Seoul

Korean DMZ Tour with Expert Tour Guide from Seoul - No shopping

Badge of ExcellenceSeoul, South Korea

From $55.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

7 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) lies on the border between North and South Korea, and visiting outside of a guided tour is not allowed. On this tour, explore the DMZ with your guide and gain insight into Korean War history. Take in sites of interest including the 3rd Tunnel and the Dora Observatory in safety, with entrance fees plus pickup and drop-off in central Seoul included.

Explore the DMZ in safety on a guided tour
Visit landmarks including the 3rd Tunnel and the Dora Observatory
Choice of early- or late-morning tours
Entry fees and round-trip travel from central Seoul included

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Visiting the DMZ without a guide is impossible—choose this express half-day tour if you’re on a time budget.

What's Included

Professional guide
Pickup (Provided at limit places on the list)

Food and drinks
Lunch
Gratuities
Hotel pick-up
Hotel drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

Type to search

End point

City Hall Station
Seoul, South Korea
- Drop-off time may vary depending on the DMZ entry time

What To Expect

After a comfortable transfer from Seoul, your first stop is Imjingak Pyeonghoa-Nuri Park, where the remnants of the Korean War, including the Freedom Bridge and Monument of Soldiers, unfold before you.

Next, dive into the heart of the DMZ, where a nation stands divided. Descend into the Third Tunnel, a chilling testament to North Korea's covert operations. Equipped with a safety helmet, walk the 500 meters and delve into the DMZ Exhibition Hall, showcasing relics of the Korean War and a compelling short film on Korea's history.

Dora Observatory awaits as the tour's highlight, providing a rare glimpse into North Korea's propaganda village through telescopes. On the return journey to Seoul, relax and reflect on your experience.

Striking the perfect balance of live commentary and free time to explore, the comprehensive journey ensures a seamless blend of history, tension, and hope for a peaceful future.

DMZ

2 hours 10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Imjingak Pyeonghoa-Nuri Park

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Third Tunnel

50 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Dora Observatory

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

British Military Seolmari Battle Memorial Park

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Gamaksan Chulleong Bridge

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Children must be accompanied by an adult

A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
The duration can be delayed or shorter following the DMZ situation
Not provided pick-up from Airport and Cruise Port.
In case of heavy rain, snow or security control, Suspension bridge can be closed. Instead, you will visit Odusan Unification Observatorry
The itinerary can be changed by military control
Not recommended for travelers with claustrophobia for the 3rd Tunnel. Instead, the traveler may wait outside.
Not recommended for elderly for the 3rd Tunnel as slope way. Instead, they may wait outside.
Not recommended for travelers with acrophobia (fear of height) for the suspension bridge . Instead, they may wait at the view point.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Paul_M

We had a great time on this tour and recommend it. The half day seemed just about right. Our guide Joo-ee was really terrific. She was responsive in communicating before the trip via messaging to make sure the pickup went smooth. Then during the tour she gave us informative talks for each stop and was very well organized.

Reviews

5.0

1,518 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 1,518 reviews

Excellent

Barbara_C, May 2024

Took the late morning DMZ tour. Though we were scheduled for 9am, the pick up was at 7:45am to increase our chances of getting into the DMZ which could be sold out due to it being the weekend. Ms. Youngmi was our guide at pick up in a small van. She was an excellent tour guide with her historical knowledge and explanations of what was happening for the tour. At our first stop we switched to a large tour bus to join another group. Young was then our tour guide through the DMZ. He too provided an excellent historical background of the area. The trek down and back up the third tunnel is not for the faint of heart. Though there’s not much to see, the shear depth and efforts of North Korea trying to invade South Korea is a cruel reality that one is unlikely to expect elsewhere. Overall the tour was well worth it.

Great tour very informative and at times emotional

Alon_B, Apr 2024

Loved every minute thanks to our great tour guide Mr. Brian and of course the subject matter itself is fascinating. I was short in time so I booked the most reviewd tour, and I'm glad I did. The tour didn't feel rushed, and was very informative. Mr. Brian made the entire trip very interesting.

Great value

OmDipakbhai_T, Apr 2024

Went on this tour a second time. Definitely recommend. Both tour guides were amazing. Everything done on time as well

This was a very unique...

