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[email protected] | + 86 10 6416 7544 Room A409, Jucai Building. No. 76 Caoyuan Hutong. Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100027, PR China

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Watch CBS News

Here's what it will cost you to travel to North Korea

By Aimee Picchi

June 27, 2017 / 5:00 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

Each year, hundreds of Americans pay to travel to North Korea, governed by one of the harshest regimes on earth.

The tragic death of Otto Warmbier , the University of Virginia student who died soon after he was freed from North Korean custody and returned to the U.S., has piqued questions among many Americans about what type of traveler would want to visit the reclusive country. Even though the U.S. State Department "strongly warns" Americans to avoid entering North Korea, by one estimate, about  800 U.S. citizens make their way inside its borders each year . 

Visiting the country isn't terribly expensive or difficult to organize, although it will cost Americans from just $500 to about $2,500 for a preplanned tour, depending on the length of the trip. Several groups offer all-inclusive package tours of North Korea, such as Koryo Tours. Young Pioneers Tours, the group that organized Warmbier's tour, said it's no longer accepting Americans traveling on U.S. passports because it now considers the risks "too high."

The tours start from Beijing, which means American travelers must also buy airfare to China. The reason Westerners travel to North Korea despite warnings and concerns over the regime include fascination with seeing first-hand an isolated and secretive communist country.

"It's a world that's sort of fascinated me for a very long time," said Tristan Kneschke, a digital colorist who visited North Korea in 2015 and who documented his trip at the online magazine Across the Margin. "I've always had an interest in dystopian literature. It's the closest I could get to being in a book like '1984.'"

Kneschke, who took a Koryo Tours trip, said he would probably think twice about booking a North Korea trip today given Warmbier's case, but he added the trip changed him by helping him appreciate the freedoms enjoyed in the U.S. 

The tour group provides an orientation about how to behave in North Korea, and he said one of his preparations for the trip was cleaning most of his files from his laptop because North Korean officials search travelers' electronics. Anything political or that the regime could misconstrue could get a traveler in trouble, he noted.

"They literally asked me, 'Do you have any movie files?'" he said. "In that context, a tragic story like Otto Warmbier makes a little more sense. This isn't a country that can take a joke."

Warmbier was convicted in 2016 by North Korean officials of trying to steal a propaganda poster and sentenced to 15 years hard labor. He was released more than year later in a medically induced coma, and he died in the U.S. a few days after his release. He was 22. 

Visiting North Korea "wasn't like a trip to Europe," Kneschke said. North Korean minders accompany tour groups to make sure tourists don't stray from designated areas. Despite the risks, Kneschke said he felt fairly safe because the group's tour guide and the North Korean minders kept a close eye on travelers. "It was difficult to run off," he noted. 

The cost of a North Korean trip may be reasonable, but the accommodations and food were disappointing, Kneschke said.

"The food was terrible," he said. "It was one of the worst things there. One, they're very regimented. If our tour group was running 10 minutes late, the food is already out, so now it's at room temperatures. They have a lack of seasoning, no salt and pepper."

As it stands now, Americans can still travel to North Korea, although the Trump administration is now considering banning U.S. citizens from making the trip. At Koryo, the next available tour leaves on July 22 and will set back adventurous travelers by 1,850 euros, or about $2,070. 

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Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

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North Korea Private Tours

As North Korea private tour specialists with over 15 years of experience, we arrange exclusive private tours for individuals, friends, families, and colleagues who seek a unique and personalised travel experience in North Korea.

Choose from our curated  Signature Series itineraries or design your own tailor-made tour with us. We can arrange visits to all 9 provinces in North Korea, which covers all corners of the country. There is far more to see and do in North Korea than you may expect!

On a private tour, enjoy the flexibility of choosing your own travel dates, subject to the Air Koryo flight schedule   and/or the China-DPRK train schedule .

If you are interested in a private tour to North Korea, please contact us.

What's included in a North Korea Private Tour?

Our private tour packages are all-inclusive of return transport (either train or flight) to North Korea,  premium accommodations , all meals, entry fees, two local English-speaking North Korean guides, modern air-conditioned land transport, and driver.

Our packages include the best available accommodations in each region. We are the only operator providing upgraded 4 and 5-star accommodation options at standard tour rates. A tour to North Korea is certain to be packed with activities and the importance of a comfortable night’s rest, reliable facilities, and amenities cannot be overstated.

Local North Korean guides can be arranged that speak the following languages fluently: English, Chinese, German, Russian, Spanish, French, Italian, and Thai.

