uso tour dmz

How Do I Book A USO DMZ Tour?

There are many tour groups for you to choose from that charge different prices, but the one of the best known and most popular ways to visit the DMZ is with the United Service Organizations (USO).

The USO DMZ tour can be booked by visiting the Koridoor website at http://www.usodmz.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=dmz_tour . Koridoor is an official affiliate of the USO. Click on Schedule & Bookings at the top left when you are ready to choose a date.

Tours can sell out quickly on weekends and in the summer, so try to book as far in advance as possible. The tour schedule, including dates and times, can be viewed on the Koridoor website.

Read more about the USO DMZ Tour .

Last Updated on Dec 28, 2021

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USO-DMZ Tour - DMZ

• Asia    
• South Korea    
• Gyeonggi-do    
• Paju    
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USO-DMZ Tour

My friends and I visited Korea and Japan for our trip in mid-may. I have to say, this experience was the highlight of our trip! I booked the full day tour with the USO operated by koridoor tours. Although, you could feel the tension in this area, I never felt unsafe. In fact, our military guide was quick to point out that we were in one of the safest zones in the world. Make sure you book the JSA/DMZ and 3rd tunnel tour.....it was well worth what we paid. The USO is the way to go as they have the most access out of all the tour companies. The service was great and prompt. Also, our guides were all very informative. I could explain the tour in full detail, but instead I recommend to book it!!! You won't regret it.

I did a tour of the Dmz with grace travel. The tour guide was polite, informative and attentive. The tour covered most of the stops but not the JSA. Despite this it was still worthwhile doing. We went to the third infiltration tunnel which was a great experience but not recommended for unfit or claustrophobic people. Avoid being taken to the ginseng or amethyst factory places.

I liked the JSA a lot more than anything else. I'd suggest just doing that as it is the most informative. It was a gray day so we couldn't see anything from the Observation Point, but there are pictures of what you should see and it wasn't that different from any view of Korea. The tunnel was dark and damp, cool once you reach the end but it's far to get there and you have to wear ill fitting helmets. The idea of Dorasan Station is cool, in that it can connect South Korea to the rest of the world and make imports cheaper, but in reality it is just a train track that doesn't run. You can stand on it, which is cool if you've never done that and the photos are nice. Lunch was standard Korean fare.

We had a guide and driver from a local company for a tour of the DMZ and local markets. The morning trip to the DMZ was pleasant enough except we didn't really don't go to the DMZ. You go...near the DMZ. There is small train ride that takes you to the Third Tunnel which is interesting, but I would caution anyone who is elderly, claustrophobic or out of shape. You spend most of your walk banging your scarred blue hardhat on the pipes and rocks overhead. After that there are several stops for the usual tourist junk and then you arrive at the Dora overlook which features a extremely distant view of the DMZ. The final stop is at a train station that actually is not really in use...it was built in anticipation of reunification and a connection with the North Korean rail lines. However, there are gifts for sale there. After reading the other reviews, make sure you get what you want prior to booking the tour...they are not all the same.

I came on this tour with my partner. We did the full day tour and I think it was very worthwhile as you not only got to see the infiltration tunnel, observatory, last train station in S. Korea before heading north but you got to go to the JSA. The morning was spent at the tunnel etc and it was very interesting to see how far N.Korea got before being discovered, it was amazing to see the determination by getting through all that granite! But the best and most interesting part was going into the JSA, this made our tour as you got to see the border up close and personal! We couldn't go into the conference room as N Korea were doing works on their side so the security had been increased but we did see lots of soldiers and N.Koreans! I must add that the lunch the tour provided was lovely and the S.Korean stance when they are guarding is very intimidating! I brilliant tour and I recommend the full day, more expensive but you see far more and it made our day very interesting and surreal! The only annoying thing was that the company said their was a camera lens zoom limit and nobody paid attention to this and took their massive cameras, us, going by the rules took our small camera :( and think we may have missed out on some better pictures!

Exactly what you get on a DMZ tour depends to some extent on who you go with and what the political climate is like at the time. We were advised by our family serving in a local Diplomatic Service to use the USO tour service to maximise our chances of getting as far as the Conference Huts which straddle the border. So we did that, and booked several months in advance. You leave from the Seoul USO office at Camp Sims in the centre of Seoul. They use a local tour operator for the non military sections before and after the DMZ, and the bus was quite OK..would have been better if the aircon was left on when we had to sit for over 30 mins..? and even better if the tour guide had described what we were seeing at a speed more suited to her level of English...It was really almost impossible to understand...however, lets not be picky. Once at Camp Bonifas the US Army took over like a well oiled machine, transfer to their buses, walk behind one of them in double file, dont raise your arms and point, take photos only when told allowable and only in the direction shown....if you cant do what you are told then don't go on this tour. We went to within 30 metres of the actual blue "conference row" huts sitting astride the MDL ( the actual Military Demarkation Line...ie...the real border.) Sometimes you can actually go into the huts but today the North Koreans were replacing paving at their end of the huts and we had to stay well back from any possible interaction. The upside was that the NK soldiers were actually deployed all around the huts in full uniform which is apparently very unusual...possibly because they had maintenance workers on the ground...who knows..?...what they do and think is obviously as much a mystery to the Army guys on the ground as to everyone else. After the real hard core DMZ military area ( The JSA or Joint Security Area) we were handed back to the local tour company for somewhat lower organisation levels and less exciting sights...too many souvenir shops. The amazing white elephant Dorasan Station is incredible and almost a little surreal... a testament to overreaching dreams of early unification. I tunnel that I passed on anticipating a ground level video which we then had to skip to go to lunch in the JSA canteen. Back to Seoul by about 3.30pm after a 7.30 start. All in all a day not to be missed. Before doing this tour you would really benefit from checking the USO dress code. You are in US Army hands and they seem to have a "no slob" rule... and more strength to them..! You really really should research two things to get much more out of the day. 1. The 1976 Axe murders on the DMZ ...vis a vis Arthur Bonifas..the event is central to the place. Wikipedia good. 2. The general meaning of MDL (Military Demarkation Line... the actual border of short white posts), the DMZ, a broader area which runs 2km up and down from the MDL, and the JSA (Joint Security Area) which is the actively used part of the larger DMZ....this is awfully confusing but would have been very easy if I had taken the trouble to work it out first....but if you just jump on the bus and start getting hit with DMZ/JSA/MDL you wont know what the heck is going on. 3. See if you can get a regional map..? (Paju)

