DMZ Peace Tour from Imjingak: booking the Third Tunnel on your own

The DMZ Peace Tour is the tour Paju City itself runs into the Demilitarized Zone north of Seoul. A shuttle bus leaves from Imjingak and takes you to the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory and Unification Village, then back to Imjingak, in about three hours. An adult ticket is 12,200 KRW with the monorail option or 9,200 KRW for the walking option (Paju DMZ Peace Tour, checked 2026-10-29). You need your original passport, tickets are issued only between 09:00 and 14:30, and the tour does not run on Mondays. Runs often sell out, so plan for a morning start.

What does the tour cover?

Course A runs Imjingak, the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Unification Village, and back to Imjingak, about three hours in all. Each run is either a monorail run or a walking run for the tunnel, and the price depends on which one you pick. If the monorail breaks down, that run switches to walking.

There is no tour guide on board. Paju says groups that want one must arrange it themselves.

How much is it?

Paju’s listed prices for individuals:

Ticket	Monorail	Walking
Adult	12,200 KRW	9,200 KRW
Student (elementary to high school)	9,500 KRW	7,000 KRW
65 and over	7,700 KRW	6,200 KRW

The adult price breaks down into a 5,000 KRW facility fee, a 4,200 KRW shuttle bus fare, and 3,000 KRW for the monorail. Paju’s fee rules also state that foreign visitors are not eligible for its fee reductions, so plan on paying the listed price.

How do I book?

On the DMZ Peace Tour site, choose the individual real-time booking, then a date, course and run. You enter each visitor’s details, including country, and pay. Details can’t be changed after payment, but you can check or cancel a booking on the site. Paju cancels bookings that repeat the same person or use false details.

Online booking covers only part of each run. Most runs hold 14 of the 44 shuttle seats for advance booking and sell the rest on site that day. On the day we checked, several morning runs were already closed or sold out, which is why booking ahead is worth it.

What happens at Imjingak?

Everyone collects tickets at the ticket office inside the Imjingak tourist area, booked or not. Ticketing runs from 09:00 to 14:30, and Paju warns that it often closes early when runs sell out. Tickets are only issued once your whole group has arrived and everyone’s ID has been checked.

For foreign visitors, that means a passport or a Korean alien registration card. A photo or copy of your ID, or an expired passport, won’t get you in.

When does it run?

Weekday runs (Tuesday to Friday) leave from 09:20, with the last at 14:40, ten runs a day. Weekends have more departures, also from 09:20 to 14:40. The tour is closed every Monday, on public holidays that fall on weekdays, and on Seollal and Chuseok day itself.

Because this is a military area, entry can be stopped without notice for security, emergencies or weather, and bookings can be cancelled. Paju has also posted a notice on its board about a full road closure at Dora Observatory. Read the notices on the official site the day before you go.

What are the rules inside?

• No photos or video anywhere on the tour route, drones included. CCTV runs inside the zone.
• No alcohol, weapons or fishing gear. Stay on the marked paths; the areas off the roads are treated as unconfirmed minefields.
• The tunnel is narrow and steep. Wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility may not be allowed in, and older visitors, people with high or low blood pressure, breathing problems, or anyone who has been drinking may be turned away from the tunnel.

How do I get to Imjingak?

The ticket office is at 148-57 Imjingak-ro, Munsan-eup, Paju. By train, take the Gyeongui-Jungang Line to Imjingang Station and walk about 20 minutes. Village buses 058A and 058B also stop at Imjingang Station.

Before you fly

For booking on the day and checking notices on the road, an eSIM is the easy answer. Superalink is a Korean eSIM company; set it up at home and it works the moment you land. Superalink has a 20% discount for Every Ticket readers.

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Check the official site before you go

Prices, run times and access to each site can change at short notice. Check the DMZ Peace Tour site run by Paju City (dmz.paju.go.kr) for notices and live availability before you set out. The ticket office numbers are +82-31-954-0303 and +82-31-954-0640.

FAQ

How much does the DMZ Peace Tour cost?

For an individual adult, 12,200 KRW with the monorail option and 9,200 KRW for the walking option. Both include the facility fee and the shuttle bus (Paju DMZ Peace Tour, checked 2026-10-29).

What do foreign visitors need to bring?

Your passport, or a Korean alien registration card. Photocopies, screenshots and expired passports are refused, and tickets are only issued after everyone's ID is checked.

When is the tour closed?

Every Monday, on public holidays that fall on weekdays, and on Seollal and Chuseok day itself. The rest of the Seollal and Chuseok holidays run as normal. Tours can also stop at short notice for security or weather reasons.

Can I book online?

Yes, on the DMZ Peace Tour site. For individuals, 14 of the 44 seats on most runs can be booked ahead; the rest are sold on site that day. You still collect your ticket at the Imjingak office between 09:00 and 14:30.

Can I take photos inside the DMZ?

No. Photos and video, drones included, are banned on the whole tour route.