So, You Want to Visit North Korea? Here’s What You Need to Know (Visa, Tips & Reality Check)

Okay, let’s be real—travel to North Korea isn’t something most people casually plan. It’s not like booking a weekend in Paris or hopping on a flight to Bali. The Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) is probably one of the most mysterious—and misunderstood—countries on Earth. But yes, you can visit North Korea. Sort of.

Before you even start dreaming about Pyongyang’s wide streets, surreal monuments, or eerie quietness, let me walk you through what it’s actually like planning a trip there. I did it. And no, it’s not exactly your standard vacation. It’s stricter, weirder, and honestly… kinda fascinating.

Wait, Can You Travel to North Korea?

Short answer? Yes. But not in the way you might think.

You can’t just book a flight and roll into North Korea with a backpack. Forget independent travel—it’s not allowed. You need to go with a licensed tour group, and the entire trip will be very tightly controlled by the North Korean government.

And no, if you’re from the U.S. or South Korea, you’re out of luck (at least for now). Can Americans travel to North Korea? Not currently. The U.S. government actually bans its citizens from going. Same for South Koreans.

I’m from Europe, so I had the green light. Still, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.

Getting a Visa: North Korea Style

Forget showing up at the airport with a passport and a smile. You won’t get in.

Here’s how the North Korean visa process actually works:

• First, choose a government-approved tour company (I went with Young Pioneer Tours).
  
• Send them your documents: passport scan, a photo, and your application.
  
• They’ll deal with the North Korean embassy and get back to you with either good news or… silence.
  

The visa isn’t even stamped in your passport. You’ll get a separate piece of paper, which you’ll return when you leave. Sneaky? Maybe. Convenient? Kinda.

Getting There: How Do You Even Fly to North Korea?

You’ll need to go through Beijing. That’s the main hub for all North Korea tours. From there, you’ve got two options:

• Take a flight to Pyongyang with Air Koryo (North Korea’s own airline—it’s an experience).
  
• Or hop on the slow train (takes about 24 hours). I took the flight. It was… fine. Let’s leave it at that.
  

Just don’t forget—you’ll need a Chinese visa with at least two entries. You’ll be coming back the same way you entered.

Is It Safe to Travel to North Korea?

This is probably the question I get asked the most: “Is North Korea safe?”

Honestly? Yes and no. North Korea tourism is heavily controlled. As long as you stay in line and follow all North Korea rules, you’ll be fine. Your guides are there not just to show you around—but to keep you (and themselves) out of trouble.

Break the rules, though? It’s a different story. And the North Korean government type doesn’t exactly deal lightly with tourists who mess up. Think detainment, interrogation, or worse.

Important Travel Tips (From Someone Who’s Been)

1. Choose the Right Tour Company

Seriously. Go with someone reputable. Don’t cheap out on this. You need someone who knows the north korea tourism rules, respects the culture, and can answer when things get weird (and they will).

2. Respect the Kims

Like, really. The North Korean people are taught to worship their leaders. If you laugh at a statue or disrespect an image of Kim Jong Un? You’re done. You might not even make it out.

3. Photos? Be Careful.

You can take pictures, but only when your guides say it’s okay. Military stuff? Off-limits. Construction zones? Nope. Locals? Only if your guide says yes. Don’t be sneaky. They’ll know.

4. Cash Only, Please

There are no ATMs. No card machines. Bring euros or Chinese yuan—those are widely accepted. Don’t bother asking about the currency of North Korea (the won). Tourists can’t use it anyway.

5. Ladies, Take Note

There are some specific North Korea rules for ladies—no short skirts, no exposed shoulders, especially at monuments. When in doubt? Go modest.

What’s It Like in Pyongyang?

Pyongyang blew my mind a little. It’s clean. It’s organized. But it’s also kind of… empty? There’s barely any traffic. Some buildings are lit, some aren’t. You’ll visit places like:

• The Juche Tower
  
• Kim Il Sung Square
  
• The Pyongyang Metro (yes, it’s real—and deep!)
  

Oh, and we visited a local school where kids performed songs and dances. It was clearly staged, but still—amazing effort.

By the way, the Pyongyang population is said to be around 3 million, but you wouldn’t guess it. It’s all very controlled.

The People: Are North Koreans Friendly?

Yes. And no. I mean, we weren’t allowed to talk freely with regular North Korean people. Most of our interactions were with guides, shopkeepers, and performers. They were polite. Smiling, but reserved.

One thing’s for sure: they’re curious about foreigners. And I couldn’t shake the feeling they wished they could ask us more—but knew they couldn’t.

North Korea Laws: Don’t Push the Boundaries

There are so many things you can’t do that are perfectly normal elsewhere. Like:

• Bringing a Bible (seriously, don’t).
  
• Talking about South Korea or asking “is South Korea safe?”
  
• Asking “can you leave North Korea?” (Short answer: not really.)
  
• Questioning the North Korean government or North Korea laws.
  

You can feel the tension in the air. It’s quiet. Almost too quiet. Why is North Korea so strict? That’s a long story tied to decades of politics, isolation, and ideology. And you’re not going to unravel it in a week-long tour.

Can North Koreans Travel?

Not freely. Most North Koreans can’t just grab a North Korean passport and book a trip abroad. They need government permission—and that’s rare. In fact, are North Koreans allowed to travel? Not really. The average citizen stays put their whole life.

That’s why you, as a visitor, are such an anomaly.

Final Thoughts: Should You Go?

Look, I won’t lie—visiting North Korea was one of the most surreal trips I’ve ever taken. Part eerie, part fascinating, and 100% unforgettable. It challenged every idea I had about freedom, reality, and propaganda.

If you’re deeply curious about the world, enjoy thinking critically, and can follow strict rules without fuss, North Korea travel might be for you.

But it’s not for everyone. Don’t go if you can’t keep your mouth shut about politics. Don’t go if you think this is some edgy travel brag. And definitely don’t go if you’re expecting a relaxing vacation.

Your North Korea Travel Checklist

• ✅ Book through a licensed tour company
  
• ✅ Get your visa through them (not on your own)
  
• ✅ Enter via China (you’ll need a double-entry visa)
  
• ✅ Obey the rules at all times
  
• ✅ Bring cash (euros or yuan)
  
• ✅ Respect the locals and their leaders
  
• ✅ Stay alert, open-minded, and curious
  

Would I go again? Maybe not. But I don’t regret it for a second.

Got questions? Want to hear more about the food, hotels, or awkward moments? Drop a comment or send me a message. I’ve got stories.