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

• Facilities 4.0
• Atmosphere 3.5

A mere 35 miles north of Seoul, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a 148-mile-long, 2-mile-wide swath of land marking the division between North and South Korea. Running close to the infamous 38th Parallel (the final front in the Korean War), the DMZ was set up in 1953 as a buffer zone between the two warring countries. The Military Demarcation Line – the actual border between North and South Korea – has been heavily manned on both sides by military personnel ever since. And though there have only been a few minor military altercations in the past 60 years, tensions remain between the two sides. In fact, since the DMZ was set up through an armistice and not a peace treaty, North Korea and South Korea are technically still at war.

You may think a daytrip to the DMZ is a fool's errand, but it is actually an extraordinarily popular thing to do when visiting Seoul. A number of companies run tours to Panmunjom , an abandoned town that straddles the Military Demarcation Line where the famous Joint Security Area is located. It was here that North Korean, South Korean, Chinese, American and United Nations diplomats signed the Korean War Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953. Visitors are invited to place their feet on either side of a line that runs along the building's floor separating the two nations – one foot in South Korea and the other in North Korea. Tourists can also peer out at the mysterious country to the north through mounted telescopes.

Many tours of the DMZ also include a visit to Imjingak – a park that features relics from the Korean war as well as monuments and a lookout point that faces North Korea – and to the Third Tunnel of Aggression, one of four tunnels dug by the North Koreans leading under the DMZ into South Korea. While North Korean officials maintain that the tunnel was dug for coal mining, South Korea found no coal in the vicinity. Recent visitors caution that the journey into the tunnel can be strenuous; because of its low ceiling, many travelers had to stoop for the duration of the short hike. Also, be warned that the various areas of the DMZ can get very crowded. That said, most visitors still found the overall experience to be exciting, powerful and moving.

There are several companies that run DMZ tours. The United Service Organizations (USO) tours by Koridoor offer affordable DMZ tours. A half-day tour costs $36 per person, while a full-day tour costs $65. For more information about DMZ tours, visit Koridoor's official website .

Tours & Tickets

Best DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul (Red Suspension Bridge Optional)

(17780 reviews)

from $ 55.00

Korea DMZ Tour from Seoul-Hotel Pickup / option: Suspension Bridge

(8166 reviews)

DMZ 3rd Invasion Tunnel and Suspension Bridge Day Tour from Seoul

(3948 reviews)

More Best Things To Do in Seoul

#1 Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower

Home to five warning beacons and a protective city wall during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Mount Namsan now hosts a park and a smattering of tourism sites like an aquarium, a library and a bevy of beautiful walking trails.

But most people visit Namsan Park for its panoramic views of Seoul. To scope it out for free, visit Palgakjeong, an octagon-shaped viewing pavilion that boasts alluring vistas of the city. For an even more breathtaking sight, shell out a few won to get to the observation platform atop N Seoul Tower, Namsan Park's real showstopper. Recent visitors said that on clear days, the view from 1,574 feet up is spectacular. Out on the sky deck, you can't miss the thousands of padlocks attached to the fence; couples lock them there as symbols of everlasting love (bring your own lock if you're feeling romantic). For an extra-special experience, reserve a table for dinner in the rotating French restaurant, n.GRILL, on the tower's top floor. 

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South Korea: USO DMZ Tour Review Continued

Posted: 15/05/2014 by Baldpacker

Click  HERE  to Read About My USO DMZ Tour from the Beginning

Dorasan Station

As part of the effort to unify North and South Korea, and to support Kaesong Industrial Park, the Gyeongui railway link was built to connect Seoul, in South Korea, with Kaesong, in North Korea with the hopes for the rail to one day support trains heading further North. To learn about this train project, we stopped at Dorasan Station, which uses the motto: “Not the last station from the South, but the first station towards the North”. The Dorasan stop was the least interesting stop of the tour for me, but it did make me think of how amazing it would be for South Korea to one day be linked to the rest of Asia and Europe through North Korea. On display in the station is a railroad tie signed by former President George W Bush who visited the station with South Korea’s president Kim Dae-jung.

Joint Security Area – JSA

The last stop of the tour was my favourite, the Joint Security Area or JSA for short. We were greeted at Camp Bonifas, the US/South Korean military base standing “In Front of Them All” in the event of an attack, by a US Military Serviceman who led us into a theater where we had to read and sign a waiver. He then put on an excellent presentation one again explaining the history of the Korean War, DMZ, and continued conflicts up to present day. I think the part of the tour I enjoyed most was having the same information explained multiple times in multiple ways. Each time I heard the story I caught a different fact or gained understanding which really brought home the information for me. After the presentation, we were back on to buses, but this time buses operated by the JSA rather than our tour company.

As we drove North towards Conference Row, the military escort explained more about the DMZ and the JSA and the present day situation between North and South Korea. At one point, we passed over a bridge and boundary line trench where the roads were rigged with C4 and the trench was said to be filled with over two million landmines in case the North Koreans tried to come across. I have never seen a structure rigged with C4 before and it was pretty nuts to just drive by it as though it was commonplace.

Eventually we arrived at the Freedom House, which is South Korea’s propaganda palace facing the demarcation line. We were lined up inside and then led out to the conference rooms straddling the border while a team of ROK soldiers stood in intimidating poses facing North Korea’s propaganda palace, Panmungak or Panmun Hall in English. The three blue rooms are referred to as T1-T3 and are used for negotiations between South and North Korean government representatives. We were able to enter the MAC conference room and could walk back and forth between North and South Korea and take photos with the ROK soldiers who looked pretty bad ass in my opinion.

