Best Places to Travel in South Korea for Solo Female Travellers
South Korea has quietly become one of those places solo female travellers keep recommending to each other. It’s clean, easy to get around and comfortable to experience on your own. even if this is your first solo trip. If South Korea appeals to you, you might also enjoy our guide to travelling solo in Japan as a woman, another destination that feels safe and structured.
You can spend your days wandering neighbourhoods and doing your own thing without feeling out of place. There’s structure when you want it and freedom when you don’t. And while it’s very possible to travel completely independently, South Korea also suits group travel especially well. Which is why it’s become such a popular destination for our solo female group trips to South Korea.
This guide covers what you actually need to know before planning a solo trip to South Korea. Where to go, how to get around, and whether travelling with a group might suit you better.
Is South Korea a Good Choice for Solo Female Travellers?
In short, yes. For many women, it feels easier than expected.
South Korea is often described as one of the safest countries for solo female travellers. Reliable public transport and a calm day-to-day atmosphere make it an easy place to enjoy on your own.
That doesn’t mean switching your brain off completely. Like any big city, nightlife areas require a bit more awareness, especially around clubs and late-night drinking. But day to day, South Korea feels calm and builds confidence quickly especially for new solo travellers.
It’s also a place where being alone doesn’t attract attention. Eating solo or sightseeing alone is completely normal. You don’t feel watched or questioned. You just get on with your day.
For first-time solo travellers, that ease matters. And for more experienced solo travellers, it’s refreshing not to have to think too hard about the basics.
Where to Go in South Korea as a Solo Traveller
Seoul
Seoul is an ideal place to begin a solo trip through South Korea. It’s busy and full of energy, but also incredibly well organised.
As a solo traveller, it’s easy to settle in quickly. Neighbourhoods like Myeongdong and Hongdae are central and well-connected. You can step outside and immediately feel part of the city. Food is everywhere, and transport is very simple. In Seoul, there’s always something happening.
Seoul is also a great place to mix modern culture with tradition. One day, you might be wandering palaces and historic villages like Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon Hanok Village, the next you’re watching the city light up from viewpoints like Namsan Mountain.
For solo travellers, there are so many experiences here. K-pop dance classes, food tours, hanbok rentals and cultural walking tours. They are all easy to join alone and naturally social without feeling forced. They’re a good way to add structure to your days while still keeping your independence.
Seoul also offers deeper, more reflective experiences. Many travellers choose to visit the DMZ on a guided day trip, which provides important context to the country’s history and is something most people prefer not to do completely solo.
What makes Seoul work so well is balance. You can pack your days full or slow things down.
Jeonju
Jeonju is a great stop if you want to see a more traditional side of South Korea. It’s known for its food and one of the best-preserved hanok villages in the country.
Many solo travellers choose to stay in a hanok guesthouse, which adds to the experience. These traditional wooden homes are cosy and run by locals who are used to hosting travellers from all over the world. They’re also a nice change after the buzz of Seoul.
The city itself is easy to explore on foot. Wandering the hanok village and eating your way through town can easily fill a day. Jeonju is the birthplace of bibimbap. So food is a big part of being here, whether that’s casual street bites or sitting down for something more traditional.
Jeonju is also a good place to experience Korean drinking culture in a low-pressure way. Makgeolli (a traditional rice wine) is popular here and often enjoyed with food rather than rushed. Learning the customs around drinking adds a bit of cultural context, even if you only try one glass.
For solo female travellers, Jeonju feels peaceful and effortless. It’s social enough if you want to connect with others, but quiet enough to enjoy your own space. A gentle pause in the trip before moving on.
Gyeongju
Gyeongju feels very different from the bigger cities. It’s packed with history and is often called a “museum without walls”.
Many of the main sights are spread out but well connected, and cycling is a popular way to explore. It’s easygoing and gives you the freedom to stop wherever catches your eye.
One of the highlights is Bulguksa Temple, set among forested hills just outside the city. It’s peaceful and a place where you can take your time without feeling rushed or out of place. Temples like this are often best experienced quietly, which suits solo travel perfectly.
