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Best DMZ Tour From Seoul (No Forced Shopping)

Tour Code
Tour No: 25
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Family Friendly
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Min 1 Person
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VIP Travel was the Viator Experience Award Winner for 2023
99% of travelers recommend this experience

South Korea is a fascinating country that has so much to offer travellers. That being said, there is one experience that is completely unique and can only be had here. So don’t miss the opportunity to visit the historic and mysterious Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea on our DMZ Half Day tour from Seoul! This, without question, is the number one choice for local and international travellers!

* Choose between our morning tour at 7:30 am or our DMZ afternoon tour from Seoul starting at 10:30 am.

* New! You can now add up to two optional add-ons to extend your trip. See details below.

Free Cancellation When cancelling by 5pm the day before most tours. See Details.

What is the DMZ – an exciting experience like no other

While the Cold War happened a long time ago, Korea is the only country that still remains divided as a consequence. The DMZ lies on the border between the North and the South. This is the most heavily fortified border in the whole world, so don’t miss the chance to see it! You should expect a truly immersive and unforgettable trip on all our DMZ tours!

What to expect – kickstart your trip with our seamless itinerary

Your experience while visiting the DMZ depends mainly on the quality of your tour guide. Getting the most from this tour requires a good understanding of past events, the effects they had and still have on people’s lives.

The only way to truly understand the impact of the DMZ is to visit with a very knowledgeable guide. Besides the historical evidence of the war, there is a whole dimension of emotion to experience. Our professional tour guides are here to help you gain that more profound insight during our DMZ Half Day tour.

One of our guides providing a tour briefing inside the DMZ
One of our knowledgeable guides giving a tour briefing at Imjingak Park inside the DMZ

In addition, we are the only tour operator that does not include forced shopping stops along the way to the DMZ. Our goal is to provide a high quality, once-in-a-lifetime visit while giving you the freedom to focus on the unique historical and cultural aspects!

You can choose our DMZ morning tour at 7:30 am or, if you prefer, our DMZ afternoon tour at 10:30 am. We usually recommend visiting in the morning (if possible), as it offers more convenience and clearer views across the border.

Discover an itinerary packed with action and history

Our itinerary is designed to make your visit as memorable and seamless as possible! The day will begin with us meeting you at your hotel in Seoul with our complimentary hotel pick up service. Your visit will then be led by one of our fully licensed tour guides. Feel free to ask questions to make sure you understand how special this area is!

We’ll take care of all transportation to and from the DMZ and drop you off nearby City Hall (downtown Seoul). The entrance fees and tickets are all included in the tour, for your convenience. All you need to do is immerse yourself in your DMZ experience and forget about logistics!

Highlights – visit and learn about the most important spots at the DMZ

There are a few specific spots that are truly significant and should not be missed! So you’ll be pleased to know that our DMZ Half Day tour covers them all.

Imjingak Park – tradition meets spirituality

The remains of a very old train called the "Iron Horse" on display at Imjingak Park
Made as a symbol of the railroad that connected the Koreas and disassembled during the Korean war, the train known as “Iron Horse” can be found on display at Imjingak Park.

Imjingak Park was built as a safe space to console the refugees that came from North to South Korea during the Korean War. There is a railway connecting the two countries, which was taken apart during the conflict.

Here, you will find Mangbaedan altar. This is where refugees bow to their ancestors as it looks in the direction of the graveyard. The tradition happens on Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving).

Following on, you can see the Unification Pond, which is built in the shape of the Korean peninsula and is a beautiful place to take photos! Finally, we can visit the Peace Bell in this area.

The Bridge of Freedom – a walk through history

People walking across the Bridge of Freedom at Imjingak Park
The Bridge of Freedom was built to allow 12,773 prisoners to return to South Korea in 1953.

Next, on our DMZ Half Day tour, you will see the Freedom bridge built to liberate 12,773 prisoners in 1953. The bridge was used by South Koreans returning home from the North. So dive into the cultural and emotional significance of the space by walking in their footsteps decades later!

Located against a beautiful natural backdrop, the bridge is a fantastic place for photos, so get inspired and create some memories!

Explore the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel

Inside the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel during our half day DMZ tour
Enter the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel and walk in the footsteps of North Korean soldiers if you can manage confined spaces and a steep incline.