South Korean (ROK) Soldiers Staring Down a North Korean Soldier

Standing with a South Korean Soldier in North Korea!

South Korean Soldier and UN Flag in JSA Negotiation Room

South Korean Soldier in JSA Negotiation Room

Meanwhile, a sole North Korean soldier paced back and forth out in front of Panmungak chatting into his radio from time to time. It was all a very surreal experience.

North Korean Soldier with Binoculars

After seeing the MAC conference room, we returned to the buses and drove by a landmark indicating it is where a large poplar tree had once stood. This was the scene of one of the most historic incidents since the Armistice Agreement was reached and it is commonly known as the Axe Murder Incident. Basically, when the JSA was originally developed, South and North Koreans could wander freely within the JSA area, construct buildings wherever they pleased, and there was no MDL through that area. As shown in the below diagram, a 100 foot poplar tree blocked the line of sight between United Nations Command (UNC) checkpoint CP#3 and observation post OP#5.

Scene of the Axe Murder Incident

The North Korean Army had often tried to kidnap UNC Personnel at CP#3 and drag them across the “Bridge of No Return” on to North Korea’s side of the MDL. Because of this, CP#3 was known as “The Loneliest Outpost in the World.” In order to improve the line of sight to the guard post, a group of US and ROK soldiers went into the JSA to trim the tree. While trimming the tree, North Korean soldiers confronted the group and it broke out into a fight where Capt. Bonifas and Lt. Barrett were killed by the axes dropped when the fight broke out. There are photos and videos of the incident recorded by officers at OP#5 and CP#3 and there is a clear photo of an axe being thrown at the US and ROK soldiers by the North Korean Army.

North Korea immediately claimed the attack was America’s fault and tried to use the incident as a reason to dissolve the UNC. America responded by putting its forces in Korea to DEFCON 3 and the UNC decided to cut down the tree, rather than trim it, in an operation called Operation Paul Bunyan. The operation consisted of 23 American and South Korean vehicles driving into the JSA without warning to the North Koreans including two eight man teams of military engineers with chains saws to cut the tree down. Supporting them was a 64 man South Korean special forces team with M16s, M79 grenade launchers, and several of the men with claymore mines strapped to their chests shouting and daring the North Koreans to cross the bridge.

When the tree cutting commenced, 150-200 North Korean troops arrived in buses. At that point, the a US lieutenant relayed their arrival by radio and a company of US infantry circled behind the operation in 20 utility helicopters and 7 Cobra attack helicopters. In the sky, B-52 Stratofortresses, Korean F-5 Freedom Fighters, and F-4 Phantom IIs flew at high altitude.

The aircraft carrier Midway was also station offshore. Additional Air Force, 12,000 troops, 1,800 marines, were also moved into place for ready deployment if required. There was a lot of concern the tree cutting could spark wider conflict and clearly the US was staged and ready to respond. Pretty intense stuff over a poplar tree!!!

After this incident, the JSA was divided into a North and South areas and personnel were no longer allowed to mix and buildings could not be used by parties on the opposing side of the MDL.

The final stop on our tour of the JSA was the Bridge of No Return. After the Korean War, many POWs were given the choice to cross the bridge or stay with their captors. Once making the crossing, they would not be able to return, thus the name.

Bridge of No Return

South Korea in the Foreground and the Bridge of No Return to North Korea in the Background

As we headed back towards Camp Bonafis, our military guide told us about Taesong-Dong, South Korea’s “Freedom Village” in the DMZ. There are just over 200 farmers in the village who live and farm under constant military guard. Living in the village has its benefits though, as the South Korean government guarantees the farmers a basic salary of more than US$ 80,000 per year (tax free), provides luxurious accommodation by rural Korean standards, and for the ~30 student school, there are around 25 teachers, ensuring the children get the best education possible. The only way to live in the village is to be born there or for women to marry into it and I believe residents must spend around 240 nights in the village each year to maintain their government benefits.

It was also explained that the DMZ has become a nature reserve over the years. Now, many endangered animals and plant species grow between the heavily fortified fences and guard posts of the area. There are red-crowned cranes, Korean tigers, Amur leopards, Asiatic black bears, and water deer nicknamed “vampire deer” because of their freaky fangs. After learning about so much war, death, family division, and political crises, it was nice to conclude the tour of the DMZ with a positive development.

After reloading on to the USO/Koridoor tour bus we went for a quick Korean buffet style dinner and then returned to Seoul. The DMZ tour was definitely one of the most educational, interesting, and emotional tours I have ever done. I both highly recommend the tour and would going to the JSA, if possible, but believe the Dora Observatory and Third Tunnel are quite worthwhile if that is all you are able to arrange. Now, to figure out how to get on a tour to the North Korean side of the JSA…

Category: Asia , Countries , North Korea , South Korea

1 Comments on “South Korea: USO DMZ Tour Review Continued”

Thank you for posting this insightful overview of the tour. This is quite appreciated for us that are curious about the area and have yet to make the journey.

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DMZ – the Deadly Line Dividing Korea

Panmunjom - jsa.

Their faces are stern and unflinching, eyes hidden behind sunglasses, standing rigid in a martial arts stance.

These soldiers watch over the southern border zone.

The Demilitarized Zone is a 4 kilometer-wide no-man’s-land of woodlands, slicing the Korean peninsula in half.

Guarding this split are landmines, surveillance cameras, watchtowers and barbed wire.

And while the Demilitarized Zone must not hold any serious weaponry, enormous armies and killing machines await easily within reach. Yeah, the DMZ of Korea is perpetually the tensest border on the planet.

Best DMZ tours are the USO tour from Seoul

Actually, it’s the only option.

This is the DMZ Tour Package for Foreigners.

They take you by tour bus into the JSA, or the Joint Security Area, at Panmunjom inside the Zone.

