My best tips to solo travel in Korea (tried-and-tested!)

If you are thinking about traveling solo, South Korea is seriously one of the best places to do it. And I’m not being biased when I say this!

Whether you’re strolling through the lively streets of Hongdae, hiking up scenic mountains, or soaking in all the K-pop vibes in Gangnam, it’s super safe, easy to get around, and packed with cool stuff to see and do.

While I’ve personally not done a full solo trip in Korea, I had been out and about on my own during my time in summer school with no problems at all.

In this guide, I’ll share my top tips for solo travel in Korea, from staying safe and finding budget-friendly spots to must-see places and how to meet locals along the way.

Why Korea is Perfect for Solo Travelers

South Korea is arguably one of the safest countries in the world with an excellent transportation system, (mostly) friendly locals, and endless entertainment options for solo adventurers.

Low Crime Rate: Korea has relatively low crime rates, making it safe for solo travellers. However, do note that low crime rates=/= no crime!
Efficient Public Transportation: The subway, buses, and trains are pretty easy to navigate. Arguably much easier than that of Japan.
Fast Wi-Fi Everywhere: Free Wi-Fi in cafes, subway stations, and public areas means you can always stay connected without spending way too much on mobile data.
Tons of Solo-Friendly Activities: From K-pop experiences to traditional culture, there are so many things you can do solo.

Best Places to Visit for Solo Travelers in Korea

Seoul – The Ultimate Solo Travel City

As the capital city, Seoul is full of solo-friendly attractions for you to explore.

Top Solo Travel Spots in Seoul:

Gyeongbokgung Palace – Experience Korean history in a stunning setting.
Bukchon Hanok Village – Wander through traditional Korean houses.
Myeongdong – Shop for skincare and fashion without breaking the bank. Do be careful of being sucked into tourist traps though!
Hongdae – Enjoy Japanese food, street performances, and a very vibrant nightlife.
Seongsu – Find the most trendy cafés and shops here. You can also pay a visit to Seoul Forest and soak in the chill vibes alone.

Tip: Rent a hanbok (traditional Korean outfit) for free entry to palaces!

Busan – A Coastal Escape

If you love the beach, seafood, and relaxed vibes, Busan is a great destination for you to travel solo at.

Must-Visit Solo Spots in Busan:

Haeundae Beach – Relax by the ocean or take a sunset walk.
Gamcheon Culture Village – A colourful hillside village with photo spots.
Jagalchi Fish Market – Try fresh seafood at Korea’s largest fish market.

Jeju Island – Nature & Adventure

Jeju Island is perfect for solo travellers who love nature and outdoor activities. In fact, if I had to choose a city to travel to for solo travel, I would definitely pick Jeju in a heartbeat!

It is a bit trickier here if you can’t drive and are not planning your rent a car, but not totally impossible.

Top Solo Travel Spots in Jeju:

Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) – Hike for a stunning sunrise (or sunset) view.
Jeongbang Waterfall – One of Korea’s most beautiful waterfalls.
Hallasan Mountain – The highest mountain in Korea, perfect for solo hiking.

Safety Tips for Solo Travelers in Korea

In my experience, South Korea is safe enough that you don’t have to worry too much about getting robbed, mugged etc. However, you should never assume that you are always safe and will never need help.

Korea Solo Travel Safety Tips:

Save emergency numbers: Dial 112 for police and 1339 for medical help.
Use Naver Maps instead of Google Maps: Google Maps doesn’t work well in Korea. Please please please download Naver Maps to navigate because you really don’t want to be lost in the middle of nowhere, especially if you can’t speak Korean.
Stay in well-lit areas at night: Korea is safe, but it’s always good to be cautious.
Download the Kakao Taxi app: If you’re not confident of telling for sure which is a legitimate taxi, do this instead of hailing a taxi on the street.
Use lockers at subway stations: Store your bags here safely if you don’t want to carry them all day. I also recommend locking them away if you’re planning to go to crowded places and festivals because there’s still some chance of getting pickpocketed or losing your valuables.

Tip: Koreans are very helpful! If you get lost, ask a young person. Many of them can speak good English.

Best Ways to Get Around Korea Alone

Public Transportation:

The subway is the best way to travel in Seoul and Busan. I’m a huge fan of taking the subway in Seoul more than any other form of public transport, simply because it’s so convenient.
Remember to get a T-Money card for easy access to subways, buses, and taxis.

KTX (Korea Train Express):

Travel between cities quickly (e.g., Seoul to Busan in 2.5 hours). You can also opt to take a bus, but based on my experience, it’s a bit trickier. The journey might be quite long and there’s a chance the bus drives off while it’s at the rest area and you’re still queuing for the toilet.

Taxis & Apps:

Kakao Taxi is the safest taxi app (similar to Uber). Do NOT accept rides from unlicensed private taxis.

Rent a Bike (Seoul Bike – Ddareungi):

You can also explore Seoul on a budget with bike rentals (~1,000 KRW per hour). It can be more fun riding alone without having to stop and wait for fellow cyclists!

Tip: Avoid taxis during rush hour (5-7 PM) as traffic is very congested and very slow.

Eating Alone in Korea – Best Tips & Restaurants

Korea is pretty much solo-friendly, but dining can be a little trickier. Some BBQ and hot pot restaurants do require 2+ people to dine in.

Best Solo-Friendly Foods & Restaurants:

Kimbap Cheonguk (김밥천국) – Cheap and delicious Korean food.
Gukbap (국밥) – A warm soup and rice meal served individually.
Convenience Stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) – Affordable meals for solo travelers.
Street Food Markets (Gwangjang Market, Myeongdong Night Market) – Try tteokbokki, hotteok, and kimbap.

Tip: On Naver Map, you can check reviews and if you see the 🍙 icon or the word honbap/혼밥 (solo meal), this is a place that welcomes solo diners. In the worst case scenario, you can order two or more servings if they don’t accommodate one diner.

Budget Tips for Solo Travelers in Korea

If you’re on a tight budget while solo travelling in Korea, fret not. There are plenty of budget-friendly ways to travel around the country!

I go into more details here on how to travel on a budget in Korea, but here are some that are specific to solo travellers:

Accommodation:

Stay in guesthouses, hostels, or goshiwons instead of hotels. In fact, I highly recommend doing this because it’s so much easier as a solo traveller where you don’t have to accommodate other travellers.
Use Airbnb or budget hotels outside major tourist zones.

Food:

Eat at local kimbap restaurants (meals under 8,000 KRW).
Take advantage of free side dishes (banchan) in restaurants.

Essential Apps for Solo Travel in Korea

Must-Have Travel Apps:

Naver Maps – The best navigation app in Korea. Don’t bother with Google Maps.
Papago – A powerful translation app (better than Google Translate).
Kakao Taxi – The safest way to book a taxi.
Subway Korea – Helps you navigate subway lines easily.
Klook & Trazy – Book discounted tours and tickets.

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