A passenger train service between Beijing, China and Pyongyang, North Korea has resumed operations on 12 March – a first in six years since the service stopped during the pandemic.
The move signals a gradual reopening of cross-border travel between the two countries, linking both capitals on four times weekly services, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The journey takes about 12 hours, including stops at port city Tianjin and border city Dandong, before reaching Sinuiju in North Korea.
Initially, the service’s restart will transport diplomats and other travellers on official business. Should more seats be available, these will then be considered for sale to the general public.
Travellers with a valid visa can buy these train tickets. Entry and exit procedures will be done at the Chinese Dandong border and North Korea’s Sinuiju.
Pre-pandemic, China comprised the largest group of foreign travellers into North Korea, who shut its borders and stopped most transportation links at the start of the Covid-19 period.
Direct flights and train services with Russia had resumed in 2025.