Prices are per person in Euros (EUR) based on twin/double occupancy. If you wish to have your own room (excluding 1 person rate), there is a single supplement of €40 per night.

North Korea Private Tours from Beijing

Beijing is the primary hub facilitating travel to North Korea, offering transport to Pyongyang by either train or by flight.

The below base pricing includes round-trip transport between Beijing and Pyongyang by train .

You can upgrade to flight either one-way or return, and business class is available.

• Upgrade to one-way flight between Beijing and Pyongyang (either way): €195
• Upgrade to return flights between Beijing and Pyongyang: €295
• North Korean visa service: €60 . We don't need your physical passport for this process.

North Korea Private Tours from Shanghai

Visiting North Korea from Shanghai is the best value option! Enjoy an entire extra full day of activities compared to a tour from Beijing of the same length. See below for an example:

3 Night tour return from Beijing: Day 1:  Depart Beijing 13:05 arriving Pyongyang 16:05. Day 2:   Full day of activities Day 3:   Full day of activities Day 4:  Depart Pyongyang 08:30 arriving Beijing 09:50.

2.5 Night tour return from Shanghai: Day 1:  Depart Shanghai 22:35 arriving Pyongyang 01:55 (+1 day) Day 2:   Full day of activities Day 3:   Full day of activities Day 4:   Full day of activities , depart Pyongyang 19:55 arriving Shanghai 21:35

Pricing includes return flights between Shanghai (PVG) and Pyongyang (FNJ) on Air Koryo. Upgrades to business class are available.

Flights between Shanghai and Pyongyang run from April - November.

• North Korean visa service: €70 . We don't need your physical passport for this process.
• To see why visiting North Korea from Shanghai could be perfect for you, read our blog post!

North Korea Private Tours from Shenyang

Shenyang is the largest city in northeast China, and it's international airport services flights to Pyongyang. Shenyang is the only hub with Air Koryo flights between Pyongyang on Wednesdays .

Pricing includes return flights between Shenyang (SHE) and Pyongyang (FNJ) on Air Koryo. Upgrades to business class are available.

North Korea Private Tours from Vladivostok

The city of Vladivostok in Russia's far east is the only hub outside China operating scheduled flights to Pyongyang. Flights operate from Vladivostok International Airport (VVO).

Pricing includes return flights between Vladivostok (VVO) and Pyongyang (FNJ) on Air Koryo. Upgrades to business class are available.

• North Korean visa service: €110 . We don't need your physical passport for this process.

North Korea Group Tours vs. Private Tours

Young Pioneer Tours

North Korea Tours

North korea tours 2024 – 2025.

Are you ready to travel to North Korea? Below is our highly anticipated North Korean tour schedule. Our North Korean group tours are accompanied by a YPT guide and to encourage friendships and good times we cap our tour groups at a maximum of 24 people. Once we hit 25 we divide our North Korean tours into different groups, all accompanied by a YPT and North Korean tour guide.

Book your North Korea tour with the number one North Korean travel agency

As we like to say, “we do group tours for people who hate group tours” . All DPRK tours, unless otherwise stated, originate and end in Beijing. Our Ultra Budget tours to North Korea start and finish in Dandong – the border town of China to North Korea. All tour prices include entry and exit into North Korea by train, with optional flight upgrades available for selected tours. YPT charges an additional €50 to process your DPRK visa in Beijing or Dandong. Every facet of the visa process is taken care of by YPT. For more information on travelling to the DPRK head to our FAQ page .

Browse through our North Korean tour programmes below, and contact us to secure your visit to the DPRK!

• €895 / €1245 / €1445

Kim Il Sung Birthday Tour

Without a doubt the largest celebration of the year with a great chance to explore the country

• Start Date : April 11th 2024 End Date : April 17th / April 20th / April 22nd 2024
• Duration: 5 days / 8 days / 10 days
• Flight option: €245 flight one way or €395 return

• €995 / €1295

Pyongyang Marathon & Kim Il Sung Birthday Tour

Join us for the Pyongyang Marathon, a run of a lifetime!

• Start Date : April 11th 2024 End Date : April 17th / 20th 2024
• Duration: 5 days / 8 days
• Flight option: €285 flight one way or €395 return

Pyongyang Marathon Ultra Budget Tour

The cheapest tour for you to partake in the Pyongyang Marathon event!

