South Korea Solo Travel Guide: Safety, Tips, & What to Expect

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If you’re considering solo travel in Korea, you are in for the journey of a lifetime. From the palaces, shopping, and cafes in Seoul to the markets, temples, and beaches in Busan, there are so many unique adventures awaiting you in Korea. However, I understand that solo travel in a new country can be intimidating. And even if you’re experienced at traveling alone, Korea has its quirks! Luckily, I’ve lived in Seoul for three years and solo traveled all around Korea, so I have lots of insider tips and information to make sure you’re well-prepared. This guide to South Korea solo travel will set you up for a safe and memorable trip, whether you’re an experience solo traveler or not.

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South Korea Solo Travel Guide: FAQs

Is South Korea a good place for solo travelers?

South Korea is very safe and easy to navigate as a solo traveler. The locals are friendly, public transportation is fantastic, and there are so many things to do in places like Seoul and Busan that appeal to people traveling on their own.

For solo travelers, the country is about as safe and secure as it gets. The crime rates are low and there is constant CCTV monitoring everywhere, making it safe even at nighttime. Of course, you should always be vigilant and take standard safety precautions.

If you’ve solo traveled to other countries, you might find Korea more difficult to explore alone. Korea doesn’t have a big backpacking culture and the society is extremely collective. This means that Koreans tend to group together and rarely do things alone. This can be a hurdle for solo travelers because some situations are set up for 2+ people, like eating K-BBQ. Because of the lack of backpacking culture, making friends can be more difficult, too. But don’t worry, I’ve included tips on how to overcome these hurdles below. I don’t think these situations are reasons to avoid solo travel in Korea!

When to travel to South Korea as a solo traveler?

The best time to visit Korea is in the spring or fall, from March to June and September to November. This is when weather patterns are most desirable, not too hot and not too cold, with low rainfall. Additionally, most travelers visit the country at this time, so you have a better chance of making friends as a solo traveler. April is often considered the best month to visit, with cherry blossoms blooming across the country. However, it can be hard to plan a trip based on blooming predictions. Some years it’s early, some it’s late, some it’s right on time. But even if you miss the perfect timing, April is still a great month to visit overall, with enjoyable weather and clear skies.

I’d recommend against visiting in July and August when the weather is hot and humid and monsoon season descends on the peninsula. I’d also recommend against the peak of winter, which can get unpleasantly cold. For detailed information on weather by month, take a look at this article.

Each season brings unique experiences, from seasonal sports and activities to changing landscapes and annual festivals. Check out my South Korea seasonal guides: spring in Korea, summer in Korea, and winter in Korea.

Where to go in South Korea as a solo traveler?

If you’re relying on public transportation as most solo travelers do, it’s best to not venture too rural where bus intervals are long and irregular. If you do, I recommend doing it as part of a group tour or renting a car. Some top areas in South Korea that will appeal to solo travelers because of their attractions and ease of getting around are:

Seoul (and surrounding day trips)
Busan (and surrounding day trips)
Gyeongju
Jeju Island (renting a car or group tours are best here, but it’s worth the extra hassle if you have time!)

This 2-week South Korea itinerary is perfect for solo travelers, with all the top sights and recommended group tours when getting around can be more difficult.

How to get around South Korea as a solo traveler?

South Korea is extremely well-connected by public transportation, with an extensive subway and bus system that can get you anywhere. You will need to head to a convenience store first, such as 7/11 or CU, to buy a T-Money card, which can be used to pay for both buses and the subway. You can refill these cards at a ticketing kiosk at any station. The ticketing kiosks have an English setting that makes it an easy process. Be sure to carry cash, as you can only fill up your transportation card using cash. When you ride on the bus or subway, you will swipe this card upon both entering and exiting.

Apple Maps and Google Maps do not work well in Korea. You will want to download Naver Maps and Kakao Maps for accurate directions. Taxis are also decently cheap, which you can call through the Kakao Taxi app.

Korea also has a great high-speed railway, the KTX, along with intercity buses. These are great options for getting between cities without having to rent a car. You can book KTX tickets here and intercity bus tickets here (English is available on both sites).

How to meet people in South Korea as a solo traveler?

There isn’t much of a hostel or backpacking culture in Korea (more on that below), which is usually the easiest way to make friends as a solo traveler. When you solo travel in Korea, you have to put yourself out there more to meet people instead of the usual ease of hostel dorms and organized social events. I recommend joining Facebook groups like GIRL FRIENDS IN SEOUL to find travel buddies before you leave, and once you arrive you can use Bumble BFF or other social media apps to connect with fellow travelers.

South Korea Solo Travel Guide: Safety

South Korea is a very safe destination for solo travelers. It’s known for its low crime rates, making it a comfortable and secure place to explore independently. It’s even safe to be alone at night, and the streets are well-lit and monitored. There is CCTV everywhere, adding to your sense of security.

However, you should always stay vigilant and take standard safety precautions no matter where you travel. I’ve lived in South Korea for three years and I’ve only felt unsafe one time, when a man on the subway followed me home. South Korea isn’t without crime, so always stay alert and trust your gut. However, these situations are very rare and aren’t a major cause for concern. Korea is one of the safest countries you can solo travel to.

South Korea Solo Travel Guide: Tips

Learn a few basic Korean phrases

The language barrier can be a real problem in Korea, where many people have limited English speaking ability. It helps to learn a few basic Korean phrases to help meet the locals (somewhat) halfway. Not only is it respectful to the local culture, but it makes things easier for you. And even if you only know a few Korean words, the locals will greatly appreciate it!

