East Asia
North Korea
Only reachable on state-guided group tours, and since March 2025 closed to almost all Western tourists; Russian groups are the main exception. Every move is supervised, and small mistakes can mean detention.
- Visa0 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyKPWWonDetails
- English1/5Rare
- PlugsType C, F220 V, 50 HzDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink only bottled or boiled water and avoid ice; cholera occurs.Details
- DrivingOn the rightVisitors cannot drive; IDPs aren't valid, and all transport comes with your guides.
Where to go in North Korea
1 place with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PyongyangCapital city | 2/5 | — | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | — |
When to visit North Korea
When tours run, April–June and September–October are mildest. July–August brings heavy rain and floods; winters are bitterly cold.
Good to know
Entry
- Tourism only through approved agencies working with the state tourism bureaus; independent travel is not possible.
- As of late 2026, borders remain shut to most Western tourists after a brief Rason reopening in early 2025; the 2026 Pyongyang Marathon was cancelled.
- US passports are not valid for travel to North Korea without a special State Department validation.
- Phones are registered at the border, GPS devices held, and Korean-language or religious materials can be treated as subversive.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Never fold, damage or casually photograph images of the leaders.
- Photograph only with your guide's permission, never soldiers or military sites.
- Insulting or joking about the leadership or political system is a serious crime.
Etiquette
- Bow when your group lays flowers at leader monuments.
- Hold leader images upright and never sit on newspapers carrying them.
- Ask your guide before every photo, and accept a refusal.
- Stay with your group; never wander off alone.
Tipping
Guides and drivers expect a tip at the end of the tour; your agency will suggest an amount.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.