DMZ Tours from Seoul, South Korea – Guide & FAQs 2025
This post may contain affiliate links to tours and hotels. These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
One of the most common day-trips from Seoul, a DMZ tour is a must visit when in South Korea (The Korean Demilitarized Zone). A solemn reminder of the current division in the country, DMZ tours are an essential part of your Seoul itinerary and surprisingly inexpensive.
The DMZ is the heavily controlled border separating North Korea and South Korea. DMZ tours from Seoul have various border elements you can visit including the tunnels, Freedom Bridge and the Dora Observatory where you can peer into North Korea using powerful binoculars.
There are also quite touristy ‘attractions’ too (which surprised us) like a DMZ gondola, large cartoon statues and the obligatory gift-shops.
Some DMZ tours also include a visit to the Joint Security Area which at the time of writing (April 2025), is just about to reopen after two years of closure. Other DMZ tours from Seoul allow you to meet and hear from North Korean defectors.
From prices to frequently asked questions, here is our guide to DMZ tours from Seoul.
You might like – Our guide to the 40 best things to do in South Korea >
South Korea checklist
We love using agoda.com and booking.com for researching and booking all our hotels, and Hostelworld for booking hostels.
For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator, Trazy or Klook.
For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars.
Table of Contents
A brief history of the DMZ
Built in 1953 and running over 160 miles across and 4 metres, the DMZ is the most heavily guarded border in the world and well worth a visit, not only to see it first-hand but also learn about the sad history of Korea’s division.
The border follows the 38th parallel, the original demarcation line between North Korea and South Korea at the end of World War II – to this day, both sides of the border are heavily guarded, with patrolling soldiers a regular sight.
The DMZ effectively separates Korea in two, constructed as a buffer / zone between North and South Korea – part of the DMZ is the Joint Security Area (JSA) where previously, negotiations between the two sovereign states took place.
The JSA has been closed for the last two years (since July 2023) due to an unauthorised crossing made by a US Army soldier but is set to reopen sometime in mid 2025.
In July 1953, an Armistice Agreement was signed where both sides moved their troops back to create a large buffer zone or No-Man’s Land that is around 2 miles wide. However, many skirmishes and hostile threats over the years have increased tensions and the DMZ border remains to this day.
You might like – the 30+ best South Korea apps to download for your travels >
Join our Facebook South Korea Travel Planning and Tips Group!
Need help with your itinerary or have any South Korea related questions? Head on over to our friendly and active Facebook group with over 45k members!
Click here to join our group >
DMZ Tours from Seoul – Frequently Asked Questions
Before we break down the various things to do on the DMZ Tours from Seoul and the sights you can see, we thought we might answer some of the most frequently asked DMZ questions from our South Korea Travel Planning Facebook group.
Can you do the DMZ independently without a tour guide?
No, as it is a heavily controlled area, all tourist visits to the DMZ must be accompanied with a professional tour guide.
If you don’t fancy a DMZ group tour from Seoul, private tours to the DMZ are available like this one on Viator or or Klook.
Please also remember all DMZ visitors must also bring their passports / ID as these will be checked by guards. Failure to bring your passport will likely result in you being turned away from the DMZ tour with no refund.
You might like – 10+ best Seoul neighbourhoods to visit and stay in >
How much are DMZ tours?
The cost of DMZ tours from Seoul obviously varies depending on which parts you do – for instance, it usually costs more if you do a full day tour that includes other non DMZ sites or say if you wish to ride the DMZ gondola.
The cheapest DMZ tours from Seoul usually start from about £25 / £33 / €29 / 50,000 KRW – this includes shared travel (usually a big bus) to and from Seoul plus access to the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Freedom Bridge and the Imjingak Peace Park.
Some DMZ tours such as private tours or those where you meet North Korean defectors – will cost more money.
If you only have a few days in Seoul, we really do think the DMZ tours are well worth the money and give you a first hand perspective of the border and a better understanding of the history of Korea.
As far as we are aware, the cheapest DMZ trip is this one on Klook or Trazy (around £19 / $25) but it is purely a shuttle bus – you will need to buy an admission ticket on top once you get there.
How far do I need to book DMZ tours in advance?
We’d recommend you book DMZ tours at least a few days in advance as they usually sell out – if you are going in peak season, you might want to book a few weeks in advance.
And remember, most tour companies like Klook offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour is set to depart, in case your plans change.
We’ve checked and you can sometimes buy tours up to the afternoon of the day before, but never on the day itself.
You might like – 90+ things to in Seoul >
Are DMZ Tours available 7 days a week?
Yes and no – most DMZ tours from Seoul don’t run on Mondays as the military sites / visitor centers are closed that day. There are still some tours on Mondays but you will be able to see less.
