The Pyongyang Metro is the rapid transit system in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. It has two lines, the Chollima Line and the Hyŏksin Line, which meet at Chŏnu Station. The system is known for its very deep stations, all-underground route plan, and dual role as both city transport and a potential bomb shelter. Daily ridership is estimated at 300,000 to 700,000, and the network also has a museum focused on its construction and history.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| System | Pyongyang Metro rapid transit system |
| City | Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Lines | 2 |
| Main lines | Chollima Line and Hyŏksin Line |
| Interchange | Chŏnu Station |
| Daily ridership | Estimated 300,000 to 700,000 |
| Depth | More than 110 metres / 110 km? No, 110 metres underground |
| Special feature | Stations can also serve as bomb shelters |
| Rolling stock | Chinese-built trains originally, later replaced mainly with used Berlin U-Bahn trains |
| Museum | Yes, dedicated to construction and history |
Pyongyang Metro Map
Map of Pyongyang Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Pyongyang Metro map in PDF format.
Lines and Stations
The Pyongyang Metro has two lines: the Chollima Line and the Hyŏksin Line. The Chollima Line runs north from Puhŭng Station to Pulgŭnbyŏl Station, while the Hyŏksin Line runs from Kwangbok Station in the southwest to Ragwŏn Station in the northeast. Both route paths meet at Chŏnu Station, the system’s main transfer point.
The Chollima Line is named after the winged horse of Korean mythology. It is about 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) long and opened in 1973. The Hyŏksin Line, whose name means renewal, is about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) long and began regular service in 1975.
Most station names refer to nearby places or major local landmarks. Some stations have been modernized with brighter lighting and screens showing the next service. There have also been reports of extra stations and extensions on older stations maps, though some proposed stops do not appear on more recent maps.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Puhŭng | Chollima Line terminus near the Taedong River |
| Yonggwang | Chollima Line station near Pyongyang Station |
| Ponghwa | Chollima Line station |
| Sŭngni | Chollima Line station |
| Tongil | Chollima Line station |
| Kaeson | Chollima Line station; later modernized |
| Jonu | Interchange station between both lines; later modernized |
| Pulgunbyol | Chollima Line terminus |
| Kwangbok | Hyŏksin Line terminus in the southwest |
| Konguk | Hyŏksin Line station |
| Hwanggumbol | Hyŏksin Line station |
| Konsol | Hyŏksin Line station |
| Hyoksin | Hyŏksin Line station |
| Jonsung | Hyŏksin Line station; later modernized |
| Samhung | Hyŏksin Line station |
| Rakwon | Hyŏksin Line terminus |
| Kwangmyong | Closed station between Samhung and Rakwon |
Operating Hours
Reported operating hours are not fully consistent across sources, so opening hours and closing time should be checked locally before you travel. One source lists the metro timetable as 5:30 am to 11:30 pm, while another gives opening times of 06:00 to 22:00.
Service frequency is said to be high through the day. Trains reportedly run every 5 minutes in regular service and every 3 minutes during rush hour. Older material also mentions a minimum interval of 2 minutes in peak periods.
If you are planning around timings today, last train departures, or schedule today details, confirm them on site. Exact train schedule information may vary.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Reported starting time | 5:30 am |
| Alternative opening time | 06:00 |
| Reported closing time | 11:30 pm |
| Alternative closing time | 22:00 |
| Daytime frequency | Every 5 minutes |
| Rush hour frequency | Every 3 minutes |
| Older reported minimum interval | Every 2 minutes |
Fare and Tickets
The Pyongyang Metro fare is extremely low. A single one-way ticket price is 5 North Korean won, described in the source material as less than US$0.01.
Tickets are bought at station booths. The system has used aluminum tokens and paper tickets in the past, but now uses contactless cards with the metro logo on the front. Gates show the number of remaining trips on the card, and one trip is counted as a tap on entry and exit.
Some reports say foreign visitors may be handled differently on guided tours, with the fare covered by the tour. Others note that tourists may receive a cardboard ticket as a keepsake instead of a ticket checked in normal use.
Smoking and eating inside the metro are prohibited and may lead to a large fine.
Connections to Other Systems
The Pyongyang Metro does not have a broad set of public interchanges with other urban rail systems. Inside the network, the main transfer is at Chŏnu Station, where the two metro lines connect.
There is, however, a link to the wider rail system. Yŏnggwang Station is near Pyongyang Station of the Korean State Railway, where passengers can connect to long-distance trains on the P’yŏngnam, P’yŏngra, and P’yŏngŭi lines.
Some material also mentions a connection between the Chollima Line and State Railway Sopo Station on the way to the metro depot. That segment is not part of the regular passenger route, though, and it does not work as a through public transport link.
Other reported underground lines and non-public connections have been described, but these are not confirmed as public passenger services.
Airport Connections
Pyongyang does not have a direct airport rail link through the metro. The metro is a core part of city transport, but airport access depends on other local transport options.
The available material names Pyongyang International Airport as the main airport. It also mentions Mirim Airport and the Pyongyang Heliport Facility, though no metro interchange details are provided for them.
Nearby rail and suburban stations mentioned in the source include Potonggang station, Pyongchon station, Pyongyang station, Ryokpo station, and Rangrang station. The material also refers to suburban rail service to Sunan Pyongyang Airport Station, but it gives no route timetable, transfer steps, or running time details.
