between Wonsan and Niigata in Japan is suspended indefinitely.
  • The source describes a cruise between northeastern China and Mount Kumgang. It is open only to Chinese citizens and takes 22 hours each way.

Customs

  • Entry requirements can change without warning. The source says ordinary tours were limited to Russian citizens as of September 2026.
  • Drugs, pornography and material considered ideological can lead to severe punishment, including the death penalty.
  • Importing or exporting North Korean won is strictly forbidden.

Getting around

  • Tour buses

    Your tour company arranges transport, usually by bus. You must remain with your guide. Travelling around alone is not allowed. Ask permission before leaving your hotel, and have a guide accompany you.

  • Flights and trains

    Tours to remote places such as Paekdusan or Mount Chilbo sometimes use chartered Air Koryo flights. Some tours include a train journey from Pyongyang to Sinuiju and a one-day visit there. The source says the Sinuiju stopover option is not available to United States citizens.

  • Metro and guided walks

    Most Pyongyang tours include a closely managed ride of one metro station. Other local public transport is generally unavailable to tourists. Some travel agents can arrange guided walks through parts of Pyongyang for small groups.

What to see and do

  • Pyongyang museums and monuments

    Tours commonly visit war museums, memorials and monuments to the country’s leaders and ruling party. Guides control access and photography.

  • Panmunjom and the Demilitarized Zone

    This heavily guarded border area is a common tour stop. Stay with your group because the surrounding area contains minefields and other traps.

  • Mansudae

    This monument site has statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Follow your guide’s instructions about photographs.

  • Friendship Exhibition

    The exhibition displays gifts given to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il from around the world. Photography inside is prohibited.

  • Kumsusan Memorial Palace

    The palace is among the sites described in the source. Photography inside is prohibited.

  • Bowling

    Bowling is one of the recreational activities available within tourist facilities.

Food and drink

  • Tour meals

    Meals are usually arranged in advance. Tell your tour operator beforehand about vegetarian needs, allergies or foods you cannot eat.

  • Local restaurants

    A visit to a restaurant serving local residents may be possible. Ask your guide.

  • Italian restaurants in Pyongyang

    The source describes restaurants on Kwangbok Street and near the USS Pueblo. Arrange a visit through your guide and expect a possible extra charge.

  • Burger restaurants

    Pyongyang has burger restaurants, including one in the Youth Hotel. Visits usually need to be arranged with your guide.

  • Bottled water

    Use bottled water for drinking. Tap water may not be properly treated.

  • Insam-ju

    This local spirit is Korean vodka infused with ginseng roots.

Money

North Korean won (₩; currency code KPW). Most short-term tourists pay in foreign cash instead.

  • Tourist shops and restaurants commonly accept United States dollars, euros and Chinese yuan. The source also lists Japanese yen as an alternative.
  • Bring plenty of small notes and change. Sellers often cannot give change.
  • Tourists may obtain and spend won only at Kwangbok Supermarket and in the Rason Special Economic Zone.
  • Most hotel, transport and meal costs are paid to the tour operator before departure.

Tipping: The source includes tips for guides among visitors’ extra expenses, but gives no suggested amount.

Typical costs

  • The source gives a tour range of US$70–200 per day, including accommodation, sightseeing and meals.
  • It gives a high-season week at a four-star hotel as €1,300–1,600 through a tour operator, with some weeks as low as €800.
  • It suggests €200 for a week of water, drinks, souvenirs and guide tips.
  • A large local beer at a Pyongyang hotel bar cost US$2 in September 2017. This is a historical price.

Language

  • Korean is the official language.
  • Most guides speak English and translate for visitors.
  • Some guides also speak Mandarin, German, Russian, Japanese or Spanish.
chosŏn-mal (조선말)
The preferred North Korean name for the Korean language.
chosŏn'gŭl (조선글)
The North Korean name for the Korean alphabet.

Staying safe

  • Detention can be arbitrary and indefinite, and severe penalties have been applied to visitors. Do not travel if you cannot accept these risks and strict limits on your behaviour.
  • Stay with your guides and within approved areas. Do not leave your hotel without permission and a guide.
  • Avoid criticism of the leaders, government, ruling party or country. Your words can also put your guide at risk.
  • Do not assume conversations are private, even in rooms without North Koreans present. The source reports government use of recording devices.
1 common scams in North Korea, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Be polite to your guides and driver.
  • Listen to your guide and follow instructions at every stop.
  • Keep a serious expression during political presentations and visits to monuments.
  • Ask before taking photographs if you are unsure.

