North Korea travel guide

Getting there

Access, when permitted, is via flights or trains from Beijing or Dandong in China, and occasionally via Vladivostok in Russia. Borders and tourism have been closed for long periods, so check current status with official sources.

Best time to visit: Apr–May and Sep–Oct – mild weather and clear skies.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly to Pyongyang, with live one-way and return fares from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: July-August for heavy monsoon rain and humidity, and December-February for bitter cold.

Weather by month in Pyongyang

• -3°J
• 1°F
• 8°M
• 16°A●
• 22°M●
• 26°J●●
• 28°J●●●
• 29°A●●●
• 25°S●
• 18°O●
• 9°N●
• 0°D

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Asia/Pyongyang. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 0 of 198 other passports can enter North Korea without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 198 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of North Korea (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2025-04-29). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to North Korea are based around Pyongyang, Kaesong or Panmunjom (DMZ). Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$ for a backpacker and US$150–300 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: C, F. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +850.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Pyongyang (Capital · monuments): A city of wide boulevards, grand monuments and the Taedong River, seen only on a guided tour.
• Kaesong (South · historic capital): Former capital of the Goryeo dynasty, with UNESCO-listed monuments near the DMZ.
• Panmunjom (DMZ) (Border · Joint Security Area): The site where the 1953 armistice was signed and the two Koreas meet.
• Mount Myohyang (North · mountains & temples): Forested peaks with historic Buddhist temples and walking trails.
• Mount Kumgang (Southeast · scenic mountains): The famed 'Diamond Mountains', celebrated in Korean art and poetry for their granite peaks.
• Mount Paektu (Northern border · volcano): The highest mountain on the peninsula, with the striking Heaven Lake in its crater.
• Wonsan (East coast · port & beaches): A coastal city with beaches and a newly developed resort area.
• Rason (Far northeast · special economic zone): A trading zone near the Chinese and Russian borders that has sometimes been open to visitors.

Things to do

• See Pyongyang's monuments. Visit the Juche Tower, Kim Il Sung Square and the Arch of Triumph on a guided city tour.
• Ride the Pyongyang Metro. Travel deep underground through stations decorated with chandeliers and mosaics.
• Visit the DMZ at Panmunjom. See the Joint Security Area and the armistice talks site from the northern side.
• Explore Kaesong's heritage. Walk through the old Goryeo capital, its Confucian academy and royal tombs.
• Hike Mount Myohyang. Visit the Buddhist temple of Pohyon and the vast hall of gifts presented to the country's leaders.
• Run the Pyongyang Marathon. Join amateur runners in one of the few events open to foreign participants, when held.
• Taste naengmyeon. Try Pyongyang's famous cold buckwheat noodles at a local restaurant.
• See the Goguryeo tombs. View ancient burial mounds whose murals are among the finest early Korean art.

Eat and drink

• Naengmyeon – cold buckwheat noodles in chilled broth
• Kimchi – spicy fermented vegetables
• Bibimbap – rice with mixed vegetables

Money and safety

Currency: North Korean won (KPW). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers are customary at the end of a tour.

• Tourists generally cannot use the local currency; tour costs are paid in advance and on-the-ground spending is usually in euros, Chinese yuan or US dollars.
• Foreign bank cards and ATMs do not work for visitors, so bring cash in small denominations.
• Many governments advise against all travel to North Korea, and some prohibit or restrict it – check your government's latest travel advice before considering a trip.
• Foreigners are subject to strict local laws; seemingly minor acts such as taking unauthorised photos or damaging propaganda can lead to detention.