31 South Korea Travel Tips for Solo Female Travelers

South Korea is one of the safest, most exciting destinations for solo women travellers. Whether it's on the busy streets of Seoul or sipping tea in a quiet traditional Korean hanok, here are my top South Korea travels tips to help you feel confident about travelling the country alone. (Based on my 10+ solo trips to South Korea- I started my solo travel in Korea before I had a Smartphone to guide me!)

The first time I went to South Korea, I didn't even have Internet on my phone. I had to travel from Incheon International Airport in Seoul to the University hostel my friend had booked for me (she was marrying a Korean and had arrived earlier to plan the wedding) with only HALF of a printed map.

But hey I managed to find the place! (She was amazed) After that, I took a solo vacation to Busan, the Korean islands etc. Since then I've been back around 10 times. Whilst Korea is pretty safe (in the international context), you still have to pay attention to some things.

Scroll down for my top South Korea travel tips or click here for the top mistakes to avoid making in South Korea.

1. Download Papago (translation app): outside of Seoul, sometimes even the staff at 5-star hotels (such as Signiel Busan) can't understand basic English. A translation app will save you a lot of hassle! As shown above, they're not always perfect though. For more must-have free apps for South Korean travel, click here.
2. Download Naver Maps or Kakao Maps: Google Maps doesn't work in Korea. Enough said!
3. Pack layers for sudden weather changes, especially if travelling to different places in Korea: ion my last visit, I was freezing in Jeju even with 6 layers (including a cashmere jacket) but sweating like crazy in Seoul in shorts!
4. Include a portable charger and universal adapter
5. Carry a printed hotel address (in Korean): It can be challenging even for Koreans to find Korean addresses so make your life easier with the Korean address. If going somewhere out of the way, don't pay the taxi driver till you're sure you're at the right place. My Mom & I have been dropped off in absolutely the middle of nowhere before on a SUPER COLD winter day. Luckily I had a Korean friend who I put on the phone with someone who passed by and she managed to find us. (We were on our way to her house.)
6. Bring modest clothing for temples: Koreans are OK with itsy bittsy skirts, but not plunging tops!
7. Bring tampons if preferred—they’re hard to find in Korea
8. Have cash (KRW) on hand: some small shops and market stalls are cash-only. Also keep in mind that their profit margins aren't huge so it's always nice to help them save on transaction fees 🙂
9. Use Google Translate’s photo scan for menus and signs: outside of central Seoul, a lot of restaurants only have Korean on their menu. (Which is what makes travelling there fun!)

1. Check the exact location of your hotel before booking: Ideally, look for a photo of the street the hotel is located on and check that it's well-lit. Korea has a lot of alleyways and the entrance to some hotels can be quite hidden away. On my first trip, my (cheap) hotel was hidden in a maze of little alleys and impossible to locate. A Korean man waved for me to follow him- I was a little apprehensive to be honest as it looked like the perfect set-up for a murder scene but luckily he was just a kind man and I survived!
2. Choose your accommodation wisely: Korea has a lot of problems with hidden cameras (molka) in private places such as restrooms and hotel rooms. I usually avoid staying at AirB&Bs and love motels for this reason. You can check to see if they're any where there are holes (in the walls etc), in mirrors etc. There are also devices which claim they can help you spot hidden cameras but I've never tried them.

🧭 Navigation & Safety

1. South Korea is safe, but stay alert at night: I've never had an issue in Korea and it has a reputation for being super safe but it's not without crime. In fact, the attitudes towards women can be quite worrying and misogynistic. I would recommend being very careful if you plan to go clubbing and drinking.
2. Some cities have subways with women-only sections: use them late at night or during rush hour.
3. Register your trip with your embassy for peace of mind
4. Be more careful (in some parts) outside of Seoul: central Busan can feel quite rough.

1. Be VERY CAREFUL if you have serious allergies: life-threatening allergies are rarer in Asia, so many restaurants can be quite cavalier about them.
2. Seek out solo-friendly restaurants: one way is to look for “혼밥 welcome”, ramen shops, or to ask before you enter. Outside of central Seoul (typically not an issue anymore), some restaurants don't take solo diners. More specifically, they don't take diners who order only one portion of food. If you're a solo diner who orders for 2, you'd most likely be allowed in. It's a waste of food and money though!
3. Use vending cafés or convenience stores for quick meals: Don't look down on them- convenience stores in Korea and Japan have a wide range of fun snacks and bento boxes!
4. Join a local food tour: It's a fun way to meet fellow travelers and it solves the eating alone problem. Here are some of my favorite Seoul food tours.
5. Attend a cooking class: alternatively, sign-up for one of these cooking classes in Seoul- you eat what you make, so it's a fun experience and you avoid the issue of finding a place that will take a solo diner,
6. Try street food at night markets: these food stalls won't turn you down for being alone. Just remember to bring cash to pay and to use Papago if unsure.

Any questions about visiting South Korea as a solo female traveler? Let me know in the comments! (Please don't email- I've had readers do that before but the email got lost somewhere in my carnivorous mailbox and I've not been able to reply to her!)