All the things you Have to Know

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All the things it’s essential 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 just lately spent just a few 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 by myself! Getting round was so easy (I’m nonetheless in awe of their public transportation system), I all the time felt protected, and folks I met had been so pleasant and pleased to assist. It’s a GREAT nation for travelling solo, nevertheless it 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 lined security ideas, points to pay attention to, recommendation for getting round, and extra. I hope it helps!

You probably have any questions in any respect, be happy to get in contact by way of 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 believe 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?

This can be a BIG matter, so I’ve written a separate put up answering this query in far more element. CLICK HERE to learn it. In any other case, right here’s a fast abstract of what it’s essential know:

• South Korea is usually 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 evening, and so forth.
• Emergency numbers: 119 for ambulance/hearth or 112 for police.
  • Vacationers can dial 1330 to achieve the Korea Journey Helpline, which may join them with the vacationer police.
• The political scenario between North and South Korea is fraught, however there’s no energetic battle (on the time of writing). Regulate 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 fantastic! It was certainly one of my favorite issues in regards to the nation: all the things 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 means of getting wherever.

Google Maps doesn’t work: Obtain Naver

Google Maps doesn’t work effectively in South Korea (or in any respect in some instances). As a substitute, obtain the native equal: Naver Maps. I extremely advocate you obtain the app and arrange an account earlier than you fly to Korea. This manner, the app ought to default to English, and you can also make certain all the things is up and operating earlier than your journey.

In my expertise, Naver Maps was far more correct than Google Maps has ever been – particularly for planning journeys on public transport. The timings had been appropriate (nearly to the second!) and the app pings you with a notification when your practice 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 knowledge to make use of Naver Maps. I’ve lined this additional on down the web page – however personally, I favor an eSIM. Holafy supply limitless knowledge eSIM plans for South Korea – get a 5% low cost with code EMILYLUXTON.

Get a T-Cash or Journey Card

Probably the most handy technique to pay for Korea’s public transport is with a journey cash card. These work equally to an Oyster Card in London: you high them up, then use them to faucet out and in of the subway or bus, so you may pay for every journey on the go. You should utilize 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 a lot extra 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 may’t pay with money in any respect anymore – so a journey card actually is the best choice.

There are two fundamental choices: the T-Cash Card is extra extensively obtainable and better-known. There’s additionally the EZL Card, which does the identical factor however is bought at totally 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’s Uber in South Korea – however often solely in main cities. It was undoubtedly obtainable in Seoul, Busan, and Gyeongju on my journey, however smaller cities and rural areas could not have Uber but.

There’s one other app you need to use referred to as Kakao T (it was Kakao Taxi), which can be utilized to name native taxis. You want a Korean checking account to pay on-line, or you may pay the motive force immediately (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 useful 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 knowledge prices ￦35,000 (round £19 / $24).

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

Airalo: From £26.50 / $32 (limitless knowledge, 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 knowledge, 1 day). The plans are higher worth if you purchase for longer: eg, 7 days of limitless knowledge 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 need to use the digital camera operate to live-translate any Korean textual content (for instance, a restaurant menu or ticket machine).
• XE Foreign money – helpful for doing on-the-go conversions.
• Uber – even when you have already got it, be sure to arrange all the protection features (corresponding 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 need to share a dorm room.

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

Feminine-only Guesthouses – guesthouses are a fantastic choice in order for you budget-friendly lodging with out staying in a hostel. They’re smaller than resorts and often have a comfy, family-run vibe. There are some female-only guesthouses in most cities, that are excellent for those who’re a bit nervous about travelling by yourself as a girl.

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.

Easy methods to Meet Different Travellers in South Korea

The easiest way to fulfill fellow travellers and make mates is often by staying in a hostel. There are hostels in most main cities, though they’re much less prevalent than in another international locations. If you’d like a social vibe, search for hostels that host excursions, occasions, and lessons – or discover a celebration hostel if that’s your factor!

One other nice technique to meet travellers is by reserving excursions. I did fairly just a few day journeys and metropolis excursions on my journey, and so they had been a good way to fulfill different travellers (each foreigners and native Koreans). Meals excursions and cooking lessons are notably good, as they imply you could have individuals to dine with (I all the time discover eating solo can get lonely on longer journeys). On one tour, our information made certain to group all of the solo travellers up at lunch in order that we might share a Korean BBQ!

Easy methods to Costume?

South Korea is a reasonably trendy and liberal nation. It embraces modernity, however can be very rooted in custom. On the entire, you may in all probability gown kind of as you’ll at house. That mentioned, it’s really helpful to decorate considerably modestly, particularly when visiting temples or conventional villages.

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

Look and style could be fairly an enormous deal right here, so the “scruffy backpacker” look that you just would possibly see in South East Asia (Chang vest tops and elephant pants, that kind of factor) received’t actually work if you wish to impress in South Korea! And also you’ll undoubtedly need not less than one “dressy” outfit to put on to good bars and eating places.

The Important Takeaways

• South Korea is, typically, a really protected nation to journey, however you must nonetheless take the identical security precautions you’ll take wherever else.
• Get an eSIM so you could 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 if you arrive. It’ll prevent cash on public transport and make paying for buses and the subway a lot simpler.

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