Reaching Pyongyang, the capital city of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), is not as straightforward as traveling to other international destinations due to the country's strict travel regulations. Below is a guide for planning your trip to Pyongyang.
To enter North Korea, you will generally need to travel through China, as direct flights or other means of transportation from most other countries are not available due to international sanctions and travel restrictions.
Beijing to Pyongyang: The most common route is to take a flight from Beijing, China. Air Koryo, the state-owned national airline, and Air China both operate regular flights to Pyongyang. Booking this flight must be done through a travel agency that specializes in North Korean travel.
Vladivostok to Pyongyang: Air Koryo also operates flights from Vladivostok, Russia to Pyongyang, although these are less frequent.
Beijing to Pyongyang: There is a train service that runs from Beijing to Pyongyang, which operates several times a week. The journey takes approximately 24 hours. Please note that restrictions may apply and not all nationalities are allowed to use this service.
Dandong to Pyongyang: For a shorter train trip, you can travel to Dandong, the Chinese city on the border with North Korea, and then take a train into Pyongyang. This trip takes about 6 hours.
Traveling by road is generally restricted to Chinese tours and is not typically available for most foreign tourists.
To visit North Korea, you will need a tourist visa. The visa process is managed by specialized travel agencies, as independent travel to North Korea is not permitted. You will need to book a guided tour with an approved North Korean tour company, which will also handle your visa application. Individual tourism is not allowed; you must be part of a guided tour.
When planning your trip to Pyongyang, it is critical that you do thorough research and use a reputable travel agency that has experience arranging tours to North Korea. Remember that traveling to North Korea carries significant risks and is subject to the political climate between North Korea and the rest of the world.
