Is South Korea Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Group travel experience

South Korea was very safe, we went to only major tourist places like Seoul, Busan and Jeju and didn’t feel unsafe anywhere. We would definitely recommend using public transport in Seoul, can use a little bit of taxis as well in Busan as they are a little less expensive than in Seoul, and use a personal cab or hire a cab, driver/guide in Jeju as public transport there is a little difficult and the places are sparse so it might feel unsafe at night with no one around, waiting hours for a bus.

Solo travel experience

I lived in South Korea for 4 months as part of my exchange semester! I studied in Daegu and lived in my dorm on campus but I did plenty of trips to Seoul and Busan where I stayed in airbnbs with my friends. I also visited Pohang, and regret not taking the time to see more places! I felt very safe overall, except be careful when you go clubbing as Korean guys often see foreigners as ‘easy’ and won’t hesitate to try something with you such as literally dragging you along to a motel. Be careful! Otherwise I’d say it’s even safe to walk alone as a woman at night. My personal favourite city was Busan and I’d recommend anyone to go hear. It’s a mix of the calmer Daegu and more touristy and busy Seoul + beautiful beaches. For transportation, get a T-money card at a convenience store or station. You can load it with cash. Taxis are relatively cheap too in my opinion, so if you ever need it, wave one over or call a Kakao taxi. Try as many different foods whilst you’re here! I loved the jjimdak, dakgalbi and also fried chicken here is amazing. Nothing can compare to the kbbq here (duh). Noodle dishes are great. There’s plenty of safer options with food you’re used to as well, so try their spin on it if you want. Also the cafe culture here is amazing. And if you’re ever in a hurry, go to a convenience store. My favourite: banana milk!

Solo travel experience

I spent there 15 days, visiting Seoul and Busan (10 days is more than enough). I was on a limited budget, so I opted for hostels (very, very clean, very good price-quality ratio, separate for girls/boys). I took a bus (5 hours) to Busan, and on the way back I used a high-speed train, 2 hours. Generally, it's a very safe country where you can watch nature and skyscrapers at any time, with convenience stores open 24/7. Young people speak and understand English, but older people don't necessarily. You definitely need to have cash on you, card payment is not always available (especially at markets).

Solo travel experience

I recently took a two-week trip to South Korea (Busan, Jeju, and Seoul) by myself and it was an amazing experience. South Korea is a safe place to travel alone, even for women. Most people there understand basic English, and signs are usually in English, but it is helpful to know a few Korean phrases and etiquette rules, as well as being able to read Hangul. Busan and Seoul have affordable metro and buses which are easy to operate. There are also public restrooms (even in the metro) and street maps for those who like to explore on foot. South Korea has many amazing places to visit and things to do. Hotel prices range between 45 and 75 dollars per night. There are also many markets and shops, if you don't want to eat out all the time.

Solo travel experience

I felt very safe in South Korea, going out alone at night (always being careful, regardless of the circumstances), but I truly felt safe and found it easy to get around the country with minimal or no knowledge of the language. Many signs and instructions have translations in English, and the people are super nice and willing to help. Moreover, many Koreans have to learn English as a second language in school, so they are usually willing to attempt communication.

Solo travel experience

South Korea is an amazing country, and I adored Seoul (it's easy to get around, you feel safe, there's a lot to do). I would definitely recommend exploring other areas, especially the east coast, like Sokcho or Gangneung, and Jeju Island, if you have the chance! I found that public transportation is really easy. Most signs have English translations. Just use the Naver Map app, not Google. Cost is very subjective. Compared to the situation in the United States, I found it to be economical, but of course it's not as cheap as in other countries, like in Vietnam. If you like hiking, there are trails everywhere. And be brave in trying the food!

It’s generally pretty safe but being a woman, this is always something to remain cautious about. Korea is safe for transit, though you may find the occasional brush against you in a crowded subway. This has happened to me but with older men. I’d say older men gawk quite a lot, so be mindful of this. There’s a lot of fetishization and sexualization of foreigners here so be careful on dating apps and with sharing too much information about where you live, etc. A common phrase is for men to ask “do you live alone”, and it’s best to always say you live with someone.

Solo travel experience

When I lived in hostels in Seoul city, I got to know a lot of people and felt very happy. I also enjoyed the local food, as Korea is considered to have the healthiest diet in the world. Wearing traditional clothes in the palace was an interesting experience. Overall, living in Korea was quite enriching.

Family travel experience

Beautiful country with amazing nature and people! I spent two weeks travelling with a friend but didn't feel I saw enough so I've already planned to go back! Only thing I struggled with was being vegetarian as a lot of meals contain meat but overall the best place to visit!