Is Seoul Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Seoul is generally safe for solo female travelers. The crime rate is relatively low and the locals are highly respectful. The city is also very clean and public transportation is reliable. It's common to see women walking alone late at night. However, like anywhere, it's always important to stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Safety rating

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How safe is Seoul?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

Seoul, exhibits a high level of safety at night. The city is well-lit and the morning hours are lively with people, so even late into the night the roads aren't completely deserted. Public transports like buses, taxis, and subways are available at night. Still, like any other city, it's always recommended to stick to main roads, avoid dimly lit or deserted alleys. It's also wise to stay mindful of your belongings and your surroundings.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in Seoul is excellent and remarkably safe. The city offers an extensive subway system, bus routes, and taxis. The subway system is very efficient, clean and the signs are available in multiple languages, including English. Buses are accessible and taxis are affordable. It's common to see women using these systems at all hours of the day or night. All vehicles are equipped with security cameras and emergency call buttons. Remember to keep your belongings close to you and be aware of your surroundings as you would in any other big city.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Seoul is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. Street harassment is quite low compared to many other major cities across the globe. The locals are usually polite and respectful, and instances of open hostility or unwanted attention are uncommon. Despite this, it's always advisable to stay alert and follow common safety precautions, particularly during late hours.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Seoul is considered quite safe with regard to petty crimes. Although pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occasionally occur in crowded areas such as markets or public transportation, these instances are relatively rare. As in any large city, maintaining awareness of your surroundings and keeping personal belongings secure can further minimize such risks. The local police are generally responsive and many officers speak English. Security cameras, or CCTV, are also staples throughout the city, contributing to a lower crime rate.

Is Seoul worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 36 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.5/5

Food

4.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5
Alexa

Alexa

United States

Solo travel

The entire time I was in Seoul I never felt unsafe. Everyone was kind and helpful. Korean food is amazing! I say get out of your comfort zone and try something different, you won’t regret it. The bus and metro system are fairly easy to use and understand. Just make sure to get a t-money card, buy one at any convenience store and load it up at the machines in the stations.

Posted: May 13, 2025
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Solo travel

Seoul is beautiful and breathtakingly impressive. I felt very safe being alone and didn’t have any weird situations whatsoever. Also, it’s quite cheap for a capital! Definitely recommend for people who are new to traveling and.

Posted: May 12, 2025
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Solo travel

As a foreigner I felt safe walking around, even at night. I was there for around 8 weeks and never witnessed any antisocial behaviour. The worst thing was some of the public toilets were quite poorly maintained. Bring your own toilet paper! In fact, I was warned about racism (especially from older people) yet the older people I came across were lovely, even at one time offering their seat to me on public transport when I had many shopping bags. I was mostly worried about rabies, as there were many stray cats I liked to feed around my hotel. Unfortunately I did see a rabid cat :(

Posted: May 7, 2025
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Solo travel

Korea for traveling is a beautiful country but as someone who’ve been living here for 4years I recommend to be careful when girl goes out in famous areas like hongdae and itaewon . A lot of Korean goes there to have fun with foreigners. So please I hope people stop romanticized Koreans . They are not the same as the ones you see in kdrama

Posted: April 21, 2025
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celine

celine

Germany

Solo travel

It was my first big solo trip ever. I would describe myself as a very cautious person, but i felt safe walking around at all times. I got out of my comfort zone a lot, in a good way. The food was so good and affordable, there were so many things to see. Definitely recommend.

Posted: April 20, 2025Experienced: August, 2024
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Alexia

Alexia

France

Couple travel

I was a year abroad for my student exchange at Seoul and I can really tell the safety is at 100%. Never you will be robbed or anything in Korea, and most people are really respectuous and welcoming. My boyfriend went for some months here and we did a lot of activities like going to pretty and aesthetic cafe, hiking, seeing the beautiful palaces, wearing hanbok, taking pictures, going to bars and such!

