Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Pyongyang
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $160-315 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Pyongyang
Accommodation
$80-150 per night
Tourist hotels and guesthouses with basic amenities, typically the most affordable options available to foreign visitors
Food & Dining
$40-80 per day
Hotel dining rooms, local Korean restaurants, and basic tourist-oriented establishments
Transportation
$10-25 per day
Public buses, Metro System, and organized group transportation as part of guided tours
Activities
$30-60 per day
Standard guided city tours, monument visits, and basic cultural attractions included in tour packages
Currency: ₩ North Korean Won (though most tourist expenses are quoted in USD or EUR)
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Pyongyang
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Book tours well in advance through authorized agencies for typically 15-25% better rates
Travel during shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) for generally 20-30% lower accommodation costs
Choose group tours over private tours for typically 40-60% savings on activities and transportation
Opt for standard hotel rooms instead of suites to save typically 50-70% on accommodation
Include meals in tour packages rather than paying separately, usually 25-40% more cost-effective
Book longer stays (5+ days) for better per-day rates, typically 10-20% lower daily costs
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Underestimating mandatory tour costs - all tourism requires guided tours which typically add $100-200 per day
Not factoring in visa and entry fees which can add $50-150 to total trip cost
Booking last-minute tours which typically cost 30-50% more than advance bookings
Expecting budget backpacker options - tourism infrastructure requires mid-range minimum spending