Capital · North Korea (DPRK)
Pyongyang평양
Independent travel to Pyongyang is not possible; check your own government's travel advice before considering anything, and note that entry has been closed or heavily restricted for extended periods.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Check with your government; if tours resume, Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct avoid the coldest and hottest extremes of the local continental climate.
- avoid Check with your government; Dec–Feb is cold and Jul–Aug is hot and humid.
- Airport
- FNJ
- Nights
- n/a
Rules in force · 6Check your own government travel advice for North Korea b…US passports are not valid for the DPRK without special v…
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Check your own government travel advice for North Korea before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Entry is only through controlled arrangements when permitted at all; there is no independent visa route.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗US passports are not valid for the DPRK without special validation from the State Department.
- North Korea (DPRK) ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to North Korea before you rely on it.
Pyongyang is the capital of North Korea, a city built almost entirely after the Korean War around wide boulevards, state monuments and Soviet-influenced architecture. All foreign visitors travel on state-organised, guided tours with fixed itineraries; there is no independent movement. Entry rules and which nationalities are admitted change without notice, and several governments advise against all travel.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pyongyang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards, ATMs and transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.North Korea (DPRK)-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckFNJ Pyongyang Sunan International (Limited international flights, mostly to/from China and Russia; check the operator and current route status).
- Getting aroundIndependent movement is not permitted anywhere in the country; visitors move by tour bus with an assigned guide at all times.
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FNJ Pyongyang Sunan International (Limited international flights, mostly to/from China and Russia; check the operator and current route status)
Weather and climate
Pyongyang: next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Independent movement is not permitted anywhere in the country; visitors move by tour bus with an assigned guide at all times. Deviating from the group itinerary is not allowed.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Assigned by authorities
Foreigners cannot choose their own hotel; tour operators assign a designated hotel, commonly on an island in the Taedong River.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Watch out
- Check your own government's travel advice first; several governments advise against all travel and some bar their own citizens from entering.
- Independent travel is not possible and rules can change without notice, including sudden closures to all foreign tourists.
- Photography is restricted: ask your guide before photographing anything, especially monuments, military or checkpoints.
- Phones, internet access and communication with people outside the tour group are heavily restricted or unavailable.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pyongyang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Check with your government; if tours resume, Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct avoid the coldest and hottest extremes of the local continental climate. · avoid Check with your government; Dec–Feb is cold and Jul–Aug is hot and humid.
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 4 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Meanwhile
Sources
- secondaryWikivoyage — Pyongyang