Getting Around
Korea (Democratic Peoples Republic Of)
Getting Around by Air
There are flights from Chongjin, Hamhung, Kaesong, Kanggye, Kiliju, Pyongyang, Sinuiju and Wonsan, although foreigners are not allowed to use these.
Getting Around by Rail
The extensive rail network built by the Japanese during WWII has been broken by the separation of North and South Korea, but the main passenger routes run from Pyongyang to Sinuiju, Haeju and Chongjin. Service, however, is slow. Timetables are not published and it is advised to purchase tickets through a travel agent.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. The quality of major roads is good; many are dual carriageways. All roads leading out of Pyongyang have police security checkpoints where identity documents must be produced before continuing the journey. There are no buses between cities. There are very few road signs.
Documentation: International driving licences are not accepted and in order to drive within the country it is necessary to sit a local driving test and obtain a local licence.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Pyongyang has a two-line metro and regular bus services.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Pyongyang to other major cities/towns in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Road Rail Diamond Mt 10.00 - Kaesong 8.00 6.00 Nampo 1.30 8.00
Getting Around by Air
There are flights from Chongjin, Hamhung, Kaesong, Kanggye, Kiliju, Pyongyang, Sinuiju and Wonsan, although foreigners are not allowed to use these.
Getting Around by Rail
The extensive rail network built by the Japanese during WWII has been broken by the separation of North and South Korea, but the main passenger routes run from Pyongyang to Sinuiju, Haeju and Chongjin. Service, however, is slow. Timetables are not published and it is advised to purchase tickets through a travel agent.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. The quality of major roads is good; many are dual carriageways. All roads leading out of Pyongyang have police security checkpoints where identity documents must be produced before continuing the journey. There are no buses between cities. There are very few road signs.
Documentation: International driving licences are not accepted and in order to drive within the country it is necessary to sit a local driving test and obtain a local licence.
Documentation: International driving licences are not accepted and in order to drive within the country it is necessary to sit a local driving test and obtain a local licence.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Pyongyang has a two-line metro and regular bus services.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Pyongyang to other major cities/towns in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
| Road | Rail | |
| Diamond Mt | 10.00 | - |
| Kaesong | 8.00 | 6.00 |
| Nampo | 1.30 | 8.00 |









