North Korea Travel Forum

hi
is there any one living in andore here at vt??

Hi dear VTs,

maybe someone could help me with that:

1. Do they accept Euros in coins, or only notes?

2. I was told to dress "proper" while visiting some sites. Are Jeans or Cargopants proper enough?

3. Anybody been there in the beginning of May? I've heard that some of the buildings are very cold. Do I need warm clothes throughout daytime?

Would be very great if someone could help me with the one ore other question, thanks a lot in advance.

Lisa

Hello,

I am thinking about doing a tour to North Korea sometime later this year (~ June/July) and would be looking for people interested in joining me.

I have been to North Korea last year and got the impression, that once you're in North Korea, all the tours seem to be operated by the KITC, which is the state-owned travel company. I contacted them and am told, that one can book individual tours with them directly. Prices depend on the number of participants. 2-5 pax is 135 EUR per person/night. They can also arrange the Visa and flights from Beijing (340 EUR return) and Vladivostok as well as train tickets from Beijing (240 EUR return).

This being my second tour, I would like to see a few places, that I haven't visited last year. At least Nampho and Wonsan. Other than that, I'm flexible regarding the tour dates and the itinerary. I have a few sample-itineraries from the KITC, that show, which places can be visited.

So, if anyone is interested, please drop me a line :)

cheers,

-Stephan (stephan@oscill8.com)

I just read up on the KFA 2008 trip to NK, and I must admit that it's pretty expensive. Over 2000 euros for a week in NK?

Is there a way to get into NK alone? I am in Sydney at the moment. My plan would be to fly into Beijing and then fly to NK. Doable?

Old Cliffie has almost signed up for a visit to North Korea. Anyone want to talk him out of it?

Hi all,
I'm just getting ready to leave for south korea for a year and while there i would really like to visit the DPRK, I am an Irish citizen but i'm traveling with an israeli dude (no possible way he can go?????) thats not really my query anyway... i've antisipated i'd have to go alone..(alone, as in i dont know anyone but with an organised tour group)
What I want to know is, what's the cheapest way to do this for say 5 days?????
thanks
Fiona

wat is the most common rules in north korea?
wat is the best and the least things to do?
how will i socialized wth the koreans?
how can i gain some korean friends?

I'm not looking to exchange a lot of money, but just a little to get some things along the way.

I know USD are derated. I know Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen, Euro and Korean Won are accepted at most places.

But if I were to pick one, which would be the best choice. I have all of them, just want to know which to pack.

Hello,
I'm considering a trip to NK if I can somehow gather the $1,500 + plane ticket money. Just a question first, mostly to those Americans who have travelled there. What happens on the other end, when you return to your American customs, and they see your North Korean visa in your passport?
Thx
Joseph

I'm an American. I want to Move to North Korea.

Do you think they'd let me? Or would they be suspicious?

Is it at all possible to drive your own vehicle from either China or South Korea as a tourist visit (with your own vehicle) drive abouth the country and leave after? I know the government is tight and it would probably be a nightmare, has anyone ever tried or done this does anyone know how to go about getting the visas/vehicle permits etc..?

I would like to go to North korea with the Korean Friendship Association in April .Does anyone have experience with KFA Trip ? Is it good ?

http://www.korea-dpr.com/kfa2007/

I am a citizen of China (PRC) who has lived in the USA for the past 12 years or so. I have a USA visa in the visa section of my passport, and I obtained my USA Green Card (permanent residency) in 2002. Does this hinder my chances of getting into NK?

The best deal I know cirrently is 100 EUR train round-trip from/to Bratislava (Slovakia) to any station in Russia, including Vladivostok, Chinese/Russian border town of Zabaikal'sk/Manzhouli, Mongolian/Russian border town of Naushki/Suhebator or Russian/N. Korean border town pair of Hasan/Tumangan.

The 100 Euro ticket is a round-trip for the first person; any further travleelers in the group will receive 50% reduchtion and children 75% reduction form the already low 100 Euro ticket.

Thus, for four adult people the costs for a Bratislava - Vladivostok or a Naushki - Bratislava roundtrip will be 100 + 50 + 50 + 50 = 250 Euro. This price includes all services and surcharges on "Firmennyj" trains, even the food in the inclusive service - but not the bed surcharge which can vary from 10 to 50 Euro pro person.

Such tickets outside of Russia for travellers going TO Russia are known as "CITY-STAR". Inside of Russia for the people traveling into Slovakia, Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium, Serbia these tickets are known as "Bilet po fiksirovannomu tarifu Ekonomnaia Cena", but on the ticket itself the Russian Railways usually print "CITY-STAR".

Questions:

1) Does anyone know a better deal?
2) Does anyone know about a similar deal between Russia and Serbia? The site of Russian railways does mention, such deal does exist, but there is no price information.
3) If somebody did travel on "Ekonomnaia Cena" ticket from Russia or on "CITY-STAR" ticket into Russia - please contact me. I collect the pictures/scans of such tickets!

Thanks!

Has anyone successfully sent a postcard from North Korea?

Is it true that wa can't bring mobile phone & video camera into North Korea?

What is the cheapest way to go? Is the only option the tours from beijing or SK? How much should I expect to spend minimum to go?