Because the source does not provide a clear airport transfer guide, travelers should verify local transport, bus, tramway, trams, or train options after arrival.
Facilities and Services
The Pyongyang Metro is more than a transport system. Its stations are deep underground, can serve as bomb shelters, and include large steel blast doors. Platform temperature is reported to stay at 18°C year-round, and each station has a free toilet for passengers.
Stations also provide a few practical services. State radio broadcasts are played, and copies of Rodong Sinmun are displayed. In renovated stations, passengers may also see brighter lighting, TVs showing the next service, and digital newspaper displays.
Ticketing has changed over time from aluminum tokens and paper tickets to contactless cards. Tickets are still purchased at station booths, and gates show the remaining number of trips on the card.
The system also has a museum dedicated to its history and construction. Since 2014, foreign tourists have reportedly been allowed to ride across the full network as part of guided tours.
Rules and Regulations
Passengers are expected to follow local rules while using the Pyongyang Metro. Smoking and eating inside the system are prohibited and may result in a large fine.
Tickets are sold at station booths, and the network uses contactless cards. Gates show the number of trips remaining, with one trip counted as a tap on entry and exit.
Visitors should also follow guided-tour arrangements where they apply. In practice, that means respecting guide instructions and staying within the planned route.
Because stations can serve as bomb shelters, some are fitted with large steel doors. The system is known for strict control, so it is best to act carefully and follow instructions at all times.
- Do not smoke or eat inside the metro.
- Buy tickets at station booths or use the contactless card system.
- Follow local guide instructions if traveling as a tourist.
- Be prepared for strict enforcement of metro rules.
History
Construction of the Pyongyang Metro began in 1965, and stations were opened between 1969 and 1972. Most of the 16 public stations were built in the 1970s, while Puhŭng and Yŏnggwang were completed in 1987.
A reported construction accident in 1971 killed many laborers and led to a rerouting of the network so it would not cross the Taedong River. Since then, the entire system has remained underground on the west side of the city.
The metro was built with North Korean structural engineering, while rolling stock and related electronic equipment were imported from China. It first used Chinese-built DK4 passenger cars, then shifted mainly to former Berlin U-Bahn trains from 1997. The electrification was also changed from 825 volts to 750 volts to support operation of the Class GI sets.
The system is especially known for its depth, with track more than 110 metres underground, and for stations designed to function as bomb shelters with blast doors. A museum in Pyongyang is devoted to the metro’s construction and history.
The Chollima Line opened on September 6, 1973, after construction started in 1968. The Hyŏksin Line opened for regular service on October 9, 1975. The closed Kwangmyong Station lies between Samhung and Rakwon.
In the late 2010s and early 2020s, several stations were modernized. Kaeson and Moranbong were updated in 2019, followed by Jonu and Chonsung in 2020. Plans were also announced to continue renovation work and produce new-type subway trains.
Future Expansion
Future expansion plans for the Pyongyang Metro have been limited and sometimes contradictory. A 1999 KBS report said two additional lines were under construction, including a possible Line 3 from Kwangbok Station to Mangyongdae, while the route of Line 4 was unclear.
In 2012, Korean Central Television showed renders of a new Mangyongdae station at the Pyongyang Architectural Festival. Later reports suggested possible expansion west of Kwangbok Station, but satellite imagery in 2018 showed only one structure under construction.
Authorities also announced plans to continue updating and renovating the metro system and to produce new subway trains. Remodeling was later reported at several stations, including Moranbong, Jonu, and Pulgunbyol, showing that modernization continues even if large-scale line expansion remains uncertain.
Recent reporting has also noted that the subway lines do not reach newer suburbs, and there have been no clear signs of major expansion despite years of speculation.
Travel Tips
Plan ahead and confirm local conditions once you arrive. In Pyongyang, transport details such as operating hours, schedule, route, and station access may change, so on-site information matters.
The metro is a key part of transportation in Pyongyang, but tourist travel is often guided rather than independent. Expect supervised movement, with local guides usually arranging access and entry details.
For trips beyond the metro, trolleybuses and trams are also part of the city transport network. Because local transport routes and timetable details can vary, check them locally before you ride.
If you need intercity rail connections, book train tickets in advance through official channels when possible. That matters even more if your route depends on a specific departure or transfer.
- Verify transportation details locally on arrival.
- Check current operating hours, opening times, and station access.
- Confirm tram, tramway, trolleybus, and train schedule details on site.
- Keep essential phrases ready and ask through your guide when needed.
- Allow extra time in case route or schedule information changes.
Nearby Attractions
The Pyongyang Metro is a notable attraction in its own right, and it is also close to several major city landmarks. For a short sightseeing stop, it can be paired easily with central attractions nearby.
- Kim Il-sung Square — the city’s central public square and one of Pyongyang’s best-known landmarks.
- Juche Tower — a major monument often included in classic sightseeing routes.
- Arch of Triumph — a prominent historical monument in central Pyongyang.
- Mansu Hill Grand Monument — a major memorial site with a symbolic setting.
- Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum — a museum tied to the country’s official historical narrative.
- Moranbong Park — a central public park for a quieter stop between landmarks.
- Taedong River — the river running through Pyongyang, adding a scenic backdrop to city travel.
- Pyongyang Grand Theatre — a city-center cultural venue for visitors interested in architecture and performances.
Other notable places mentioned in the source include the Grand People’s Study House, the Party Foundation Monument, and the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium.