Solo travel in Korea is a bold and adventurous way to experience the best of this East Asian nation. This complete guide shares all you need to know!
South Korea is a nation that will always hold a special place in my heart. Having lived there for two years teaching English, I had the opportunity to explore and really dive deep into everything that this beautiful county has to offer.
From exciting hiking, tasty food, buzzing city streets, and more, I love sharing what I know with others planning to visit Korea—especially solo travelers! Because even if you’ve never been to Korea before, it’s actually a pretty easy place to navigate and explore thanks to its modern public transportation system and tourist friendly infrastructure.
Before you set off for an adventure of a lifetime, here’s what you need to know about solo travel in Korea.
» Read More: 20 Travel Tips for South Korea
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Is Solo Female Travel in South Korea Safe?
In my personal experience of living in Korea for two years, I felt safe adventuring alone.
However, no country is perfect and your experiences will vary depending on your comfort level, if you’re a person of color, part of the LGBTQ+ community, and if you’re traveling in the city vs countryside.
From a numbers standpoint, South Korea enjoys one of the world’s lowest crime rates, making it generally safe for travelers. It’s so safe that locals often leave valuables out in the open without concern, and I never stressed about walking home alone after a night out.
However, I do have two small safety tips for solo female travel in South Korea.
As a foreigner, if you don’t look Korean, you’ll likely receive unwanted attention on the streets and public transportation. It’s not necessarily bad attention, but people will stare and may reach out and touch you or ask to take your picture (mostly outside of Seoul).
Another essential safety tip for female travelers is to be warned that there have been reports of spiked drinks in clubs and bars in Seoul, and although rare, it’s still always good to be alert. I’ve had my fair share of wild nights—but don’t let your drink out of your sight!
» Read more: 25 Exciting Things to Buy in South Korea
9 Best Places to Visit in South Korea for Solo Travelers
As a relatively small nation (think the size of Indiana), getting around South Korea is a breeze. Not to mention, the entire country has a well-connected network of efficient public transportation including national trains and buses.
Regardless of if you’re looking to fill a one week trip to South Korea or two, here are the country’s best destinations for solo travelers to kick start your travel planning.
1. Seoul
As Korea’s largest and best-known city, there’s a lot to love about Seoul. This booming metropolis of nearly ten million people is spread out amongst 25 neighborhoods that each have their own distinct flavor and unique things to do.
I recommend spending time in Myeongdong, Hongdae, Itaewon, and Gangnam, where some of the city’s best attractions, cafes, and shopping can be found. If you’re feeling spicy, plan for a day trip to the North Korean border too!
Best hostel for solo travelers in Seoul: G Guest House Itaewon Seoul
Best boutique hotel in Seoul: L7 Myeongdong
» Read more: How to Spend a Perfect 3 Days in Seoul
2. The DMZ
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea is one of the best day trips from Seoul. At the DMZ, you have the rare opportunity to witness the tension between the two Koreas, as the area is heavily fortified and guarded.
Guided tours offer a glimpse into the history of the Korean War, providing a sobering experience as tourists stand mere meters away from the border, offering a rare opportunity to gain insights into the political complexities that define the Korean Peninsula.
3. Busan
Busan is a charming coastal city along the southeast coast of Korea. Its main attractions include the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village, Jagalchi Fish Market, and hip Seomyeon neighborhood where shopping streets come to life in the evenings. Busan is about a three-hour high-speed train from Seoul with many departures daily.
Best hostel for solo travelers in Busan: Guesthouse Dear Moon
Best boutique hotel in Busan: Arban Hotel
» Read more: Best Things to Do in Busan
4. Gyeongju
A city that was once the country’s capital, today Gyeongju is lovingly regarded as Korea’s museum without walls. You don’t need much more than a day or two to explore the sights, but it’s an excellent destination for history and nature buffs. Make time to see Bulguksa Temple, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and Yangdong Folk Village.
Best hostel for solo travelers in Gyeongju: Han Jin Hostel
Best boutique hotel in Gyeongju: Gyeongju Hwangnamkwan Hanok Hotel
» Read more: Best Things to Do in Gyeongju in Two Days
5. Jeju-do
Jeju-do is nicknamed the Hawai’i of Korea and is a large island south of the country with excellent beach resorts and epic volcanic landmarks. It’s a great South Korea destination for women traveling solo who appreciate beautiful nature and enjoy hiking. Other top Jeju attractions include Korea’s tallest mountain of Hallasan (6,388′), the volcanic cone of Seongsan Ilchulbong, its numerous waterfalls, and the Manjanggul volcanic caves.