• Start Date : April 13th 2024 End Date : April 15th 2024
• Duration: 2 nights, 3 days
• Train option: either way between Dandong and Beijing

Kim Il Sung Birthday Ultra Budget Tour

The most affordable way to partake in the massive birthday celebrations in Pyongyang

• Start Date : April 14th 2024 End Date : April 16th 2024

May Day Tour

Great weather has arrived and the largest Mass Dance performance is planned. Don't miss out!

• Start Date : April 29th 2024 End Date : May 5th / May 8th / May 10th 2024
• Flight option: €195 flight one way or €295 return

May Day Ultra Budget Tour

Music, dancing, sports, games, and the most incredible weather in Pyongyang.

• Start Date : April 30th 2024 End Date : May 2nd 2024

• €475 / €595 / €695

Spring Ultra Budget & DMZ with Pyongyang Trade Fair Extension tour

Experience Pyongyang in full bloom, and have the chance to visit the DMZ and Trade Fair.

• Start Date : May 10th 2024 End Date : May 12th / 13th / 14th 2024
• Duration: 3 days / 4 days / 5 days

Dragon Boat Festival Ultra Budget Tour with DMZ & Sinuijiu Extension

Escape the crowds in China and explore North Korea on a budget!

• Start Date : June 10th 2024 End Date : June 12th / 13th / 14th 2024

All Koreas Part 1: North Korea Borderlands

North Korea Borderlands - What we believe to be the most fascinating border ever.

• Start Date : June 14th 2024 End Date : June 21st 2024
• Duration: 7 nights, 8 days

All Koreas Part 2: North Korea Tour

Journey through the rural northeast down to Pyongyang and the DMZ

• Start Date : June 19th 2024 End Date : June 30th 2024
• Duration: 10 nights, 11 days
• Flight option: €195 flight out

June Ultra Budget Tour & Sinuiju Extension

See and do all the must-sees of Pyongyang and experience the border town of Sinuiju and Dandong

• Start Date : June 28th 2024 End Date : June 30th / July 1st / 2nd 2024

DPRK: Political Interest Tour – July 2024

A spectacular tour to learn about the history and politics between China and the DPRK.

• Start Date : July 1st 2024 End Date : July 7th 2024
• Duration: 4 nights, 5 days

July Ultra Budget Tour & Sinuiju Extension

Exploring Pyongyang is one thing. Seeing the bordertown of Sinuiju is another. Not to be missed.

• Start Date : July 12th 2024 End Date : July 14th / 15th / 16th 2024

• €895 / €1245

Victory Day Tour

The nation's most famous celebration! Join us as we explore Pyongyang, DMZ, Mt Myohyang & Nampo!

• Start Date : July 24th 2024 End Date : July 30th / August 2nd 2024

Victory Day & Mount Paektu Tour

Board a chartered flight to North Korea's most remote and stunning scenery - Mount Paektu

• Start Date : July 24th 2024 End Date : August 2nd 2024

Victory Day Ultra Budget Tour

The cheapest way to get involved in the Victory Day celebrations!

• Start Date : July 26th 2024 End Date : July 28th 2024

• €495 / €595

Pyongyang Bicycle Ultra Budget Tour & DMZ Extension with Mass Games

Ditch the bus and hop on your bike! There's no better way to explore Pyongyang.

• Start Date : August 2nd 2024 End Date : August 4th / 5th 2024
• Duration: 3 days / 4 days

Liberation Day Tour With Mass Games – August 2024

Join us for Liberation Day celebrations in Pyongyang and explore the DPRK borders

• Start Date : August 11th 2024 End Date : August 18th 2024
• Duration: 5 nights, 6 days
• Flight option: €195 flight in

• €1195 / €1445

Liberation Day & Summer Tour With Mass Games – August 2024

Visit Pyongyang and stay longer as you explore North Korea's best beaches and hiking treks

• Start Date : August 12th 2024 End Date : August 20th / 23rd 2024
• Duration: 7 days / 10 days

Liberation Day Ultra Budget Tour With Mass Games

The cheapest way to celebrate Liberation Day in Pyongyang

• Start Date : August 14th 2024 End Date : August 16th 2024

Mass Games Ultra Budget Tour

The cheapest way to explore Pyongyang and to watch the Mass Games!