[ SEE INFO BELOW current as of 2022 ]

Both sides administer this area, where views of the North are clear and where the tensions are only metres away.

My visit to the Demilitarized Zone occurred a week after North Korea’s first-ever nuclear test (in 2006), and so the guiding officer spoke of the ‘heightened tension’.

They created the Demilitarized Zone after the Korean War

A ceasefire happened in 1953, yet there’s never been a permanent peace agreement signed.

Over the years, many hostile acts have erupted, mostly started by the North.

Despite the ongoing aggravation, reunification of the peninsula is a stated goal of both Koreas.

Inside the JSA Meeting Room, the US army guide told us if we sat on the official chairs, we would be “physically removed.”

Likewise, if we dashed across to the North, he or the ROK guards would stop us.

So “don’t embarrass yourselves,” were his warning words.

But like, would anyone in this group really defect to the North?

Back in the 1970s – during the Cold War – North Korea had prepared tunnels thru solid rock to attack Seoul (inspired by successful Viet-Cong tactics).

These tunnels were discovered and never used.

The North had painted the walls with coal, claiming the tunnels were for mining. But science proved this false.

According to military assessments, it’s thought one tunnel could’ve surged 30,000 troops and artillery towards Seoul within an hour of hostilities.

The USO DMZ Tour takes 100 people per visit, only

However, you can’t just stroll around or point your camera anywhere.

In fact, very little walking in the DMZ is allowed.

An army jeep escorted the tour buses from the JSA to other points of interest, including an observation point, where we marveled at a vista of North Korea (below).

Note: the giant flag pole – 160 metres tall to out-do the South’s village flag-pole standing at 100 metres.

The North’s flag is visible when a good wind catches it.

It’s 30 meters long and one of the world’s biggest – and needs to be replaced every 3 months, because of wear and tear, according to the guide.

In 2017, I visited the DMZ from North Korea . On the roof terrace of that stern concrete building, I looked over to where I posed this shot in South Korea in 2006.

Taking the USO DMZ Panmunjom Tour

– CHECK FOR LATEST INFO –

First, you can NOT just rock up to the DMZ at Panmunjon.

There was only one choice using USO when I visited, but now it seems there are more choices.

You will need to make an advance tour reservation.

Try the USO reservation here . Or book here at Koridoor .

There are two USO tours available, but I suggest taking the longer, fuller-featured option. I did.

• USO Tours run on Tuesday to Saturday, inclusive, except on national holidays.
• The price of the full-day USO Korea DMZ Tour is $92
• Tour duration: 7:30 – 15:30.
• There is a lunch stop mid-tour, but this cost is NOT included.

Departure Point: You will need to be at the KORIDOOR office in Yongshan before 7:30. Get there by subway.

Getting there by Subway:

• SAM GAK JI (삼각지) Station – line #4 and #6 : Way out to Exit No. 10 and walk straight about 500 Meters (8 mins) to “SeoJo Building” KORIDOOR Tour office on the 1st floor.
• NAM YOUNG (남영) Station – line # 1 : Way out to Exit No. 1 to the right and walk about 100 Meters (3 mins) to intersection, then turn right and walk about 120 Meters to “SeoJo Building” KORIDOOR Tour office on the 1st floor.

(Info from Koridoor.co.kr – and check this link for taxi directions AND a walking map of the area):

DMZ Korea Tour – Travel Tips

YOU MUST TAKE YOUR PASSPORT.

You must not to speak, gesture, approach, or respond to the North Korea guards.

Wear boots/shoes if doing the tunnel visit.

It’s all very controlled – so listen to the escort soldiers and don’t wander far – or else. The time for each stop is often short/rushed.

THINGS CHANGE:

There may now also be restrictions on visiting the cut tree / axe murder site and the Bridge of No Return because of disagreements with the north. When I visited these sights, they were only accessible from the bus window, anyhow.

The JSA tour has changed from an open spot (always-on tourist destination to a border military zone). Therefore, unlike the pre-booking system, confirmation is daily, and it’s done one day prior to the tour date.

Travels in South Korea – 2006

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How to choose the best DMZ Tour (2024 edition)

By: Author Sylvia

Posted on Last updated: January 22, 2024

Are you wondering what’s the best DMZ tour?

When we visited Korea for the first time, we absolutely wanted to visit the DMZ.

We did tremendous research about the best way to visit the DMZ and the best DMZ tour.

What we didn’t know at that time was that the inter-Korean summit would sabotage our plans.

Our DMZ tour was canceled because of the meeting between the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in.

Covid-19 threw a wrench in the works of our second trip to Korea, but in 2023, the moment finally arrived! We could again travel to Korea, and this time our visit to the DMZ, became a reality. Hooray!

The visit to the DMZ is slightly different after Covid than it used to be. We share all the latest details.

Here’s everything we learned from our extensive research and from our visit in 2023.

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

In a hurry? Here you will find the most important information about the DMZ

The DMZ is an interesting place to visit and a perfect way to learn more about Korean history and the current situation of separation between North and South Korea.

• The cheapest way to visit the DMZ is with the DMZ peace train . (The train has stopped running due to COVID-19 and service has not yet resumed at this time. )

DMZ half or full-day trip

• DMZ half or full-day trip ( is slightly cheaper than the one above, but at the moment only runs on Saturday or Sunday )
• DMZ Tour with Optional North Korean Defector
• If you are traveling with a larger family or a group, you could consider a private tour with a guide
• After 2 years of being closed, the JSA is finally reopening. Note that JSA Tours are very popular and are quickly booked up. If you want to visit the JSA you should book your tour as soon as your travel plans are fixed. Read on to learn the difference between the DMZ and the JSA .

Table of Contents

What’s the DMZ

In order to completely understand what the DMZ is all about we will start with some history.

The complete Korean peninsula on which both North and South Korea are currently located was annexed by Japan in 1910. The Japanese treated Korea as a colony. The interests of the Koreans were completely subordinate to the interests of Japan.

