All the things you Have to Know

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All the things you might want to know to be ready for solo feminine journey in South Korea – together with security ideas and journey recommendation…

Even after a decade of travelling solo, I nonetheless get nervous about visiting a brand new nation. Particularly after I do not know what to anticipate, as was the case after I not too long ago spent a couple of weeks travelling solo to South Korea for the primary time.

In a short time after arriving, although, I found that South Korea is by far the most secure and best Asian nation that I’ve visited alone! Getting round was so easy (I’m nonetheless in awe of their public transportation system), I all the time felt protected, and other people I met had been so pleasant and glad to assist. It’s a GREAT nation for travelling solo, but it surely nonetheless pays to do your analysis and be ready!

So – right here’s my tried-and-tested solo feminine journey information to South Korea: from somebody who’s been travelling the world alone for almost a decade! I’ve coated security ideas, points to pay attention to, recommendation for getting round, and extra. I hope it helps!

If in case you have any questions in any respect, be at liberty to get in contact through the feedback or on socials (I’m @em_luxton on Instagram). Protected travels…

South Korea for Solo Feminine Travellers: Professionals and Cons

Of all of the Asian coutnries I’ve visited, I feel South Korea is the simplest to go to as a solo feminine traveller. I felt protected the entire time I used to be there, getting round was all the time tremendous easy, and I had an absolute blast on my journey! These are my professionals and cons:

Is South Korea Protected for Solo Feminine Travellers?

It is a BIG matter, so I’ve written a separate put up answering this query in rather more element. CLICK HERE to learn it. In any other case, right here’s a fast abstract of what you might want to know:

South Korea is mostly very protected for travellers.

Crime charges are low, and Seoul (the capital) ranked seventh on the 2025 State of Journey Insurance coverage Most secure Locations report.

It’s best to nonetheless take all the same old security precautions. Maintain valuables in busy areas, keep away from strolling alone late at night time, and many others.

Emergency numbers: 119 for ambulance/fireplace or 112 for police.

Vacationers can dial 1330 to succeed in the Korea Journey Helpline, which might join them with the vacationer police.

The political state of affairs between North and South Korea is fraught, however there’s no energetic battle (on the time of writing). Control the information and the UK Authorities’s journey web page for South Korea to remain abreast of any updates.

READ MORE: Is South Korea Protected for Solo Feminine Travellers?

Ideas for Getting Round South Korea

The general public transport system in South Korea is great! It was certainly one of my favorite issues in regards to the nation: all the pieces labored so effectively, and it was all the time easy to determine the place I used to be going.

In main cities like Seoul and Busan, the subway methods are environment friendly, low-cost, clear, and protected. There are additionally glorious bus networks in each metropolis – and the entire nation is linked by a improbable system of trains and buses. Don’t shrink back from public transport, as more often than not it’s the most affordable and quickest manner of getting wherever.

Google Maps doesn’t work: Obtain Naver

Google Maps doesn’t work properly in South Korea (or in any respect in some circumstances). As a substitute, obtain the native equal: Naver Maps. I extremely suggest you obtain the app and arrange an account earlier than you fly to Korea. This fashion, the app ought to default to English, and you may make positive all the pieces is up and working earlier than your journey.

In my expertise, Naver Maps was rather more correct than Google Maps has ever been – particularly for planning journeys on public transport. The timings had been right (nearly to the second!) and the app pings you with a notification when your prepare or bus is approaching the cease you want! 

FYI: You’ll want both a neighborhood SIM card or an eSIM with pay as you go information to make use of Naver Maps. I’ve coated this additional on down the web page – however personally, I favor an eSIM. Holafy provide limitless information eSIM plans for South Korea – get a 5% low cost with code EMILYLUXTON.

Get a T-Cash or Journey Card

Essentially the most handy approach to pay for Korea’s public transport is with a journey cash card. These work equally to an Oyster Card in London: you prime them up, then use them to faucet out and in of the subway or bus, so you possibly can pay for every journey on the go. You need to use the identical card throughout South Korea.

It will prevent cash, as journey costs are barely decrease in contrast with shopping for particular person tickets. It’s additionally rather more handy: queuing as much as purchase a ticket on the machine for each single journey will get tedious fairly quick! And on many buses, you possibly can’t pay with money in any respect anymore – so a journey card actually is the best choice.

There are two primary choices: the T-Cash Card is extra broadly out there and better-known. There’s additionally the EZL Card, which does the identical factor however is offered at completely different shops. I ended up shopping for the EZL Card and may verify it really works precisely the identical because the T-Cash Card. It additionally will get you a reduction at Lotte Responsibility Free shops.

Is there Uber in South Korea?

Sure, there may be Uber in South Korea – however normally solely in main cities. It was positively out there in Seoul, Busan, and Gyeongju on my journey, however smaller cities and rural areas could not have Uber but.