Posted: April 11, 2025Experienced: March, 2025
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Marta

Marta

Poland

Solo travel

Overall i felt safe. I wasnt harrased and noone was asking me weird questions. I wore fake engagement ring like during my other solo trips. I Walked alone in lat evening (around 11pm) and it was safe. I dont know how it is at night. I spent around 15-20 euro per day for food. I used visit seoul card and I can reccomend it only if you plan your trip right and use it a lot.

Posted: January 22, 2025Experienced: September, 2023
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Solo travel

I felt very safe. I stayed in a hostel in a shared room. I loved the parks and generally walking around the old buildings. The street food was amazing. I would recommend not eating in restaurants and instead eating in the food stalls you can find everywhere. I got a korean prepaid card for public transportation and using it was so easy. You had to scan it when entering or exiting a bus and subways and they always showed your balance. So you always knew when to top up

Posted: January 22, 2025Experienced: September, 2024
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Emy

Emy

Germany

Solo travel

Seoul was fascinating in a way that I haven’t experienced before. Because it is a capital, you just realize after a while that it’s impossible to see all the places and find all the communities there. I stayed for 10 months and had the best time of my life! It felt much safer than Europe, but of course, no place (that I know of) qualifies as 100% safe. I lived in itaewon, a place with lots of tourists and night clubs, but going out at night was fun and if one place didn’t have the right energy, I could just move on to the next. My friend visited me while I lived there and she liked it as well :)

Posted: September 21, 2024
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Pru

Pru

Germany

Group travel

It was my first travel so I went with an agency. Seoul is very lively! There is always entertainment in the street. Even the shops are open until late at night. I felt really safe there. I didnt try clubs and bar.

Posted: August 24, 2024Experienced: July, 2019
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Is Seoul safe for women?

Safety index

4 /5

Based on 18 local experiences

Crime index

1.6 /5

Based on 18 local experiences

Selena

Selena

There is no such thing as a complete safety for girls anywhere in the world. But in Seoul you can walk around at night without too much worry. People don’t really care about other property, so no worries for burglary.

Posted: May 4, 2025
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In general Seoul is safer than Europe countries but I would recommend to be careful specially if girls goes out at night in famous area like hongdae and itaewon . Korean guys usually goes to these areas to have fun with foreign girl. I’ve been living in Korea for 4 years and unfortunately I did have bad experiences . The white horse is still something happening these days . Even if in general Korea is safe , still need to be vigilant at night

Posted: April 21, 2025
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Meet locals in Seoul

Ruth

Ruth

About Me

Hiii girlyyy, my name is Ruth, I'm 21 and I'm a full time student at Queen Mary University! I'm a film major and I love to watch all types of movies. (I'm not very picky...) I'm currently studying abroad in South Korea but if there's anything you'd like to know about travelling around London or the UK in general, hit me with a text! Or just to chat <3.

Speaking

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Joo

Joo

About Me

Hi! I'm Joo from Seoul, Korea. I like to spend time with people from all around the world and this seems cool to meet new people! I'm a type of person you can talk about anything with. From casual topics to political or social issues. I'd love to expand the horizon of subjects! We could hang out in populat places in Seoul or if we get along well maybe travel outside of Seoul together😇 Anyway nice to meet you and seeya

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Seoul

Liza

Liza

Seoul

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi there, I'm Liza! Recently graduated with Masters degree and now looking for a job I live in a one-room but open to hosting if you are not afraid if small spaces and not-so-good bathroom :D I also like strolling around Seoul so can make a company or just give advice on places to go :)

Speaking

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Azra

Azra

Seoul

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi, I’m Azra! I love exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and making memories with amazing people. Music, good food, and adventure are my constant companions. Always up for a fun trip and new friendships — let’s make every journey unforgettable!

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Seoul

Iza

Iza

About Me

Hey! My name is Iza. I grew up in New York but have now found myself in a smaller city in Poland. I love traveling and have already managaed to check off a few European countries off my list.

Speaking

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Angela

Angela

About Me

Fan of maps, museums, and moments that make you smile for no reason. Here to meet people who love life in all its curious forms. My biggest goal is to visit all 7 wonders of the world — number 6 is coming next month!

Speaking

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Safety in South Korea