You can take a ferry to the island from one of the southern seaports, but flights from Seoul are more convenient and plentiful. To have the best experience, try to budget about 3-4 days to see Jeju properly.
Best hostel for solo travelers in Jeju: Jeju Hiking Inn and Gudeok Guesthouse
Best boutique hotel in Jeju: Hotel Leo
» Read more: Best Things to Do in Jeju
6. Jeonju
Jeonju is a charming city best known for the expansive Jeonju Hanok Heritage Village, where hundreds of old traditional homes, shops, and restaurants are clustered together. Jeonju is another fabulous day trip option from Seoul and can be reached via a direct two-hour fast train.
Best hostel for solo travelers in Jeonju: Yeon-ga Hanok Hostel
Best hotel in Jeonju: GaEunChae
7. Boseong Green Tea Fields
Boseong is famous for sprawling acres of rolling green tea fields and plantations that account for about 40% of Korea’s tea production. Visitors come to stroll amongst the tea leaves and learn about how it’s grown and harvested. During your visit, take part in a traditional Korean tea ceremony, snap photos of the scenery, and munch on local goodies like green tea ice cream, chocolate, and bibimbap.
To get to Boseong, you can jump on a five-hour bus from Seoul or rent a car and make the drive – which is super easy to do in Korea because car rentals are reasonably priced, and all signs are in English!
Best hotel for solo travelers in Boseong: Golmangtae Pension
» Read more: A Complete Guide to Visiting the Boseong Green Tea Fields
8. Seoraksan National Park
Seoraksan National Park is arguably one of the most beautiful destinations in South Korea. Named after its tallest peak, the park has various hiking trails suitable for all levels. It’s generally a pretty busy Korean tourist destination with well-marked paths, making it a safe place for solo hikers.
There are a few buses that take passengers to Seoraksan from Seoul – your final destination being the village of Sokcho – or you can opt to rent a car.
9. Daegu
While Daegu isn’t the most exciting place to visit in South Korea, it is worth mentioning. As Korea’s fourth-largest city, this bustling city has a large expat community made up of American military and native English teachers. If you have a two-week tour planned for Korea, make time to visit Daegu’s shopping street of Dongseongno, climb up Apsan mountain for epic skyline views, and see the E-world 83 tower.
Best hostel for solo travelers in Daegu: Daegu Midtown Hostel
Best boutique hotel in Daegu: Daegu February Hotel Dongseongro
» Read more: Best Things to Do in Daegu
10 Unique Things to Do in South Korea
Now that we’ve covered the best places to visit, here are the most unique things to do in South Korea for solo travelers.
1. Visit a Jjimjilbang and get a nude scrub.
Yes, you read that correctly! Getting a nude scrub at a jjimjilbang (traditional Korean bathhouse) is one of the most exciting Korean experiences you can have in Korea. People of all ages regularly visit their local jjimjilbang to soak in hot and cold baths, scrub their skin, and relax.
The baths are separated by gender, and the bathhouse employees perform the nude scrub for a small fee of about $20. With nothing but your birthday suit, you lay on a table, and the resident scrubber goes to town with a coarse sponge that exfoliates your entire body and effectively takes off the top layer skin. When you leave, your skin will be the softest it has ever been!
Check out the best jjimjilbangs in Seoul and learn more about how to visit a jjimjilbang in Korea.
2. Indulge in a Korean beauty treatment.
If the nude scrub sounds too overwhelming, there are other incredible beauty treatments to take advantage of while visiting South Korea – you are in the birthplace of K Beauty after all! What’s great about Korean beauty treatments is that they’re world-renowned for their quality, but they’re also reasonably priced.
See the best beauty treatments in Seoul.
3. Shop til you drop.
Shopping in Korea is a fun experience, especially along the busy shop-lined streets of Myeongdong, Insadong, and Hongdae in Seoul. You can find a wide variety of classic Korean clothes, cute phone cases and accessories, and traditional goods.
4. Experience a Korean temple stay.
Today, Koreans aren’t overly religious, but historically the religion that’s dominated is Korean Buddhism. Nearly 1,000 Korean Buddhist temples are spread throughout the countryside, often nestled in beautiful mountainscapes, where locals and visitors can find peace and calm in a religious sanctuary.
