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Voykit pocket guide · North Korea (DPRK)
Haeju
해주시
Haeju is a rare port city in western North Korea, but foreign tourists can only visit on a guided tour from Pyongyang. Budget 1–2 days if your itinerary allows; otherwise skip.
Haeju, the capital of South Hwanghae Province, sits on the Yellow Sea coast about 110 km from Incheon, South Korea. It has a small airport and a rail connection to Sariwon and Pyongyang. For foreign visitors, access is limited to organised tours that include the city; independent travel is not possible. The main draw is the coastal setting and the Haeju Hotel, one of the few foreigner-accommodating lodgings in the province.
- Country
- North Korea (DPRK)
- Local name
- 해주시
- Best months
- May–September
- Avoid
- December–February (cold, limited heating in hotels)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- KPW
- Money
- Foreign cards, ATMs and transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Tour package (all-inclusive) check – typically part of a multi-day tour from Pyongyang (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tour package (per day, all-inclusive) | USD 200–500 |
| eSIM (before arrival) | USD 20–40 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HAE · Haeju Airport
- Domestic flights to Chongjin, Pyongyang and Wonsan, but not typically available to foreigners (check)
Typical fares
- Haeju Station to Sariwon (train)
- check – part of tour
- Haeju to Pyongyang (train via Sariwon)
- about 2–3 h, check
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Tours arrange transport; walking in the city centre is possible but always with a guide. No public transport available to foreigners independently.
See and do
Known for
- Haeju Hotel
- Haeju Airport (domestic flights, not typically available to foreigners)
- Coastal location on the Yellow Sea
- Haeju Station on the Haeju line
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sariwon | Train from Haeju Station to Sariwon (Haeju line), about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
| Kaesong | Train via Sariwon, about 2 h total | About 2.5 h |
| Sinchon | Road, about 1 h (tour vehicle) | About 1 h |
Sleep
- Haeju Hotel area
- The only hotel known to accommodate foreigners; located west of the city centre.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | 안녕하세요annyeonghaseyo |
| Thank you | 감사합니다gamsahamnida |
| How much is this? | 이거 얼마예요?igeo eolmayeyo? |
| Where is the toilet? | 화장실이 어디예요?hwajangsiri eodiyeyo? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Foreigners must be on a government-authorised tour; independent travel is illegal.
- Haeju Airport flights are not typically open to foreigners (check).
- The city is near the DMZ; photography restrictions apply – ask your guide.
- Internet access is extremely limited; buy an eSIM before arrival (see /topics/esim-for-travel-how-it-works-and-how-to-set-it-up).
North Korea is under strict government control; tourists are safe as long as they follow all rules and stay with their guide. The real risks are political – do not photograph military sites or people without permission. Check your government's travel advice before booking.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Haeju yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Haeju Hotel
- Haeju Airport (domestic flights, not typically available to foreigners)
- Coastal location on the Yellow Sea
- Haeju Station on the Haeju line
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Haeju, revision 4487423 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4487423
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/haeju). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.