Japan was defeated by the Allies at the end of the second world war in 1945.  At that time the Soviet Union had occupied the Northern part of Korea and the United States took control of the Southern part of the Peninsula.  

7 days in Korea, the perfect itinerary. 

The intention of the two superpowers was to create a temporary separation between the 2 parts. Plans existed to create a united and  independent Korea in 5 years but things turned out differently. 

The Cold War ensured that there was no agreement to hold elections for the whole of Korea.

The differences in politics drove the 2 parts further apart instead of coming to each other.

In 1948 the independent Republic of Korea was established in the American zone.  In the same year, the Communist Democratic Korean People’s Republic (North Korea) was founded in the north.

Two years later the Northern army invaded the South with the aim of uniting the two Koreas into one communist state.  This was the start of a 3-year-long civil war that claimed more than 2 million victims.

Initially, the Northern army succeeded in overrunning 90% of the South but they were fought back by US-led reinforcements sent by the UN.

In their turn, they crossed the border and made plans to conquer the whole North, against the will of China that launched a counter-attack.

It took until July 27, 1953, before the Armistice Agreement was signed.

The two parties took long to negotiate where the new border should be but in the end, it was decided that the border remained more or less where it had been all the time. 

The new border diagonally crosses the  38th latitude and was widened with the creation of a four-kilometer-wide weapons-free buffer zone between the states, known as the DMZ.

The war left its traces and further perpetuated the division of Korea leading to a permanent alliance between South Korea and the United States and the establishment of a US base in South Korea.

There has been a truce since then but o fficially the 2 countries are still at war with each other.   We read about how you can literally feel the tension at the border where the armies of both countries are facing each other.

In other parts of South Korea, such as Busan , you do not notice much of the war except that foreign navigation systems, such as Google Maps, do not work because South Korea requires that all mapping data is stored locally. The government also enforces that military bases are removed from maps. Apparently, Google couldn’t promise to obey to all these rules.

In 2018 both countries have done a considerable effort to ease their relations.  At the Korean summit in May 2018, they vowed to officially end the war within a year.

Since then several other meetings have taken place between both parties as well as a historic meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong-un in June.  That was the first time that the sitting leaders of these countries spoke in person.

We are now well past this deadline and nothing has come of it. Relations between the two countries have even deteriorated again.

It would be great news if Korea would finally be reunited but at this point, it doesn’t seem like this will happen anytime soon.

Over time the DMZ will hopefully transition into a more amicable place but nothing has changed for the time being.

It may be one of the world’s most heavily militarized borders but it’s also one of the most visited tourist attractions in Korea.  The DMZ welcomes more than 1.2 million foreign travelers each year, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.

Why visit the DMZ

The guided tours are very educational and some tours have a North Korean defector as a tour guide who can give you more insight into how life is on the other side of the border. 

It is at this point one of the few still active remnants of the cold war and that makes it extra special.

Americans and South Koreans are not allowed to travel into North Korea, for them this will be the closest they can get to this isolated country.  And despite the fact that other nationalities are allowed to travel to the country, there are not many who do it.

The DMZ is described as one of the most volatile regions in the world and it is a border post that has torn thousands of families apart and still holds them hostage in their “new” country. 

It feels strange that at the same time it is one of the top tourist attractions in this country.

We wondered if we would not feel guilty that we as a tourist came to look at a place that is the source of so much misery for other people.

What convinced us is that we believe that, by showing this to people, hopefully, the following generations will learn from the mistakes of the past.

What is the difference between the DMZ and the JSA

With regard to the tours, there is a distinction between the DMZ and the JSA tours in Korea.

JSA refers to the Joint Security Area , this is as close as you can get to North Korea.

The JSA is what most people probably think about when they think about the Korean border.  This is the area with the blue barracks that are used for all the negotiations between the North and the South.

This is an iconic picture of the JSA but things may be different today.  One of the first things that North and South Korea agreed upon was to clear the JSA of all weapons and military.  This disarmament was completed in October 2018.

The good news is that they also decided to preserve the JSA in its current state.

Later on, in this article, we discuss in more depth the different points of interest that DMZ and JSA DMZ tours cover.

Who can visit the DMZ? 

Everybody can join the DMZ tours but at this point, certain restrictions are still in place regarding the JSA.

Since the JSA has been disarmed the expectation is that these restrictions will disappear in the near future.

Until that is a fact, these nationalities can visit the JSA but will need to provide a scan of their passport at the time of booking a tour. Albania – Afghanistan – Algeria – Azerbaijan – Bangladesh – Bahrain – Belarus – China – Cuba – Egypt – Estonia – Georgia – Hong Kong – Iran – Iraq – India – Indonesia – Jordan – Kazakhstan – Kuwait – Kyrgyzstan – Latvia – Lebanon – Libya – Lithuania – Malaysia – Morocco – Moldova – Nigeria – North Korea – Oman – Pakistan – Qatar – Russia – Saudi Arabia – Somalia – Sudan – Syria – Taiwan – Tajikistan – Turkmenistan – Tunisia – Ukraine – United Arab Emirates – Uzbekistan – Vietnam – Yemen Visitors with European, American, or Australian nationality do not have any restrictions when visiting the JSA.

Children must be accompanied by their parents for both the JSA as well as the DMZ tours.

Some tour companies require that children are at least 10 years old before they can participate in a JSA tour.  If you’re planning on doing a DMZ or DMZ/JSA tour with small children we recommend that you check with the tour company.

Things to know when visiting the DMZ

Opening hours.

The DMZ tours don’t run on Mondays and Korean holidays ( except Korea’s New Year and Thanksgiving Day).

If the Korean holiday happens to be during a weekend, there is a chance that the DMZ tours will run anyway.

We cover an alternative DMZ tour that you can do if your only chance is to visit the DMZ would be a Monday. More about this tour later.

Things you should bring

A current valid passport is required for both the DMZ as well as JSA DMZ tour. 