Back in town, ancient tombs and historic sites sit right alongside cafés and everyday life. You can spend hours wandering without needing a strict plan. In the evening, the old town is a comfortable place to eat and have a drink, with a low-key atmosphere that feels welcoming rather than busy.
Donggung Palace and Anapji Pond are best seen in the evening, when the lights reflect across the water and the whole place is stunning.
Busan
Busan is where South Korea softens a little. It’s relaxed and easy to enjoy solo. Think beaches backed by mountains and lively markets
Days here can be spent exploring places like Jagalchi Market and the city’s shopping streets. Or riding the Songdo cable car for wide views over the water and walking through the colourful lanes of Gamcheon Cultural Village. Mornings are slower, involving beach yoga and followed by a long soak at Spa Land, one of Busan’s best-loved spas.
Evenings can be very social. You can grab dinner by the water, and end the night doing what Korea does best, karaoke. Busan feels safe and easygoing. A huge reason why it's a favourite stop for solo female travellers who want a mix of downtime and fun without any pressure.
Many travellers who love South Korea also explore Europe solo. Our guide to solo female travel in Greece is a good place to start.
Jeju Island
Jeju is greener and all about nature.Days here are spent exploring Jeju’s volcanic landscape. From the dramatic Jusangjeolli lava cliffs to peaceful temples tucked into the hills. Seongsan Ilchulbong is a standout, especially at sunset. The views stretch across the ocean, and the light changes everything. For more on Jeju’s hiking routes and natural sites, the official Jeju Tourism site has helpful planning resources.
One of the best ways to experience Jeju is on foot. Walking sections of the Olle Trail gives you coastal views and places like Jeongbang Waterfall. After more active mornings, afternoons are relaxed with time to explore museums and relax in cafes.
Jeju is the kind of place that balances out the busy cities and leaves you feeling like you’ve really seen a different side of South Korea.
Getting Around South Korea as a Solo Traveller
One of the reasons South Korea works so well for solo female travellers is how easy it is to move around.
Public transport is affordable and simple to figure out. Cities like Seoul and Busan have excellent metro systems with clear signage. Trains between cities are fast and comfortable. You don’t need to drive, and you don’t need to overthink routes.
For longer distances, high-speed trains and short internal flights make travelling between places like Seoul and Jeju straightforward. Apps like KakaoMap or Naver Map help with navigation, and the Korea Rail network makes moving between cities straightforward.
If you’re travelling solo, this ease takes a lot of pressure off. You can focus on enjoying where you are rather than worrying about how to get from A to B.
And if planning routes and transfers feels like too much, travelling with a group can take that weight off without losing the solo travel feeling. Our women-only group trips in South Korea are designed to make travel feel easy.
Final Thoughts: Is South Korea Right for Solo Female Travellers?
South Korea is one of those destinations that surprises people. It feels safe and structured, even if it’s your first solo trip.
You can explore cities, eat alone and wander neighbourhoods. There’s plenty to do, but no pressure to constantly be doing something. That balance makes it a great choice for solo female travellers who want the freedom without stress.
If you’re confident travelling alone, South Korea gives you that extra bit of independence. If you’re curious about solo travel but want a bit more support, it’s also a destination that works incredibly well as a group trip, especially on our solo female travel trips to South Korea.
Either way, it’s a place that builds confidence quickly and leaves a lasting impression
FAQS
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Yes. South Korea is widely considered one of the safest countries for women travelling alone. Violent crime is rare, public transport is reliable, and day-to-day life feels calm and organised. Like anywhere, nightlife areas need a bit more awareness, but overall it’s a very comfortable place to travel solo.
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Absolutely. Many women choose South Korea for their first solo trip because it’s easy to get around, people keep to themselves, and being alone doesn’t feel awkward. You can ease into solo travel without feeling overwhelmed.
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No. Knowing a few basic phrases helps, but you’ll get by without speaking Korean. Transport signage is clear, translation apps work well, and people are usually patient if you need help.
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Completely normal. Solo dining is common, especially in cafés, casual restaurants and street food markets. No one bats an eyelid if you’re eating alone.
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Very easy. Public transport is one of South Korea’s strong points. Subways and trains are clean, safe and simple to use. In places like Jeju, many solo travellers use tours or shared transport for ease.