Natalie_W, Apr 2024

This was a very unique tour full of fascinating information. Our guide, Brian, had lots of knowledge and experience running this tour which ensured we had a smooth day. There is a physical component to note as the walk down the tunnel is not for the faint of heart.

A must tour for visiters in Seoul with the best instructor Mr. Young

Iris_F, Apr 2024

Our instructor Young was excellent, he was full of knowledge, very funny, and shared with us his emotions about the Korea war in a way that everyone of us felt empathy and compassion toward the suffer of the Koreans in both sides. He was really the best! We took the half day tour and it was very well organized organized and we returned to Seoul feeling that this tour is a must for everyone visiting the city, especially with Young.

History still on the making

Gary_H, Apr 2024

The tour before going wasn't one of high interest, but I felt I needed to do it to get more information about what was going on and why. Brian the host really helped make this fun. He was enjoyable and made it fun. I also did get to learn about this area, which was quite informative

Great!!! Would recommend it to everyone.

Loida_F, Apr 2024

Our tour guide Junie was great. She was pleasant and approachable and knowledgeable of Korean history Our pick up time was supposed to be 6:50 am but our bus came 7:15 am but we got a message that bus is coming 5 minutes late. It was ok with us.Overall the day trip was good and we learned about specifically Korean War history.It was great to see the DMZ zone in person . Watching the Korean drama Crash Landing on You made me more curious to see the DMZ .

Brian was a great tour...

AkosDavid_J, Apr 2024

Brian was a great tour guide, he told us a lot of interesting stories about the hostory of Korea and the DMZ.

Surreal Unforgettable

William_S, Apr 2024

The entire tour was pretty surreal. Highly recommended for everyone to go on this tour! Joo ee was a great host! Thank you!

DMZ

David_L, Mar 2024

We had an amazing time. Young was very informative. We would recommend this tour for all ages. Thank you for the great time.

Jeun grace parm

Gracer_P, Mar 2024

More worthy than the momey i paid ans Mr. Young , our guide, is so kind and so nice. He also knows many knowledge about DMZ

Hiking in the DMZ

Julia_B, Mar 2024

Junie is an excellent guide, filled with knowledge and a great story teller. She made the experience unforgettable.

DMZ FULL DAY TOUR

Moncerrat_R, Mar 2024

Ms. JooEe was the best tour guide! It was informative and very well planned. Started out very early and ended around 5:30 (full day tour). All the stops were great! Make sure to visit all the souvenirs shops. The tunnels was awesome; it was surreal being that close the NK. Lunch isn’t provided but that’s ok because there are little food shops at the first stop, the park. Thank you guys, everything was fantastic; my sister and I had such a great experience!

Execellent guide, well organized, recommended

Paul_M, Mar 2024

Great trip!

Katy_C, Mar 2024

Brian our guide, was really great. Knowledgeable and kind. Suspension bridge was a highlight. He even helped get us a taxi to go home using a taxi app he had.

Well worth the trip.

Mark_R, Mar 2024

Seeing something very different and very well set up and explained. Tour guide was outstanding. Diverse range of exhibits to explore.

DMZ tour very worthwhile

Hallie_A, Mar 2024

Our guide Brian was very energetic and knowledgeable. The DMZ tour provides fascinating political and historical context. The second half of day (war memorial and suspension bridge) is nice to see, but DMZ tour is more interesting.

Great day out! Thanks Brian

Adam_W, Mar 2024

We was picked up on time and taken to the DMZ by Brian. Very passionate, knowledgeable tour guide with an outgoing personality. He helped us to understand pre and post war Korean culture and gave us an inside perspective of the Korean war. He is very passionate about history and respectful to the nations that were involved, including a trip to the British Gloucester Regiment Memorial which, as Brits, really hit hard! Thanks Brian.

It was perfect

Scott_K, Feb 2024

I would love to say thank you for such an amazing experience! Our tour guide joo ee was very knowledgeable and such A polite and welcoming guide! I have been wanting to experience this for my whole life and I’m so glad I had the pleasure of doing it with such a great tour guide!!! Thank you!!

Must experience

Kerry_K, Feb 2024

Young is an excellent, friendly guide. The tunnel is a definite adventure and workout, the access was built for tourists and navigable but a steep incline. Tunnel itself gets very low, narrow and humid. New observatory building is excellent views. We found the crowded minivan a bit uncomfortable and overheated on the drive to the Paju DMZ center before transferring to a bigger bus while there.

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