You have to take your passport with you.

Without your passport, you won’t be allowed to join the tour.

A dress code applies when visiting the JSA.

The dress code is expected to disappear now that the disarmament of the JSA is a fact but for the time being, we would advise you to stick to the dress code or to check with your tour operator to confirm what you will be wearing is OK.

This is the dress code:

• Skirts/dresses need to be at least knee length
• No sandals, flip-flops,s or slippers
• No t-shirts: must be collared shirts
• Civilian clothes preferred
• Jeans accepted with no holes (no ripped jeans)
• No tank tops
• No exercise clothes
• No clothing with militarily styled prints
• No stretch pants/tights

The reason that the dress code is in place has nothing to do with security as most would think.

The dress code came after it appeared that North Korea used photos of “sloppy” dressed foreigners to use them in their propaganda.   The North Korean government used the photos to showcase the poor state of the other countries.

For this same reason, it is not allowed to wave to the North Korean guards.  Images of foreigners waving to North Korean guards have been used in propaganda and have been framed as people who wanted to defect to the communist state.

Codes of conduct 

There is still a strict code of conduct in place as we write this article. You mustn’t wave, point, or in any other way signal to the North Korean guards.

Photos are also not allowed everywhere.  The guides will tell you what you can and cannot take pictures of. (eg. it is not allowed to take pictures inside the 3rd infiltration tunnel)

When you tour the JSA you must at all times stay with your guide and the military escorts and comply with all the instructions given by your guide and the military.

The disarmament will result in a more relaxed code of conduct in the future.

Most interesting points of interest

The most interesting sights are the Joint Security Area, the Freedom Bridge, the Infiltration Tunnels, and the Mount Odu Observatory.

The Joint Security Area (JSA)

Located in Panmunjom, the JSA is the closest point a tourist can get to North Korea without getting arrested or shot.

Here you’ll have a chance to physically stand in North Korea. It is also the only spot  in the DMZ, where the South and North Korean soldiers face each other.

The JSA area is occupied by the South Korean and US military. 

Bill Clinton repeatedly called this border post the scariest place on earth but it is touristy at the same time.  There is even a gift shop selling original items from North Korea, including stamps, money, and wine.

A visit to the JSA zone usually starts in Camp Bonifas.  

This is a United Nations Command military post that houses the United Nations Command Security Battalion of the Joint Security Area whose primary mission is to monitor and enforce the Korean Armistice Agreement of 1953.

Here you will normally also be given a 20-minute briefing by an American soldier explaining the rules and possible dangers. 

There are quite a few rules you should follow so listen carefully. You cannot  take any loose items with you, if you bring a coat you have to wear it all the time (you cannot hang it over your arm), you will also have to walk to the actual border in “formation” and have to set up in rows, etc. 

At this point, you’ll also be signing a waiver that absolves South Korea, the UN, and the USA in case any incidents will arise.  The waiver explicitly states that the visitor’s safety is not guaranteed in the event of unanticipated complications.

A standard formality because in recent years there have been no accidents and these tours are done on a regular basis.

This document also provides more information about photo privileges, specifically when and where you’re allowed to take pictures.

Once everybody has signed the waiver a tour bus brings you to the freedom house.

Here two South Korean soldiers of a special unit stand guard facing soldiers from North Korea.   Often there is only one soldier on the side of North Korea.

The JSA is the only part of the DMZ where North and South Korean soldiers are face-to-face. They stare at each other all day long and have been for several years.

A little later you can enter the conference room. This is the actual conference room where the armistice agreement was signed.  In this room, you will get the chance to cross the border.  The border cuts the conference room in 2 so when you cross the room to the opposite side you’re effectively in North Korean territory. 

This concludes your visit to the actual JSA zone, next you get a short tour along a lookout point towards North Korea from where you can see the Propaganda Village.

This is a well-tended village just along the North Korean border that is supposedly housing 200 families, several schools, and a hospital. 

Tourists seldom see any movement in the village and it is believed that North Korea only built the town for propaganda purposes.  Hence the name South Koreans gave to the town.

You will also visit the location of the Korean ax murder incident.  Two American soldiers were killed here by North Koreans while cutting a tree.  

Another highlight is the bridge of no return.

This is the bridge where prisoners between the two countries were exchanged after the Korean War. 

The name originates from the final ultimatum that was given to prisoners of war brought to the bridge for repatriation: they could either remain in the country of their captivity or cross the bridge to return to their homeland.

However, once they chose to cross the bridge, they would never be allowed to return, even if they later changed their minds.

After 2 years of being closed, the JSA is finally reopening.

Note that JSA Tours are very popular and book out quickly. We therefore recommend that you book as early as possible so that you can choose your desired date.

Check prices and availability: DMZ-JSA Tour

Imjingak Park and the Freedom Bridge

Imjingak Park has an important sentimental and symbolic meaning. This park commemorates families who are separated because of the split between North and South. 

The remnants of the Freedom Bridge can be seen from the park. This bridge was long 1 of only 2 bridges that crossed the Imjin River.

It had long served peaceful purposes but its position close to the Korean border made it of crucial importance during the Korean War.

The bridge was destroyed early in the war, making the Imjingang bridge alongside it the only connection to supply the Southern troops fighting in the Northern territory with supplies.

After the peace treaty was signed this bridge was also used to exchange the sick and wounded prisoners.

The Third Tunnel of Aggression

The Third Tunnel of Aggression is one of four known tunnels under the border between North and South Korea.

The tunnels have been dug to make a surprise attack from North Korea on South Korea.

North Korea denies this and claims the tunnels are part of a network of tunnels belonging to a coal mine.  This is highly unlikely as coal has never been found in the area.

The Third Tunnel of Aggression is located 44 kilometers from Seoul and was discovered in 1978.  It runs underneath the Demilitarized Zone. 

The incomplete tunnel is 1,635 meters long, with a height and width of 2 meters. It is estimated that the tunnel would be able to accommodate more than 30,000 soldiers with light weapons per hour.

