DMZ Tour from Seoul: Third Tunnel and North Korea views

You walk inside a tunnel North Korean soldiers carved by hand.

A guided DMZ tour from Seoul visits three sites across 7 to 9 hours: Imjingak Park (7 km from the Military Demarcation Line), Dora Observatory where you can see into North Korea through a telescope, and the Third Tunnel of Aggression, a 1,635-meter passage discovered in 1978 that you enter on foot. A professional English-speaking guide and air-conditioned transport are included. Drop-off is at City Hall or Myeongdong. The DMZ is military-controlled, so the itinerary may change or cancel without notice due to weather, road conditions, or military operations.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Imjingak Park30m
2. Dora Observatory30m · entry included
3. Third Tunnel of Aggression40m · entry included

DMZ tour from Seoul

• Visit Imjingak Park
• See Mangbaedan
• View Bridge of Freedom
• Observe North Korea at Dora Observatory
• Enter the 3rd Tunnel

The experience

The tour starts at one of your chosen meeting points (Hongik University, Myeongdong, Gangnam, or City Hall), and heads north toward the DMZ. Imjingak Park sits 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line and holds the weight of the Korean War: the three-storied Imjingak building stands surrounded by monuments and the Unification Park, built in 1972 with the hope that division might one day end. You'll see Mangbaedan, where families separated by the war return on New Year's Day, and the Bridge of Freedom, the historic railroad bridge that carried prisoners of war back from the North after 1953.

From Dora Observatory, weather permitting, you can look across into North Korea itself: toward Gaeseong, Songaksan, the Kim Il-Sung Statue, and the Cooperation Farm. A telescope lets you see detail across the border. Then comes the Third Tunnel: discovered by South Korea in 1978, it runs 1,635 meters long, 2 meters wide and 2 meters high, located 52 km from Seoul. You walk inside it on foot: the same passage North Korean soldiers excavated, capable of moving roughly 30,000 soldiers per hour. It is the only tunnel of its kind open to civilian visitors.

An optional stop at Gamaksan Chulleong Bridge, a 150-meter suspension bridge, marks the site of the 1951 Battle of Solma-ri, where about 650 British troops held against 25,000 Chinese troops for three days. The tour runs 7 to 9 hours depending on traffic and group size. Because the DMZ operates under military control, schedules shift with weather, road conditions, military training, or government order: the operator reserves the right to alter or cancel any part of the itinerary, though they will do their utmost to work around disruptions. A valid passport is required on the day of travel. Wear closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops, slippers and heels are not recommended for walking the tunnel.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned coach or minivan transport.
• entry to Imjingak Park, Dora Observatory and the Third Tunnel.
• telescope access at the observatory (weather permitting).
• drop-off at City Hall or Myeongdong.

Options for this experience

9 options

DMZ Tour/Hongik Univ.Guide in English · 07:40 and 09:30Pick-up is not offered. Meet at Hongik Univ. Station Exit 2, which is also the starting point: Hongik Univ. Station, Seoul, South Korea

DMZ Tour/MyeongdongGuide in English · 07:20 and 09:00Meeting points only: hotel pickup service is not included. To get this service, please purchase the hotel pickup option. Meeting point: Myeong-dong Station, Exit 10. Starting point: Myeongdong Station, Exit 10, 61-7 Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

DMZ Tour/City HallGuide in English · 07:30 and 09:10Pick-up is not offered. Meet at City Hall Station Exit 7, which is also the starting point: City Hall Station Exit 7, 92 Sejong-daero, Taepyeongno 2(i)-ga, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

See 6 more options

DMZ Tour/GangnamGuide in English · 06:40Pick-up is not offered. Meet at Gangnam Station Exit 12, which is also the starting point: Gangnam Station Exit 12, Seoul, South Korea

Includes admission to the Human Rights Exhibition HallGuide in English · 07:20N.K. Human Rights Exhibition: Part of your booking supports the center's work, and guests may also choose to donate on-site. Duration: 1 hour. The entry ticket includes access to the exclusive immersive exhibition "Myungju's Room / Her Day in North Korea" (1 hour). Meeting & drop-off: meet outside Exit 10 of Myeongdong Station. The DMZ tour concludes near the NKDB, and the exhibition starts at 16:00. Starting point: Myeongdong Station, Exit 10, 61-7 Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

+Suspension Bridge/Hongik UnivGuide in English · 07:40 and 09:30Includes the Mt. Gamak suspension bridge, adding about an hour. No pickup service. Meeting point: Hongik Univ. Station, Exit 2. Starting point: Hongik Univ. Station, Seoul, South Korea

+Suspension Bridge/MyeongdongGuide in English · 07:20 and 09:00Includes the Mt. Gamak suspension bridge, adding about an hour. Meeting points only: hotel pickup service is not included. Meeting point: Myeong-dong Station, Exit 10. Starting point: Myeongdong Station, Exit 10, 61-7 Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

+Suspension Bridge/City HallGuide in English · 07:30 and 09:10Includes the Mt. Gamak suspension bridge, adding about an hour. No pickup service. Meeting point: City Hall Station, Exit 7. Starting point: City Hall Station, Exit 7, 92 Sejong-daero, Taepyeongno 2(i)-ga, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

+Suspension Bridge/GangnamGuide in English · 06:40Includes the Mt. Gamak suspension bridge, adding about an hour. Meeting points only: hotel pickup service is not included. Meeting point: Gangnam Station, Exit 12. Starting point: Gangnam Station, Exit 12, Seoul, South Korea

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to Sunday7 departure times: the first at 06:40, the last at 09:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 500

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by I Love Seoul Tour

Is this one for you?Walk through the tunnel North Korean soldiers carved, observe the border through telescopes at Dora Observatory, and see the Freedom Bridge at Imjingak: all within the DMZ's restricted military zone where a government-licensed operator navigates the required permits and timing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly is the Third Tunnel and why can I walk through it?

The Third Tunnel of Aggression is a 1,635-meter passage carved by North Korean soldiers and discovered by South Korea in 1978. It was built as an invasion route capable of moving approximately 30,000 soldiers per hour. Today it is the only tunnel of its kind open to visitors, and you enter it on foot as part of the tour.

Can I actually see North Korea from Dora Observatory?

Yes. From Dora Observatory you can overlook into North Korea, including the city of Gaeseong, Songaksan mountain, the Kim Il-Sung Statue, and the Cooperation Farm. Weather permitting, a telescope lets you see detail across the border.

What is Imjingak Park and why does it matter?

Imjingak Park, located 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line, was built in 1972 as a symbol of hope for eventual unification. It holds the Bridge of Freedom, a historic railroad bridge used by prisoners of war returning from the North after the Korean War, and Mangbaedan, where families separated by the division return on New Year's Day to remember those they left behind.

How long is the tour and what time does it end?

The tour runs 7 to 9 hours depending on the number of tourists and traffic on the day. End time varies, and all schedules are subject to change due to road conditions, weather, or military operations.

What happens if the DMZ closes or the weather turns bad?

Because the DMZ is military-controlled, the trip may be canceled or the itinerary altered without prior notice due to weather (storms, dense fog, heavy snow), road conditions, military training, or government order. The operator cannot grant refunds in these cases but will do their utmost to work around disruptions. An alternative itinerary is available if the main route is not accessible.

Do I need to arrange my own hotel pickup?

Hotel pick-up and drop-off are available on some options but not included on all of them. Check your selected option at checkout. Standard meeting points are Hongik University, Myeongdong, Gangnam, or City Hall, where drop-off also occurs.