There may be one other app you should use known as Kakao T (it was once Kakao Taxi), which can be utilized to name native taxis. You want a Korean checking account to pay on-line, or you possibly can pay the driving force straight (most settle for each money and bank card). Extra data right here.

Ideas for Solo Travellers in South Korea

Get a Native SIM or eSIM

Web entry makes travelling in South Korea a lot simpler. It’s helpful for utilizing Naver maps to plan your journeys (see above), calling Ubers, and utilizing translation apps when talking with locals or making an attempt to decipher indicators.

You should purchase a pay as you go LG SIM card at Seoul airport, with costs ranging from ￦6,500 (round £3.50 / $4.50) for twenty-four hours. A ten-day SIM card with limitless information prices ￦35,000 (round £19 / $24).

An eSIM may go out cheaper (relying on the size of your journey). Even when not, it’s rather more handy, as you possibly can set up it straight onto your cellphone and use it alongside your regular SIM – with no need to enter a store.

Airalo: From £26.50 / $32 (limitless information, 10 days). Use code EMILY9237 to get £2.50 / $3 off your first buy.Nomad: From £4.50 / $5 (1GB, 7 days). Use code EMIL96SV to get $7 off your first buy.Holafly: From £6 / $6.90 (Limitless information, 1 day). The plans are higher worth once you purchase for longer: eg, 7 days of limitless information is £24 / $$29.90. Use code EMILYLUXTON to get 5% off.

Apps to obtain forward of your journey

Naver Maps – see above.

Google Translate – you should use the digicam operate to live-translate any Korean textual content (for instance, a restaurant menu or ticket machine).

XE Forex – helpful for doing on-the-go conversions.

Uber – even when you have already got it, be sure you arrange all the security capabilities (equivalent to an emergency contact) forward of your journey.

The place to Keep as a Solo Feminine Traveller

Hostels – nice for assembly different travellers, however you’ll should share a dorm room.

Capsule inns – these are a superb answer for solo travellers. You’ll get your individual personal pod and a locker to retailer your valuables. In case you’re visiting Busan, I extremely suggest Gwanganli Lodge 1 (watch my video evaluate right here).

Feminine-only Guesthouses – guesthouses are an ideal possibility if you would like budget-friendly lodging with out staying in a hostel. They’re smaller than inns and normally have a comfortable, family-run vibe. There are some female-only guesthouses in most cities, that are best in the event you’re a bit nervous about travelling by yourself as a lady.

Homestay – immerse your self in Korean tradition by staying with a neighborhood household at a homestay. These typically embody a home-cooked meal and generally is a nice perception into Korean life.

Find out how to Meet Different Travellers in South Korea

One of the simplest ways to fulfill fellow travellers and make pals is normally by staying in a hostel. There are hostels in most main cities, though they’re much less prevalent than in another nations. In order for you a social vibe, search for hostels that host excursions, occasions, and lessons – or discover a get together hostel if that’s your factor!

One other nice approach to meet travellers is by reserving excursions. I did fairly a couple of day journeys and metropolis excursions on my journey, they usually had been an effective way to fulfill different travellers (each foreigners and native Koreans). Meals excursions and cooking lessons are significantly good, as they imply you will have folks to dine with (I all the time discover eating solo can get lonely on longer journeys). On one tour, our information made positive to group all of the solo travellers up at lunch in order that we may share a Korean BBQ!

Find out how to Gown?

South Korea is a reasonably trendy and liberal nation. It embraces modernity, however can also be very rooted in custom. On the entire, you possibly can in all probability gown roughly as you’d at dwelling. That stated, it’s advisable to decorate considerably modestly, particularly when visiting temples or conventional villages.

Nobody appears to bat an eyelid at shorts, mini attire, and quick skirts (even very quick skirts). However exhibiting cleavage is slightly frowned upon, so keep away from something too low-cut. I felt like I acquired a variety of undesirable (and uncomfortable) consideration after I wore something even remotely low-cut! I’d additionally suggest bringing a shawl or scarf to cowl your shoulders when carrying sleeveless tops.

Look and vogue might be fairly an enormous deal right here, so the “scruffy backpacker” look that you simply would possibly see in South East Asia (Chang vest tops and elephant pants, that sort of factor) gained’t actually work if you wish to impress in South Korea! And also you’ll positively need at the very least one “dressy” outfit to put on to good bars and eating places.

The Essential Takeaways

South Korea is, on the whole, a really protected nation to journey, however you must nonetheless take the identical security precautions you’d take wherever else.

Get an eSIM so you will have web entry all through your journey.

Obtain Naver Maps upfront to plan journeys with ease.

Purchase a journey card (T-Cash or EZL) upfront, or get one at a comfort retailer once you arrive. It would prevent cash on public transport and make paying for buses and the subway a lot simpler.

Is there the rest you’d prefer to find out about visiting South Korea as a solo feminine traveller? Let me know within the feedback under and I’ll get again to you!