Today the tunnel has become an all-inclusive tourist attraction, with a DMZ video hall, representative sculptures, gift shops, and more.

The tunnel is located 73 meters below the surface and is accessed through a steep tunnel. It makes for quite a tough climb. For a supplement, you can use the monorail pictured above to enter and exit the tunnel. Check in advance with the tour organizer if he can arrange this if you want to use the monorail.

You can walk a part of the tunnel until the MDL (military demarcation line). The tunnel may feel quite cramped and if you’re claustrophobic you want to skip it.

Pictures are not allowed in the tunnel.

The Dora Observatory

The Dora Observatory is the northernmost Observatory.  It is situated on top of Mount Dora.

Here you can catch a rare glimpse of the reclusive North Korean state without setting foot in the country.

You will see the Kijong-dong Propaganda village and, on a clear day, you can see as far as the real city of Kaesong situated about 8km from the DMZ.

Kaesong is the only city that actually changed hands after the Armistice agreement was signed.  It used to be under the control of South Korea but is now ruled by the North. 

The Kaesong Industrial region that borders the city is because of its proximity to the border a special administrative region where both people from the North and the South are allowed to work.

You can also see the Dorasan train station , a station located only 650 meters from the Korean border. 

The railway line used to continue into North Korea all the way to the capital city of Pyongyang.

The tracks are still there and one hopes that in the near future the trains will again operate in between the two current capitals.

The Dorasan Train station 

In 2000 North and South Korea made plans for a rail line that connected both capitals.

The line was completed in 2003 but it took until 2007 before the first freight trains started to run across the border.  Not for long unfortunately because already in December 2008 North Korea decided unilaterally to again hermetically close the border.

The Dorasan Train station is currently hugely oversized.  The DMZ train is the only train that serves the station with exactly one arrival and one departure daily.

But, with a large customs & immigration area, the station is completely ready for the day that the trains will again continue further North.  The original intention was to enable passenger transport in the long term. Let’s hope that this will become a reality in the future.

At this point, Dorasan station is more a symbol of the hope for a reunion between South and North Korea than it is an actual functioning train station.

How to visit the DMZ 

The DMZ area is located 60 km from Seoul and can be visited with the DMZ train or a private guided or group tour.

The DMZ peace train

DMZ peace train service has not yet resumed post-COVID-19.

The cheapest way to visit the DMZ is with the DMZ peace train .

The DMZ peace train runs from  Seoul  to Dorasan station from Tuesdays to Sundays. Just before the train reaches Dorasan station it crosses the Imjingang bridge which gives you a good view of the remnants of the Freedom bridge. 

Once arriving at Dorasan station, you can hop on a bus to visit the DMZ. The bus will take you to the Dorasan peace park, the Dora observatory and you will visit the Third Tunnel of Aggression.

Pros and cons

• The cheapest way to visit the DMZ. You will have to take cash to pay separately for the bus tour (if you don’t join the bus tour the only other option is to hang around for 5 hours at the train station) as well as for your lunch.
• This tour might be for you if you don’t like group tours. It gives you slightly more freedom although you still will have to join the bus once you arrive at Dorasan station.

• No English is spoken on the bus tour.
• This tour takes a whole day. If you are short on time you better opt for an organized half-day DMZ tour allowing you to explore the rest of Seoul during the remaining afternoon
• You cannot visit the JSA.
• No hotel pick up, you will need to get to the train station on your own expense

Although we’re not fans of organized group tours ourselves we have opted for an organized tour to visit the DMZ and we were happy with our choice afterward.

The first reason is that you have to join a tour anyway if you want to see the sights such as the infiltration tunnel that are located inside the DMZ. Otherwise, you can only visit Imjingak park.

The second reason is that many of the sights, including in Imjingak park, don’t say that much unless you hear the story from the guide.

We haven’t been able to visit the JSA yet, that will be for our next trip. If you want to visit it you also need to book a tour with a guide.

Finally, there isn’t a huge price difference between what you would pay if you went to the DMZ on your own and took a tour there or booked an organized tour from the start.

That’s why our advice would be to have a look at the organized tours before you opt for the train.

“The scariest place on Earth” – Former US President, Bill Clinton, during his visit to the DMZ in 1993.

The best DMZ tours from Seoul

The most comfortable way to visit the DMZ is with an organized DMZ tour from Seoul.

We recommend using GetYourGuide to book your DMZ tour in Korea. One of the advantages of GetYourGuide is that most tours have a flexible cancellation policy. Normally you can cancel up to 24hours before the tour to get a full refund.

Here is an overview of all the tours on GetYourGuide.

You have a choice between half-day and full-day DMZ tours.

All DMZ tours will head to Imjingak Peace Park first where they will buy tickets to enter the DMZ area. Depending on how busy it is, your group will have to wait there until it’s your turn to visit the DMZ region.

Your guide will tell you some stories about the most important things at Imjingak when you arrive.

You can use your free time at Imjingak to see several monuments and other elements that tell stories about the Korean War. One of them is this steam locomotive riddled with bullets. This was the last train to cross the border. It was destroyed by US soldiers so that it could not be used by North Korean troops.

Once it is your turn to visit the sights inside the DMZ area, the Dora Observatory, and the Infiltration tunnel, you will board a bus and visit those things in groups.

Know that the end times of all tours are only indicative. Only a limited number of people are allowed in the DMZ area at a time. Therefore, there is a real chance that your group will have to wait and that your tour will be delayed. We recommend not booking any other activities on the day of your DMZ visit.

Make sure to book your DMZ tour from Seoul well in advance to avoid disappointments, especially JSA tours tend to sell out well in advance.

Which Dmz Korea tour is the best one? Here’s a list of the most recommended and popular tours. 

To create this list we looked at the itineraries and the reviews.

This tour visits the DMZ and JSA in 1 day. It is the most complete and popular DMZ tour.

Tours to the JSA zone have only just resumed and availability is currently difficult to find.

