Pyongyang Metro
Explore the Pyongyang Metro, one of the world's deepest and most architecturally stunning underground transport systems, offering a unique glimpse int...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Experience rush hour bustle
Pyongyang Metro
Best Time
Experience rush hour bustle
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the Pyongyang Metro, one of the world's deepest and most architecturally stunning underground transport systems, offering a unique glimpse into North Korean life.
"Descend into a subterranean marvel: the Pyongyang Metro, a deep, clean, and grand experience unlike any other."
📸 Capture the Grandeur
Photography is generally allowed, but always be mindful of your surroundings and guides.
💰 Extremely Affordable Fares
Riding the metro is incredibly cheap, adding to its unique appeal.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Deepest Stations
Underground
Descend into one of the world's deepest metro systems, with stations reaching over 100 meters underground.
+2
Grand Station Architecture
Various Stations
Marvel at the ornate stations, adorned with mosaics, chandeliers, and propaganda art, showcasing Soviet-era grandeur.
Unique Local Experience (Controlled)
Train Cars
Ride alongside locals (often in separate carriages) for a controlled glimpse into daily life in the capital.
+1Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating the Pyongyang Metro
+1Understanding Tourist Access
+1Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📸 Capture the Grandeur
Photography is generally allowed, but always be mindful of your surroundings and guides.
💰 Extremely Affordable Fares
Riding the metro is incredibly cheap, adding to its unique appeal.
🚶♀️ Guided Exploration
Expect to be accompanied by guides; independent exploration is not permitted.
🚇 Separate Carriages
Tourists often ride in designated carriages, offering a unique, albeit separated, experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Capture the Grandeur
Photography is generally allowed, but always be mindful of your surroundings and guides.
💰 Extremely Affordable Fares
Riding the metro is incredibly cheap, adding to its unique appeal.
🚶♀️ Guided Exploration
Expect to be accompanied by guides; independent exploration is not permitted.
🚇 Separate Carriages
Tourists often ride in designated carriages, offering a unique, albeit separated, experience.
🤫 Respectful Observation
Observe local customs and avoid intrusive behavior; eye contact and smiles can be met with surprise.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Pyongyang Metro for its astonishing depth, immaculate cleanliness, and grand, almost palatial station designs. The unique experience of riding one of the world's deepest metro systems, coupled with its affordability, makes it a memorable attraction. However, the controlled nature of tourist access, including separate carriages and limited interaction with locals, is a recurring point of note.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Access to the Pyongyang Metro is typically arranged as part of a guided tour. Your tour guides will arrange transportation to the nearest station. Independent travel to the metro is not permitted for tourists.
Yes, tourists can ride the Pyongyang Metro, but it's usually a scheduled activity within a guided tour. You'll likely be in a separate carriage from locals.
The Pyongyang Metro has two lines, the Chollima Line and the Hyoksin Line, with a total of 16 stations. Key stations include Puhung, Yonggwang, and Kaeson.
Photography is generally permitted on the Pyongyang Metro, but it's always best to be discreet and follow your guide's instructions. Avoid photographing sensitive areas or individuals without permission.
The Pyongyang Metro is famously one of the deepest in the world, with its deepest stations reaching between 100 and 120 meters (328-394 feet) underground.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The Pyongyang Metro is exceptionally affordable, with fares being very low. The exact cost is usually included in tour packages, making it a budget-friendly experience.
Tourists typically don't purchase individual tickets. The metro ride is usually part of your pre-arranged tour, and your guides will handle the entry process.
The metro operates from early morning until late evening, generally from around 5:30 AM to midnight, to serve the city's commuters.
The primary restriction is that tourists are usually kept in separate carriages from local passengers. Independent movement and interaction are limited.
Souvenir sales are not a common feature of the Pyongyang Metro stations. The focus is on its function as a transport system and historical site.
🎫 🚇 Onsite Experience
The atmosphere is generally orderly and quiet. Stations are known for their cleanliness, ornate decorations, and the presence of propaganda art.
Interaction is limited. While you might share a carriage, locals are often reserved, and guides may discourage extensive interaction. A smile can sometimes be reciprocated.
Its extreme depth, elaborate station designs, historical significance as a potential nuclear shelter, and the controlled tourist experience make it stand out.
Yes, the Pyongyang Metro stations are consistently described as exceptionally clean and well-maintained, often featuring polished marble and bright lighting.
Expect to see large mosaics, chandeliers, statues, and murals depicting socialist ideals and the history of North Korea.
📸 📸 Photography
Generally, yes, but always be mindful and respectful. Your guides will advise on any specific restrictions. Avoid photographing people directly without their consent or your guide's approval.
Focus on the grand architecture, the unique mosaics, the chandeliers, and the overall atmosphere of the deep stations. The escalators descending into the earth are also a striking visual.
While filming is often allowed, it's crucial to follow your guide's lead. Some areas or specific moments might be off-limits for filming.
A standard camera or smartphone is sufficient. Given the lighting conditions in some areas, a camera with good low-light performance can be beneficial.
It's polite to ask your guide if it's appropriate to photograph individuals. Locals may be surprised or hesitant to be photographed by foreigners.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
+1However, parents should be aware that the experience is highly supervised. Children will need to stay with their guides and may be in separate carriages from other passengers. It's a good idea to prepare children for this by explaining that it's a special tour and they need to follow the rules. The affordability means it won't strain the budget, making it a worthwhile, albeit unique, family outing.
+1📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+2While photography is generally allowed, always be mindful of your surroundings and your guide's instructions. Avoid intrusive shots of individuals. The long escalators descending into the earth are particularly photogenic. Consider bringing a camera with good low-light capabilities, as some areas can be dimly lit.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Engineering Marvel: Depth and Design
+2The stations themselves are architectural marvels, often described as resembling underground palaces. They are adorned with elaborate mosaics, grand chandeliers, and propaganda art that reflects socialist ideals and national pride. Each station has a distinct character, but all share a sense of imposing grandeur and meticulous upkeep. The cleanliness is frequently highlighted, contributing to the unique and almost surreal atmosphere.
+1While the metro is a functional public transport system for Pyongyang's residents, tourist access is carefully managed. Visitors typically ride in designated carriages, separate from the general public. This controlled experience offers a unique perspective but limits spontaneous interaction. Nevertheless, the visual spectacle and the engineering feat of the Pyongyang Metro make it a must-see for those interested in unique urban infrastructure and the realities of life in North Korea.
+1Navigating Tourist Access and Interaction
A common observation from travelers is that tourists are often placed in separate train carriages from the local population. This practice, while ensuring a controlled environment for visitors, limits the opportunity for genuine, unscripted interactions. Some travelers have noted that guides can be accommodating if asked, potentially allowing for brief moments of shared space or observation.
+1Despite these limitations, the experience of riding the metro offers a valuable glimpse into the daily lives of Pyongyang's citizens. The sheer number of people using the system during peak hours, the orderly queues, and the general demeanor of the passengers provide insights into the social fabric of the city. It’s an opportunity to observe, rather than directly participate, in a unique urban environment.
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