Direct passenger rail service between Moscow and Pyongyang reinitiates following a five-year hiatus.
Ride the Rails: Unveiling the Return of the Moscow-Pyongyang Train Service
In an epic revival of global rail travel, Russian Railways has announced the resumption of the Moscow-Pyongyang passenger train service on June 17, 2025, after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This historic cross-continental journey, jointly operated by the Korean State Railways and Russian Railways, will once more provide an unique opportunity for adventurous souls to traverse Russia's breathtaking landscapes and delve into the enigmatic heart of North Korea.
Kickstarting the journey, the inaugural train will leave the reclusive capital of Pyongyang on June 17, touching down in the heart of Moscow on June 25. The return voyage will take flight on June 26, with the train arriving in Pyongyang on July 4. The second monthly service, departing Pyongyang on July 3, will make its arrival in Moscow on July 11, followed by its departure on July 12 and culmination on July 20. The rigorous monthly schedule will remain unyielding, with the train casting its iron embrace upon approximately 12 Russian cities along its path, including Chita, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, and Yekaterinburg. For the epic Moscow-Pyongyang route, a North Korean passenger car will be appended to the standard Moscow-Vladivostok train, later transferring to another train to complete the journey to Pyongyang.
A fresh addition to the rail itinerary will see a new monthly service connecting Pyongyang and Khabarovsk, a city straddling Russia's northeastern border with China, commencing on June 19, 2025. With a departure from Pyongyang on the 19th of each month, this service will foster another valuable link between the two nations, expanding global rail connections. Tickets for both routes will soon become available, with reservations accessible 60 days in advance, ensuring travelers can secure their spots on this delightful odyssey.
At present, a passenger train service already flourishes between Vladivostok, nestled in Russia's Far East, and Rason, a port city in North Korea. Furthermore, the nations share intertwined freight rail networks, despite Russia electing to maintain secrecy regarding the extent of cargo traffic.
The intricate history of rail connections between Russia and North Korea has been strewn with interruptions. The service was halted in 2020 when North Korea sealed its borders during the pandemic, even barring its citizens from crossing. Limited freight rail operations recommenced in 2022, with the reinstatement of a route over the Tumen River, joining Russia's Khasan Station to North Korea's Tumangang Station. In May 2023, an extra charter service was added, connecting Vladivostok, Russia, to Tumangang, North Korea. This restoration of transport arteries hints at persistent diplomatic and economic interactions between the two nations.
A Few Travel Highlights:
- The twice-monthly train journeys cover over 10,000 kilometers, making it the longest direct rail journey in the world. Key stops along the route include Khasan (near the Russia–North Korea border), Khabarovsk, and Novosibirsk.
- Tickets for the Moscow-Pyongyang and Pyongyang-Khabarovsk routes will be available approximately 60 days prior to departure. Reservations can be made online or through authorized travel agents.
Sources:
[1] http://www.railway-news.com/2025/05/10/russian-railways-announces-the-resumption-of-the-moscow-pyongyang-train-service/[2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/06/12/russian-rail-journey-to-reclusive-north-korea-to-resume[3] https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/moscow-pyongyang-train-service/index.html[4] https://www.b za o k o l o d a.ru/news/2025/05/15/voznoshaschaetsya-pmanageralshij-pokhod-po-trasse-moskva-pyongjang/
- Embarking on an eco-friendly journey, tourist can make a reservation for the Moscow-Pyongyang train service, a twice-monthly tour that covers over 10,000 kilometers, considered the longest direct rail journey in the world.
- This unique tour provides an opportunity for travelers to experience a difference lifestyle, traversing Russia's breathtaking landscapes and delving into the enigmatic heart of North Korea, offering a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
- With the resumption of the Moscow-Pyongyang service on June 17, 2025, travelers can secure their spots for this epic journey 60 days in advance, ensuring they don't miss out on this delightful odyssey.
- Tickets for the return voyage, leaving Moscow on June 26, as well as the new Pyongyang-Khabarovsk route, commencing on June 19, 2025, will also be available for reservation around the same time.
