Luxury Travel Guide: North Korea
Travel in style with premium hotels, fine dining, private transfers, and exclusive experiences
Daily Budget: $650-1300 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for luxury travel in North Korea
Accommodation
$300-600 per night (included in tour)
Premium hotels and resorts, luxury amenities, best available properties in each city
Food & Dining
$100-200 per day (included in tour)
Fine dining experiences, premium restaurants, special banquet meals, high-end hotel dining
Transportation
$100-200 per day (included in tour)
Private vehicles, first-class train compartments, charter flights, luxury bus coaches
Activities
$150-300 per day (included in tour)
Exclusive access tours, private guides, premium cultural experiences, VIP arrangements
Currency: ₩ North Korean Won (KPW) - though all tourist expenses are typically quoted and paid in USD or EUR
Money-Saving Tips
Book tours 6-12 months in advance for early booking discounts of typically 10-20%
Travel during shoulder seasons (spring/fall) when tour prices are generally 15-25% lower
Choose group tours over private tours to reduce per-person costs by 40-60%
Limit optional excursions and extras which can add $50-150 per day to base tour costs
Bring essential items from home as shopping options are extremely limited and expensive
Choose shorter itineraries (4-5 days vs 7-10 days) to reduce overall tour package costs
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Underestimating total costs - tours include most expenses but visas, flights to/from China, and extras add $500-1500
Not budgeting for mandatory tips and gratuities which typically add $20-50 per day
Expecting independent travel options - all tourism must be through approved tour operators with fixed pricing structures