Don't

  • Do not mock or criticise the leaders, government, political beliefs or country.
  • Do not argue with the official account of the Korean War. This can cause problems for you and your guide.
  • Do not photograph military installations or enter forbidden areas.
  • Do not treat private rooms as safe places for sensitive conversations.

Staying healthy

  • Drink bottled water. The source reports visitors being hospitalised after drinking local water.
  • Arrange food allergies and dietary needs with your tour operator before travelling.
  • Medical facilities outside Pyongyang may be limited or outdated. Even the capital’s major hospitals may struggle with complex treatment.
  • Serious illness may require an airlift to China for treatment.

Where to stay

  • Visitors may stay only in designated tourist hotels. Payment is in foreign currency.
  • Accommodation is usually booked and paid for through your tour operator before departure.
  • Lower-category hotels, group travel and the November–March low season may reduce costs.
  • Hotel location affects how much you can walk around. Always follow your guide’s instructions about leaving the hotel.

Outdoor adventures in North Korea

North Korea has mountain scenery, hiking at Myohyangsan, caves at Songam Cavern and skiing at Masikryong. Visitors must travel on supervised guided tours and stay in approved areas. Breaking the rules can lead to detention and severe penalties.

  • Baekdu Mountains

    More to doBaekdu Mountains

    Visit as part of a guided tour. Your guides decide which areas you can visit.

    • Stay with your guides and within approved areas.

  • Kumgangsan

    More to doDonghae Coast

    Visit on a guided tour that includes the mountain. Your guides control access.

    • Do not leave your group or approved visitor areas.

  • Myohyangsan

    Hike

    Visit through a guided tour. Follow the walking arrangements set by your guides.

    • Stay with your guides.

  • Masikryong ski resort

    SkiingDonghae Coastnear Wonsan

    A visit may be included in a wider guided tour of North Korea. The resort is near Wonsan.

    • Winter temperatures in North Korea can fall to -30°C.

  • Songam Cavern

    CavePyongannear Kaechon

    Visit through a guided tour that includes Songam Cavern in Kaechon.

    • Follow your guides and stay in approved areas.

  • Pyongyang Marathon

    More to doPyongannear Pyongyang

    April

    Sign up through an official tour operator. Named operators include UriTours, KoryoGroup and Young Pioneer Tours. The event is listed at May Day Stadium.

    • Cost: USD 50–100

Airports, metros and trains in North Korea

Airports with scheduled flights

  • FNJPyongyang Sunan International AirportPyongyangMain international airport

Metro and subway

  • PyongyangPyongyang Metro17 stations22.5 kmsince 1973

Trains

Rail network
5,735 km
Electrified
3,894 km

People and safety in North Korea

Religion

Most people are No religion. Mixed.

  • No religion71%
  • Other13%
  • Folk religions12%
  • Christian2%
  • Buddhist2%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal in law, risky in places

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Legal gender change is not recognised.

Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 0 of 198 countries can visit North Korea easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa required197
  • Admission refused1

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa0 of 54 countries
  • Asia0 of 49 countries
  • Europe0 of 46 countries
  • Americas0 of 35 countries
  • Oceania0 of 14 countries

Questions

Can I explore on my own?

No. You must travel on a guided tour and have a guide accompany you outside approved hotel areas.

How do I arrange transport and accommodation?

Your tour operator normally arranges transport, designated tourist hotels and meals. These are usually paid for before departure.

What cash should I bring?

Tourists mainly use United States dollars, Chinese yuan or euros. Bring small notes and change because sellers often cannot give change.

Will I be able to communicate in English?

Most guides speak English and can translate. Speaking with local residents may be difficult because of language barriers and official discouragement.

Can I take photographs?

Only where permitted. Ask your guide first, and expect possible camera checks when leaving by train.

Can I drink tap water?

Stick to bottled water. Tap water may not be properly treated, and the source reports visitors becoming ill after drinking it.

Can vegetarian diets or food allergies be accommodated?

Make arrangements with your tour operator in advance. Meals are normally planned as part of the tour, and food variety can be limited.

What is the weather like?

Summers are warm, with most rain falling in summer, while winter temperatures can fall to -30°C. Flooding can be severe, and typhoons sometimes occur in early autumn.

What happens if I become seriously ill?

Local hospitals may not be able to provide complex care, and an airlift to China may be needed. Most organised tours require travel insurance.

Are power cuts common enough to affect activities?

Power cuts can happen without warning and last for hours. They can interrupt activities, including amusement-park rides.

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