North Korea Airport Transfer Guide (2026) - All Options & Tips
Airport transfers in North Korea: taxi, bus, train, and shuttle options from the airport to the city center, with costs and journey times in North Korea.
Helpful Tips
Foreign visitors must use the state-run KoryoLink SIM card for any mobile communication, including arranging transport through your guide. No exceptions. Your phone will not roam here. The card slots in at the airport. Guides keep the number handy.
Pyongyang Metro tokens are purchased at station kiosks for single rides. Your guide will handle this transaction. You never touch cash. Tokens are brass. Keep yours as a souvenir.
Inter-city travel requires pre-arranged permits and state transport. Your tour company books all buses or trains between cities. Seats are assigned. Passports checked again. Relax and watch the countryside roll by.
Hotel-to-hotel luggage transfers are handled by your tour operator. You only carry day bags on public transport. Porters load vans early. Bags appear in your next room. Travel light on the road.
Common Scams to Avoid
Foreign-currency taxi pricing: Drivers at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport sometimes quote fares in euros or dollars at inflated rates, then claim no change is available in Korean won. Agree on the currency and amount before entering the vehicle. Carry small denominations of the agreed currency. Small bills save arguments.
Mandatory 'guide' surcharge: On arrival, individuals may present themselves as official guides required for the ride into the city and demand an extra fee on top of the taxi fare. Verify credentials with the airport information desk. Insist on using the metered state taxi service only. Do not pay twice.
Hotel transport kickback: Airport transfer desks may steer arriving passengers to a specific hotel shuttle at a premium price, implying it is the only authorized option. Ask to see the official transport list at the information counter. Compare with the state-run bus or taxi alternatives. Shop around.