A stop not to be missed on our itinerary is the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. Located 12 kilometres away from Munsan and 52 from Seoul, the tunnel was discovered in 1978.

Its purpose was to be used to invade the south. At 1,635 meters long, 2 meters high and 2 wide, the tunnel has the capacity of moving an entire division per hour!

The curious fact here is that when the tunnel was discovered, North Korea alleged that the south had built it for a surprise attack, but evidence points to the contrary. Walking through will feel like you’ve stepped back in time! If you aren’t comfortable with closed spaces, you’re welcome to wait by the exit.

DMZ Theater – the past in action

Tour group wishing for peace in front of a Reunification Statue
Posing for a photo and wishing for peace in front of a reunification statue located just outside the DMZ Theater.

At the DMZ Theater, you will have an opportunity to watch a short 7-8 minute video about the Korean conflict. The video provides a South Korean perspective on the Korean War, how the DMZ came about, and today’s current situation.

It also gives some background to the infiltration tunnels that North Korea dug. Having just had the opportunity to walk through the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, it should be pretty enlightening.

DMZ Exhibition Hall – the best place for history lovers

A man looking at a gun display inside the DMZ Exhibition Hall.
Inside the DMZ Exhibition Hall, you can find many exhibits and artefacts on display from the Korean War.

The next point on your DMZ experience is the Exhibition Hall. Here, you will see some key artefacts to give you a better understanding of our bitter history. Containing photos, documents, and some remnants from the past, a walk through the Exhibition Hall will provide you with a deeper and more visual knowledge of the conflict.

The gallery is comfortable and well-lit. There are many exhibits on display and some interesting facts for history buffs. You will also learn how wildlife has blossomed in the DMZ, where there is no longer human interference.

Enjoy clear views at Dorasan Observatory

Sitting at the top of Dorasan, the Observatory is ideal for looking across the border. This is the part closest to the North and is one of travellers’ favourite highlights on the tour! So get a once-in-a-lifetime look at isolated North Korea on our Half Day DMZ tour!

Tourists get a clear view of Kijong dong North Korea's propaganda village from the newly built Dorasan Observatory
From the newly built Dora Observatory, you can look across the Demarcation Line and into North Korea using high-powered binoculars.

Use the high powered binoculars on the third floor for extra precision. You will be able to see the North’s propaganda village located right inside the DMZ and see as far as Gaesong, the ninth-largest city in North Korea. If you’re lucky to be here on a clear day, you’ll get to see the bronze statue of Kim Il-sung, too!

Dorasan Observatory was recently rebuilt and opened on October 22, 2018. The changes made it both higher and gave it a better angle. Now, you get the added bonus of seeing an uninhibited view of Kijong-dong, Gaesong city, and Gaesong Industrial complex!

Optional Add-ons – The Perfect Way to End Your Day

Instead of heading straight back to Seoul after your tour, why not extend your trip and enjoy some additional experiences in and around the DMZ?

DMZ Gondola (New Experience)

  • Can be added to the DMZ Morning (7:30 am) or Afternoon tour (10:30 am)
  • Does not affect the tour finish time

Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola (DMZ Peace Gondola) carries you across the Imjin River and beyond the Civilian Control Line to give you a bird’s eye view. Due to this, you must be prepared to show ID once more. The course is 850m long, and each car hovers roughly 50m off the ground. Cabins can hold up to 10 passengers; some even have crystal shells (transparent glass) for better viewing angles.

Watching the black and red Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola leaving the boarding station
See a bird’s eye view of the DMZ including Camp Greaves.

From the Gondola, you can also see Camp Greaves, a well-known location within the DMZ. The Gondola was only completed in 2020, making it a new experience.

Red Suspension Bridge (Popular & Well Reviewed Only)

  • Can only be added to the Morning tour (7:30 am)
  • Extends the tour until 5 pm
  • Cannot be added with the Strawberry Picking add-on (choose one)

A couple posing for a photo on Gamaksan bridgeThe Gamaksan Red Suspension Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Korea at 220m long and 1.5m wide. It can hold up to 900 adults and is constructed to withstand 30 meters per second winds and earthquakes of up to 7 magnitude. Its stunning scenic views make it the perfect spot to capture beautiful photos, and it is always well-received.