If you can only do the DMZ on a Monday or public holiday, check out this DMZ Monday tour / 365 day tour with a late morning departure >
You might like these Seoul neighbourhood guides:
Hannam-dong
Hongdae
Myeong-dong
Insadong
Ikseon-dong
Gangnam
Seongsu-dong
Euljiro
Itaewon
Dongdaemun
Or check out our best neighbourhoods in Seoul Guide >
Can children go on a DMZ tour?
Most DMZ tours do allow small children to go on DMZ tours but please note not all sections will be appropriate such as the Third Tunnel (which is underground). Please note many DMZ tour companies charge the full adult price for children aged 10 and above.
You might like – Things to do in Seoul with kids >
Are DMZ tours for all abilities and ages?
There are no age restrictions as such BUT the Third tunnel is the one thing to do where you might want to proceed with caution if your fitness or breathing isn’t so good (or just sit that one out).
The tunnel is very claustrophobic with limited air supplies plus you are hunched over for a very long time. It is also very slippery underfoot – it is not recommended for pregnant women.
What time do tours start? How long are DMZ tours?
It varies but DMZ tours are usually half day tours that pick up very early (between 6am and 7am) from various Seoul neighborhoods and Subway stations, most commonly Myeongdong Station, Dongdaemun Station, City Hall Station and Hongik University Station.
Most tours begin early and drop you back in the city mid afternoon or early evening – some DMZ tours start a little later with a 10am pick-up.
The half day DMZ tours typically last around 7 to 8 hours (so they are almost full day tours).
You might like – 40+ things to do in Myeongdong including the night market
Are there still defector tours?
Yes, there are a small number of tours where you can meet with a defector from North Korea and hear their first hand account of what life was like in North Korea and how they escaped.
These tours usually start from around £38 / $50 USD – check out these DMZ defector tours.
DMZ tour with exclusive North Korean defector meet-up on Get Your Guide or Klook.
DMZ tour + Q&A session with a North Korean Defector >
Is there still ‘forced shopping’?
On our very first DMZ trip from Seoul many years ago, the tour concluded with a trip to a ginseng shop on the outskirts of Seoul where we had to watch (endure even) how they made ginseng followed by a talk from some very persuasive sales people.
This is quite a common feature on large group tours in South Korea and something we also experienced recently on a Jeju island tour.
However, most DMZ tours these days now promise ‘no shopping’ – although don’t be surprised if they do a 15 minute stop on the way back somewhere for toilets that are ‘conveniently’ located next to just one shop.
BUT if you want to do some ginseng shopping and mochi making with your DMZ tour, then this is for you – Gaeseong ginseng experience, Paju DMZ and Aegibong day tour >
Love shopping? Check out our guide to Seoul’s best malls >
DMZ Tours – What to expect and key things to do
The trip from Seoul to the DMZ usually takes about 2 hours.
Most DMZ tours start at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri Park. Shortly we’ll detail the main things to see at the DMZ which most tours include but these are the main companies that operate tours
Trazy (Korean tour company) DMZ tours >
Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri Park
This is also where you can see (but not cross) the Bridge of Freedom, where many handovers of people took place between North and South Korea.
This is also one of the few places where you can buy real North Korean money as souvenirs – but we aren’t sure of the legalities of it or whether it some they advertise. We just know we had the opportunity to buy North Korean coins and notes and many people on our tour did so.
Key things to see in the peace park include the old steam locomotive at Jangdan Station that was bombed and riddled with over 1,000 bullets, the Peace Bell, Freedom bridge and the Mangbaedan memorial alter.
There is also a cafe and food court too at the Imjingak visitor information center (with free toilets).
At the time of writing, the DMZ Peace Train that used to go over the Freedom Bridge is not in operation.
You might like – 15+ best Seoul K-Pop activities >
Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola
Some (but not all) DMZ tours include the Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola AKA the DMZ gondola which goes across the Imjingang River and local farmers fields, offering an alternative view of the Freedom Bridge.
Here are some DMZ tours that include the Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola:
DMZ tour from Seoul (+ DMZ Gondola/ Suspension Bridge option) with Trazy or Klook.
DMZ, Gondola and Suspension Bridge full day tour from Seoul >
Dora Observatory
Pretty much all tours include the Dora Observatory which has a viewing deck outdoors with lots of high powered binoculars which peer out in North Korea.
This will be your best view into what life is like on the other side of the border, including the ‘fake buildings’ of Kijong-dong that have been built to demonstrate wealth plus the large flagpole.
Our guide told us that every time South Korea put up a bigger flag pole, North Korea would then build theirs higher.