If you have the time to spare, spend a night or two at a traditional Korean temple where you can experience the simple life of Buddhist practitioners and learn more about the culture and history of Korean Buddhism. Or, temple hop Korea’s most beautiful temples.
Learn more about the best temple stays in South Korea.
5. Rent a hanbok and take photos at classic attractions.
A hanbok is a traditional Korean dress that people wear for special occasions like weddings and the lunar new year. A common thing to do in Seoul is to rent a hanbok for the day and snap photos in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace and other Seoul attractions.
The price is about $30 for the day, and you can enjoy free admission into Gyeongbokgung Palace when sporting your very own hanbok!
6. Eat traditional Korean goodies.
One of the best ways to get to know a new culture is to eat the local food. Street food stalls line many of the downtown streets in Korea’s cities, and must-try items include:
- Tteokbokki: spicy rice cakes
- Kimchi Mandu: Kimchi dumplings
- Hotteok: sweet Korean pancakes with nuts and seeds
- Japchae: stir-fried glass noodles
- Gimbap: Korean sushi without raw fish but rather veggies and meat
- Bungeoppang: fish-shaped pastry with custard filling
- Bindaetteok: savory mung bean pancake
7. Go hiking.
70% of South Korea is made up of mountains, so it’s no surprise that hiking is the national pastime. Entire groups gather to hike up mountains and picnic with Korean food and soju along the ridge overlooking fantastic views. If you’re interested in exploring some of the best hiking trails in South Korea, here the most notable include, Bukhansan and Ingwangsan in Seoul, Jangsan in Busan, and Palgongsan in Daegu.
» Read more: Essential Tips for Hiking in South Korea
8. Savor the Korean BBQ experience.
Grilled meat is a way of life in Korea, so if you’re a meat-eater, a must-do Korean experience is Korean BBQ. Tables are set up with built-in grills and ventilation systems for cooking your meat. The most common dishes are samgyupsal (grilled pork belly), galbi (beef short ribs), and bulgogi (thin marinated beef) served with numerous little dishes of veggies and kimchi.
Korean BBQ is a mini-event in and of itself, and portions are meant to be shared. So if you’re a solo traveler itching to try it, I recommend rounding up new friends at the hostel before venturing out.
9. Indulge in Korean cafe culture.
The cafe craze has taken off in Korea, and one of my favorite things to do was hop from cute cafe to cute cafe. Take your pick from themed joints, Instagram friendly spots, or places known simply for delicious coffee and desserts.
Some notable Seoul cafes to add to your bucket list include Thanks Nature Animal Cafe, Stylenanda Pink Pool Cafe, and Greem Cafe, Seoul’s famous 2D coffeehouse.
10. Visit a traditional tea house.
These days, coffee has undoubtedly gained favor over tea, but the long-standing tradition can still be found throughout the country. We recommend planning a visit to a traditional tea house to sample ancient Korean teas and snacks. They tend to be in beautiful old wooden buildings with floor seating and offer a charming experience to visitors.
Here are some of the best traditional tea houses in Seoul.
5 South Korea Travel Tips for Solo Travel
As easy as solo travel in Korea is, it’s always a good idea to prepare with the important need to know travel tips! Here are a few tips specifically for solo travel in South Korea.
1. Some traditional Korean dishes are served in larger portions for sharing, which can be challenging for solo travelers.
2. Public WiFi is everywhere and super fast, so you can always stay connected.
3. Take advantage of efficient public transportation and get a TMoney card to tap on and off buses and the metro.
4. A heads up about womanly things: feminine hygiene products can be hard to find, so come prepared, and Korean clothing sizes run very small.
5. Korean manners are taken very seriously. The most important to know as a visitor are:
- Take your shoes off when entering certain establishments
- Don’t speak too loudly on public transportation
- Give and receive items (like money and credit cards) with two hands
- Don’t sit in designated spots for the elderly, pregnant, or handicapped on public transportation
- Don’t blow your nose in public
6. Come prepared with the best apps for South Korea for smooth and easy travels.
The Best Way to Meet People in South Korea
Just because you’re traveling solo in Korea doesn’t mean you have to be alone the entire time! Here are some top tips if you’re interested in meeting people while traveling in South Korea.
- Stay in a hostel that has a social atmosphere.
- Go on an organized tour, like to the DMZ, Seoraksan National Park, or a Temple Stay.
- Be open to chatting with new people out and about.
- Join Facebook groups like Solo Female Traveler Network on Facebook and network with other solo female travelers going to Korea!