Foreign tourists in Korea can get a refund on value-added tax (VAT) when they shop at stores with a "Tax Free" sign. For expensive electronics such as smartphones, laptops, and cameras, the amount you get back and when you get it depend on the refund method and the customs steps you follow when you leave. Tax Free is a system that lets foreign tourists claim back the tax on goods they buy during a trip. A Global Tax Free notice posted at a store entrance in Seoul's Myeongdong shopping district. Photo: Tenant News Refunds are about 4–8% of the purchase price The Tax Free refund applies to foreign tourists who spend at least ₩15,000 per receipt. The amount you actually get back is about 4–8% of the purchase price. The taxes refunded are VAT and the individual consumption tax. The VAT included in the price is about 9%, and you receive that amount minus the refund agency's fee. You qualify if you are a non-resident foreigner staying in Korea for less th...
You can visit the DMZ as a day trip from Seoul. Most people take a bus tour that picks up at hotels, Myeong-dong, or Hongdae. A standard DMZ tour takes 5 to 8 hours. JSA (Joint Security Area, Panmunjom) tours are fully suspended right now, so you can only join DMZ tours that skip the JSA.
The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a buffer zone about 4 km wide. It was created under the armistice agreement of July 27, 1953, when each side pulled back 2 km from the military demarcation line.
Standard DMZ Tour: 5 to 8 Hours
The standard DMZ tour is the basic day trip from Seoul. It takes 5 to 8 hours and visits the Third Tunnel and Dora Observatory. The route runs in this order: Imjingak, the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and Dora Station.
From Dora Observatory, you can see the area north of the military demarcation line.
JSA Tours: Fully Suspended
JSA tours are currently fully suspended. The JSA tour booking page on Trazy says "currently unavailable due to government regulations" at the top. It also says the suspension may continue without advance notice. The JSA tour once listed on VIP Travel is not a valid product either.
JSA tours have been suspended on and off since 2023. The Ministry of Unification's Panmunjom visits also stopped on December 1, 2023. They resumed on May 16, 2025, as special tours for policy-related groups. If you are a general traveler, choose a standard DMZ tour that does not include the JSA.
DMZ Train: Second and Fourth Fridays
The Korail DMZ train is called the Peace Train (평화이음 열차). It makes one round trip a day from Seoul Station to Dora Station on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Its first run was on April 24. The train enters a Civilian Control Zone, so you need to book ahead and bring photo ID. Reservations are made on the Korail and Korail Tourism Development websites.
KoreaToDo lists this train as "currently suspended" and describes the fare as free. The same page says the Gyeongui Line course from Yongsan to Dora Station includes the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Dora Station, and Peace Park. It also says the JSA is not part of the train tour. It adds that tourist sites near the DMZ can only be visited on group tours.
DMZ Tour Costs: About ₩55,000 to ₩95,000
A standard DMZ day tour costs ₩55,000 to ₩95,000.
- Standard DMZ tour: ₩55,000 to ₩95,000, depending on whether lunch is included. The monorail costs an extra ₩3,000.
- Half-day DMZ tour (no shopping stops): ₩80,000 on VIP Travel.
- DMZ Starbucks tour: This route visits Aegibong Peace Ecology Park and the suspension bridge. It costs ₩65,000 on VIP Travel.
Booking Requirements and Your Passport
You need your passport for a standard DMZ tour.
- When to book: Booking one week ahead is recommended for standard tours.
- Minimum age: Standard tours require children to be at least 7 years old.
A standard tour gets you to the DMZ and back from Seoul in 5 to 8 hours, and prices start at ₩55,000. JSA tours are fully suspended, so pick a standard tour without the JSA and bring your passport. That is all the preparation you need.