If you look close enough, you’ll see farmers working in the fields and armed guards – you can see right across into North Korea on a clear day. The observatory also has a small museum and exhibits.
Dorasan Station
Or the station that never was! For us, this is one of the most interesting bits of the DMZ – the Dorasan Station was destroyed in the 1950s during the Korean War and rebuilt again in 2002 ready for the reunification of Korea – which obviously hasn’t happened yet.
So in effect, it is an eerily quiet train station just waiting for passengers and trains. It is a very odd experience but also so unique. Inside you’ll see rows and rows of empty chairs and huge destination boards just waiting to be used – oh and the obligatory gift shops!
You might like – Our guide to Korean beauty treatments in Seoul >
DMZ Museum and Exhibition Hall
Free to visit (hence why all tours include it), this looks in more detail at the Korean conflict and has artifacts and exhibits from the last few decades.
One thing we would say is that the outlook is very ‘insular’ and some might class the videos and history side a little like ‘propaganda’ – so maybe take some of it with a pinch of salt…
Try this – Korea DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) and K-Drama filming location one day tour >
JSA (Panmunjom)
At the time of writing, the Joint Security Area (JSA) isn’t available to visit but there has been recent talk of it reopening to tourists by the summer of 2025 – we will update this article in due course.
Please note some nationalities require special permission to visit the JSA and the processing time takes at least a week – so whereas standard DMZ tours from Seoul can sometimes be booked the day before, JSA tours should be planned and booked a lot longer before.
You might like – Our guide to the best Myeongdong hotels to stay in (coming soon)
Third Tunnel / Infiltration Tunnels
So far, four huge tunnels have been found so far that had been built by North Korea ready to invade South Korea – although it is suspected many more have been built and are yet to be discovered.
As part of most DMZ tours from Seoul, visitors can actually go inside the Third Tunnel which was discovered in 1978 after a tip off from a defector.
Although not for the claustrophobic, you can descend into the tunnel wearing a hard hat and get a small experience of what it must have been like to work in the cramped underground conditions – please note photography is not allowed and phones, cameras and bags must be kept in a locker, available next to the gift shops.
This part of the tour is optional so you can skip this if you wish.
The area around Third Tunnel has lots of shops, restaurants, old military vehicles plus the famous DMZ sign and some rather unusual photo opportunities
You might like – Our guide to weird, wonderful and unusual things to do in Seoul >
Private tours
Obviously doing a DMZ group tour is cheapest but if you are short on time or would rather tailor your own itinerary, you might want to organise a private DMZ tour:
Private DMZ and Odusan Observatory full-day tour >
DMZ private tour from Seoul (+Seoul/ Paju tour) >
Add on tours
Many of the DMZ Tours from Seoul have add on excursions like the Majang Lake Suspension Bridge, Hantangang River Geopark and Gamaksan Suspension Bridge.
Check out these DMZ Tours with extra activities:
DMZ + Majang Lake Suspension Bridge full day tour >
DMZ & UNESCO Heritage 1 day tour from Seoul: Hantangang River Geopark/ Hangul Name Stamp Making Class/ Gamaksan Valley on Trazy or Klook.
DMZ and UNESCO Geopark Jaein Falls one day tour >
DMZ Tour (optional Gamaksan/Majang Suspension Bridge) >
DMZ tour with liquor tasting / Mt. Gamaksan >
DMZ and Suspension Bridge 1 day tour from Seoul (join-in/private) >
Cheorwon DMZ Tours
Whilst most DM Tours go to the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory and Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri Park, there are other lesser seen parts of the DMZ you can visit via Cheorwon DMZ.
This Trazy 12 hour tour to the Cheorwon DMZ area includes the Second Tunnel, the Labor Party Building, the old Woljieong-ro Station and the Goseokjeong Pavilion.
DMZ Tour with 2nd Tunnel, Hantangang and Scenic Wonders >
From Seoul: Cheorwon DMZ and 2nd Tunnel tour with lunch >
Korea DMZ tour with Gloster Memorial and Heroes Suspension Bridge >
And finally, have you heard about the DMZ Starbucks?
Another possible day to the DMZ you can do independently is to the new Starbucks at Aegibong Peace Ecopark which has a terrace and seating area looking out into North Korea.
The journey takes around two hours one-way from downtown Seoul using buses, trains and the Metro so you might want to do a tour instead:
Closest Starbucks to DMZ with North Korea View and Suspension Bridge with Klook or Get Your Guide.
You might like our guide to South Korea Starbucks mugs or Seoul’s most beautiful Starbucks.
Found this Seoul DMZ tours guide helpful?
Did you enjoy our Seoul DMZ tours article? Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media.
You can follow CK Travels on:
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
Pinterest