Previous guests always recommend this option in reviews and often comment on how picturesque it is, that it was a highlight for them, and that the “bridge was a view to remember.” If you have additional time and can handle some stairs, it should not be missed!

Strawberry Picking (Delicious)

  • Can only be added to the Morning tour (7:30 am)
  • Extends the tour until 5 pm
  • Cannot be added with the Red Bridge add-on (choose one)

Two couples posing for a photo with their freshly picked Korean StrawberriesDid you know Korean strawberries are world-renowned because they are big, juicy, and delicious? Also, Strawberries are full of Vitamin C and fiber, meaning nature’s candy is also a healthy treat for your family. And as a cherry on the cake, Korean strawberries are sweeter than in other countries due to Korea’s four distinct seasons.

So why not extend your trip to the DMZ by stopping at a local farm and doing some strawberry picking on the way back?

Having a DMZ Experience while in Korea is the ultimate way to learn about both the North and South. So don’t miss out on this unique tour! Take advantage of our well-organized DMZ Half Day tour from Seoul that is sure to not skip a beat!

Tour Availability

  • Tours Available from Tuesday to Sunday: The DMZ is closed every Monday and on Military training days.

Best DMZ tour Itinerary

  • Hotel Pickup (Seoul)
  • Imjingak Park
  • The Bridge of Freedom
  • The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel
  • DMZ Theater & Exhibition Hall
  • Dora Observatory
  • Pass by the Unification Village
  • Drop off at City Hall area

Optional Add-ons (Extend your tour)

  • DMZ Gondola
  • Red Suspension Bridge
  • Strawberry Picking

Our DMZ Morning and Afternoon tours include

  • Complimentary Hotel Pickup service
  • Fully licensed tour guide
  • Air-conditioned Transportation to and from the DMZ
  • Entrance fees and tickets
  • NO forced shopping stops (unique to VIP Travel)

Excludes

  • Lunch
  • Hotel Drop-off

Additional Notes

  • Please bring your passport (ARC & Military ID is also accepted) on the day for UNC military checkpoint inspection
  • There is no special dress code for this tour

Best DMZ Tour From Seoul (No Forced Shopping) に対するレビュー21件

  1. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Richard Khor

    We are so happy to have Jenny take us around. She gave a very good explanation of the history and background of the DMZ. We hope the unification process come about for the Koreans and we wish you success in your endeavours. Fighting 💪💕

  2. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Jovanna

    Highly recommend this DMZ Tour. Our Tour Guide was Wendy. We received an email confirmation and updates through WhatsApp when our tour date came closer. There were 5 (2 Adults, 3 Children: 12, 10, 8) of us in our booking. They were the only children in our group but couldn’t say enough about how they enjoyed the tour with Wendy. We met by the subway exit at 9:00am and Wendy was there to greet us. She was a wonderful tour guide, excellent English speaker, funny and our children enjoyed listening to her as she was full or energy and very knowledgeable. This was our first time in Korea, and being that my great-grandfather was from Korea (before the division) it was great to learn about the history of his home as he left it in the early 1900s. We learned and experienced so much, and we were back in Seoul by 6pm.

  3. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Alyssa Mariz Galicia

    We’re a family of five with a toddler and a senior citizen and we had lots of fun with this tour! Our tour guide Gogo gave us very informative and fascinating facts regarding Korean War and culture. Our guide made our tour comfortable and safe for our toddler and the grandpa. I was very hesitant perhaps we will be left behind but our tour guide was patient and kind enough to help us all throughout the tour. He also emtertained us with jokes and personal stories about his experiences in DMZ. Given the opportunity to tour JSA, will definitely book with VIP Travel again. Thanks Gogo for the awesome experience!

  4. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Jenny Robertson

    Crystal was our fantastic guide for the half-day DMZ Tour. She was friendly, very helpful and professional from the outset, at all times happy to answer questions and very thorough regarding keeping us informed of exactly what was to happen next. She gave us lots of interesting and extra information which we really appreciated. We also had the opportunity to experience a lunch of absolutely delicious and authentic Korean food with a slightly regional emphasis BUT there was no pushing subtlety or otherwise to eat there, as we’d had a few well-spaced stops with eateries/coffee. Take it from me though…that lunch was so worth it. Many thanks for a great day Crystal, from the full bus load of us!