• Start Date : August 23rd 2024 End Date : August 25th 2024

Grand National Day & North East Tour With Mass Games

Explore Pyongyang and head northeast to the rural region of North Hamgyong province

• Start Date : September 4th 2024 End Date : September 15th 2024
• Duration: 9 nights, 10 days

Grand National Day Tour With Mass Games – September 2024

One of the largest celebrations with mass dance, fireworks and lots more

• Start Date : September 5th 2024 End Date : September 11th 2024

Unseen DPRK & Entire Pyongyang Metro Tour With Mass Games – September 2024

Explore Pyongyang's complete Metro system and adventure to the east coast of Korea

• Start Date : September 6th 2024 End Date : September 15th 2024

Grand National Day Ultra Budget Tour With Mass Games

Celebrate national day with the locals and watch the mass dance with possible fireworks!

• Start Date : September 8th 2024 End Date : September 10th 2024

Pyongyang International Film Festival Ultra Budget Tour

Experience North Korea's pop culture in Pyongyang

• Start Date : September 13th 2024 End Date : September 15th 2024

Pyongyang Autumn Marathon Ultra Budget Tour With Mass Games

Take part in the Marathon of a lifetime and experience the sights and sounds of Pyongyang!

• Start Date : September 14th 2024 End Date : September 16th 2024

• €995 / €1095

Chinese National Day Tour With Mass Games – October 2024

October holiday is one of the best times not to be in China and the best time to be in the DPRK

• Start Date : September 26th 2024 End Date : October 2nd / 3rd 2024
• Duration: 5 days / 6 days

Chinese National Day Ultra Budget Tour With Mass Games

The cheapest way to escape the madness in China during Golden Week. Come explore Pyongyang!

• Start Date : October 4th 2024 End Date : October 6th 2024

Party Foundation Day & Mount Kumgang Tour With Mass Games

Join us for the celebrations in Pyongyang and journey to Mount Kumgang!

• Start Date : October 6th 2024 End Date : October 16th 2024
• Duration: 8 nights, 9 days

Party Foundation Day Tour With Mass Games – October 2024

Take part in the Party Foundation Day celebrations and explore the west coast

• Start Date : October 7th 2024 End Date : October 13th 2024

Party Foundation Day Ultra Budget Tour With Mass Games

The cheapest way to partake in the Party Foundation Day celebrations in Pyongyang.

• Start Date : October 9th 2024 End Date : October 11th 2024

The Real Deal Tour With Mass Games – October 2024

A tour that'll show you everything there is in North Korea and more

• Start Date : October 19th 2024 End Date : October 30th 2024

Winter Ultra Budget Tour and Sinuiju Extension

Explore Pyongyang and the border town of Sinuiju & Dandong on a budget!

• Start Date : November 8th 2024 End Date : November 10th / 11th / 12th 2024

DPRK Winter Essential Tour

Come explore Pyongyang as we usually encounter the country's first snowfall

• Start Date : November 18th 2024 End Date : November 24th 2024

• €475 / €595

Christmas in Pyongyang & DMZ Tour - December 2024

What better way to spend Christmas than in the heart of Pyongyang!

• Start Date : December 24th 2024 End Date : December 26th / 27th 2024

New Year’s Tour - December 2024

The most exciting and unique trip begin your New Year!

• Start Date : December 29th 2024 End Date : January 4th 2025

New Year’s Ultra Budget Tour

The cheapest possible way to celebrate your New Year's in North Korea!

• Start Date : December 30th 2024 End Date : January 1st 2025

Our classic tours will have you visiting the must-see sights of Pyongyang as well as a visit down to the DMZ where North and South Korea are divided.

The Mass Games is the world’s largest performance as approved by the Guinness Book of Records with over 100,000 individual performers participating in a synchronized dance or gymnastics act held in May Day stadium, which is also the world’s largest sta …

The cheapest possible way to visit North Korea – ever! By making use of traveling from Dandong, the Chinese border city to the DPRK (easily reachable from China), we can offer an unbeatable price that has you in the country for two nights and three days, inclusive of one full day of seeing all the main sites of Pyongyang and hitting the town on both nights of the trip.

Partake in either the 5km, 10km, 20km or the full marathon that’ll take you through the streets of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital! This incredible event is open to all amateur runners. A very surreal experience that’ll leave you with unforgettable memories of a run of a lifetime, join us as 100,000 locals cheer you on! The opening and closing ceremonies are also not to be missed.

Our Rason and North East tours are famous for being tours that take you well off the beaten track in an already sparsely visited country. Whilst Pyongyang and other southern regions are popular amongst tourists traveling to the DPRK, our tours to Rason and the North East give you a closer look, directly into the rural life of North Koreans and North Korea’s only Special Economy Zone.