Here are a few useful phrases:

안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo): Hello
감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da): Thank you
[item] 주세요 ([item] ju-se-yo): Please give me [item] (can be used for ordering, buying, etc.)
네 (ney): Yes (also showing general agreement/understanding)
저기요 (jeo-gi-yo): Excuse me (both to get someone’s attention and for moving through a crowd)

Download the right apps

Not all the apps you’re used to will work well in Korea, so there are some apps that you should download before your trip to make it as easy as possible. These include:

Papago: the best translation app that can also translate photos and live conversations
Naver Map: Google Maps doesn’t work in Korea! This is one of the best navigation apps
KakaoMap: another navigation app; try both before your trip and choose which interface works best for you
Kakao T: for calling taxis, like Uber
Agoda: the best app for booking hotels
Klook: one of the best apps for booking excursions, tours, and activities
Trazy: another great app for booking excursions, tours, and activities
KakaoTalk: only essential if you plan on staying in Korea for a while and/or making local friends – this is the app that all Koreans use to text (such as iMessage, Line, or WhatsApp)

Get a data plan

South Korea may be known for its high-speed wifi, but there’s a misconception that it’s available everywhere. Most public wifi networks are unreliable and sometimes only accessible to locals with Korean phone plans. You’re going to want a reliable data plan so you’re never stuck without connectivity.

My favorite option for accessing the Internet across the world is the Airalo eSIM. An eSIM doesn’t need to be physically put in and taken out; it’s simply installed onto your phone and connects to the Internet anywhere in the world as soon as you land. Instead of wasting time looking for a local plastic SIM, you can activate the eSIM immediately after installation or upon arrival in Korea. This is the easiest and most convenient option, and it’s reliable. I’ve used Airalo all over the world and I’m always a happy customer.

Keep in mind that eSIMs only provide data service for connecting to the Internet, not calling and texting plans. If you need to make calls or send texts abroad, you can pick up a physical SIM card at the airport upon arrival by pre-ordering here.

Join organized excursions

Organized day trips and excursions are an easy and safe way to explore Korea’s highlights with the help of a tour guide and the company of other travelers. There are so many tours to choose from all across Korea, so you can easily find tours that will take you to your top choice destinations. You’ll have the guidance of a local, organized transportation, a pre-planned itinerary to the best spots, and the chance to mingle with other travelers.

The best sites for booking excursions, activities, and tours in Korea are Trazy and Klook.

Find some potential travel buddies in advance

Because of the lack of backpacking culture in Korea (more on that below), it can be difficult to make friends once you’re in the country. If you want some travel buddies, I recommend looking in advance on social media to find other people who might overlap with your travels. I recommend the Facebook group GIRL FRIENDS IN SEOUL if you struggle to find people. You can also take a look at Bumble BFF right when you arrive.

South Korea Solo Travel Guide: What to Expect

It’s not as easy to be a solo traveler as in some other Asian countries

While there aren’t any major safety concerns as a solo traveler in Korea, be mentally prepared that being alone isn’t the norm. If you sit down to eat alone at a restaurant, you will probably be the only one eating alone. Plus, lots of Korean meals are meant to be shared, meaning they’ll come in portions for multiple people. And as you travel around the country, you will notice that most Koreans don’t hang out alone. There will be lots of couples, friend groups, and families everywhere you go, but few individuals. I’ve gotten used to this over the years so it doesn’t bother me much anymore, but it’s something to mentally prepare for before you visit.

Additionally, there isn’t a strong backpacking culture in Korea. This leads to the next point, which is that hostels aren’t common.

Hostels aren’t really a thing

While there are a few (and I mean literally a few) hostels in major cities in Korea, they aren’t widespread. Hostel culture and backpacker culture aren’t big things in Korea, which can make it more difficult to solo travel in Korea. Hostels are usually the top way to save money and make friends as a solo traveler, but in Korea you might have to put yourself out there more to meet people. This can also make your solo trip more expensive. However, don’t let it deter you. Check Hostelworld to see the available hostels, and if there aren’t any, try searching for guesthouses on Agoda. Guesthouses are the second-best alternative to hostels because they’re cheap and often attract young or solo travelers who are likely up for making friends.

Public transportation is reliable and cheap

Public transportation is reliable, efficient, and cheap, especially in major cities. Subways connect Korea’s major cities, while local buses reach areas that the subways do not. There are also comfortable and reliable intercity buses, express buses, and the Korea Train Express (KTX) that connect the entire country. As a solo traveler, you’ll find it easy and safe to use on your own, especially once you get the hang of it. However, I recommend against venturing outside of major cities as a solo traveler relying on public transportation. I’ve been stranded before due to unreliable buses and it isn’t fun. If you’re going somewhere rural, join a group tour or rent a car for smooth sailing.

Most locals are friendly, but watch out for certain people

Almost all the locals are welcoming and helpful towards tourists, at least to the best of their ability with the language barrier. However, you should be aware of certain groups of people known to approach foreigners. Sometimes, cult members will approach foreigners on the street and try to recruit them. They’re often religious and will ask you to come to one of their events. While they aren’t usually aggressive or dangerous, be wary if someone approaches you on the street and talks about religion.

Additionally, you may be approached by people asking you to “teach me English”. Often, this happens with Korean men approaching foreign women. They almost always have ulterior motives, so you should exercise normal stranger danger caution. They can be pushy, but never admit you’re alone or give them your contact information. Both of these situations are rare but good to be aware of before traveling on your own.

Now you’re ready for the solo adventure of a lifetime through South Korea! You’ll quickly understand why Korea has taken the world by storm, as a travel destination and a global culture. From K-BBQ and kimchi to K-beauty and fashion, Korea is a unique, small country with a big impact. Your solo trip to Korea will likely be safe and rewarding, with memories to last a lifetime.

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