  5. アバター画像
    英語
    3 out of 5

    franci he (承認)

    Nancy is a great tour guide – very knowledgeable and fun to listen to.

    however there is one HUGE DRAWBACK of this tour, which has been highlighted before. The tour is marketed as a half day that was supposed to take me back to city hall station at 1.30pm. Plenty of time to catch my 6.40 pm flight.
    It turns out that the tour guide got DMZ entry tickets only after lunch, which then nancy said the tour would end at 5.30pm.

    It is entirely irresponsible for a tour company to not even indicate that a 4 hour tour could stretch to 8 hours. Moreover this is the DMZ not Disneyland – the entry/exit access is military controlled.
    Nancy managed to get me a cab from the observatory but needless to say it was a highly stressful trip, not to mention an expensive one as the cab to the airport was not cheap.

    The suggestion to the tour company (again, as someone had the same issue before) is to AT A MINIMUM indicate that there is a possibility of a SEVERE delay that could stretch the tour by as much as 4 hours. This way anyone who is signing up will at least have some expectation that it could be delayed and make other arrangements in the meantime.

  6. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Meg Adam

    Emily gave us the most informative tour-she has excellent English and is friendly and factual. I would highly recommend this tour as we received communication yesterday about meeting point and today everything was perfectly organised. You get a lot for your money on this tour and the bus was very comfortable too. Thank you so much Emily!!

  7. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Jason Reilly

    Had a great time. Nancy was our guide; it was ran very efficiently and she added a lot of information which helped in understanding the significance/importance of each location. #TeamNancyForever

  8. アバター画像
    英語
    3 out of 5

    Travis (承認)

    The tour itself was okay but they changed the start time from 8:30am to 8am the day before the tour and I had to rush over to City Hall. And it says it’s a half day (6 hour) tour but it took almost my whole day. I did not get back almost until 4pm. My friend was waiting to pick me up and had to wait a long time. I wish it was organized better.

  9. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Aftab S

    Our DMZ tour was with Nancy, who spoke in excellent English. She comes across as extremely organized, very experienced, charming and funny! She does a great job filling the tour with engaging information and context about the DMZ and the Korean war. Our group honestly learned so much and felt like we were in great hands the entire time. It exceeded our expectations and we would not hesitate to book with her again. Nancy thanks once again for a wonderful experience!

  10. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    urmi (承認)

    Great half day DMZ tour. Korean history was well explained by Sua, our tour guide. Everything went smoothly. I wish a full day tour was also available to get more time to explore.

  11. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Aoife Ramsbottom (承認)

    The DMZ half day tour is fantastic! Moon our tour guide did a great job at explaining the history between North and South Korea and seemed very passionate about it. I would highly recommend this tour.

  12. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Doreen Semisi

    Had a very informative day with plenty of knowledge and fun facts about North and South Korea with OUR TEAM NANCY FOR LIFE, although we started very early due to regulations put in place after covid we had fun and some laughter due to our friendly and funny host NANCY

  13. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Natalia Ray (承認)

    It is our first time in Korea and DMZ visiting was in the “must do” list. The VIP TRAVEL agency DMZ tour was recommended to us by the Myeongdong Tourist Information Center. We were very please by the way the agance treats their customers. After COVID-15 closures a lot of people want to visit DMZ. So to guarantee the entrance to the DMZ the agency even moved our departure time one hour earlier. And we really enjoyed the tour very much. A lot of things depend on the tour guide. Our smart, charming tour guide Nancy was beyond any expectations. She gave us so much interesting information that left us no questions to ask. She was very helpful also when we had any problems with Korean-only speaking people. She made sure each member of the teamNancy ( our whole bus) felt comfortable, was not lost and could enjoy the tour as much as possible. I want to compliment a lot Nancy’s English language skills. She speaks just perfect English ( to be honest, for us, foreigners in Korea, it is very important). I highly recommend the tour and if you can – ask for Nancy as your tour guide.