We can provide exciting new angles for your North Korea travel adventure. We believe that one of the best ways to get involved and to learn more about a country is to specifically focus on one unique aspect of the country’s culture and tradition – whether it’s something very rarely seen, done or performed in the DPRK, or not! We have the tools to make your adventure happen.

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DPRK (North Korea)

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Our private independent tours are a great way to travel to the North Korea if you want to have a more personal experience, fix your own dates, travel at your own pace, or explore specific aspects of this fascinating and complex country.

Private Independent Tours by Koryo

Koryo Tours offers customised private independent tours based on more than 25 years of experience arranging tours to North Korea.

Contact us to get in touch with one of our expert tour managers who will help design a tailored tour itinerary and package for you based on your available dates, budget, and interests. Download our new (and free!) Koryo Tours North Korea Guide Book to explore where you can go and what you can see.

We offer both standard and budget private independent tour packages to North Korea. Our base tour packages include transport between Beijing and Pyongyang by train with transfer at Dandong (hard-sleeper, six-beds per cabin), accommodation in North Korea, meals, and entry fees.

In North Korea, two professional Korean guides will accompany your party and you will have your own driver and vehicle, allowing you to travel at your own pace. Koryo Tours staff provide a thorough pre-tour briefing on travel guidelines, etiquette, safety, and travel in North Korea, but do not accompany private tours in-country.

Base pricing depends on your group size, the length of the tour, and hotel class. Please see below for details and for upgrades, such as flights from Beijing, Shenyang, Vladivostok, or Shanghai - as well as other exciting add-ons.

For groups of 16 travellers or more, we can send one of our expert tour leaders to accompany your group or provide additional discounts. Our tour leaders' schedules fill up so contact us early!

About Budget Hotels in North Korea

Budget hotel options in Korea are generally decent and clean, but with limited facilities and limited hours of hot water depending on the time of year. Choose from the Sosan, Chongryon, Changgwangsan, Haebangsan, Rakrang, or Ryanggang Hotels in Pyongyang, each with its own character.

Our North Korea budget tours are designed to provide a budget option for all travellers. We do not offer discounts on our budget tours except to children under the age of 12.

About Standard Hotels in North Korea

Standard hotels in North Korea typically have comprehensive facilities (restaurants, shops, entertainment) as well as 24-hour hot water and electricity. Choose from the Yanggakdo or Koryo Hotels in Pyongyang, home away from home for most visitors to North Korea.

We offer discounts on our standard North Korea private tours for full-time students, return customers, and children under the age of 12.

Transport Upgrades

One-way flight upgrade to/from Beijing - 249 EUR per person.

Round-trip flight upgrade from Beijing - 349 EUR per person

See our schedule for Trains and Flights to North Korea 2018-9

Take the train from North Korea to Russia!

In 2018 Koryo Tours, pioneered a new train route from Pyongyang Rason in North Korea's far northeast or to Vladivostok and beyond! See our Trans-DPRK Rail: Across North Korea by Local Train extension for more details

Train and other transport upgrades coming soon!

Run the Pyongyang Marathon on 12 April 2020!

North Korea Visa Service

We offer a North Korean visa service in Beijing for 50 EUR and do not need your physical passport for the process. North Korean visas issued in Beijing are issued as a separate document outside of your passport. This document must be given upon exit from North Korea.

For visa collectors, it is possible to have a visa arranged for issue in your passport if there is a North Korean embassy in your home country. In these cases, an additional visa fee needs to be paid directly to the embassy in cash. This typically ranges from 10-30 EUR, depending on the embassy in questions and fees subject to change. Unfortunately we are unable to request for visas to be affixed to passports outside of your home country.

As a responsible travel company, we require all travellers to North Korea to have insurance coverage for emergency medical evacuation from North Korea and medical treatment.

Insurance for the trip can be booked with Starr Insurance (Shanghai) through Koryo Tours or arranged independently. Please see our insurance page for more details.

Additional Important Information for Travel to North Korea

The default language of our tours is English, but requests can be made for guides who speak German, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Russian, Italian, Polish, Chinese, or Japanese. Guides can, of course, also help with your Korean!

Interested in a private tour? Contact us for a consultation.

The following information is helpful for us in creating a custom itinerary and specific quote for you:

*Number of travellers in your party

*Your available dates and travel restrictions you might have

*Desired length of tour

*Any questions, desired locations, or interests you would like to see reflected in your itinerary.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Last updated 11 December 2018

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[email protected] | + 86 10 6416 7544 Room A409, Jucai Building. No. 76 Caoyuan Hutong. Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100027, PR China

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