North Korea Travel Guide

Social Conventions

Discretion and a low political profile are advised.

Photography: It is strongly advised to ask permission before taking a photo. Photographs of Korean officials or guarded buildings should be avoided.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airline is Air Koryo (JS).

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Pyongyang (FNJ) (Sunan) is 24km (15 miles) from the city (journey time – 45 minutes). Facilities: Bars, restaurants and duty-free shops.

Getting There By Water

Main ports:Chongjin, Haeju, Hungnam, Kimchaek, Kosong, Najin, Sinuiju, Sonbong, Songnim, Unsang, Wonsan, Nampo and Pyongyang.

Getting There By Rail

The country has a relatively good rail network with connections to China and the Russian Federation. The Trans-Mongolian Railway and Trans-China Railway runs between Shineuiju and China. Namyang connects with the Trans-Manchurian Railway and the Trans-Siberian Railway links Rajin with the Russian Federation. Test trains crossed the border to the Republic of Korea in May 2007 for the first time in over 50 years. However, there are no passenger services at present.

Getting There By Road

There are roads from Dandong, Lu-ta, Liaoyang, Jilin and Changchun in China and Vladivostock in the Russian Federation, but foreigners are only permitted to enter the country by rail or by air.

Duty Free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Korea (Dem Rep) without incurring customs duty:

• A reasonable amount of tobacco and alcoholic beverages.

Note: Gifts, precious metals and personal items such as cameras, watches and tape recorders must be declared.

Restricted items: Animals, plants and all groceries require certificates of entry.

Prohibited Imports

Binoculars, arms, ammunition, explosives, drugs, any books or literature in Korean language and seeds.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

There are flights from Chongjin, Hamhung, Kaesong, Kanggye, Kiliju, Pyongyang, Sinuiju and Wonsan, although foreigners are not allowed to use these.

Getting Around By Rail

The extensive rail network built by the Japanese during WWII has been broken by the separation of North and South Korea, but the main passenger routes run from Pyongyang to Sinuiju, Haeju and Chongjin. Service, however, is slow. Timetables are not published and it is advised to purchase tickets through a travel agent.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the right. The quality of major roads is good; many are dual carriageways. All roads leading out of Pyongyang have police security checkpoints where identity documents must be produced before continuing the journey. There are no buses between cities. There are very few road signs.

Documentation: International driving licenses are not accepted and in order to drive within the country it is necessary to sit a local driving test and obtain a local license.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Pyongyang has a two-line metro and regular bus services.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Pyongyang to other major cities/towns in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

	Road	Rail
Diamond Mt	10.00	-
Kaesong	8.00	6.00
Nampo	1.30	8.00