Capital city, North Korea
Pyongyang
North Korea's capital can be visited only on tightly controlled, state-guided group tours, and almost none are running for Western visitors in 2026. Expect monuments, supervised itineraries and no independent time.
At a glance
- Safety2/5High riskDetails
- Best time to goApr–May, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 29°CDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink only bottled or boiled water and avoid ice.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel1/5English: rareDetails
- Getting aroundGuided tour busYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCash onlyBring euros, US dollars or Chinese yuan in small notes.Details
Apps that work in Pyongyang
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Taxis: No ride apps or independent taxis; tour buses with guides handle all transport.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in North Korea.
- Cash only Bring euros, US dollars or Chinese yuan in small notes. Foreign cards do not work; North Korean won cannot be exported.
- ATMs: No ATMs for visitors; foreign cards don't work anywhere.
- Tipping: Guides and drivers expect a tip at the end of the tour; your agency will suggest an amount.
- Paying by phone: None. Credit cards and international mobile payments are not accepted.
Before you go
Visa and 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.
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Foreign SIMs and roaming don't work. Plan to be offline for the whole trip.
Going to Pyongyang solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Pyongyang meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety 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 Spotted something out of date?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.