  14. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Albert Prins (承認)

    Nancy was a very good guide, she told is about the history and the present time and s lot of facts

  15. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Kathy and John

    This was an amazing trip. Our tour guide, Sunny, was very informative and kept us on schedule. She was awesome. I’m so glad this tour reopened before we had to leave. If you are looking for that one thing to do this is it. We took the 10:30 tour as we were not staying in Seoul. Pick up was easy at the designated location. Great job!

  16. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Moritz

    Nancy did a fantastic job guiding us!!

  17. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Mohan

    We only had a few days in Seoul so were not sure if we should fit this into our plans or not. So glad we did! We spent just the right amount of time at each stop, no wasted time with forced shopping like other tours do. We were back in Seoul by 2pm and so got to spend the afternoon at the palaces. Big plus was that our guide was very friendly and knowledgable. The half day dmz tour is perfect for those short on time or who want to make the most of their time.

    • Holly is a member of our customer support team here at VIP Travel
      英語

      Holly VIP Travel

      Dear , Mohan
      Above all thank you for the review of DMZ half day tour .

      Yes , our tour doesn’t include any forced shopping so there is more time to spend on each stops.
      This is the half day tour is great for the tourist who want to do something on the afternoon and stay in Korea short time .

      We always treat our customer as VIP .
      Thank you
      Holly

  18. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Jason Davidson

    Well organized from start to finish. Office staff were very efficient. Our guide Moon was exceptional. Fantastic value for money with everything they squeeze into this tour. Now we can say we have visited the DMZ. Can’t recommend enough!

    • Holly is a member of our customer support team here at VIP Travel
      英語

      Holly VIP Travel

      Dear, Jason
      Above all thank you for the review of DMZ half day tour .

      Great to hear that you have enjoyed the DMZ tour.
      I will pass it to Moon that you have enjoyed the tour with her 🙂

      We always treat our customers as VIP
      Holly:)

  19. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Susan

    Had a wonderful tour with VIP. Our guide spoke very good English and made the tour extra special. Highlights for us were Dora Observatory and the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. Would highly recommend to everyone who wants to visit the DMZ while in Korea.

    • Holly is a member of our customer support team here at VIP Travel
      英語

      Holly VIP Travel

      Dear, Susan
      Thank you for the reviews !!~

      Great to hear that you have enjoyed the tour with us .
      Please check other tours on our website and join some other tours as well while you are in Korea 🙂

      Thank you
      Holly

  20. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    Paul & Ellen Fredericks

    My wife and I went on an excellent tour of the DMZ with Amy from VIP Travel. The tour gave us a much deeper understanding of Korean history, particularly the separation between the north and the south. The divides that have occurred are balanced with a intense desire for re-unification. Amy was courteous, informed, and very accommodating. She was open to questions and went above and beyond the norm. I would enthusiastically recommend this tour and Amy without hesitation.

    • Holly is a member of our customer support team here at VIP Travel
      英語

      Holly VIP Travel

      Dear , Paul & Ellen

      Thank you for the review of the DMZ Tour.
      Yes as the Korea is the only divided country in Korea , this would be unforgettable for travelers.
      I will pass the your review to the Amy, that you enjoyed the tour with her 🙂

      Hope you can join the tour with us next time as well.
      Thank you
      Holly

  21. アバター画像
    英語
    5 out of 5

    ARUN

    This was my first introduction to the Korean history and tour was very informative. The tour takes you away from the Seoul city into the beautiful landscape of paddy fields and nice view of Han river. The Korean War and its aftermath and how Seoul rebuilt itself into a world class city after complete destruction speaks volumes about the character of Korean people. Despite having faced war and atrocities, Korean people still dream of unification and the remarkable train station is a testimony to that. This review would be incomplete without mentioning Amy, the most amazing and helpful tour guide I have ever come across.She went out of her way to help us get back to our hotels when the streets were crowded with protests. Thank you so much, god bless you Amy!

    • Holly is a member of our customer support team here at VIP Travel
      英語

      Holly VIP Travel

      Dear , Arun

      Good to hear that you have enjoyed the tour with us .
      Yes !!!South Korea has developed in short time after war :))
      I will pass the comment from you to the our guide Amy !!

      Hope you can join the tour with us next time as well.
      Thank you
      Holly

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