I didn't see any mention of museums in the tips section. Are there art museums and such that one could go see?

What sort of food should one expect at the hotels? Genuine NK fare, or is it different sorta stuff made for visitors to the country?

Thanks!

-D

Hi,

I may want to go to North Korea from Beijing when I'm travelling Asia this spring. I am far from sure yet, but would like to ask some questions about it nonetheless.

- Is it possible to enter the country without a group?
- Should I go to NK, I plan on going only 3 days (from wednesday to saturday, P'yongyang only). How much would this cost approximately? I assume everybody more or less spends the same amount of money... Would travelling 'alone' mean I have a personal guide (which I have to pay for myself)?
- Should i go, I would decide this only about a few days in advance, when I'm in Beijing. Is this enough time to get a visa for NK? How long does it usually take?
- I will have been to South Korea before visiting NK, so I will have a South Korean Visa in my passport as well. Could this be a problem?

I hope anyone can enlighten me.
Thanks!

Bhim

Hi, does anyone know if there are surf beaches and if you can access them?
Thanks

It's been a long nurtured dream of mine to go to the DPRK. I was just wondering, is there any way of getting into the country from Japan? I'd get my visa from one of the European Embassy's and then take a ship from Niigata.

Question:
1. Is there a passanger ferry/ship from Japan to the DPRK and more importantly, is there on back!

2. Is it possible to get an agent to organize a trip for a group enering by ship?

Thanks,

Peter

Hello all VT Members!

This will be my 1st time to visit Korea.... any suggestion which place must see?
It could be anything from sightseeing to shopping malls.

Thank you.

Zoey Qoo

Does anyone know how to get a reservation for the 3-day Kumgangsan Tour starting from S. Korea on September 5 yet? I just called Hyundai-Asan in Seoul on that, but - as far as I had understood the lady there - it is closed already, and tours are just available starting from Sep 10 an later. Somewhere I had read that it has to be booked 20 days in advance, what might match her statement somehow. Alternatively, any other idea how to have a short trip to the North in between Sep 5-7 departing from S. Korea? Thanks!

Hi. Sorry for being a n00b and skipping the "UTFSE"... but this is a more direct way to get the best answer.

I will be going on a 3 nation trip in Oct. (China - North K - South K) and have some minor questions.

When I travel I always looks like a japanese tourist with cameras hanging all over. Usually I have one SLR with 2-3 extra lenses, one or two digital cams and one videocam. (yes - I KNOW!!)

My travelagent sent me a "what to and what not to" stating that there might be some problems with cameras. They supposedly do NOT like videocameras and cameras with lenses greather than 150mm. And if the gear looks like "pro equipment" they might seize it at customs. I could leave my bigger lenses at home but.. I don't want to!! And I have no probs with the local rules, but since I'll be snapping shots in China AND South K.. I want my gear!

And on another site I saw that mobile phones where also seized at customs.

So my questions are:
* What kind of photogear should one take and what should I DEFINITIVLY NOT bring.
* I can perhaps live with some stuff taken by Customs if there is a certainty that I'll get it back when I leave.. but do they?
* anything else regarding electronics that might be a problem? Portable mediaplayer, iPod, portabe DVD-player and so on??

I saw the travel agency website listed as www.chollima-group.com, but couldn't get it on the web. Does anyone have any updated info? It was listed in the forum as well as Lonely Planet.

hi everyone,

anyone can advise me on the following:

1 attire- wearing round-neck t-shirts with pictures on them are alright with NK authorities? pictures of animals or cars. what about wearing jeans?

2 power point in NK hotel, what sort of power point they use? a need to charge camera batteries

3 taking pictures of yourself next to a NK soldier in uniform at DMZ, is this alright, with permission from your guide of course.

4 taking pictures of the airport itself? with permission from guides?

will be visiting NK in June 2005. from Singapore. my tours costs about SGD2600.

thank you for your replies.

I'm gonna book a trip to N. Korea tomorrow, it's for Sep 30- Oct 7. What's the most up to date site to check for travel warning and stuff?

Thanks.

i used to see a few travel agencies here in bangkok had a tour to n korea about 2 years ago but i can't remember those agencies anymore and i can't seem to find any other that advertises themselves. the cost was only about 34000baht including everything, i can't remember how long the trip was but it's around 5-7 days.

my question is does anyone know any travel agency that operates this tour not too expensive(maybe around $1000)?

thanks.

who can help lost the e-mailadress of the two hotels, need them urgendly.
thanks in advance for your help
best regards
massai

Hello,

Can anyone recommend a budget tour operator in Beijing for accessing N. Korea? The trip would probably be worth the 1700-200 EUR they're asking in some agancies, but I'd prefer something closer to or below 1000 EUR for four days, including flights.

And how much can we do already before arriving to China, i.e. how much time do we have to reserve for staying in Beijing to get all the papers fixed?

Hi everybody, I am wondering what VTers in North Korea do there, like what kind of work, etc. How is life like if you are a foreigner there? Do you have more freedom? Do you get to go around and mingle with locals occassionally? From what I remember some Irish guy was there on consular duty and was asking if there were any foreigners who work there and would like to meet up. Howe do they live? Am just curious...