Have you ever wondered how it feels like to stand in two places at the same time?
If you’re a curious tourist like me, the Korean DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is the perfect place for your adventure. I went there one winter morning with some new acquaintances because my other friends were not into the idea of stepping foot in North Korea.
Most people opt to take DMZ package tours offered by various travel agencies (price ranges from $34 to $80), but I vowed to look for the cheapest way to get to North Korea—by Korail.
I took the public DMZ train from Seoul Station to Imjingak.
I was lost as soon as I arrived at Imjingak, so I asked a group of people who looked like they just got off the train from Seoul, just like me. They told me that even if we took the public train to Imjingak, we’d still have to pay for a bus tour that will take us to certain sites and landmarks.
From the station, we walked 10 minutes to where the bus tours were. Below the observation deck, we went to the ticketing office. I had to present my passport and pay for the trip, which costs about 8,000 won (roughly $7). The tour takes two hours.
The bus tour was not bad at all! For just less than 10,000 won, I was able to see the Imjingak Park, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, DMZ Theater, Dora Observatory, and the Dorasan Station.
I don’t want to spoil the fun for you because I want you to experience crossing the border yourself. Here are some friendly reminders, though, if you want to take on a North Korean adventure:
That’s it for now. I hope you’ll enjoy crossing the border as much as I did.
Louis Habash here. Follow me on Twitter for more budget-friendly travel tips.
If you’re a curious tourist like me, the Korean DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is the perfect place for your adventure. I went there one winter morning with some new acquaintances because my other friends were not into the idea of stepping foot in North Korea.
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Image source: telegraph.co.uk
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I took the public DMZ train from Seoul Station to Imjingak.
I was lost as soon as I arrived at Imjingak, so I asked a group of people who looked like they just got off the train from Seoul, just like me. They told me that even if we took the public train to Imjingak, we’d still have to pay for a bus tour that will take us to certain sites and landmarks.
From the station, we walked 10 minutes to where the bus tours were. Below the observation deck, we went to the ticketing office. I had to present my passport and pay for the trip, which costs about 8,000 won (roughly $7). The tour takes two hours.
The bus tour was not bad at all! For just less than 10,000 won, I was able to see the Imjingak Park, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, DMZ Theater, Dora Observatory, and the Dorasan Station.
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Image source: commons.wikimedia.org
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- Always have your passport with you. You’ll need it at different points while on tour.
- Photos are not allowed at some points. (Well, a lot of people have tried to take pictures, but it would be too risky to do it.)
- Don’t think about your #OOTD, and just wear something decent. You can find a list of what you can and cannot wear while in DMZ here.
That’s it for now. I hope you’ll enjoy crossing the border as much as I did.
Louis Habash here. Follow me on Twitter for more budget-friendly travel tips.