Check prices and availability: JSA tour on Viator

• Visit the freedom bridge near Imjingpark and the old steam train
• Learn more about the Korean war by visiting the 3rd infiltration tunnel and the DMZ Exhibition Hall
• See North Korea from the Dora observatory
• Visit the Dora station

They offer both half-day and full-day tours. You can join the half-day tour in the morning or in the afternoon. The morning tour starts at 8 am, the afternoon tour at 11 am.

If you opt for a full-day tour, you will also visit the War Memorial of Korea.

Pickup is included ( see the tour for the exact pickup locations)

• Those who are not interested in the JSA or who are short on time will find that the half-day DMZ tours offer a great alternative.  You will see all the highlights of the DMZ and still have a half-day to discover Seoul.
• If you want to visit the War Memorial of Korea, you should opt for the full day tour.

Check prices and availability: DMZ half or full day trip

DMZ half and full-day tour

• Explore the extraordinary Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea
• Get a rare glimpse of North Korea from the Ganghwa Peace Observatory
• Stop by at the Veterans Memorial Park and learn more about the Korean War
• Watch the statues and monuments at Imjingak Park
• See the Bridge of Freedom

There are both half and full-day tours. 

Both tours will take you to all the highlights of the DMZ. 

In addition, the full-day tour includes an authentic Korean-style lunch (Bibimbap) and a real shooting experience back in Seoul.

Due to COVID-19 measures, the places visited will be Imjingak Park, Bridge of Freedom, 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and Dorasan Station.

Note that at the moment this tour only runs on Saturday and Sunday.

• If you aren’t interested in the JSA or short on time will find that the half-day DMZ tours offer a great alternative.  
• The Ganghwa Peace Observatory is a great alternative for those that are looking to visit a less touristic area of the DMZ.
• If you add up all the costs of the train excursion, the difference between these half-day excursions is negligible.

Check prices and availability: DMZ half and full day

DMZ Tour with a North Korean Defector

• Listen to enlightening commentary from a professional guide and a real North Korean defector
• Ask questions about real North Korean life and hear about the past and present of North Korea
• Enjoy a comprehensive tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone ( tour of DMZ) and learn about both South and North Korea’s history
• Explore all the must-see spots in the DMZ in one tour
• Catch a rare glimpse of the reclusive North Korean territory

Tours 

With this DMZ tour, you visit the must-see spots in the DMZ zone and you have the possibility to ask questions to a North Korean defector about life in North Korea.

You can opt for a tour with or without hotel pick-up.

This tour is similar to the half-day DMZ tour we listed above but you will be accompanied by a guide and a North Korean defector.  

This is our top recommended tour if you want to learn more about North Korea. 

There’s no better way to learn more about North Korea than to speak to somebody who lived there for several years.

Check prices and availability: Tour with Optional North Korean Defector

Private DMZ Peace Tour: 3rd Invasion Tunnel(Monorail) and Suspension Bridge

If you are traveling with a larger family or a group, consider a private tour with a guide.

This tour visits all the important stops such as the freedom bridge and the Mangbaedan altar, the third tunnel, Dora Observatory, and more.

You will also have the option to visit Gamaksan Chulleong Bridge or Majang Lake.

The Gamaksan Chulleong Bridge is with length of 150 meters one of the longest suspension bridges in Korea. This bridge was a fierce battlefield during the Korean War. 

Majang Lake is the lake where the Allied Forces fought a fierce battle during the Korean War.

Check prices and availability: Private DMZ Tour

A journey to South Korea is not complete without a visit to the DMZ.  It may feel strange to travel to a very controversial border post as a tourist but it is the best way to learn about the rich albeit sad history of the 2 Korean countries.

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Moscow Metro 2019

Will it be easy to find my way in the Moscow Metro? It is a question many visitors ask themselves before hitting the streets of the Russian capital. As metro is the main means of transport in Moscow – fast, reliable and safe – having some skills in using it will help make your visit more successful and smooth. On top of this, it is the most beautiful metro in the world !

. There are over 220 stations and 15 lines in the Moscow Metro. It is open from 6 am to 1 am. Trains come very frequently: during the rush hour you won't wait for more than 90 seconds! Distances between stations are quite long – 1,5 to 2 or even 3 kilometers. Metro runs inside the city borders only. To get to the airport you will need to take an onground train - Aeroexpress.

RATES AND TICKETS

Paper ticket A fee is fixed and does not depend on how far you go. There are tickets for a number of trips: 1, 2 or 60 trips; or for a number of days: 1, 3 days or a month. Your trips are recorded on a paper ticket. Ifyou buy a ticket for several trips you can share it with your traveling partner passing it from one to the other at the turnstile.

On every station there is cashier and machines (you can switch it to English). Cards and cash are accepted. 1 trip - 55 RUB 2 trips - 110 RUB

Tickets for 60 trips and day passes are available only at the cashier's.

60 rides - 1900 RUB

1 day - 230 RUB 3 days - 438 RUB 30 days - 2170 RUB.

The cheapest way to travel is buying Troyka card . It is a plastic card you can top up for any amount at the machine or at the ticket office. With it every trip costs 38 RUB in the metro and 21 RUB in a bus. You can get the card in any ticket office. Be prepared to leave a deposit of 50 RUB. You can get it back returning the card to the cashier.

SamsungPay, ApplePay and PayPass cards.

One turnstile at every station accept PayPass and payments with phones. It has a sticker with the logos and located next to the security's cabin.

GETTING ORIENTED

At the platfrom you will see one of these signs.

It indicates the line you are at now (line 6), shows the direction train run and the final stations. Numbers below there are of those lines you can change from this line.

In trains, stations are announced in Russian and English. In newer trains there are also visual indication of there you are on the line.

To change lines look for these signs. This one shows the way to line 2.

There are also signs on the platfrom. They will help you to havigate yourself. (To the lines 3 and 5 in this case). 

Moscow Metro Tour

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Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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