Asia > 🇰🇵 North Korea
The city by city Car or no Car advice for North Korea can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in North Korea; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in North Korea?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in North Korea?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in North Korea
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Pyongyang | FNJ |
🚘 Car or No Car in North Korea — Should You Rent One?
✈️ IATA: FNJ (Pyongyang Sunan International Airport)
🚫 Quick answer: No. You cannot rent or drive a car as a visitor.
🇰🇵 What Makes North Korea Different?
North Korea stands apart from almost every other country. As soon as you arrive, your movements are tightly controlled.
-
You must join an organised, fully guided tour.
-
Independent travel is not allowed at all.
-
Renting or driving a car as a foreign visitor is impossible.
In short, the question of whether to rent a car doesn’t really apply. The rules make the decision for you.
🚌 How You Get Around Instead
Since driving is out of the question, your transport will depend on the itinerary your tour provider sets. Here’s what to expect:
| Mode | Used For | Extra Info |
|---|---|---|
| 🚌 Tour Bus | City sightseeing and intercity journeys | Always with certified guides |
| 🚆 Train | Beijing–Pyongyang route or domestic links | Ideal for rail enthusiasts |
| ✈️ Domestic Flights | Longer distances like Pyongyang to Mt. Paektu | Run by state airline Air Koryo |
| 🚋 Pyongyang Metro | A few stations included in almost every tour | Vintage carriages, ornate decor |
Each transition from one vehicle to another follows a fixed plan. You won’t need to make any transport decisions — everything is arranged in advance.
🌍 Where Can You Visit?
Even without a car, the tour structure lets you access a surprising range of sites:
-
🏛️ Pyongyang – Monumental squares, wide boulevards, and huge statues
-
🏯 Kaesong & DMZ – Historic city and the tense border area with South Korea
-
🏞️ Mt. Myohyang – Scenic hikes and the surreal International Friendship Exhibition
-
🏖️ Wonsan – A port city with beaches and Soviet-style architecture
-
🌋 Mt. Paektu – Legendary birthplace of the Korean nation, accessible by Air Koryo
As you move between these places, you’ll experience North Korea under constant supervision. However, the curated stillness can feel strangely cinematic — perhaps the only place where the past, present, and ideology are this tightly intertwined.
🧭 Conclusion
So — should you rent a car in North Korea?
🚫 No — visitors cannot drive, rent a car, or travel independently in any form.
✅ Yes to guided travel, if you’re open to a one-of-a-kind, highly controlled cultural experience.
Car or No Car Rating: 🚗⛔ No — but don’t let that stop your curiosity.
